How Metal Buildings Withstand the Extreme UK Climate
When it comes to the temperamental and ever-changing weather in the UK, it is important to ensure all fixtures in your back garden are durable enough for every season. Metal garden buildings have become an increasingly popular storage option across the country, and it’s easy to see why. These structures tend to be cheaper than their wooden counterparts, and the strength of materials used in their construction makes them a notably resilient and secure option for garden storage.
Shopping for garden buildings can be overwhelming with numerous options on the market and a wide array of weather conditions to keep in mind. Sustainability is also an important factor for many consumers in an ever-changing climate. To assist in the decision-making process, this guide examines the resilience of metal garden buildings in the UK’s diverse and often challenging weather patterns. It provides expert insights and case studies, highlighting the effectiveness of these structures in regions of the UK experiencing severe weather.
UK’s Weather Challenges and Building Structures
Before looking at metal garden buildings specifically, it’s important to consider the weather challenges present throughout the UK and their impact on traditional garden structures.
Weather Dynamics of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom experiences extreme and unpredictable weather patterns throughout the year, including storms, heavy rains, and occasional snowfalls. Because of the geographical location of the British Isles and the weather impact from the surrounding water, the country is susceptible to sudden shifts in atmospheric patterns.
Storms are common in coastal regions of the UK, with the nearby Atlantic Ocean and jet stream contributing to heavy winds and intense rainfall. Regions that experience heavy rains also have an increased risk of flooding and property damage.
Extreme weather is not just a concern in the winter; in the summer, hot temperatures and heat waves are common throughout the country. Conditions like this can contribute to a higher number of grass fires and wildfires. UK temperature records were broken in the summer of 2022 when a temperature of 40.3 C was recorded in Lincolnshire.
With climate change as an ever-pressing issue, the latest set of UK climate projections show that in the coming years, summers will be drier and winters will be wetter than they have been in the past. In a region with temperamental and changing weather, it is always a good idea to be prepared.
Challenges Associated with Traditional Garden Structures
Traditional Garden structures have long suffered the impacts of extreme and fluctuating weather. Buildings and fixtures with wooden elements, like garden sheds, pergolas, and fences, are notorious for suffering weather-related damage. Wood is prone to warp, rot, and/or decay when exposed to harsh conditions throughout the year.
Some traditional garden structures also have stone elements. While stone is more durable than wood, it is not invincible. Exposure to temperatures below freezing is especially harmful to stone structures as it can cause the materials to crack.
Popularity of Metal Garden Buildings in the UK
With 63% of Brits owning a shed (and 44% of those who don’t saythey would like to) garden buildings are extremely popular in the UK. Metal garden buildings have increased in favour in recent years due to their durability, sustainability, and fashionable look.
The History of Metal Garden Buildings in the UK
Metal buildings have long been applied for commercial and farming uses, but in recent years metal buildings for personal or household use have been on the rise. Garden sheds in the UK were traditionally wooden (with the occasional structure made of stone), but damage from challenging weather conditions led consumers to seek more durable materials. As a result, metal garden sheds are a common contemporary choice as a longer-lasting option with fewer climate-related concerns.
Telluria Eleganto via gardenbuildingsdirect.com
Trends in Design and Sustainability
In addition to being more durable in harsh climates, metal garden buildings have risen in popularity because of trends in design and sustainability. Using metal as a building material allows for a sleeker, modernised look compared to traditional wooden structures, allowing the garden shed to blend in seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. The appealing aesthetic of these structures, in addition to their superior building materials, certainly contributed to their increase in popularity across the UK.
The types of metal used in these garden structures, such as galvanised steel, are more sustainable than their wooden or plastic counterparts. It is possible to construct metal garden buildings from recycled materials as well, furthering their climate-conscious design.
Structural Integrity of Metal Buildings in the UK
When it comes to metal garden buildings, one of the most important factors is structural integrity. These structures have been thoughtfully engineered and their materials carefully selected to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Materials Used in Metal Garden Buildings
Though metal garden buildings are increasingly popular, not all metal is created equal. To prevent corrosion and allow for structural integrity, engineers and designers favour certain types of metal in shed construction. Some of the most common metals used to build metal garden buildings include:
- Galvanised Steel: Galvanised steel is a robust metal enveloped in a protective zinc coating, which allows it to be resistant to rust and corrosion. This is a heavy material that can withstand extreme temperatures and heavy loads.
- Aluminium: Aluminium is a lightweight, common metal. This is a great, rust-resistant choice, but not as heavy and durable as the steel options.
- Cor-Ten Steel: Cor-ten steel, also known as weathered steel, is another type of rust-resistant steel. Its properties as a steel variant include high tensile strength and reduced corrosion.
When considering which garden shed is the right pick for you, it’s also worth considering their compliance with UK standards for metal buildings and garden buildings. Depending on the size of your garden structure, you won’t necessarily have to legally comply with all building and structural codes, but these regulations can be helpful to evaluate from a safety standpoint.
If you’re considering constructing a metal home office building in your back garden, or a space for guests to stay, there are a few more standards to consider. It is prudent to make sure all electronics in the space have been properly wired and tested. If the building is a space someone will be sleeping in, you must also make sure that the structure is compliant with UK Building Regulations.
Engineering and Durability of Metal Garden Buildings
Metal garden buildings in the UK market have been designed using engineering principles enhancing their durability against region-specific weather conditions. When choosing which metal garden shed is right for you, consider the area you live in and what unique challenges your shed might face throughout the year.
Snow load is especially important to keep in mind if you live in an area with heavy snowfall. Because snow can be heavy when piled on top of a roof, heavier materials like galvanised steel would be the correct choice for this type of climate. If you live by the sea, aluminium might not be the best choice for a material, as it can react negatively to saline environments and corrode at a faster pace.
Eco-Friendliness
Metal garden buildings have become trendier in the UK due to being a more sustainable option, and the eco-friendliness of these structures is not something to overlook. Compared to their traditional counterparts, metal garden sheds have the potential to be constructed from recycled materials to begin with, and their parts can often be recycled at the end of their lifespan.
Sustainability of Metal Garden Buildings
Metal structures possess a lot of inherent climate-friendly qualities due to the nature of their source material: metal. Metals used in these buildings, such as steel and aluminium, can be easily repurposed at the end of its lifespan. Aluminium is an especially efficient material for recycling, as recycling aluminium uses only 5% of the energy required to create new aluminium.
Additionally, metal garden buildings are a great eco-friendly choice due to their longevity. Because they don’t wear out as quickly as plastic or wooden sheds, they don’t need to be repurchased as often. This durability leads to a decrease in consumption and is in line with the ever-popular low-buy and no-buy philosophies.
Promoting Environmental Conservation
Metal structures and buildings have overall been very helpful in promoting environmental conservation across the UK. Because the parts for the structures are pre-engineered, there is much less waste in the construction process compared to wooden structures. Metal buildings also leave more room for environmental innovation such as green roofs, efficient insulation, and solar heating.
While these structures are great for personal and household use, they can also be applied to community garden spaces. Having a structure to hold gardening and education tools for a community is important, and it is equally important that said structure can stand the test of time without having to be replaced, ensuring sustained environmental and social benefits.
Longevity
Although metal garden buildings are well-known for their durability in comparison with their wooden and plastic counterparts, proper maintenance is crucial to ensure longevity.
Maintenance Practices for Metal Garden Buildings
While maintenance is crucial for getting the optimal lifespan out of your metal garden building, the good news is that these structures require minimal upkeep compared to wooden sheds. One of the main areas of maintenance in metal sheds is aesthetic maintenance, as the surfaces of the shed will get dirty from the elements much faster than the structure suffers wear and tear. Be sure to hose down the exterior of your shed regularly and remove any debris from the roof or interior.
Metal garden rooms and sheds may also need an occasional touch-up to their protective coating. If you notice any scratches or chips on the outside of the structure, touch them up with a rust-resistant paint or coating.
Ventilation is also an important factor in the maintenance of metal garden buildings, especially if your structure is used as an office or living space. Examine the structure regularly to check for any gaps or leaks in the sealant. If you find any faults in the sealant, apply silicone caulking to patch up any gaps.
Long-Term Benefits and Lifespan Considerations
A well-maintained metal garden shed can last 25 or even 30 years. Telluria garden structures have a 20-year warranty and require almost no maintenance. Before you make a purchase for your garden, consider the lifespan of the shed. While some structures, such as plastic sheds, can be more affordable in the short term, the longevity of metal sheds can make them a better investment.
Conclusion
Metal garden buildings have a whole host of advantages, and it’s easy to see why they have become so popular in UK markets. In the ever-changing weather of the British Isles, metal sheds and garden structures stand the test of time through heavy rain, wind, heat, and snow. Constructed from durable materials like galvanised steel and aluminium, metal garden buildings are carefully engineered to bring the utmost strength and longevity.
In addition to being ready for whatever weather conditions might come up in the United Kingdom, metal sheds are also sleek, contemporary, and eco-friendly. It isn’t often that one finds an option combining sustainability and cost-effectiveness, but metal garden buildings have the perfect combination of features to suit any situation. Embracing innovative design and climate-friendly materials, metal garden buildings are not just a trend in the market; they’re a ticket to a more sustainable future.
