A Quonset hut is a long-term purchase, so it's a fair question: how many years will you actually get out of it? The short answer is decades. Quonset huts built during World War II are still standing and in use on farms and properties across the country, and today's steel and coatings are a big improvement on what was available then. But lifespan isn't automatic. A few factors decide whether a building lasts a long time or a very long time.
1. The Steel Coating
Corrosion is what eventually ends most steel buildings, so the coating on the steel matters more than anything else. Duro Span buildings are made from AZ180 Galvalume Plus steel, a coating of aluminum, zinc and silicon that protects the steel far longer than a standard galvanized coating. Duro Span buildings carry a 40-year warranty against perforation from normal atmospheric corrosion. Our
Galvalume vs. galvanized article explains the difference.
2. The Right Gauge for Your Location
Gauge is the thickness of the steel. Duro uses 14- to 22-gauge steel, and the lower the number, the thicker the steel. A building that's matched to the snow and wind loads at its site won't be stressed beyond what it was designed for, year after year. That's why we recommend thicker steel for areas with heavy snow or high winds. See our
steel gauge guide for more.
3. The Foundation and the Base
If an arch steel building does develop corrosion, it almost always starts at the base, where the panels meet the foundation. That's where dirt, standing water, manure, fertilizer and stored materials end up sitting against the steel. A good foundation, with the ground graded so water drains away from the building, protects the most vulnerable part of the structure. Our
foundation options article covers the choices.
4. Moisture Inside the Building
Condensation that drips and sits on the inside of the steel year after year is slow damage. Good ventilation and properly installed insulation keep the inside of the arch dry. Our condensation article covers the causes and fixes.
5. How Well It's Put Together
Assembly quality shows up years later. Duro Span panels overlap the next panel by 9 inches, and each arch overlaps the next by 3 inches. Following the construction manual exactly, with every bolt in place and tightened and the seals installed where they belong, keeps water out and keeps the structure working as designed.
6. Your Environment
Location makes a difference. Coastal salt air, heavy use of corrosive chemicals or fertilizers, and constant contact with wet materials all speed up wear on any steel building. None of these rule out a steel building, but they're worth discussing with us before you order so the building is planned for its environment.
Simple Maintenance That Adds Years
Steel buildings need very little maintenance, but a few habits go a long way:
• Walk around the building once a year and look closely at the base of the panels.
• Keep soil, gravel, snow piles and stored materials from sitting against the steel.
• Rinse off dirt, manure or chemical residue where it builds up.
• Check that bolts are tight and seals are intact, especially around doors and end walls.
• Touch up deep scratches in the coating before they become a problem.
• Keep gutters, drainage and grading sending water away from the building.
How Steel Compares to Wood
A steel arch building doesn't rot, isn't eaten by termites and won't burn the way wood does. That's a big reason steel buildings tend to outlast wood-framed buildings with far less upkeep. Our
steel arch building vs. pole barn article compares the two head to head on cost, lifespan and maintenance.
The bottom line: a well-planned, well-built Duro Span building, sized for its loads, set on a good foundation and given basic care, is built to serve you for decades.
Ready to price a Duro Span building?
Request a free quote or call 888-848-2011 to talk with a Duro Span steel building specialist.