Can Metal Buildings Withstand Hurricane-Force Winds?

The simple answer is yes, correctly specified & engineered steel buildings can withstand hurricane force winds. A second answer is that many of them have been tested in the most severe weather conditions including hurricanes and earthquakes and, depending on the design, do, in fact withstand very strong winds.

Quonset Huts are some of the strongest buildings available on the market. Due to their arched roof structure these buildings can withstand hurricane force winds and also have the benefit that snow simply slides off the structure in winter.

Designers of steel buildings learned a lot from Hurricane Katrina and today the designs have even a higher degree of wind resistance. The best steel buildings use a very high grade of commercial quality steel and, in most cases, they are stronger than buildings that are constructed conventionally i.e. stick built and pole buildings.

In addition, steel buildings resist some forms of damage that conventional buildings fall subject to such as termites and salt corrosion. In many parts of the country, you’ll see buildings that have been around for years and still are as strong as the day they were built.

When strong winds bring buildings down, it’s usually the places where the walls are joined and the edges of the roof that fail. This is one of areas where current designs for steel buildings have extra enforcement in those spots. You’ll find that most steel buildings will resist hurricane damage from winds up to 170 mph! This is why it is extremely important to ensure that your building is designed for the correct wind load for the location that you intend to build in.

For example, in Florida after a hurricane, it’s not unusual to see metal buildings as the only ones surviving. If you live in a place where the winds are likely to be extreme and you want to purchase a steel building, make sure the manufacturer has complied with these new standards for hurricane resistance.

Finally, you can be assured that building suppliers that work with BuildingsGuide.com will ensure that your building is designed to comply with your local codes for wind, snow and seismic conditions in your area – ensuring you have the safest building possible.

Also see our tornado infographic for some fun facts and statistics on tornadoes