People use self-storage facilities for many purposes. They might be moving, renovating, decluttering, or storing a college student’s belongings when they’re home for the summer. Businesses also use them to store equipment, excess inventory, documents, and more. Consequently, units are always in high demand.

As a result, entrepreneurs, storage companies, and others continually construct these buildings to keep up with the ever-growing need. However, in their zeal to meet this demand and secure more rental contracts, self-storage designers, builders, and business owners must not overlook the primary directive for these units: to protect their contents from whatever the environment throws at them.

That’s where corrugated metal comes in. Stakeholders increasingly understand its value in helping weatherproof self-storage facilities. Why is corrugated ideal in self-storage settings? How can it be used to design and construct new self-storage complexes? What are its advantages beyond its impressive strength and durability? This article answers these and other critical questions for anyone in the self-storage industry.

Read on!

AN OVERVIEW OF CORRUGATED METAL

You probably have heard the term “corrugated metal” and surely have seen it on buildings. Still, if you have never used it in a project, you might not fully understand what it is or how it’s made.

Corrugated metal is sheet metal that has been formed into any of several wave-like patterns or profiles. The waves are technically “corrugations,” and they do more than give the material an interesting look. The corrugations significantly increase the metal’s strength and structural integrity.

These alternating ridges and valleys, known as corrugations, significantly increase the metal’s structural integrity. The physics is somewhat complex, but when stress is applied to a flat sheet of metal, it can concentrate in a small area, increasing the likelihood that the material will bend or break. Corrugations distribute the stress over a larger area, reducing its effect at any particular point. So, a corrugated metal sheet is far stronger than an equally thick, flat piece of the same material.

Need proof that corrugated metal is tough enough to stand up to the forces placed on it in self-storage settings? Just look at this partial list of industries, organizations, and uses where metal failure simply is not an option:

  • Oil and gas for fracking tanks
  • Airlines as support panels
  • NASA facilities for roofing and siding panels
  • Power plants as metal roofing, siding, and lagging
  • Mining for conveyor covers
  • Military for so-called hush houses, roofing, and siding
  • Agriculture for livestock trailer walls and flooring, forage boxes, and wagons

And the list goes on. Suffice it to say that corrugated metal performs admirably in the most hostile and demanding environments.

A TALE OF TWO STORAGE UNITS

Why is it crucial that self-storage units are weatherproof? Let’s put some real-world context around that question.

Two families have just sold their homes and need to store much of their belongings until they close on their new dwellings. Family A rents an old-school storage unit. Family B reserves space in a storage facility that uses corrugated metal in its design and construction.

Moving day is stressful, as it tends to be, and heavy rain is making matters worse. Family A arrives at their storage unit, eager to unload their moving truck so they can return it by the late afternoon deadline. When they open their unit, they find that the downpour has overwhelmed the shingle roof, and water is dripping in multiple places.

Of course, their only option at this point in the day is to move their belongings into the unit and shield them as best they can from the incoming water. After unloading, they drive away tired, frustrated, and concerned about the future condition of their belongings.

Family B faces the same rainstorm, but their storage unit has a corrugated metal roof and siding. Despite the driving rain and high winds, their space is dry and secure. After unloading their belongings, they return the moving truck and celebrate by going out to dinner.

That situation is dramatized for effect, but it accurately highlights the very real difference construction materials can make. Corrugated metal is the material of choice for self-storage facility owners because it prevents Family A scenarios involving damaged property, angry renters, and a tarnished reputation.

CORRUGATED METAL: WEATHERPROOFING SELF-STORAGE FACILITIES TO PROTECT CUSTOMERS’ PROPERTY

Corrugated metal outperforms other materials commonly used to construct self-storage facilities in multiple ways, including:

  • Strength: As explained above, corrugated metal’s shape makes it incredibly strong. Through high winds, heavy snow, and other environmental assaults, it holds up exceptionally well.
  • Durability: Corrugated metal outlasts other building materials. Wood, shingles, cinderblocks, and other traditional materials tend to break down much more quickly when exposed to water, hot and cold temperatures, physical stress, etc. This means renters will face problems in their units sooner, and owners will have higher ongoing maintenance costs.
  • Corrosion resistance: Corrugated metal can be coated with protective layers that prevent rust and corrosion, further extending its already impressive life span.
  • Impact resistance: Traditional roofs can be shredded by the large hail that seems increasingly common today. Corrugated metal resists denting and deformation.
  • Waterproof seals: Corrugated metal sheets are secured to roofs and walls with screws paired with neoprene washers. The result is watertight seals that are also nearly impervious to the effects of the sun and other environmental factors.
  • Fire resistance: While not technically weather, fire poses a significant risk to property in storage units. Corrugated metal is, of course, non-combustible, which helps protect facilities from destructive blazes.

These characteristics ensure that in good weather and bad, contents in self-storage facilities stay dry and undisturbed. What’s more, corrugated steel siding and roofs pose a significant deterrent to would-be thieves, reducing the risk that property will be stolen.

SELF-STORAGE AND BEYOND: OTHER CORRUGATED METAL BENEFITS

Self-storage facility owners are discovering corrugated metal’s applications beyond the units themselves. Many choose to use it in the design and construction of the office and other ancillary structures at a storage complex, and they also leverage it for other projects unrelated to storage.

When they do, they’re often surprised (and always thrilled) to learn about its other characteristics, including:

  • Design Flexibility: Corrugated metal has a growing following in design circles for its stylish, rugged, good looks. Whether they’re striving for an industrial/warehouse appearance, a farmhouse vibe, or even mid-century modern, corrugated can help them achieve the desired aesthetic. It can be tailored to many roof styles, and builders can install it on walls horizontally, vertically, or even diagonally to create a truly eye-catching look.
  • Easy handling: Self-storage providers need to move fast when they identify an area ripe for a new facility. Despite being exceptionally strong, corrugated metal is relatively light compared to many other building materials and easy to handle and install. Panels are generally cut to the desired dimension in advance to be ready for immediate installation on arrival. Expediting the construction process can mean the difference between capturing market share and watching helplessly while someone else does. Prefabrication can also play a vital role in keeping costs down.
  • Minimal Maintenance: As mentioned above, corrugated metal is a low-maintenance material, especially with coatings applied. That means owners spend less on upkeep and put more revenue into their pockets or toward other projects.
  • Pleasing Aesthetics: Because corrugated provides tremendous design flexibility, owners can give their self-storage facilities an upscale look that gets attention and can serve as a form of marketing. Given two facilities with similar characteristics and locations, people will likely choose the one that isn’t drab and utilitarian.
  • Sustainability: You might not think of corrugated metal as a “green” material, but it is. It’s often made from recycled materials and can be recycled when its lengthy lifespan is up. Compare this to a shingled roof, which must be replaced regularly and contributes considerable waste to rapidly growing landfills.

GET TO KNOW CORRUGATED METAL FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING NEEDS

Whether you have a new project on the drawing table as you read this or your next building initiative is months or years ahead, it pays to learn about corrugated metal roofing, siding, and other products. Talking with us about current and future projects provides valuable food for thought. Then, when you’re ready to move forward, deciding on the type of metal, corrugation shape, color, finish, and other attributes is easy.

In the meantime, we encourage you to check out some of our featured projects. The size, scope, and variety of these engagements will further reassure you that corrugated metal can meet the significant demands of self-storage facilities.

We also recommend learning a little about our company. Our history dates back to 1887, making us a pioneer in this industry. But we haven’t “rested on our laurels.” We continue leading the way in advanced corrugated metal fabrication with unrivaled capabilities, unflinching attention to detail, and unmatched service.

Let’s talk about how you can capitalize on corrugated metal products for your next project. Contact us at your convenience. Are you already sold on corrugated metal’s many benefits and ready to discuss project specifics? You can request a quote online now.