According to research, storms resulting from Category 3,4, or 5 hurricanes formed in the North Atlantic have reportedly increased since the 1980s. In the 1980s, only 10% of storms resulted from such hurricanes, but now it is close to 40%. The most susceptible area is the Gulf Coast, with a maximum wind speed of 248 miles per hour. [source: website].
Given that the storms are likely to become more common in upcoming years, it would be wise to prepare for them. Below, we have some tips and tricks that you can use to save your steel carport and its constituents from high speed winds.
Some Tips And Tricks To Protect Your Metal Carport From High Speed Winds
1) Choose Location Strategically
Which location on your property experiences the least wind draft? Well, the answer might just be behind your house. Yes, that’s right. If you choose to install a metal carport near your home, the main property will act as a partial shield from the wind.
In case you don’t want your carport to be near your house, ensure that the placement of your steel carport is such that it experiences minimum draft of wind. Your home will act as a buffer to your metal building.
2) Anchor Metal Post Deep To The Ground
Picture a boat with an anchor dipped in the sea – what happens? Well… the ship is stable. Similar to the boat’s anchor, your carport anchors hold it firmly to the ground.
Your metal posts are the backbone of your whole carport. To ensure that your metal building can withstand high speed wind, ensure that it is adequately anchored to the ground. For this, you can seek the assistance of a responsible metal supplier.
But where to tie the firmly secured anchor to? That’s our next point.
3) Select Correct Foundation
A good base is essential to the whole building. Since carports are pretty open metal structures, holding them off to the ground is crucial for rough, windy days. Some homeowners may feel that it is an unnecessary added expense; however, for a storm prone area, it is a must.
We recommend you get a concrete base foundation for your steel carport if you live in hurricane or tornado prone areas. It will help stabilize the whole structure. Hence, your carport will be able to tolerate high speed winds.
4) Give Extra Attention To Installation
No matter how good your raw materials are, it is only helpful if they are assembled correctly. So, pick a professional construction team & avoid DIY. It may cost you additional labor charges, but you can rest assured that your metal building is safe and secured.
5) Choose A Vertical Roof
Vertical ridge roofs are best suited for extreme weather phenomena. They are designed to be aero dynamical. They can be angled, allowing wind to pass swiftly above it.
The design of the roof can be specifically engineered to minimize wind pressure. This will effectively allow air to flow through without causing any harm to the underlying structure.
6) Choose Quality Over Price
Don’t buy into cheap quality just because you are getting an unreasonable high discount. Often times you may end up buying rejected or poor quality raw materials for your metal building. So, don’t fall into that trap. It would be helpful if you do a little research and make a wise decision.
A high quality certified steel can withstand wind speeds up to 150 miles per hour (240 km/hr.), whereas an aluminum roof can tolerate a wind speed up to 100 miles per hour (160 km/hr.).
This may cost you more initially, but it will spare you from expensive repair & replacement costs in the future. As we all know, nothing can beat quality. Go low a low gauge number as it is more durable, thicker, and long lasting.
7) Add Sidewall Support
A fully open carport is likely to be exposed to uplift from high speed wind, so enclose your carport from two sides to reduce the resistance. Also, adding a sidewall will keep your vehicle protected from rainwater and harsh sun rays.
According to ICC rules 2021, you can legally add two side walls to your carport. However, check with your local authority before making any decision, as they can add rules depending on your location and climatic conditions.
8) Add Metal Braces
Strengthen your carport today by adding metal braces! These braces keep the bolts firmly attached and prevent your carport from being torn apart by strong winds or other forces. A metal brace also helps in transferring the stress load & divide the load equally within the structure.
Metal braces are installed between the leg and roof truss. It stops carports from moving or swinging. So, don’t wait for a disaster – take action now and secure your carport with metal braces.
9) Have A Regular Check To Know If It Needs Any Maintenance
Although steel carports need virtually no maintenance, keeping an eye on their parts, such as metal sheets, roof panels, and posts, and regularly monitoring them for rusting is advisable. You can remove any dust or dirt from the roof & do pressure cleaning on the lowest settings once in a while.
As it has been said,” prevention is better than cure.” You must check for any minor damage before it gets too pronounced. This will also keep your repair bill low.
In The Final Analysis
We can say that a metal carport, when appropriately structured, can withstand a specific amount of wind speed. Taking care of the metal roof is essential as it helps reflect most of the wind. Metal carports are generally the simplest buildings you can install on your property.
With a bit of attention and care, your steel carport will last you the longest and will prove to be worth every cent you spend on it.
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