It’s time to trim the tree and put out milk and cookies, but in the parts of Canada we serve at MSC — from B.C. and Alberta to the Yukon or even Nunavut — it can feel like Santa season for more than half of the year. For business operators in Canada, particularly in the agricultural, lumber, or industrial industries, investing in reliable, durable structures like pre-engineered steel buildings is a must. 

How winter and cold temperatures can impact buildings

While we all love to go walking in a winter wonderland, the cold temperatures — and the moisture, wind, and snow they bring with them — can wreak havoc on a building, depending on the materials. 

Winter building damage can include: 

Frost damage: Frost damage happens when moisture enters the freeze-thaw cycle, causing it to expand and contract. This can cause some materials to weaken and crack. 

Moisture penetration: When the integrity of a building is compromised, rain, snow, or ice are more able to penetrate the structure. Moisture can cause a whole host of problems to the building itself including rust, rot, and mould, never mind the damage it can cause to anything being stored in the building. 

Wind: Strong winds can cause serious damage to a building that isn’t structurally sound or built to withstand that kind of gale force. 

Snow: Not only is snow sitting around waiting to turn into water (and potentially water damage your building) snow is also heavy. If the roof of your structure can’t withstand the weight of a heavy snow load, it may very well cause structural damage or even collapse.  

The benefits of steel buildings for cold weather

Canadians know the real meaning of cold. That also means we need to know the best infrastructure to handle cold weather. When it comes to industrial or agricultural applications and more, pre-engineered steel buildings are one of the best choices to hold up when the temperatures go down. 

Steel is an excellent choice for winter buildings thanks to science — that is, thanks to its many properties as a building material. 

Here are ten advantages of steel buildings when the temperatures drop: 

1. Punching above its weight
Commercial-grade steel has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any other building material. That means that it is exceptionally strong compared to its weight. That makes it more likely to stand up to the high winds, heavy snow, and hail experienced in winter. 

2. Steel can be stronger in the cold
The strength and elasticity of steel can increase in cold temperatures. 

3. Cool under pressure 
The high ductility of steel allows it to withstand a high amount of stress before collapsing or buckling. That means your roof is less likely to warp, bend, or give under the weight of that next record-breaking snowstorm. 

The high ductility and lack of porousness also help prevent the kind of cracking and frost damage seen from frequent freeze-thaw cycles. 

4. Not afraid to get wet
Made from galvanized steel components, pre-engineered metal buildings are rust, corrosion, and oxidation resistant. A protective paint coat for walls and roofing can add extra security against rust. 

That makes steel buildings an excellent choice for conditions where the buildings may be exposed to moisture for long periods of time, so those Christmas decorations should hold up in storage over the years — or your work tools, of course. 

5. Comes with a winter coat
Steel buildings come already bundled up for winter thanks to their superior insulation. That doesn’t mean the building will always be too hot — when insulation is done well it provides stable temperatures. 

The kind of high R-value (thermal resistance) insulation used by MSC helps prevent moisture and condensation build-up through the stable temperatures from heat and cold resistance. 

6. Easy on your heating bill 
The superior insulation of metal buildings also makes them much easier to heat, resulting in friendlier utility bills over the winter. This happens because prefabricated metal buildings have very little heat exchange with the outdoors — meaning that less heat escapes. 

7. Steel buildings can be erected in the winter
While summer undoubtedly has more advantages for construction, a key feature of metal buildings is that they can be erected all year long — provided your contractor has the right expertise. 

A seasoned (pun intended) steel building expert can project manage around the challenges of winter including weather and short days. MSC has completed projects in temperatures as low as -50C.

For industries that have their busiest seasons in the summer or other calendar considerations to balance, having the option to construct valuable pieces of infrastructure any time of the year can be invaluable for the business. 

8. Not afraid to travel
It’s no secret that the farther north you go the colder it gets — also the more remote. Metal buildings can be erected quickly, require little maintenance and are extremely durable, making them a great choice for remote areas. 

Working with a team like MSC that’s experienced in the logistics of pulling off a remote build is key to building in far locations like Iqaluit, Nunavut or Whitehorse, Yukon. 

Needless to say, we’re willing to bet that Santa has installed quite a few metal storage buildings in the North Pole. 

9. No vacancy 
Metal buildings are much harder for pests to infiltrate, unlike wooden structures. Prefab steel buildings resist termites and other insects year-round and are also good at keeping birds, rodents, and other unwanted animals away from seeking shelter throughout the winter. 

10. Built for your environment
One of the best features of steel buildings is their versatility. Working with metal building experts like MSC, the design possibilities are practically endless and that includes factoring in the environment and climate of your location. Specifications such as ceiling height, roof pitch, and even the location on your property can make a major impact on how the building holds up throughout the winter. A metal building expert can help determine the best customizations and considerations for your circumstances. 

Why steel buildings have such incredible insulating properties

While we’re talking about insulation, we thought it would be worth explaining why something like a metal box could insulate so well. The answer: insulated metal panels. 

Many different materials can be used to insulate metal buildings, from fibreglass to mineral wool, but insulated metal panels are the best insulating technology on the market today for a number of reasons.

The benefits of using insulated metal panels in your steel building include: 

• Made from foam core and steel, unlike other materials which have to be compressed to work effectively.

• Higher R-value (ability to insulate). 

• Faster and simpler to install, speeding along the construction process. 

• Airtight and help keep moisture at bay. 

• Promote a stable atmospheric temperature.

• Facilitate meeting energy code standards. 

An investment in prefabricated steel buildings means more winter cheer and less winter blues during the cold months. Curious about how MSC can support your business through Canadian winters? Get in touch for a free quote. 

Metal Structure Concepts has been designing and constructing steel buildings across Western Canada for over 20 years. From retail spaces to warehouses to wineries and more, we are the experts for your next project. Contact us today for a free quote.