Steel is the most affordable, long-lasting, and flexible building material for a wide range of buildings. Fortunately, they require little to no upkeep. Giving your metal building a little care every now and then will help it to weather the test of time. Avoid washing your building in strong chemicals or abrasives as this could damage the finish. There are two types of maintenance needed for metal buildings: regular and preventive. The regular maintenance schedule should include cleaning and protecting your building against corrosion. Corrosion is the main cause of failure for metal buildings, so it's important to prevent it from spreading. Preventive maintenance includes checking and repairing problems with your building's exterior before they become major repairs. For example, if there is any indication that one of the roof panels is bending or bulging, you should investigate the cause of this issue before it becomes worse. Metal buildings can be difficult to maintain in remote areas without easy access to supplies. In these cases, it's best to hire a contractor to perform periodic inspections of your building and make recommendations for improvements or changes that may be necessary. Most metal buildings are designed to last 15 to 20 years. However, since metal buildings tend to deteriorate more quickly in high temperatures or humidity, it's important to provide adequate ventilation when storing products that could affect temperature levels inside the building.