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Shed Maintenance Tips for Summer

As the summer sun heats up, so does the need to properly care for your trusty NZ steel shed. Unlike some other sheds out there, KiwiSpan steel sheds offer a superior 50-year durability commitment. However, even the toughest sheds require seasonal attention to ensure they remain in excellent condition for generations. So, before the temperatures soar, roll up your sleeves and follow these essential tips for steel shed maintenance. 

 

Why Summer Maintenance Matters

 

While steel is inherently strong, summer in New Zealand can throw curveballs that can weaken its defences. Intense heat leads to thermal expansion and contraction, putting stress on the structure. New Zealand’s harsh UV rays can speed up the rate at which colours fade, especially dark colours and on the north-facing side of your shed. In parts of the country, high humidity contributes to increased condensation, which feeds the growth of mould and mildew. Neglecting these factors can lead to costly repairs or even premature shed replacement.

 

Keeping Your KiwiSpan Shed Cool

 

KiwiSpan understands that your belongings deserve the best. And you can give them the protection they deserve with a KiwiSpan steel storage shed. While the steel we use is tough and built for NZ’s harsh weather conditions, there are practical ways to maintain its quality, integrity, and shape during summer.

 

Shade Strategies

Position the trees or vines strategically to maximise shade during the hottest parts of the day. Be mindful of root growth to avoid damaging the shed’s foundation. Alternatively, you could install shade sails or awnings for targeted protection.

 

Reflective Paint

When selecting your shed colour, opt for paint with a higher Total Solar Reflectance (TSR) for your roof and exterior walls. A higher TSR colour will deflect more heat, keeping your interior cooler.

KiwiSpan uses COLORSTEEL® paint designed for New Zealand conditions, ensuring durability and effective heat reflection. We offer a wide range of colour choices to ensure that your shed will stay cool and look cool, too.

 

Insulation Matters

Consider adding reflective foil or bulk insulation to your roof and walls, especially if your shed houses heat-sensitive items. This creates a barrier against heat transfer. Your KiwiSpan project manager will be able to advise you on this.

 

Proactive Maintenance Tips

 

Regular Roof Checks

Inspect your roof for any cracks, holes, or loose fasteners. Prompt repairs prevent leaks and sun damage to the interior. At KiwiSpan, you can choose from MODNCOLOUR® and COLORSTEEL® cladding in various profiles to combat the heat, promote airflow, and prevent moisture buildup.

 

Paint Maintenance

Regularly inspect the paint for fading, chipping, or rust spots—touch up with high-quality, rust-resistant paint to halt the accelerated oxidation which can take place in warm, moist environments.

 

Gutter Cleaning

Don’t let clogged gutters trap water and debris. Clean them regularly, ensuring proper drainage to prevent water damage and rusting.

 

Waterblasting

Waterblasting is an important part of KiwiSpan shed maintenance, not just for the summer but all year round. This cleaning method uses high-pressure water spray to remove dirt, grime, loose paint, mould, algae, and other unwanted materials from your shed. Unlike traditional cleaning methods, waterblasting does not require harsh chemicals, making it an environmentally friendly option.

 

Declutter and Organise

Remove unnecessary items from your shed to improve airflow and prevent moisture buildup. Organise remaining items efficiently to maximise space and prevent damage.

 

Pest Control

Pests can cause significant damage to your shed and its contents if not taken care of. Regularly inspect for signs of rodent or insect activity and address them promptly.

 

Winter Preparation

As summer winds down, prepare your KiwiSpan shed for winter by addressing any repairs, removing leaves and debris from the roof, and ensuring proper drainage to prevent any damage caused by the buildup of water, snow, or ice.

By following these simple yet effective tips, you can ensure your KiwiSpan steel shed thrives through the summer heat and wet winters, offering reliable storage for many years. Remember, regular maintenance is key to maximising the lifespan and functionality of your shed, saving you money, and preserving your valuable belongings.

 

Steel Sheds You Can Rely on All Year Round

 

Choose a shed that stands strong year after year – no matter the weather. Crafted from high-quality steel, KiwiSpan steel sheds can withstand harsh weather conditions and only require minimal upkeep. We offer a 50-year lifespan for our sheds’ structural frame and related brackets, assuming adherence to our durability and maintenance guidelines. Invest in quality and peace of mind – choose a KiwiSpan steel shed today! Get a quote here.

Benefits of Working with Pre-engineered Buildings

Pre-engineered buildings have gained popularity due to their numerous advantages over traditional construction methods. These structures are made from prefabricated components, with steel being a common material used for their construction. So, what makes them beneficial to construction projects? We delve into the benefits of working with prefabricated steel and explore how installing these steel buildings works.

 

Advantages of Prefabricated Steel Buildings

 

Prefabricated steel buildings are an excellent choice if you’re looking for fast, cost-effective construction. Whether you’re building a steel garage for your home or a commercial building for your business, these structures provide various advantages. Let’s explore some of them below.

 

Faster Construction

Pre-engineered steel buildings can be easily and quickly assembled onsite. The components of pre-engineered buildings are designed and manufactured at the factory, leading to efficient production processes and reduced construction time. This results in cost savings for manual labour.

 

More Flexibility and Expansion

Pre-engineered steel buildings offer excellent flexibility for future expansion. These buildings can accommodate potential expansions or modifications, making it easier for the structure to adapt to changing needs. The modular nature of pre-engineered components allows for changes without significant disruption to the existing building. For example, you could add a lean-to to your existing structure if you want more space and storage for miscellaneous equipment and furniture.

 

The Installation Process

 

To understand how pre-engineered steel building installation works, let’s break down the process into three steps:

 

1. Preparing the Foundation

The first step in erecting a pre-engineered building is to prepare the foundation. This involves clearing, excavating, and levelling the site. Your KiwiSpan licensee will organise this for you; keep in mind that the process may take longer if the weather conditions aren’t good.

 

2. Primary Framing

Once the foundation is ready, the primary framing is installed. The framing consists of top hats and cee-sections, and these steel components are bolted together and fastened to the foundation. The primary framing provides the main structural support for the building.

 

3. Roof and Wall Cladding

After the primary framing is in place, the next step is to install the roof and wall cladding. The installation begins with attaching the wall cladding to the secondary framing using self-drilling fasteners. The secondary framing includes purlins, girts, and eave struts. Once the walls are complete, roof panel installation and insulation follow.

 

Why Choose KiwiSpan for your Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings?

 

Among all vendors, why choose KiwiSpan for your pre-engineered steel building? Here are the reasons why!

 

Structural Strength & Durability

Steel is known for its strength and durability, making pre-engineered steel buildings highly resilient. At KiwiSpan, we use up to 3.0mm-gauge steel for the structural elements in our sheds and a minimum of 0.4mm-gauge cladding with extra wide and thicker 0.55mm-gauge flashings. They can withstand various weather conditions, including high winds, heavy snow loads, and seismic events. Steel also resists pests such as termites, reducing the risk of structural damage and minimising maintenance requirements.

 

Design Versatility

Pre-engineered steel buildings offer architectural versatility, allowing a variety of design options. At KiwiSpan, you can create custom designs that meet your specific project requirements. Whether for commercial, industrial, agricultural, or residential purposes, KiwiSpan makes it possible to build your steel structure to your exact requirements. This flexibility in design ensures that your pre-engineered steel building suits your aesthetic preferences and functional needs.

 

Enhanced Quality Control

KiwiSpan products undergo rigorous quality checks during the manufacturing process. We ensure that each component meets the required quality standards before being dispatched to the construction site. We also pride ourselves on providing a 50-year durability statement for our structural frames and associated bracketry. Our NZ-designed and engineered brackets utilise grunty, industrial-grade bolts, and heavy-gauge Tek screws, offering a stronger connection. You’ll gain peace of mind knowing your steel shed is durable and can withstand NZ’s harsh weather conditions.

 

Maintenance Plan

When you partner with us, we’ll ensure that your steel shed meets performance and durability standards with a maintenance plan. Upon completion of the build, your respective KiwiSpan licensee will provide a maintenance plan specific to your shed so you know how to care for it.

 

Build your KiwiSpan steel shed today!

 

Are you planning a new steel shed project? Let us help you. Contact us to discuss your building requirements, customisation options, and other considerations!

Should You Design Your Own Shed? 6 Benefits of Custom Sheds

A steel shed is a valuable addition to one’s property, offering various benefits for lifestyle and industrial use. Whether you need a spacious workshop for your business or additional storage for your tools, equipment, and outdoor vehicles, a steel shed is a practical solution. However, not all steel or metal shedsare created equal, so how do you ensure it fits your needs? 

 

A custom shed design is the way to go if you need a steel shed that can comply with your specifications. If you want to design your own shed but aren’t sure where to start, KiwiSpan can help. Our sheds are 100% customisable, and we tailor each design to our customer’s needs. Read on to discover the benefits of custom sheds and how you can bring your vision to life with KiwiSpan.  

 

Why Should You Opt for a Custom Shed?

 

Need a custom shed design that can house your vehicles, such as boats and jet skis? Or do you dream of having an American barnthat can double as a personal workshop? With a custom steel shed, you can guarantee a shed that perfectly suits your requirements. Here are six key benefits of a custom steel shed: 

 

1. Design Potential

Custom sheds offer exceptional design potential and versatility. When you design your own shed with KiwiSpan, you can choose your ideal size, height, windows, doors, floors, colours, roof style, and more. This design freedom means you can create a shed that fits your available space and matches your aesthetic preferences. 

 

2. Increased Functionality

Steel sheds can be custom designed for different functions and purposes. Whether you need a shed for storage, a workshop, or a hobby space, customising your shed allows you to incorporate specific features and elements that enhance functionality and fit perfectly for your intended purpose. 

 

3. More Flexibility

Custom shed designs offer more flexibility in your steel shed’s size, layout, and interior configuration. You can choose the dimensions that best accommodate your storage or workspace needs and add partitions, shelving, or other organisational elements to optimise the space for your specific requirements. Do you have a tricky piece of land or property size? We can tailor your shed to your exact measurements, down to the millimetre. 

 

4. Personalisation

Customising your shed lets you add personal touches and unique features that reflect your style and taste. You can select the colours, finishes, and accessories that complement your property and create a cohesive look. With many years of experience under our belts, KiwiSpan can provide helpful ideas and expert advice to help bring your vision to life. 

 

5. DIY Potential

If you enjoy hands-on projects and have the necessary skills, you can take pride in building your own kitset shed. This do-it-yourself approach can save you money on the erection process. But of course, you’ll also have the option to let our trusted KiwiSpan licensees help you with the build.  

 

6. Cost-Effectiveness

While customisation allows you to add specific features and design elements, it can also help you optimise costs. You can work closely with KiwiSpan licensees or try our 3D builder tool to balance your desired features that accommodate your budget, ensuring you get the best value for your investment. 

 

How Do You Know if the Design Looks Good?

 

KiwiSpan makes it easy for you to visualise your custom shed design before the build process. The KiwiSpan 3D Builder Tool is a unique 3D design tool you can use online to customise your shed and see what it will look like. You can adjust the size, change the roof type, remove and change the colour of the walls, and so much more.  

 

How to Make the Most of Customisation

 

Here at KiwiSpan, all our steel sheds are 100% customisable. Whether you need a workshop or steel storage space, we can tailor your shed to suit your needs. Here are some of the many aspects of a KiwiSpan shed you can customise: 

 

Doors: You can choose sectional and roller doors and determine your preferred height. You can also opt for automatic opening door options. 

 

Windows: While our window options don’t come in a standard list, you can talk to our trusted KiwiSpan licensee about your preferred number and size of windows. Our team can tailor to what fits best for your shed’s intended purpose. 

 

Colours: We offer a range of high-quality paint colours for your steel shed’s roofing and cladding profiles. We also use COLORSTEEL®️, ideal for transforming the look of metal sheds. 

 

Flexible Designs: We can change the size and shape of your custom steel shed dramatically. Our ability to build up to 18m clear spans without obtrusive bracing or centre poles allows us to be very flexible with our shed designs. You dream it, we’ll build it. 

 

How Does the Customisation Process Work?

 

KiwiSpan’s customisable steel sheds work perfectly around your lifestyle and budget. You can start customising your steel shed through our 3D Design Builder. Once satisfied, you can discuss the initial design with your trusted KiwiSpan licensee, and they will give you a quote based on your design. Once approved, we can start manufacturing your custom steel shed based on your requirements. It’s that easy! 

 

Design Your KiwiSpan Shed Today!

 

Whether you want to design a standard blank shed, double garage, boat shed, parking shed, or workshop, we’ve got you covered! Talk to KiwiSpan to design a steel shed unique to your lifestyle and needs. Try our 3D Builder today! 

 

Steel Sheds Are Not All The Same – Here’s What You Need To Know Before Buying A New Steel Shed

Before committing to a new steel shed, it pays to get into the nitty-gritty of your quotes and see if you’re really comparing apples with apples. Not all steel sheds are created equal and it’s worth checking the details to understand exactly what you’re getting before you buy.

At KiwiSpan we’re transparent about what you’re getting because we stand by the quality of our buildings. We’re proud of the work we do and believe differences in our buildings make a significant difference to the value of your shed – now and in the future. 

 

Thicker steel = greater structural durability

When your shed is built with a heavier grade of steel, you can rest easy knowing it’s built to last. KiwiSpan uses a thicker steel that is better able to withstand harsh conditions as well as bumps and knocks. So not only is your shed going to be strong and reliable, it will look good for longer too.

 

Stronger connections = a stronger shed

KiwiSpan chooses to use heavy duty bolts rather than lightweight tek screws, giving a stronger connection. All sheds are made up of many parts, and the stronger the connections between those parts, the stronger the overall build is. Our bolts also look a lot tidier than lots of messy screws, giving the inside of your shed a more streamlined visual aesthetic. 

 

Knee braces = more usable space

With the same dimensions on paper, a KiwiSpan shed will give you more usable space because we don’t use knee braces. Knee braces protrude into the internal space and can limit your storage and manoeuvering area. KiwiSpan’s smart designs allow for bigger sheds to be built without knee braces, optimising your space from top-to-bottom, and helping you make the most of every square meter.

The clear open spans of a KiwiSpan shed also allow for greater visibility with a clean and clear visual appearance.

The team at KiwiSpan are always happy to discuss these features with you, and can show you the parts to enhance your understanding of the impact. With KiwiSpan, you get a steel shed that offers greater usability right away, and retains strong value in the longer term. 

Whether it’s a commercial building, a garage, or something in between, KiwiSpan has a customised shed solution for you. Contact us HERE today to get the ball rolling on your next project.

 

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