A big number on a guarantee is an easy thing to sell, and an easy thing to buy. But a guarantee doesn’t make a building last. Materials chosen for the site, sound design and regular maintenance do. Here’s how to read a shed warranty, and what to look for instead.
Who actually warrants what #
Most shed warranties are a combination of three things:
- Material warranties from the steel and cladding manufacturer, covering things like corrosion perforation and paint flaking or fading.
- Component warranties from suppliers of doors, motors and other parts.
- The builder’s or supplier’s own warranty on workmanship and design.
A single “guaranteed for X years” headline usually bundles these together. Ask which part each number applies to.
Read the conditions #
Material warranties are tied to conditions, and the conditions matter as much as the length:
- Environment. Pre-painted steel warranties vary by environmental category, from moderate inland sites to severe coastal ones. Some products aren’t recommended in the harshest zones, and sites within 100 m of salt water need the warranty confirmed by the manufacturer.
- Building type. Manufacturers’ published warranty tables are often for residential buildings; non-residential buildings can get a shorter maximum, such as 20 years.
- Maintenance. Manufacturers’ guidance says regular washing and maintenance is recommended to maintain the warranty, including manual washing of areas rain doesn’t reach.
- Use. Aggressive insides, such as intensive animal housing, geothermal areas and industrial fallout, are treated separately.
Why durability beats a headline #
A warranty is a promise to fix or pay if something fails within the terms. Durability is the building not failing in the first place. You get durability from:
- the right steel and cladding grade for your site’s environment
- design that sheds water and avoids traps where dirt and salt sit
- correct installation, with compatible fixings and no swarf left on the roof
- maintenance that keeps unwashed areas clean
The Building Code also sets the floor: structural elements must last at least 50 years, and cladding at least 15, with normal maintenance.
Questions to ask any supplier #
- Which manufacturer warranties apply, and for which environment category?
- What maintenance do I need to do to keep them?
- What do you warrant yourselves, and for how long?
- What isn’t covered?
Talk to Steelspan #
Ask us which materials and warranties suit your site, and we’ll give you a straight answer. Use our Easy Shed Quote or call 0800 787 726.
