You’ve invested tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars in a new farm shed to protect your valuable machinery, stock, or operations. The last thing you want to see is premature shed rust and corrosion eating away at that investment in just a few years, compromising its structural integrity and devaluing your asset.
A common misconception is that corrosion is only a problem for sheds built right on the coast. While sea spray is a major factor, the reality is that many agricultural and industrial operations create their own highly corrosive environments — some even harsher than the coast.
From the inside out, your shed could be under constant attack. In this practical guide, we'll cover what you need to know about building for high-corrosion environments and how the right materials and design can guarantee the longevity of your structure.
To build durable sheds, you first need to understand the specific threats your structure will face. Corrosion is an electrochemical process, and it accelerates dramatically in the presence of moisture and contaminants like salt, ammonia, and chemicals. Here are the key environments to be aware of.
This is the one everyone knows. Salt-laden air and wind from the ocean can travel several kilometres inland, blanketing everything in a fine, corrosive mist. This salt attracts moisture, creating a perfect storm for rust to take hold on unprotected steel, weakening connections and thinning structural members over time.
Dairy sheds, piggeries, feedlot shelters, and poultry farms are hotspots for corrosion. Animal effluent and high humidity combine to create ammonia gases. When this ammonia mixes with moisture in the air, it forms an aggressive solution that attacks steel, leading to rapid deterioration of purlins, brackets, and structural frames.
The internal atmosphere of some facilities poses the biggest threat. An abattoir is a prime example. The constant use of water for cleaning, harsh chemicals, and particularly the salts used in processing, creates a highly corrosive internal environment. This attacks the shed from the inside out, often in places that are hard to see and maintain until significant damage is done.
Storing materials like superphosphate or other corrosive fertilisers can degrade a standard shed. Fumes and dust from these products can settle on steelwork, and when combined with ambient moisture, they begin to eat away at the structure. A purpose-built fertiliser shed needs more than just a roof; it needs a defence system.
Understanding these risks is the first step. The next is choosing a practical, reliable solution that protects your investment for decades. To see our full range of sheds designed for Australia's toughest conditions, download our free brochure.
So, what’s the most durable type of shed? It’s one that is engineered with a multi-layered defence system specifically for its intended environment. At ABC Sheds, our approach is straightforward and solution-focused, relying on two non-negotiable lines of defence.
The foundation of any long-lasting shed is its frame. That’s why every ABC Sheds building is made with a structural steel frame that is fully hot-dip galvanised.
In simple terms, hot-dip galvanisation involves immersing the fabricated steel components in a bath of molten zinc. This process creates a tough, metallurgically bonded coating that completely seals the steel from the environment. This zinc coating acts as a "sacrificial barrier"—it will corrode first, protecting the critical structural steel underneath. This isn't just a thin layer of paint; it's a robust, reliable shield that provides decades of protection and is the non-negotiable core of our sheds' strength and longevity.
For environments like abattoirs, processing plants, or chemical storage, a galvanised frame alone isn't enough. The internal operations must be contained to protect the main structure.
This is where purpose-built internal wall sheeting comes in. This internal shield serves two critical functions:
This capable design choice is a practical way to extend the life of the entire building, ensuring your operations can continue without worrying about the integrity of the structure around you.
We are dedicated to providing a quality product that can stand the test of time. Because we use high-quality, hot-dip galvanised Australian structural steel and implement smart design principles like internal sheeting where needed, we can stand behind our work with confidence.
This confidence is backed by our 25-year "You're Covered" guarantee. This isn't just a piece of paper; it's our guarantee that your investment is secure for the long term. When you choose ABC Sheds, you aren't just buying a shed, you're investing in a durable, long-lasting infrastructure solution designed specifically for your environment.
Protecting your assets starts with protecting the building that houses them. Corrosion is a serious threat that comes from both the outside in coastal areas and the inside in many agricultural and industrial operations.
A truly durable shed relies on a straightforward, two-part defence: a fully hot-dip galvanised structural frame as the essential first line of defence, and purpose-built internal sheeting where needed to shield the structure from harsh internal conditions. By investing in the right materials and design from the start, you ensure your shed remains a valuable, reliable asset for decades to come.
Ready to design a shed that’s built to last in your specific environment? Use our online tool to start building your custom shed today.