Engineered for high-wind and cyclone regions across Northern Australia. Every cyclone-rated shed meets or exceeds the Building Code of Australia requirements for your specific wind region, from Region B through to Region D.
Not sure which region you’re in? We calculate it from your exact site coordinates: GPS accuracy, not postcode guesswork.
If your property is in a designated cyclone region, your shed must be engineered to the applicable wind region, it’s a Building Code requirement, not optional. Common areas include:
See our Queensland and Western Australia state pages for more regional details.
Every shed in our range can be engineered for cyclone regions:
Use our 3D designer to configure your shed, we’ll engineer it to the correct wind region for your site. Or contact us with your location and we’ll confirm your wind region and provide a custom quote.
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Australia’s wind loading standard (AS/NZS 1170.2) divides the country into wind regions. Each region has a design wind speed that your shed must be engineered to withstand:
| Wind Region | Type | Design Wind Speed | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1: A4 | Non-cyclonic | Up to 50 m/s | Most of southern Australia |
| B | Cyclonic | Up to 60 m/s | Transitional zones, inland QLD, WA, NT |
| C | Cyclonic | Up to 74 m/s (266 km/h) | Coastal northern QLD, NT, WA |
| D | Severe cyclonic | Up to 86 m/s (310 km/h) | Extreme northern coastline |
The difference between a Region A and Region C shed isn’t just “stronger bolts”, it’s a fundamentally different engineering approach. Column sections, rafter sizes, brace configurations, footing depths, cladding fixings, and connection details all change. A Region C shed uses approximately 30 to 50% more steel than the same-sized shed in Region A.
Cyclone-rated portal frames use heavier steel sections, thicker columns and rafters with larger flange widths. The frame must resist not just gravity loads (the weight of the building and anything on it) but also massive lateral and uplift forces from cyclonic wind. The engineering considers both internal and external pressure combinations, when a roller door blows open in a cyclone, the internal pressure spikes dramatically.
Every connection in a cyclone-rated shed is engineered for the load path, the route that wind forces take from the cladding through the purlins, into the rafters, down the columns, and into the footings. High-tensile bolts replace standard bolts. Moment connections at the knee (where the rafter meets the column) are heavier. Base plates are thicker with more anchor bolts.
COLORBOND® cladding in cyclone regions requires closer screw spacing, particularly at edges, corners, and ridges where wind suction peaks. In Region C, screw spacing can be as close as every second rib at the perimeter (vs every third or fourth in Region A). Self-drilling screws with neoprene washers are standard; some applications require through-bolted cladding connections.
Standard sheds use tension-rod or strap bracing in the walls and roof. Cyclone-rated sheds often require additional bracing bays, heavier bracing sections, and sometimes dedicated portal frame bracing (using the frame itself as the bracing system) to handle the increased lateral loads.
Cyclone loads transfer enormous uplift forces to the footings. A shed in Region C might require footings 2 to 3 times the size of the same building in Region A. Bored piers, pad footings with tie-down rods, or mass concrete footings are common, the specific footing design depends on the soil conditions, which is why a geotechnical assessment is recommended for cyclone-rated buildings.
Cyclone engineering adds cost, more steel, heavier connections, closer cladding fixings, and larger footings. Indicative premiums over Region A pricing:
All prices include steel frame, COLORBOND® cladding, doors, and certified cyclone-rated engineering. Design your building online or call 0488 510 550 to discuss cyclone requirements for your site.
We determine your exact wind region from your site coordinates using the AS/NZS 1170.2 wind loading standard. The wind region depends on your distance from the coast, local terrain, surrounding buildings, and topography. Don’t guess, give us your address and we’ll calculate it.
No. You cannot cost-effectively upgrade a non-cyclone shed to cyclone rating after construction. The frame sections, connections, and footings are fundamentally different. If you’re in a cyclone region, build it right the first time.
Roller doors are the weakest point in any shed during a cyclone. If a door fails, wind enters the building and internal pressure can double, potentially blowing the roof off from the inside. Cyclone-rated roller doors are engineered for the design wind speed, or the building is engineered to handle the “door open” load case (internal pressure with one door assumed to have failed).
Not significantly more than a standard shed. Check fixings annually before cyclone season, look for loose screws, damaged cladding, and deteriorated seals around penetrations. Replace any damaged cladding immediately, a missing sheet changes the building’s wind load characteristics. Keep roller doors maintained and operational.
Boundary areas are engineered conservatively, we always use the higher wind region if there’s any doubt. The cost difference between Region A and Region B engineering is relatively small compared to the risk of under-engineering. Better to spend 10% more on steel than lose the building.
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