Steel frame versus powder-coated versus galvanized: which lasts longer?

Galvanized and powder-coated steel frames both resist rust better than bare or painted tubing, which is why owners gravitate toward those listings. The cover almost always wears out before the frame regardless of coating, so frame coating mostly affects long-term rust rather than first-season survival. Heavier-gauge tubing and more cross-bracing tend to correlate with better wind and snow performance in owner reports.