Ways to dress up the front of steel building

[Roothawg]

We are in the designing phase of our garage/apt.

We are looking into something like 50'x100'x16' steel building, while converting one end into an apt.(approx 1000 sf) until we can build our house.

The problem is that this thing will look massive and like a giant box.
We were thinking of adding a 10' porch on the gable side, and having a row of windows etc. Maybe 2 tone up approx 4' in a contrasting color with a nice finished trim piece.

Any cheap ideas for dressing up this monster?

Thanks

Root

 

[cyamaha2007]

wainscoting will break it up also overhangs will make it look nicer.

 

[RVDan]

Mural

Perhaps paint it up as a house with doors, windows, flowers, cats and dogs.

 

[BWS]

The problem with the porch on front of building is..........You're wasting VERY valuable outdoor shop space.Lean-to roofs are great,will never be without one......but its value is as stated.

One of the most expensive "things" you can build is a bloomin porch/deck.You're paying about 50-75% of the price compared enclosed space.Maintenance *****,yadayada.But,a ground level roof over work area is priceless.....go figure?

Theres other,way cheaper ways to enhance the end of your building.Do a small cover'd entrance.Might even thro a cpl columns at it?And yes,some nice windows,going after whatever design/stlye,du jour.The size or scale of windows is extremely important along with fenestration....then,throw some dang bushes at it and call it good.

You really need to lose the metal siding on front...IF,and thats a really big IF.You're concerned about making the place somehow less commercial.Thats ya'lls call......How you go about it is then open for discussion.On buildings like whats planned,I like Brick front facades.....Goin after either a public library looking front or-If I was really trying to make a FU statement,would go after a golf course/country club look.These have longer(more elegant)windows and overall,a little more class than the library look.But hey,thats me......we're builders and can pretty much do as we please?

Theres a chit-ton of other stuff that goes into the "front" of your facility.Pay attention to all landscaping and also how any pavement or concrete is designed.You'd do yourself a huge favor by riding around looking at professionally built,commercial jobs.KEEP noting their similarities.Look at the windows...look at shrubs...look at parking areas.Try to place a time period on it.How "timelss" is it?

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Rock it

 

[805gregg]

Wood shingles

 

[larry_g]

I might suggest you search on 'pole buildings' on the internet and then peruse some of the builders gallery's. The wainscoting, porches, and cupolas do a lot to break up a bare building. I also think that rounded or angled corners on the door openings break up the squareness.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[kbs2244]

larry g has the idea.
All the major companys know they have to fight the "tin box" look.
Their web sites show lots of style ideas.

 

[Krash Kadillak]

I like the rock idea. Maybe a outside 'patio' area at the entrance with a low wall around it defining the area.

You're gonna have basically a building that looks similar to a mobile home, only bigger. Go take a look at a mobile home community (a nice one) and see what they do to disguise appearance.

 

[carhunter]

I'd vote for a brick fascia on one end, or at least brick wainscot. Upgrade your window trim, maybe faux shutters.
What about trees and landscaping? Those will break up the perspective and could even add shade a few years down the road.

 

[mothgrey]

Not your size but I think it looks Ok

 

[nosnerd]

looks good! ^^^^^^^^^^^^

plant a few cedar trees and yes,go for the two tone,.....do not expect too much...the darn this is ONE HUNDRED FEET LONG!!! lol

.green.with.envy,lol.

 

[MikelHochst]

The wainscoting, porches, and cupolas do a lot to break up a bare building.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Putting stacked flat stones around the porch columns would look nice, along with wainscoting.

 

[Fat Boy]

Not your size but I think it looks Ok

Is this your building? Looks great.

 

[5lima30]

How about a facade of stone or rock? I have seen a Church that was done like that and it really looked good.

 

[bczygan]

You can dress up concrete and steel framing any way you like:

 

[bgarrett]

I'm going to make mine 'cowboy' style like this
Root hog or Die!

 

[finn]

I used 3 courses of split faced block with metal siding above the block. Broke up the cheap-azz metal building look quite well.

Also have two different roof heights (stepped) to lessen the massive look.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Two tone works well. Flybefree has some good pics of his and another building with two tone and also brick lower section.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110364

I have a neighbor who did a high roof (southern mansion style) with columns and vinyl shutters on the windows. From the street it doesn't really look like a steel building.

As others have noted, rock also works, either partial or full, or partial or full brick.

Charles

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[drmarkr]

My brothers place in Oklahoma....the end with the porch is a framed-out three bedroom house!

 

[Desert1957]

I designed a porch style overhang on my metal building, We use it more than the deck on the house.






Desert

 

[Lippyp]

Paint it in a camouflage pattern like a WWII aircraft hangar and then no one will see it at all!

 

[Ray Kelly]

You guys built some really nice looking places. Wished mine looked that great!!