Metal Building vs Pole Barn

[Rokjhn]

I'm in the planning stages of a 40x60x14 building to use for storage and various hobbies (wood, metal, auto, etc...). Anybody have any advice or opinions on the pros and cons of a Metal Building over a Pole Barn? Have looked at Morton Buildings as well as various metal providers.

 

[PugetDude]

I'm in the planning stages of a 40x60x14 building to use for storage and various hobbies (wood, metal, auto, etc...). Anybody have any advice or opinions on the pros and cons of a Metal Building over a Pole Barn? Have looked at Morton Buildings as well as various metal providers.

Termites don't eat metal buildings.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Most guys don't have the heavier equipment needed to erect the steel frame. If you intend to put the frame work up yourself, you'll have to rent it and incur more costs. If you build the pole building yourself, you might still need to rent a lift or tele-handler for the trusses but that should/might only take a weekend.

 

[brianh]

I did a steel 40x60 Olimpia got the heavy parts I could not manage in 2 days with two people and a skid steer with forks and chains, I think a steel kit is easier, I have done wood before.

 

[readhead]

Steel. Foundation will be more expensive but you won't have any wood buried in the dirt. Clear span with no trusses in the way. Insect, rot and fire resistant. Easy to modify later.

Wood. Cheaper.

 

[tomroblee]

I had a barn built about 8 years ago in rural SW Indiana. I investigated red iron as well as pole barns. There were a number of builders who would erect a pole barn on a turn key basis. The only companies I could find to build a red iron building on a turn key basis were a substantial distance away and didn't seem to have interest in what they considered small projects. If I had gone with red iron I would have to hire one company to handle the concrete work, buy the building kit from a steel company, and then find a crew to erect the building. This didn't seem too practical. If something had gone wrong I could imagine a three way blame game---with me holding the bag.

There are obviously some differences between working with steel and working with wood. In my rural location there just weren't any folks with much experience in working with steel.

 

[nehog]

Most guys don't have the heavier equipment needed to erect the steel frame. If you intend to put the frame work up yourself, you'll have to rent it and incur more costs...

Naw, we rented the crane (was a truss truck) for an hour or so, and did all the heavy lifting in one go. Guy who ran the truck did an excellent job, I just made sure I had all the stuff ready to go. It was a snap to do.

Steel. Foundation will be more expensive but you won't have any wood buried in the dirt. Clear span with no trusses in the way. Insect, rot and fire resistant. Easy to modify later.

Wood. Cheaper.

Yep. Clear span, and construction problems made it easy.

 

[My Old Tools]

Red iron metal buildings are as common as dirt here in Texas. One advantage to red iron is you can get one that is hurricane rated. That might matter in Katy. Lot's of erector companies and individuals. Clear spans are easy, you can insulate, etc. Find your builder first. They usually have deals on material.

 

[matt_i]

The thing that seemed to be a problem for a red iron building was it was initially difficult to hang anything on the walls. the owner of the one I worked out of for several years put up some lengths of plywood walls on the inside and hung things from that, if one intended to "face" a large large sidewall/endwall, it seemed like a lot of extra expense to have to install framing and plywood in addition to already paying for the building structure. Not saying that's a reason to turn one down. But its something to think of.

 

[Cyberbear]

Different parts of our nation seem to favor particular styles of fabrication methods. Where I'm located pole barn style is favored mostly by those wanting to simply park their equipment, as in: tractors, trailers, tillers and other farm equipment. But if a workshop/garage is wanted for woodworking, metal working or other such uses, a stick built is preferred.
Based on the frequent questions read on GJ, I often see those with pole barns needing ways to insulate, hang cabinets/shelves or pour the concrete floor, which are usually non-issues for a stick built structure. Personally, I prefer a good solid reinforced concrete slab and footings over a structure supported on wooden posts/poles. For me, my shop is my home, and I much appreciate the benefits of a stick built structure.

 

[My Old Tools]

The thing that seemed to be a problem for a red iron building was it was initially difficult to hang anything on the walls. the owner of the one I worked out of for several years put up some lengths of plywood walls on the inside and hung things from that, if one intended to "face" a large large sidewall/endwall, it seemed like a lot of extra expense to have to install framing and plywood in addition to already paying for the building structure. Not saying that's a reason to turn one down. But its something to think of.

Same problem in a pole barn. French clete on the wall purlin solves a lot of those problems, as do benches and free standing cabinets. The good is clear spans under big lofts.

Personally, I prefer a good solid reinforced concrete slab and footings over a structure supported on wooden posts/poles. For me, my shop is my home, and I much appreciate the benefits of a stick built structure.

Red iron buildings have reinforced concrete slabs and footings in this part of the world. For over 10 years I lived in a 2 bedroom apartment I built inside my red iron shop building. It was stick built inside, but also allowed a large clear span shop space. The framing required was just enough to support sheetrock as there were mo loads to support. Super warm, efficient, and quiet with double walls and insulation. I really don't see that much difference in hanging stuff unless you lined your stick built with 1/2 inch plywood.

.

 

[DCarr2]

I looked into this exact project a year ago, for me to erect that same building, in buffalo NY would cost upwards of $100,000. the foundation was the biggest cost factor.

 

[joe_padavano]

I've done three pole barns and one metal building on my farm. Sizes range from 24x36 to 36x48. The metal building was one that I bough from another owner who had purchased it but never erected it, so I got it cheap. It was still more expensive to erect than any of the pole barns. Biggest cost was the foundation. All the pole barns have metal roofs. One has metal sides, the others wood. Pouring a floating slab inside the pole barn is much less expensive than the footers, foundation, and slab needed for structure under a metal building. I did rent the equipment to erect the pieces for each as needed. Not a big expense.

 

[checkthisout]

I can't see any benefits for a homeowner to use steel. Unless, like someone else said, you found a kit super duper cheap but then you are using it strictly because of price.

You can have a wooden pole barn with vertical framing (like a stick built) and even put regular siding on it.

 

[thejudges69]

I chose metal due to cost. The steel for me was actually a lot cheaper.

 

[CNGsaves]

Lots of prior GJ builds in TX with steel. Low raw material cost now might help you.

+1 that Katy, TX with hurricane/wind risk would be a factor.

 

[My Old Tools]

In this area, steel builds are generally much cheaper than stick. And they go up in a week or so. They are always tighter and more finished than pole barns with the structure sealed against a real slab. You can't get away with pouring a slab with no footers, beams, or steel on our soils. It would probably work on east Texas sand, but not on expansive clay soils.

 

[kerr]

Floating slab with steel building seems to be what builders suggest anymore . 6" slab just rides with the soil . Steel buildings just work so well .

 

[readhead]

The only downside to pole construction is buried wood in dirt. It will fail at some point. It may not be in your lifetime but it will happen. You are not building a lifetime structure.

When I was selling and erecting metal buildings I sold a lot of replacement hay barns for old pole barns that collapsed.

 

[finn]

It's a regional thing.

I never see steel buildings here, but we have stable soil and no termites.

Everything is metal sheathed pole construction or stick built, either with osb and vinyl siding or just steel siding, usually with a floating slab.

Texas /Oklahoma seem to be predominantly Steel, but they seem to have unstable soil and bugs that eat wood.

 

[ssg57]

l would suggest a metal building in your area. I just had a 40x80x14 building erected near Brenham and I am extremely happy with the construction of it. Check out my build photos below. I used a very good and honest erector out of East Bernard and he can do a turnkey job if you need it. The concrete was my biggest expense. PM me if you have any questions.

Scott's Garage Mahal
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305958

 

[texasfiremedic]

No termites.

On the other hand if not done correctly rust along the bottom edge of building. You must have who ever does your concrete put in a drip ledge. This is so the sheets ends are not sitting next to the ground. Also make sure that when they install the sheets that where is a gap between the concrete and the sheet. NOT sitting on the Ledge. Installers have a tenancy to let the sheet rest on the ledge then screw it. Then what happens the caustic properties of the concrete eat the sheet. Use a panel seal so nothing can make it way in. Also keep the dirt pulled away from the edge of the building. Set your building high enough above grade so your concrete is sitting proudly above the grade.
Call Mueller they might be a little more expensive but you will get a quality building that is done to spec. and code. Also they have a good warranty to match. By the way I don't work for them. I just buy there sheets when I do metal roofs.