Metal Building Wall Finishing

[drxlcarfreak]

My 30x50x16 steel structure just got erected 2 weeks ago, while I wait the next 12 weeks for the garage doors to be fabricated and installed, I wanted to start thinking about how I am going to finish the walls. I plan on building a loft/mezzanine over 75% of the floor area, so I plan to have 2x6 walls along the side walls to support the joists. Where I am not supporting a second floor, I plan to inset 2x3 or 2x4 walls onto the steel similar to how ToolFool did to minimize the wasted space.

Unlike his garage, the front and back walls are just 2.5x2.5 single pieces of steel, so I am thinking to either do a 2x3 or 2x4 wall in front of the steel to allow me to get R19 batt insulation in the walls (unless I can get spray foam for a similar price). What material do you guys use to face the walls? I was leaning towards drywall for aesthetics and frankly price these days, but am a bit concerned about it standing up to the test of time. What do you guys use for garage/shop walls?

 

[racecougar]

Liner panel.

 

[drxlcarfreak]

Hmm, I hadn't even thought of that. Where do you source this from?

On a totally unrelated question... I noticed that most people's metal garages here paid the extra to have the siding go vertical instead of the standard horizontal like siding. Did I mess up just going with the base horizontal paneling?

 

[racecougar]

Hmm, I hadn't even thought of that. Where do you source this from?

A local metal supplier or even a big box store like Menards.

On a totally unrelated question... I noticed that most people's metal garages here paid the extra to have the siding go vertical instead of the standard horizontal like siding. Did I mess up just going with the base horizontal paneling?

Running the panels horizontal isn't particularly ideal. I'd only call the orientation "standard" on the cheap/quick carport type buildings, but even on those, you can typically request that the orientation is vertical.

 

[drxlcarfreak]

Running the panels horizontal isn't particularly ideal. I'd only call the orientation "standard" on the cheap/quick carport type buildings, but even on those, you can typically request that the orientation is vertical.

Haha, the quick carport style is exactly what I opted for. It was by far the cheapest method for me to get a shell while dealing with my other house renovation projects with all of the crazy escalations we've seen lately. I saw that it was an added option for a cost, but didn't understand the benefit. Why isn't it ideal? I figured it would be better for wear and tear as the bottom piece is the most likely to rust or get dinged with kids, mower etc and could replace just 1 piece when it bothers me enough instead of the entire height of the building.

 

[readhead]

Horizontal is fine. It is less expensive. It is a personal choice.
For inside finish where you are not framing the easiest way is to install horizontal hat channels 16”-24” on center and install whatever wall finish you want.

 

[drxlcarfreak]

Gotcha, fair enough. I didnt know if there was a performance increase that I wasn't grasping or something.

Hmm, I like the hat channel idea... if I can spray foam the cavity for a decent price, that may be my best bet instead of wasting time framing out walls.

 

[racecougar]

Haha, the quick carport style is exactly what I opted for. It was by far the cheapest method for me to get a shell while dealing with my other house renovation projects with all of the crazy escalations we've seen lately. I saw that it was an added option for a cost, but didn't understand the benefit. Why isn't it ideal? I figured it would be better for wear and tear as the bottom piece is the most likely to rust or get dinged with kids, mower etc and could replace just 1 piece when it bothers me enough instead of the entire height of the building.

Ribs run horizontally hold dust and promote mold on vertical walls. They hold water and tree debris on the roof. They require the use of foam closures at the corner trim. You'll also have visible seams where the panels overlap, at least once if not twice on your 50' sides.

 

[drxlcarfreak]

Ahh, that does make sense. I wish I had found this forum before I ordered my garage!

 

[mepstein]

We have a very large facility building on campus with horizontal metal siding. It does hold the dust and dirt and requires them to clean it off once in a while to look nice. It has a large roof overhang so the rain doesn’t clean it naturally. Still looks nice, just a little more work to keep it that way.