Metal vs. Hardiplank siding

[fwillison]

I'm building a 45 x 65 x 12 shop building on footings and a turn down slab. I'll be using conventional 2x6 wall framing, engineered clear span trusses (a mixture of scissor an attic trusses). It will be used primarily for auto restoration and storage of my collector cars.

I got bids from 3 pole barn companies (but this won't be post frame construction it will be 2x6 framed walls regardless of who builds it), and a bid from a home builder/general contractor. None of the bids include the foundation (about $16K), plumbing (maybe $5K), or electric (?$5-8K)

The best pole barn builder bid, using 26 gauge metal roof and sides:
$42,140

Home builder using Hardie Plank fiber cement siding, painted my choice of color, and conventional shingle roof:
$52,000

The difference is about $10,000.

I'm leaning toward the Home builder/Hardie plank because I think it would appear much higher quality, and ultimately be worth more money as well.

However, I am already well down the road of sequential budget busting upgrades to what was originally supposed to be a basic shop.

Opinions?

thanks
Fred
Tulsa

 

[OldNeons]

I put Hardie on my house and my 100 year old barn. You can't beat it for looks and holding the paint. Will take hail better than the metal too. Bigger factor is the roof, metal is permanent, asphalt is not. Factor that into your equation. How many asphalt roofs will you buy in the time you plan to be there? Now you have another upgrade to a newer long term shingle. I'd do a metal roof either way, and if you want to spend the money on looks to match the house - get the Hardie. If not, tin it all- and put savings into tricking out the inside......

 

[1/2 Cup]

I put Hardie on my house and my 100 year old barn. You can't beat it for looks and holding the paint. Will take hail better than the metal too. Bigger factor is the roof, metal is permanent, asphalt is not. Factor that into your equation. How many asphalt roofs will you buy in the time you plan to be there? Now you have another upgrade to a newer long term shingle. I'd do a metal roof either way, and if you want to spend the money on looks to match the house - get the Hardie. If not, tin it all- and put savings into tricking out the inside......

Sound advice, the Hardie plank looks great and a metal roof (what we call Colourbond) with accented facia, trims and gutters would be my choice. That said I am not familiar with the environmental conditions you are faced with.

 

[kbs2244]

There is a lot less labor when putting up those big metal sheets vs. narrow boards.
I don’t know if it is $10K worth of difference though.

 

[Homerr]

The Hardi products are also known for being a bit more quiet inside even versus standard wood lap siding products. It is also fire resistant if that is a concern in your area.

 

[zcar751]

How long do you plan on owning the place? A good shingle roof can last 25 years while a metal roof may only last 20 years depending on environmental conditions. The biggest down side to metal roofs is the noise from rain. If you don't insulate a metal roof a light rain sound like a down poor and a heavy rain will drive you out of the building.

 

[Falcon67]

You are in OK - talk to some local roofing companies and go over weather data. You may well find that, like here, if you carry insurance on the building that you won't have to pay more than deductible for a shingle roof as long as you own the place. Every 8-15 years here (and we're overdue). Moved here in 1997 and have had two new roofs, all covered by insurance. There are a lot of houses here that also sport metal roofs. A good metal roof is good style for the southwest, lasts a long time, hail resistant - and not cheap.

Hardi is good stuff, not cheap. I use Hardipanel on my building. I wanted to use Hardiplank but the cost was almost 4X the panel. That's DIY cost, not installed. BUt I love the look of the plank.

 

[Moose97]

If you're willing to pay the difference in price, go with the hardi-board. I think you'll like the look much better and it will help resale value.

 

[dlenkewich]

I'd tin it, but I live in the middle of nowhere.

I'd also tin it because I was involved in installing some hardie once and found it to be slow and tedious to make sure it's done right.

Like you said your budget is already blown... Might as well take the 10k in savings and enjoy a maintenance free exterior. It is a shop after all, it doesn't need to look like a house. I don't agree that hardie will make it worth anymore because it is a shop.

 

[Pluribus]

The extra $10k sounds well worth it to me. I would much rather have stick framing, personally. If you want to bring the price down closer to the pole barn price, you can always quote having metal siding over sheathing on a stick framed building.

 

[Modifieddriver]

Go metal. I have stick built and pole. Wish the stick built was a pole.

 

[Jackfre]

I'm currently re-modeling our house and siding with the Hardi Artisan Plank. It is a full 5/8 thick throughout. T&g on the ends so it lays really flat. With the overlap of almost 1 1/2" you need some beefie trim. I am very impressed with the product. Cuts well with the proper blade on a Circular saw. It is to heavy for the snap cutters. I'd use it again.

 

[CNGsaves]

I'm currently re-modeling our house and siding with the Hardi Artisan Plank. It is a full 5/8 thick throughout. T&g on the ends so it lays really flat. With the overlap of almost 1 1/2" you need some beefie trim. I am very impressed with the product. Cuts well with the proper blade on a Circular saw. It is to heavy for the snap cutters. I'd use it again.

Post up some pics. I'm sure curious minds would like to SEE it !!

 

[Mandres]

I'm currently re-modeling our house and siding with the Hardi Artisan Plank. It is a full 5/8 thick throughout. T&g on the ends so it lays really flat. With the overlap of almost 1 1/2" you need some beefie trim. I am very impressed with the product. Cuts well with the proper blade on a Circular saw. It is to heavy for the snap cutters. I'd use it again.

I'd like to see pics too. How much more expensive is it than regular Hardiplank?

I really like the tongue-and-groove ends, but it looks like they recommend mitering the outside corners which I think looks odd and is probably not a good idea.