Need advice on building materials for shop

[Soldierboy0098]

Hi,

New to this site but hoping someone can help me out.

I am in Florida in a non flood zone (If that matters) and looking to build a 40*60*14 shop.

Application is to house my cars and machinery.

The question I have is is it cheaper to build/insulate using cement block or steel? Bearing in mind that I intend to climate control the shop so my chassis's do not rust.

I have about 15 pallets with between 60-90 cement blocks a piece on them already that were given to me and could buy more and a guy who will do the work for me cheaper than any company since I am a disabled combat veteran and cannot put it up myself.

Thanks for any and all help,

 

[RedBKM]

I have a 30x60x12 that is 8" split face block. Usually 12 feet tall walls are the max with 8" block but split face block are thicker than smooth block. What type of block do you have?

I priced block, steel, 2x6 framed and pole construction and the block won easily. It is very easy to insulate block with injected foam. It will be fire rated unlike the vinyl & fiberglass roll that is used in steel construction. If you add a liner to a steel or framed building the cost goes miles beyond block.

 

[Architorture]

for florida i would be less worried about flooding and more worried about if you are in a high wind zone...where about in the state are you?

 

[Moose364]

I would go with the blocks also, then fill them with sand it will insulate and sound proof

 

[Falcon67]

I would go with the blocks also, then fill them with sand it will insulate and sound proof

Lol - plumb it for network. We have a building on campus that used to be ROTC. It has cinder block filled with sand because it had a rifle range. WiFi won't go 10' in that building.

 

[Nowater]

All of Florida is in a wind zone. My shop is a structural insulated panel system wind rated for about 210 mph (that is where they stopped the test). That amount of protection can get pricey, so consider your CMUs and use plenty of rebar and horizontal reinforcement. Grout the center voids of the block or fill with pumped concrete and now you have a highly impact resistant building. Over-design the roof tie downs to the walls and seal the seams of the roof panels with a peal and stick type of roofing material.

If you want good climate control pay extra attention to sealing air leaks at windows, doors, and any penetrations. I don't know how to stress this detail enough!

An inch of adhesive spay foam on the inside of the roof will air seal and make the roof very resistant (exceeding most codes) to being blown off. Further insulation would most likely be warranted, but should be analyzed based on your construction methods, expected levels of air conditioning or dehumidification, number of south facing windows and doors, and how well air sealed the building is. Other factors may influence it too.

Your planned structure has 2800 SF of wall space requiring about 3150 CMUs before allowance for doors, windows, and waste. It sounds like you may have about 1000 blocks now, as an estimate.

Building codes and zoning should be investigated well before starting.