Old steel garage, existing/before/current

[mleichtle]

I bring offerings of garage pics, to ask initiation into this elite organization.

I’ve been lurking for a while finally swiped wife’s camera and got some pics. We bought this place from wife’s grandfather’s estate last year, he was an engineer for a steel building company, and so he probably built it for next to nothing. This is at its worst, I even took the pics on a gloomy day for effect. Going to start giving it the tlc it needs.

Its 40’W x 24’D, and 10’ high at the eaves. The floor is in good condition, and has drain.

The side walls are some what insulated, there’s a plastic over the insul . and it tears easy. And that rod “x” bracing would make it real tough to finish the walls, I think it could be removed, but I need to do some calculations first.

The siding and the roof is where the nightmares begin. The bees have a whole condominium complex, and mice have free reign, theres nothing covering the ridges. And it needs a gutter bad.

I will deal with the grading and driveway after this winter, I had to dig out the service door. I’m debating tearing it down and building a regular wood framed, but I hate to waste a building with such character.

Sorry, no pretty cars
Thanks for looking.

 

[Runner94]

Is that the guard dog?? Nice place. Must be nice and quiet out where you are.

 

[joecaver]

It doesn't look like it should be torn down. It should be a lot less expensive to fix what you have then to tear down and rebuild. I'm new here too but I'd like to see pics of the progress as you go along.

 

[dink]

I think it needs a nice pressure washing inside and out other then that you have alot going for you on this project...good luck

 

[Kevin54]

Cheaper to fix what you have than build new. You local lumber yard will have the metal trim to finish up what you need to seal it up. Add some gutters, then add some wood strapping on the inside so you can finish up the walls. Nice!!!

Kevin

 

[Concrete Video]

Love the Boston Terrier. I had one when i was growing up.

I also love the building. Tons of character. It sounds like you've got some easy to fix issues. Not enough to tear it down.

Side Story: A friend of mine has a few mice in his shop. One day, as a joke, another friend launched a fork during lunch and stuck one right in the belly. Talk about good aim! He never thought he'd actually hit it.

 

[DynoDave]

That's a nice looking old building. I would save it, no doubt. Great working space.

 

[chet]

fix it! Thats way too nice to tear down. You can add walls inside the steel, we did that to my dads and it worked well. If you put a gutters on you will have to add some sheetmetal ridges part way up the roof tos top the snow from sliding off and taking the gutters with them!

Also you mentioned removing the cross rods? NEVER remove them! They are there for a reason and keep the building from flexing.

 

[ChucksCrib]

I bring offerings of garage pics, to ask initiation into this elite organization.

Your "in" bro

 

[REFLEXX]

DON'T DO IT!

Worst case, put a new skin on it! That way you can make it any color you like and put doors where you want.

A company called Metal Sales makes the metal paneling, most steel building suppliers can get it for you, or go straight to the source.

For interior walls, how about some paneling on a simple 2x4 framework. like a false wall.

my 2.5c

REFLEXX

 

[RonBou]

That building does have a lot of class and is unique. Fix 'er up.

 

[krooser]

Tear it down? You've got to be kidding!

You can build stud walls inside and finish it (if you must).

Menards will have all the materials available to detail out the eaves, etc.

Use regular semi-gloss exterior paint if you want to change the color or buy the newly available "metal" building paints at Fleet Farm.