what to build

[rp performance]

I am sure this has been asked many times but I just joined the group. I bought some land to build my shop on in WV, I currently am renting a place. I am trying to decide on a steel building or a pole barn building. I am looking at about 4500 sg ft with a 12 to 14 foot wall. I am sure a lot of it is personal preference to most. I would love to hear pros and cons on both of them. I have heard that steel buildings are harder to finish inside. I can do some work but depending on cost would rather not if i dont have to.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, You should first make a realistic inventory of your skills and equipment and then consider what it will take to make the shop you want. After you have figured out what dimensions of the 4500 sq foot building will be, you can begin to calculate how much it will cost. Compare the estimated costs to the money you have.

If the estimated cost to build your shop exceeds the money you have; you then can either reduce the plans, modify your plans, or get some more money to work with.

Maybe you might want to consider building the shop in stages.

Projects always seem to take longer and cost more than we plan.

 

[ace10]

Two things to think about...

Are there builders capable of erecting a steel building around you? A recurring theme I hear from locals is that there aren't.

Second, your area is incredibly rocky. A traditional "pole" building might be quite a challenge.

 

[rp performance]

Two things to think about...

Are there builders capable of erecting a steel building around you? A recurring theme I hear from locals is that there aren't.

Second, your area is incredibly rocky. A traditional "pole" building might be quite a challenge.

I have not looked into builders but it is a pretty big area so i assume so. As for the lot it is pretty rocky and that is something i did not think about but wouldn't that be an issue for the pole barn builder?

 

[sberry]

60x80 is a good size. Roomy enough to build some features in. If you are doing any less go 60x60 but due to so much fixed cost with this the extra 20 ft doesnt cost a lot more.

 

[rp performance]

thanks guys for the input. I really am looking for what everyone thinks is better. pole barn or metal frame buildings. I know people have a preference but any input would be great.

 

[TonyJ]

Welcome to GJ and also welcome to WV. I’m in the very bottom of the state about 3 miles from VA in Mercer county

 

[rp performance]

Two things to think about...

Are there builders capable of erecting a steel building around you? A recurring theme I hear from locals is that there aren't.

Second, your area is incredibly rocky. A traditional "pole" building might be quite a challenge.

Where are you located in Nova? I am right outside of winchester , summit point wv.

 

[gofastwclass]

thanks guys for the input. I really am looking for what everyone thinks is better. pole barn or metal frame buildings. I know people have a preference but any input would be great.

Preference is often driven by several factors that may not be the same as your own. I would do an honest self assessment and determine what you want the building for and what the building requirements are for your area. What do people with a similar hobby have and what do you actually need (sorry mods I said the n word)?

Codes could also be an issue for your design. I'm in the county but I still have to deal with codes but far less than living in the city. Speak to your codes people before you get too set on things.

Not trying to rain on the 'ol parade but to help answer the question you asked we need a lot more information.

 

[ace10]

Where are you located in Nova? I am right outside of winchester , summit point wv.

Half hour east of you. I spend a lot of time at the track, so I'm familiar with the area. Based on the rocks I see on Crums Church and Hardesty, I'd say that augering a dozen(s) holes might be a damn-near impossible. There's more rock than dirt in that area. Hopefully your land isn't like that.

What have the surrounding properties done for their accessory buildings?

 

[matt_i]

What have the surrounding properties done for their accessory buildings?

I think that's an excellent place to start.

Even on a clear span red iron building there will be large excavations where the columns go, think of a 1-2 cubic yard square monolith thats "buried" within the slab, and grade beams around the perimeter and across. Its not just a flat 4" slab that this style of building is built on.

It might be worthwhile to spend a little time talking to a post frame builder (usually there are a couple companies around which specialize in this) and ask them about what's all involved with getting the posts set in the ground (or if its a non-starter).

Imo clear span metal is going to be more expensive down the road to wire, unless you're an electrician and are good at bending + hanging EMT and pulling wire. Post frame will be much easier to staple NM wiring to the wooden framework.

 

[stingry]

Here’s my take on building type. To me, a steel red iron building is hands down the better building. In my area, they are also the most expensive. The inescapable fact is that you are burying your columns in the ground and rot is a possibility although in my area there are pole buildings that have been up since the sixties when they first became popular around here. Steel framed buildings are generally insulated when erected by placing insulation blankets between the purlins and grits and the steel sheeting. This gives a finished and insulated building which is fine if that’s the finished look you want. Also, you are limited in the amount of insulation available with this type of construction. If you are looking for a higher level of insulation and a more finished interior with a flat ceiling, a pole barn is probably the beat choice. The walls can be insulated with 6-8 inches of insulation and the ceilings with as much as you want to blow in. Personally, I stick framed my 3600 sq ft shop for these reasons but I only have 10 ft walls. 12-14 ft walls are probably not feasible for stick framing.

 

[jives]

You will find this discussion elsewhere here on GJ, so do a variety of searches. Mostly what you will find is that the answer is based on builder availability, local conventions and codes, what kind of a DIYer you are if you plan on doing any of the work yourself, and what you plan on doing with the building. . . so less to do with what kind of building is 'better'.

If you do a comparison in cost, be sure to exclude the cheapest of either type of building. For instance, don't consider putting the post directly in the ground, but use concrete piers or Permacolumns for post frame buildings, e.g.,

The description by Stingry regarding insulation is important to consider. A wood post frame can be insulated after the fact as a DIY project, but not so much for a steel building. That may be okay if you plan on having the whole thing done at once.