Opinions on Steel Buildings

[flusher]

Originally Posted by IXLR8

I went with a steel building as I didn't want to deal with any maintenance issues. I didn't want to have to reshingle/repaint it. I am starting to wish I had gone with a wood structure... at least I would have been done by now.

The usual solution to your dilemma is a wood pole-frame structure with corrugated metal siding and roofing. That's the way I plan to build an 18'x36'x10'H equipment storage shed that's closed on 3 sides. It will have three 12-ft bays which are wide enough for the big stuff (grain drill and baler).

I can span 12ft with a 2x8-7/16" OSB-2x8 home-made laminated beam and meet the local building code requirement. Use outdoor quality wood glue to hold the sandwich together. Pretty inexpensive.

[DRL]

Flusher
Can you give more detail on how you make your OSB beams? Clamping method, glue, # of laminations and orientation? Maybe even start a new thread. Got any pixs of the process. Very interested.
DRL

[flusher]

Originally Posted by DRL

Flusher
Can you give more detail on how you make your OSB beams? Clamping method, glue, # of laminations and orientation? Maybe even start a new thread. Got any pixs of the process. Very interested.
DRL

Just use 6" C-clamps (a lot of them) and short pieces of 2x8 to spread the clamping force.

Orientation is not an issue with OSB since its a wood-chip product. Actually the OSB is a spacer so the laminate thickness is 3-1/2 inches to match a 4x4 or 4x6 vertical post. It's the same approach you use for building window headers in 2x4 frame construction.

I use Titebond II exterior grade wood glue.

For these particular beams I'll use 16d nails also since this is just an equipment shed and exposed nail heads are not an aesthetic issue.

I've build more stylish posts using only glue, no nails. These redwood posts are built up from a central 4x4 surrounded by four 2x4s that are glued to the 4x4. Works fine.

Used wood preservative on the bottom 30" and embedded the posts in concrete



Redwood posts being installed. That's a 1400 gal above ground koi tank in the background.



Finished gate to the Japanese bonsai garden



The gate has a cedar shingle roof and redwood lattice side panels. The shadow box fence is dog-ear cedar boards. Since this is a tractor forum, that's the new Mahindra 5525 at the end of the driveway.

[selfc23fe]

If anybody is curious, I decided to go with USA Barns. It's a smaller company than the national companies. The owner Mark Stacey seems like a straight up, handshake type guy, which means a lot to me. It's going to be a 30x40 with a 7x40 lean to on one side and 12" soffit and fascia all around and a 3x3 cupola. A 10x10 door on one end, a 8x8 and walk thru door under the shed. Should start work next week to coincide with the rain that starts next week.

[Ridgewalker]

Can we ask how much your paying?

I just had National quote me a 30x 50 w a 50' lean to, man door, 12' sliding door, 14K...that seems very high to me, I am still looking for a builder in my area.

[larso1]

I can understand the advantages of metal buildings over wood frame with their low maintenance and all, and wouldn't mind one in my backyard. I just wish my neighbor had put up lower profile buildings in his backyard. To me, they give the neighborhood that commercial park look. He only has classic cars and other stuff that doesn't need the hieght. Maybe he got a good deal on them, I don't know. He told me a couple years ago he paid about $9.5K for one and $11K for the other, same size but different brands. Theyu were built about a year apart. I believe the price included putting them up too, and it didn't take long with the crews that came out.

[selfc23fe]

13.9k but I am putting in my own doors. (Roll-up type) So it will be close to 15k all together, that is not counting a cement floor to be put in later. I added some cosmetic features to dress it up a little to try and be a good neighbor, soffit and fascia, wainscoting, and I am having the roof insulated with the foil, bubble wrap type.

[troweller]

I am thinking about building a steel barn, 48 by 48 by 10, with eaves, wood siding, and a 5/12 pitch in northern California, any ideas for me?

[selfc23fe]

Here are some pictures of my barn minus the doors. It took a crew of 4, 2.5 days to complete. I am happy with the quality of materials and the quality of workmanship. If and when I need to build another, I will definitely give them a call. The plan is to install roll-up type doors. Hindsight, slider doors might have been ok, but I liked the looks and security of the roll-up doors.

[RedRocker]

Beautiful!!