Metal Garages

[helpfulbook]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone out there has ever purchased a metal garage and if they were happy with it.
The one I am looking at has roll up doors. I am not familiar them. Was wondering how durable they? Or should I stick with the traditional overhead door?
I am also curious if the metal building companies negotiate on price (like buying a new car) or are their prices firm?

Thank you and have a good day!
George

 

[reb]

I bought a metal garage about 30+ years ago and had some roll up doors installed. They worked ok and were in good shape when I sold the place about 10 years later. The garage is still in use with, I think, the original doors. Traditional overhead doors look more substantial to me, tho. I put up a quonset type building here with sliding doors 20 years ago. They still work like new.

Both buildings were bought when the dealers had sales going. I didn't try to negotiate below the sales prices.

 

[helpfulbook]

Reb thanks for the reply! Glad to hear the roll up doors worked out for you!

 

[BAP]

Make sure that the garage you are looking at is rated for Adirondack NY snow load. A lot of the “cheap” metal garages and buildings are not built for the heavyweight snow that we get in the Northeast.

 

[helpfulbook]

Yes BAP, I am concerned about these metal structures, but I am going to get it upgraded to 12 gauge framing from 14 gauge. The roof I was going to go with 26 gauge instead of 29 gauge.
I was originally going to build a pole barn but Im getting old, Lol. And the cost swayed me to the metal garage.

 

[RNeumann]

The rollup doors are fine. They are used in the commercial setting all the time. Of course the cost is negotiable. Typically a wholesaler sells to smaller local/regional contractors or installers. But with the economy hot and the contractors in demand I’d be scared of a low bid or someone who is available now. Figure out your basic specs and shop those- get “bids”.

 

[helpfulbook]

RNeumann, Thanks for the info.

 

[nikdfish]

We put in a 20x22 with 2 rollup doors on a concrete slab in 2016 (Carolina Carports). They've held up well so far. I had a thread on the whole construction process. The building delivery/construction portion starts here: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/368814-doing-some-concrete-projects-house-3.html

We also went with the heavier tube steel & sheet steel. Ours was done with vertical roof steel as opposed to horizontal. I also specified 8' tall doors to accommodate the rollover bar on the tractors.

 

[thepumpguysc]

I have 1.. I opted for 1 big roll-up 10' instead of 2 smaller ones.. its REAL easy to roll-up..
I have a 24x32 w/11' side walls..on concrete. w/ the hurricane steel frame..
The 3 man crew showed up at 9am & left at 6pm ALL DONE.
The R-up door lets a very small amount in on the bottom but it doesn't bother me..
I just sweep it out..
I'm VERY happy w/ mine..

 

[aczlan]

Ours was done with vertical roof steel as opposed to horizontal.

Very important, we lost a metal carport a few years back because the snow built up on it and it came down (it was way out back and we had 3' of heavy wet nasty snow come down).

Aaron Z

 

[helpfulbook]

I have 1.. I opted for 1 big roll-up 10' instead of 2 smaller ones.. its REAL easy to roll-up..
I have a 24x32 w/11' side walls..on concrete. w/ the hurricane steel frame..
The 3 man crew showed up at 9am & left at 6pm ALL DONE.
The R-up door lets a very small amount in on the bottom but it doesn't bother me..
I just sweep it out..
I'm VERY happy w/ mine..

I was also concerned about hard it would be for the wife to lift. Thanks for the info.

 

[helpfulbook]

Very important, we lost a metal carport a few years back because the snow built up on it and it came down (it was way out back and we had 3' of heavy wet nasty snow come down).

Aaron Z

Thats what Im afraid of. We are located not to far from you either. Do you remember if you went with the heavier gauge framing tubes and roof or not?
I was going to with the 12 gauge tube and 26 gauge roof. Also, I think a dark colored roof should help melt snow faster.
What do you think?

 

[thepumpguysc]

They're ALL rated for wind & snow w/ engineer drawings.. but u have to get the up-graded steel..
They come w/ a warranty too.

I'm just the opposite on color..lol
I opted for a very lite grey, to keep the heat DOWN.. inside the building. so far-so good..

 

[3Ts]

The roll-up doors are easy enough to open and close. You can also get a chain hoist with them that makes it even easier. I had a 16' x 8' roll up and really liked it except for the gap at the top. It appears that there are 2 styles of roll up door. The geometry of the drum affects the gap at the top of the door. With the one I had, when the door was up there was no gap between the door header and the door. As the door was lowered and the door unrolled off the drum, the gap at the top increased until the door was all the way down. In my case it was about 6" and plenty of space for birds to get in. I recommend that you ensure there are guides at the top of the rails to ensure the spacing is the same regardless of the position of the door.

 

[dieselscout80]

What’s the best way to insulate these metal buildings.

Do you need to finish over the insulation?

 

[aczlan]

Thats what Im afraid of. We are located not to far from you either. Do you remember if you went with the heavier gauge framing tubes and roof or not?
I was going to with the 12 gauge tube and 26 gauge roof. Also, I think a dark colored roof should help melt snow faster.
What do you think?

No idea, we got it 2nd hand. The ribs go across the roof, not up and down it, so the snow couldn't slide off.

Ours broke at the bends at the peak and where the walls meet the roof.

Get vertical roofing and you should be fine.

What’s the best way to insulate these metal buildings.

Do you need to finish over the insulation?

Spray foam on the inside of the steel with flake board or plywood on the inside of the foam.

Aaron Z