Metal versus Wood for Barn/Home

[lfalkenh]

Many threads seem to exist on parts of the subject, but, could not find anything in totoal...

Looking for a 40x60x12 4:12 pitch barn where I will build a 40x20 2 story home inside of it...idea is to use full metal skins, but, I am puzzled about using metal versus wood supports...

Wood supports seems to be easier to finish out the interior myself after the building is built...i figured I would have the 2nd floor supports (I assume I either need to put one beam at 20' center or one every 10' across the building if using 20' 2x12's) put in place before i put in the concrete pad...

Mueller seems to be the best way to go for metal, but, finding contractors to erect is hard to do...I have gotten prices from Morton Buildings (not the shed company, the real builder) for a wood based structure, but, it is much more than getting a metal building welded up...

I am concerned about how to insulate the house given the reputation for metal skin to "sweat"...

Thoughts?

 

[PA hayseed]

spray foam insulation, it can't sweat internally if there is no place for it to sweat to. As far as metal poles go, alot of people in the mountains have them in their basements - lollyjacks. They are support poles used for your main beam. Almost all big buildings use metal, not wood. I think what your finding is that most contractors only know how to build stick frame houses.

This is just my 2 cents, I don't profess to be an expert in this field, and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

 

[MarkV]

Lee if it were me, whether I decided on wood or metal for the building, I would be planning to put conventionally framed stud walls between all the support posts in the house part of the barn. It solves all the insulation problems as interior finishes. Also think you better consider a taller building if you want to go 2 stories. A barn with 12’ walls and a 4/12 pitch roof is only going to have a 4’ wide section on the second floor with 8’ ceilings.

MarkV