Post frame construction questions.

[MacLawn]

Thanks Sir! I understand about night owl kids coming. Of course I was just jestin', but I do appreciate the kind hospitality of TBN folks. I've mentioned that I have two full RV hookups at my place. Well, one needs a short pipe put in to connect to septic tank. Y'all come!

Oh me, I forgot!! Ethyl doesn't even know about my open invitation!! Y'all married boys know how that goes. We've only been married over 43 years, so I'm still in learning mode.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Metal doesn't rot, warp or attract termites. A metal frame building can be engineered with any gauge steel and trusses can be moved closer together to create a structure far stronger and more durable than any made of wood. I would use this method in a heartbeat (I did for my shop) the only thing I do differently is put a brick ledge around the perimeter for future use.

A customer of mine compared a steel frame building against wood post frame last summer and the structure (30x40x16) was double for steel compared to what I charged him for post frame. On top of his 75k she'll he had to add all the concrete footings and piers. Wasn't a hard choices for him to go with wood. Lots of frost and lots of snow but no termites up here

 

[Fawken]

Are you installing the treated posts into the ground? I did on the original house and even poured concrete in the 4' holes. The poles eventually began to rot after about 20 years. They were treated telephone poles, BTW.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Last year was concrete pier up to grade and 8x8 pt above that for exactly that reason. This year is really well drained sandy soil and not that concerned about it.

Depending on soil type posts rotting is most definitely a concern for sure.

 

[Jstpssng]

One question about steel buildings. I covered a couple of sheds with steel, then couldn',t understand why things were rusting, getting mildewed and moldy, or both. I finally went out in damp weather and the condensation falling off the metal roof was like rain inside the building.
Do you have that problem in your area, and if so how do you compensate for it?

 

[Fawken]

No. Gable vents and foam insulation. If you heat it there will be condensation, but you can cut it to near zero with spray on foam. It comes in 2 large bottles that look like like propane tanks for a grill. Comes with the sprayer. Just wear goggles and throw-away clothes.

 

[Fawken]

Last year was concrete pier up to grade and 8x8 pt above that for exactly that reason. This year is really well drained sandy soil and not that concerned about it.

Depending on soil type posts rotting is most definitely a concern for sure.

Yes, I like everything above slab here for that reason. Our soil is very poor draining. Even galvanized steel below grade corrodes here over time. What I like about 4"x4" 14ga metal posts for my main supports is I can weld ears at the base and attach it with 1/2 masonry anchors into the slab. You need that here because of nasty storms in the spring.

 

[jymbee]

I threw it out there as an option because dollar for dollar it has advantages over post frame and regular stick built homes. It also has some downsides but these are mostly aesthetic and can be overcome. I would at least consider it.

For sure. I've contacted a local builder who does steel to get some idea of how suitable it would be and to educate myself at the same time. Thanks for the input.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

One question about steel buildings. I covered a couple of sheds with steel, then couldn',t understand why things were rusting, getting mildewed and moldy, or both. I finally went out in damp weather and the condensation falling off the metal roof was like rain inside the building.
Do you have that problem in your area, and if so how do you compensate for it?

Same as Fawken said, insulation will help but proper venting is the real key. If f you otherwise have no need for the insulation, like any general storage or machine shed, venting is also MUCH cheaper. Full length sofit vent and full lenght ridge vent

 

[EddieWalker]

If you are still researching ideas, I'm in the planning stages of building an event center that will be about 5,000 square feet. I'm a contractor and I have no problem doing all of it myself except pouring the concrete, HVAC and closed cell foam insulation on the ceiling. I want it to be 40 feet wide with a 4:12 pitch roof.

I don't have any experience with this style of truss, but have seen them all over and feel they are a very good value. I wont use them for the end walls and in order to get the ceiling I want, I will install them every 12 feet on PT 6x6 posts set in the ground and stick frame between them with 2x6's for the walls.

Armour Metals Measuring & Installing - Metal Roofing and Pole Barns

I haven't figured out what it will cost yet, but everything I know indicates this is going to be the most cost effective method to get the square footage I want with the open span I need.

Eddie