Seeking Tips and Advice on Metal Building

[AaronE]

Hi folks,

I've been lurking these pages for a while but never posted much. I go back to the lake maribou thread as it was happening. I have enjoyed all the great projects on here. Really cool forum with great members.

My wife and I have decided to build a metal building on our property and I thought I'd solicit some advice, things to watch out for, etc. I know the knowledge that resides in these forums so why not tap into it?

Here's where we're at: Building contractor has submitted the initial proposal and we have accepted. The building will be 20' x 50' with 10' eaves. 1 10' roll up and two walk through doors. One side will have a 12' porch the length of the building. So the slap is 32' x 50'. We are installing rough plumbing in the foundation for an apartment (700 sq. ft.) inside. 15' on the end will be for storage. So I guess you could call this a barndominium.
Foundation work should start within a couple of weeks. I will try to learn how to post some pics by then. Until then, any comments are welcome.

 

[DutchHenryBrown]

:welcome: If you have not done a search use the Google box top right TBN has had comments before that may help you. :thumbsup: Good Luck.

 

[gramps2921]

Hello, AaronE! Sounds like you've got everything well in hand already, and I'm sure your contractor has shown you blueprints, diagrams, with estimates on every aspect of the job (concrete, metal, beams, labor,etc.), so as long as you have full confidence that you're being treated right by this company just step back, with a good camera, and watch it all come together, capturing each step of the process on film for memories sake, and for legal proof should something not be as it was expected to be. AND, avoid asking for any changes to be made once the work has started! lol I've built a few pole barns, out-buildings of various size and purpose, add-ons to houses, such as garages, carports, and rooms and have been asked to "make it a little bigger", use a different size lumber, different insulation, or roofing, put another door in, YOU NAME IT! And wanting to please the customer, I've complied most of the time, when explaining an additional cost would be involved (most of the time) did not persuade them to re-think what they were asking NOW. Also, you did not state the thickness of your slab, but I would not want less than 6 inches in any portion of this structure, and you might even want to consider having a small concrete safe-room built inside also, if you live in a part of the country prone to host tornadoes. And maybe have your lawyer look over your contract before you sign, unless you KNOW and TRUST your builder COMPLETELY! Looking forward to seeing some pics soon!

 

[AaronE]

:welcome: If you have not done a search use the Google box top right TBN has had comments before that may help you. :thumbsup: Good Luck.

Yes I have! Thanks DHB. Lots of info out there. Almost too much sometimes, but yes I have been muddling through this site and others for pertinent information.

 

[AaronE]

Hello, AaronE! Sounds like you've got everything well in hand already, and I'm sure your contractor has shown you blueprints, diagrams, with estimates on every aspect of the job (concrete, metal, beams, labor,etc.), so as long as you have full confidence that you're being treated right by this company just step back, with a good camera, and watch it all come together, capturing each step of the process on film for memories sake, and for legal proof should something not be as it was expected to be. AND, avoid asking for any changes to be made once the work has started! lol I've built a few pole barns, out-buildings of various size and purpose, add-ons to houses, such as garages, carports, and rooms and have been asked to "make it a little bigger", use a different size lumber, different insulation, or roofing, put another door in, YOU NAME IT! And wanting to please the customer, I've complied most of the time, when explaining an additional cost would be involved (most of the time) did not persuade them to re-think what they were asking NOW. Also, you did not state the thickness of your slab, but I would not want less than 6 inches in any portion of this structure, and you might even want to consider having a small concrete safe-room built inside also, if you live in a part of the country prone to host tornadoes. And maybe have your lawyer look over your contract before you sign, unless you KNOW and TRUST your builder COMPLETELY! Looking forward to seeing some pics soon!

Thanks Gramps. I am trying to get it all locked down before construction so as not to have to make any change requests. That's a good idea about the slab thickness. I know the beam size (12x24), rebar size, etc., but the actual thickness I never discussed with him. See...that's why I asked you guys! Tip #2 already! Safe room is also an interesting idea. Southeast Texas here. Tornados and hurricanes!

 

[gramps2921]

Oh, southeast Texas? Well, I thought about the safe room when you mentioned the 700 sq ft apt, and visualizing either a small 'man cave' for your weekends, or a mother in law cottage where she could be confined should the need arise! LOL (my apologies to your wife, just HAD to say that, I'm sure she is very sweet.) Now, though, considering the sg footage of this apt, IT could be a safe room itself! Just a thought. As for your not being aware of the contractors plans for the thickness of your slab, I'm sure you just gotta ask cause the concrete itself probably gonna run you 75 to 100 dollars a yard (been a while since I seen a bill, this is going from memory, adjusted for inflation. Oh, but don't skimp or cut corners if he says it's 8 or so inches deep, as he probably is keenly aware of what it takes to support the steel as well as accomadate any heavy vehicles or materials or shop equiptment that might at some point occupy a portion of your barn. Anyway, again my congratulations on your new building and if I helped at all, your welcome! (By the way, I'm in SW Oklahoma,)

 

[Raspy]

Hi folks,

I've been lurking these pages for a while but never posted much. I go back to the lake maribou thread as it was happening. I have enjoyed all the great projects on here. Really cool forum with great members.

My wife and I have decided to build a metal building on our property and I thought I'd solicit some advice, things to watch out for, etc. I know the knowledge that resides in these forums so why not tap into it?

Here's where we're at: Building contractor has submitted the initial proposal and we have accepted. The building will be 20' x 50' with 10' eaves. 1 10' roll up and two walk through doors. One side will have a 12' porch the length of the building. So the slap is 32' x 50'. We are installing rough plumbing in the foundation for an apartment (700 sq. ft.) inside. 15' on the end will be for storage. So I guess you could call this a barndominium.
Foundation work should start within a couple of weeks. I will try to learn how to post some pics by then. Until then, any comments are welcome.

Aaron,

I did a similar thing and am almost done.

A 48 X 60 steel frame building wit a 12' extended overhang for a 60 X 60 area. Plus an added 12 X 12 building added to the front and turned 90 degrees to make a front porch. It's framed out as a two bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home with a loft upstairs.

 

[AaronE]

Aaron,

I did a similar thing and am almost done.

A 48 X 60 steel frame building wit a 12' extended overhang for a 60 X 60 area. Plus an added 12 X 12 building added to the front and turned 90 degrees to make a front porch. It's framed out as a two bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home with a loft upstairs.

Very nice bilding there Raspy! I wish I had that much room. I would love to build a larger structure but I just don't have the space. Congrats on yours. Looks great and a heated slab! I suppose that's pretty necessary in Nevada.

 

[AaronE]

Oh, southeast Texas? Well, I thought about the safe room when you mentioned the 700 sq ft apt, and visualizing either a small 'man cave' for your weekends, or a mother in law cottage where she could be confined should the need arise! LOL (my apologies to your wife, just HAD to say that, I'm sure she is very sweet.) Now, though, considering the sg footage of this apt, IT could be a safe room itself! Just a thought. As for your not being aware of the contractors plans for the thickness of your slab, I'm sure you just gotta ask cause the concrete itself probably gonna run you 75 to 100 dollars a yard (been a while since I seen a bill, this is going from memory, adjusted for inflation. Oh, but don't skimp or cut corners if he says it's 8 or so inches deep, as he probably is keenly aware of what it takes to support the steel as well as accomadate any heavy vehicles or materials or shop equiptment that might at some point occupy a portion of your barn. Anyway, again my congratulations on your new building and if I helped at all, your welcome! (By the way, I'm in SW Oklahoma,)

You're pretty close on the mother-in-law quarters. Except it's my mother. I know 700 sq. ft. is pretty small, but considering the house she lived in for the last 35 years was only 1100 sq. ft. (and she only used part of that) I think it will do for her needs. As I was telling Raspy, I wish I could go bigger but I just don't have the space. I have 7 acres total, 2 are my homestead. This building is going on the 2 acres behind my house. I can't/won't touch the other 5.

The builder comes highly recommended and I trust that the specs are all up to snuff, although I will definitely know they are before construction begins. My main area of concern is more about the apartment build out. You see, the building contractor will not be doing that part of the job. He is only doing the metal bilding. I am going to sub most of the apt. out.

My main area of concern is the apt. build out. I don't have a ton of expeirence, but enough I feel comfortable with this small job. How about the insulation between the wood studs and the building metal? Building contractor is installing a radiant barrier insulation. I just want to make sure there is no condensation in the walls. Is a spray foam (against the radiant barrier) a good idea? Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[gramps2921]

Mothers deserve the best of everything, right? (I lost mine back in 2000.) To be honest, The last time I was involved with a metal building/insulation project we used thick roll insulation and kept it in place with chicken wire. But NOW, may I suggest you go to Icynene.com for a demo of the spray foam and HowToHomeInsulation,com and see a guy work with 2 in sheet insulation and see if these sites don't have something that might be a much better suggestion for your project than I could ever offer.
But I am wondering, are you gonna heat and/or cool the whole building or just your mother's room? Having been where I am now most all my life, but seeing on our local weather reports occasional mention of SE Texas, I'm thinking you don't have a whole lot of freezing days nor 100+ days, so some 2 1/2 to 4 inch fiberglass insul between the studs and covered with particle board on the outside and sheetrock on the inside of the room might be really all that's necessary. (I could surely be wrong about the normal weather down there though,) If the extremes are rare, you could probably cool that room with a 4 or 5 thousand BTU A/C and heat it with an adequate electric space heater. If your barn is also gonna be used as a garage you should let your contractor know that as he might also think its necessary to put an extra vent on the ceiling to help prevent carbon monoxide buildup. I did a project similar to this several years ago and we also put a full screen door on it so folks could sit outside the door during summer if they chose and keep flies and other bug out.
Anyway, if I've bee a help to you with this "Yaay, Me", and if not not these websites I read about on U Tube should be. Enjoy your days, friend!