Garage & workshop - metal or wood construction?

[fireant911]

Fred,
That is one fine looking garage!!! Where exactly are you in the 'deep south'?

[tevake]

I was going to tell you about a sale that Steel Master is having for the fourth of July. But their walls are the corrugated type not as nice looking as many of the steel buildings shown here, still good prices there.
There was a thread a year or two ago that showed a beautifully finished Quonset hut, with black interior and nice art pieces spotlighted that really show what can be done with a simple steel building. Anyone remember the thread?
Some of the prices mentioned here would barely pay for the slab here in Hawaii. Different costs in different areas.

Cheers Richard

[Reg]

Fred - it is a nice building indeed but looks like it's not large enough unless the other building is the neighbors. You can never build them large enough.

I personally prefer wood buildings. Warm, natural Pine board and batten. Cheap too!

[TheMentat]

I'm on a smaller lot than Tim.

I went with wood construction on my 25x40, largely because of the fact that I live in a neighborhood.

[Mark Henry]

My shop is a pole barn (1750sq/ft with 12' ceiling), steel sided inside and out. I could have used vinyl or board and baton siding on the outside, but I'd never even consider drywall inside a workshop. The inside is steel above ground pool siding, I got it super cheap from a local pool factory. Poles are pressure treated 6"x6" the rest is standard stick frame constriction and concrete slab. The 6" walls are insulated and VB to R-2000 spec. 100amp service, 12/2 20amp on all outlets.

I built it mostly by myself 15 years ago for $18K, not counting the DV forced gas heat. I heated with wood up until 4 years ago. Costs me about $700 to heat in the winter. I'm going to have AC soon as well, mostly just to control humidity in the hot summers.

[MBAtarga]

Daryl,

I'm a member of the Garage Journal forum that several others have mentioned and recently posted on this same subject over there. Here's the link:

Steel building or Wood? - seeking pros/cons - The Garage Journal Board

We just bought the home I mentioned in that thread - 10 days ago and plan to move in within the next two months - after some minor remodeling, some painting and new carpet installation. I want to take a look at several shops in the area and get some firm quotes to make a decision.

I'd be interested to know what you decide. Since you're in the same relative region - weather/insulation/heat/air cooling - we face similar issues.

Mark

[jessica7894]

Wow! Nice!