Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Steel buildings

Does anyone have experience with steel buildings(Morton, MiracleTruss etc.)? My wife & and I will building a house next spring and we are looking for any info(good or bad). I'm trying to decide weather or not to go with a three stall garage or a steel building.

Thanks
jvanbeek

When I had my garage built in 2004 I did a little investigation and the biggest issue people seem to have a problem with was how steel behaves in fire. A burned 2x6 will still stand for a while and not collapse but metal melts and collapses much quicker. However, I'm sure modern steel buildings (can) have sufficient fire-proofing.

Yeah don't have a fire! Either building sucks after that.

The metal is less expensive generally per sq. ft. but harder to customize and insulate. I personally would buy whichever was largest for the money.

Clay

+1 on "largest for the money"

I've built a lot of both for people and own both also. Different purposes call for different buildings. The best feedback would come from a building materials place, preferably not a "big box", but a local yard, one where the "old" guys hang out. Generally, a steel building is good for storing things but a wood building is better for "working" in. One thing I try to get my customers to do. Put a steel roof on a wood frame building. Cost is slightly higher but the long term maintenence is way cheaper. And more fireproof. (Many buildings catch fire from adjacent buildings and sparks igniting the shingles)

My barn and stable are steel. Insulate it if you intend to work in there in the winter, as metal conducts heat. Take care that the design deals with condensation (Some mornings, it "rains" in my old stable that is no longer used for animals) and that any electrical system is properly installed to avoid shorting to the structure.