Outbuilding advice?

[Soap]

I may be inheriting some money soon and am thinking of building an outbuilding for a garage/workshop. Can someone give me the pros and cons of building a traditional garage vs a metal pole building? Any advice for choosing a pole building company?

Thank you!

[brewswain]

go to a garage forum, like garagejournal

[Macybaby]

Hubby and I have built both. Can't give you any advice on hiring someone else to do it for you though.

Around here, pole is usually cheaper and you can get much larger spans and taller walls.

Around here, about the only reason people don't go with pole buildings is if they are building something smaller that needs to be insulated and they want it to match their house. We built a shop that we wanted to match the house, but use pole building methods for the main structure. We put regular trusses for the roof, and finished it with regular roofing and siding so it would match the house. We did it that way because then we didn't need to deal with the foundation issues with a conventional structure. Where we are the foundation has to go down 4' so it can get very expensive compared to a pole structure.

If we had to do one like that again, we'd seriously consider going with a floating slab, but we've got a bit more experience building now.

Cathy

[Jolly]

I built my shop and chose conventional framing and construction, primarily for looks.

If you don't mind the look, you get a lot more usable interior space with pole construction...

[paintlady]

It depends on your location. If you live in a cold climate and plan to work in the shop year round then you might want to consider insulating it and heating it. I think it would be easier to insulate a regular garage type building.

[Okie-Dokie]

Pretty much the same story as Kathy tells. Unless it has to be insulated, a pole barn gets us by ok at a considerable cost savings. If you go with a traditional wooden garage type building, I would make sure it is built to correct standards. Some of the sheds we looked at had the wall studs as much as three feet on center and the walls were particle board. A well built building that conforms to code is not cheap!

[kruizeag]

Depending on the pole building, you can insulate them too especially with that spray on foam. In the early 90's my dad built a "Morton Building". It was large, 54'x100'. It had hay and equipment storage and a farm shop across one end. We poured our own concrete floor in the shop. Back then that building cost around $50,000. Almost 20 years later it still looks as good as new.

[Maura]

Everyone around here builds pole buildings, even for their cars, unless it is attached to the house. Your property assessment will be lower with a pole building than a garage of the same size. I would build a pole building, but insulate with foam boards- very easy to install yourself. I would also put in in-floor radiant heat, which you can do yourself. If the floor is warm, you are warm.

[vallyfarm]

Here in NY they are taed differently. Pole building is taxed as a temporary structure, therefore much less. Have you looked into one of those metal buildings that get installed in a day? I had one put up two yrs ago and it is a great building. MUCH less money too.:banana02: Mike

[rambler]

Size? Bigger is much cheaper as a pole building, but harder to finish out if you want insulation & interior lining.

Small shed it's a wash, pole or framed, and framed might be easier to finish out with the studs to nail peg board, etc. onto.

--->Paul

[Mr. Magoo]

I believe that a pole building with Post Protectors allows you to take advantage of the low cost & you also get the longevity of a continuous foundation building!
www.postprotector.com

[plowjockey]

A garage is never large enough, especially if you have an inheritance.

A large pole barn with radiant floor heat and spray insulation, will be comfy enough, you'll never want to leave.

[hunter63]

What ever you decide, call it an "Ag building" for tax reasons.

FYI, metal pole buildings, if heated should insulated for condensation reasons.
Best way is to spray foam, works good, looks not so good.

[NorthCountryWd]

I would check cost of steel vs pole timber in your area. Price of both have been dropping lately.

[VERN in IL]

Originally Posted by hunter63

What ever you decide, call it an "Ag building" for tax reasons.

FYI, metal pole buildings, if heated should insulated for condensation reasons.
Best way is to spray foam, works good, looks not so good.

anyone have trouble with birds pecking at the foam insulation? (and birds DO get into large pole buildings!)

[rambler]

Pole building will give you more enclosed space for the $$$$.

Stick-built building will be easier & cheaper to modify, attach shelving & cupboards, insulate, line (with plywood, metal, or sheetrock), add walls, and so on.

Smaller buildings tend to be close on price, and the stick-built allows you more options down the road for less $$$.

Larger buildings cost enough less to go pole barn.

--->Paul

[Wolf mom]

VERN:
If you paint foam insullation with sand in it you won't have a bird problem. When I lived in Phoenix, foam roofs were the best on flat roofs & that's what was done to protect them. Elastomeric paint was used & recoated every few years.

Hey this lil' ole' lady even painted them myself....