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| I know this has been discussed before, but I would like to hear from people that have actual experience with both all steel farm shops, and post framed shops. What did you favor about one over the other? I can see that you can get higher r value insulation in a wood trussed building because of the attic, and a wood building is likely easier to finish on the inside. But I'm thinking steel could be engineered for a crane and would seem to be stronger overall. What are your experiences? |
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central - east central Minnesota - | fritzy - 4/5/2014 16:35 I know this has been discussed before, but I would like to hear from people that have actual experience with both all steel farm shops, and post framed shops. What did you favor about one over the other? I can see that you can get higher r value insulation in a wood trussed building because of the attic, and a wood building is likely easier to finish on the inside. But I'm thinking steel could be engineered for a crane and would seem to be stronger overall. What are your experiences? If you have another generation taking over the farm, in the future - I'd do steel or all concrete building. Wood pole will last about 30 yrs. (ya, I'll get flamed for that). If you build wood on concrete footings and stem walls, it'll likely last 100 yrs, steel can be engineered to last 100 yrs easily. If you are a single generation user - pole is fine. My 2¢ |
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| I'm in the process of doing the same thing right now. And will be building a new shop later this year. I've sat down and gotten quotes from three builders...... Two of them work with steel and wood frame. But all three gave me the same answer........ That it doesn't pay to go to steel until you go wider than 80 ft on the truss. The steel building will be approx 1/3 more than wood.
And that figure is coming from the builder. Personally I'm going with wood..... I have been waiting 20 years to do it.....and the wood will last my lifetime. As far as what my son does....... That will be his worries when his time comes........ Would rather spend the extra 1/3 in price on larger shop in wood or additional cold storage space now than put up steel. I have a 40 year old pole building now that needs a roof.... Short of that..... The rest of the structure is fine..... Not sure where the 30 year life span on wood comes in. Also have 2 other wood frame buildings 1 is 75 years old and just fine and 1 thats 105 years old and if wasn't for the termites.... It would be just fine. Believe me I love steel but....... The only thing at this point in life I would build out of steel would be a house and thats only because of termites. |
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thief river falls,mn | I'm pretty sure the reason your buildings last so long frmerndel is because u have termites, meaning your in a much warmer climate. Up in the cold country wood doesn't fair too well. I would have to agree somewhat with the 30 yr comment. As far as the insulation goes most steel shops I put up are going with spray foam. 2" walls 3" roof. -20 is a common temp here and people love that insulation. Also wood has been more expensive than steel. I will always go with steel |
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NE, Oklahoma | Just went threw same thing-wood or steel. 1'st pole sheds, you can tell I'm a older gentleman, younger days they were pole sheds, not really today. A lot of wood sheds don't have poles in the ground- now they are mounted on cement piers- also as was mentioned ,location makes a differance, our old wood sheds, poles-30-35- years old, poles would start to rot. Now were talking bottom ground high moisture content. Newer wood sheds with new pole systems not a problem. Our area about 90% wood to steel, also always used thought process will pass on to children, now none of them farm so doesn't matter, but understand peoples thoughts like that. Oh, I went steel on the shop, just like steel and have memories of old "pole sheds" also I DO have a metal home with foam insulation, and really like it. Foam, 1'st cost is a bummer, but I think well-well worth the cost. Just my thoughts guys. |
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thief river falls,mn | Chopr1. What type of steel home do u have? I am curious about them as I am a steel guy myself. Any plus or minuses? |
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Southern thumb of MI | Many older (30 years) pole barns here have the poles rotting off at ground level. We put up a 60x120 pole shed in 2008, but put it on concrete perma-columns. We do not expect to have any problems.
Ron |
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Chebanse, IL..... | iseedit What part of your wood pole buildings that are set in concrete or on a foundation are not lasting more than 30 yrs?? We have both steel (Butler) shop & wood framed building set on a concrete wall that's 4' in the ground, finished w/metal inside & out. Absolutlely no doubt about which one we'd build again if we had to. Wood. But again, don't put the poles in the ground. 30 yrs?? Lots of nice wood buildings around us that are more than 30 yrs old and they don't have concrete foundations either. Our footing is 2' wide, by 1' high, then a 4' x 8" foundation wall sitting on top of it. 
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central - east central Minnesota - | Ron..NE ILL..10/48 - 4/6/2014 06:34 iseedit What part of your wood pole buildings that are set in concrete or on a foundation are not lasting more than 30 yrs?? We have both steel (Butler) shop & wood framed building set on a concrete wall that's 4' in the ground, finished w/metal inside & out. Absolutlely no doubt about which one we'd build again if we had to. Wood. But again, don't put the poles in the ground. 30 yrs?? Lots of nice wood buildings around us that are more than 30 yrs old and they don't have concrete foundations either. Our footing is 2' wide, by 1' high, then a 4' x 8" foundation wall sitting on top of it. If you read my comment - I never implied that wood on concrete (poles on concrete) would rot . . . . Here's my quote If you build wood on concrete footings and stem walls, it'll likely last 100 yrs, I'm specifically commenting on wood in ground. What is the longest warranty on wood poles in ground out there ? Where will the company be when the warranty needs to be used ? And of course, location, soil and environment influences all play a part in how long wood in ground will last, as I believe you would agree with. Your building looks great. That should last well into 100 yrs and a couple generation of farmers, if the roof never leaks and some maintenance here and there.
Edited by iseedit 4/6/2014 08:10
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thief river falls,mn | I am talking about in ground poles. I agree any wood on concrete does last much longer. Sorry I did not specify. |
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ecmn | walters buildings has a 50 year full warranty on there poles.
with any luck we are taking down a couple pole buildings this summer and the poles have been in the ground since the early 50's on the one shed and 60' on the other.
I have dug up enough trees and old poles that the poles in the ground is not what goes bad its the pole right near the surface.
if you have a good treatment on the pole you have 50+ years easy. if you get a menards or one of the other price conscious builders treated pole is where you get the short life.
pole buildings are like anything else you get what you pay for.
I like steel buildings because its what I worked in. but they aren't as efficient as a wood building. if money was no object I would do an icf building.
when looking at pole buildings I would look at how the company measure tin thickness for the roof some measure with paint on and get 29 guage, others measure with no paint and get 27 guage.
how do they measure lumber quality? how does the weight of the rafters compare? how does the warrenty compare? pro rated, full life, loop holes..?
do a BBB search of the company you are looking at and google for complaints of the companys you are thinking of using.
personally I would plan for X size building and find a premium company. to stay in budget I would take away square feet before I skimped on the building.
Edited by easymoney 4/6/2014 08:26
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central - east central Minnesota - | Bring your poles to my clay soil and see how long they last . . . . I'm guessing, given your general location, you could be in well drained soils ? As I pointed out, soils, environment and location all play a large roll in how long wood in soil will last. Bottom line, which will last into generations ? Wood in soil or wood/steel on concrete, above soil ?
Edited by iseedit 4/6/2014 08:37
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north central ky | Has anyone tried the post protectors? We are fixing to build a shop and our builder recommended them. Basically a plastic sleeve that fits over the end of the post and extends a foot or two above ground. |
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Chebanse, IL..... | iseedit I apologize. For some reason I did not see your comment re. wood on concrete lasting 100 yrs. Actually, wood on concrete should last beyond over 100 yrs, it seems to me. Lots of houses around here are 100+ yrs old & they're wood on stone mostly at that age, concrete seemed to come a little later. But anyway, they hardly ever seem to fail @ the plate....here. |
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central - east central Minnesota - | poor loser - 4/6/2014 08:48 Has anyone tried the post protectors? We are fixing to build a shop and our builder recommended them. Basically a plastic sleeve that fits over the end of the post and extends a foot or two above ground. Those should work well - but, Need to ensure they are sealed very well, to not let moisture in there and end up trapping water in between sleeve and wood pole. They should fit snuggly on the wood. The sleeve needs to be a good foot, up above the ground level and covered by the sidewall sheeting, to keep moisture from entering around its edges. I would buy some foundation coating and paint all the wood poles bottoms to a couple feet above ground level, put the plastic sleeves on, then use some of that elastic rubber tape used around doors and windows to seal up the connection or, I'd buy some Ice and water shield membrane, used on the edges of home roofs and wrap the poles with that. It's a rubberize membrane that should shield the soil, moisture and insects from the wood pole. As pointed out - it all depends on soil type, environment and geographical location as to how long wood will last in ground conditions. As deep as the frost went this hear, up here - it's very tough on pole barn construction. |
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NE SD | As a rule, putting wood on concrete like you have done will drive the cost up to the same as a steel building. I still see sagging as being a problem in the future. Wood simply doesn't have the strength or endurance of steel. Most guys who put up wood do it strictly based on price and end up putting poles in the ground anyhow.
If that Butler is 48' wide and you ever feel like taking it down or know someone who wants to take a 48' down or has part of a building that was damaged in a storm we will gladly take it off your hands. I'd like to add 40-60' onto our old Butler Farmsted. We use it as a warehouse, oil changes, etc.
Edited by Chad H 4/6/2014 11:50
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NE Wisconsin | When we built our shop (50 x 80 x 20' sidewalls) our contractor offered a hybrid building (steel columns and trusses with wood framing). The cost of this building was equivalent to an all wood structure. It gave us the advantage of extra ceiling height for hanging lights and a high volume low speed fan. We were also able to install a column mounted jib crane which saved us floor space and extra concrete work compared to a floor mount jib crane. I personally feel the door framing is much stiffer and we also had more ceiling height available for taking the doors up. The R-factor may be slightly lower than all wood construction, but the overhead doors (28'W x 16' T & 20' W x 18' T) are really the biggest source of heat loss anyways. |
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ecmn | when we build it will be on concrete not poles in the ground.
I cant argue that wood pole in the ground some day will rot. but I have dug treated pilings and buried trees all over the metro in every soil type there is.
its not if it will rot but if the quality of the pole will last as long as the expected life of the building. if you are putting up a menards building not much need for a 50 year pole. lol!
white oak untreated will last longer then some of these pole buildings "engineered" poles.
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| Check out heritage building systems. The next house will be one for sure. Steel studs etc. Metal sides that look like vinyl etc. Really nice..... and the price isn't bad. Just havnt investigated it far enough to see if doing so will keep me from putting a sprinkler system in a new house.... I'm hoping it will....... |
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Wood v.s. Steel
