Pole barn vs. Steel for a garage

[Ol'Customcj7]

So I see lots of people going with pole barns for the cost savings, but I have a concern. Durability. Maybe I am just overly paranoid, but can these stand up to high winds and time well? I am not in a tornado alley, but if my two prized posessions are in there, I want to make sure they are safe.

I have priced out steel buildings, and they are obviously more. But other than just overall strength, I can't see many other advantages.

Anybody have any insight or input on your experiences? Or why you went with what?

[CJHeap]

These look interesting for tornado country. I saw video of a direct hit by a tornado and all it did was take the roof off.

[krugford]

I've often wondered about how much more durable steel buildings are compared to wood. Seems to me that ripping the roof off or blowing a garage door in would do a significant amount of damage as well to anything inside, but I would assume there would be a better chance of it being intact.

If you're not in tornado alley, I would go with wood for the cost savings. Having a steel building that is going to last 100 years is great and all, for the people who move in after you're gone....

[Ol'Customcj7]

krugford - that's kind of my thoughts. But I just like being safe.

[sceep]

use steel poles.

now you gotta steel pole building!

my lil sis's entire horse barn is 2" schedule 40.

[brewchief]

I've been involved in builds of both types, steel and wood, in all honesty I think there about the same. Both types can be built to with stand high winds, heavy snow, etc. The use of truss clips in a wood building reduces the chances of high wind taking the roof off, this is mandated in houses here now, not sure about outbuildings. For a smaller building I would probably do wood, a call to any of the local lumberyards could have a building package on site in a couple days. For a large building the trusses can become a problem to set and transport, in this case steel can make sense because the pieces are smaller and bolt together. If I wanted a really tough building I would use concrete block.

Brewchief:D

[CJHeap]

I've been involved in builds of both types, steel and wood, in all honesty I think there about the same. Both types can be built to with stand high winds, heavy snow, etc. The use of truss clips in a wood building reduces the chances of high wind taking the roof off, this is mandated in houses here now, not sure about outbuildings. For a smaller building I would probably do wood, a call to any of the local lumberyards could have a building package on site in a couple days. For a large building the trusses can become a problem to set and transport, in this case steel can make sense because the pieces are smaller and bolt together. If I wanted a really tough building I would use concrete block.

Brewchief:D

Hurricane clips are cheap and easy to install during construction and they work. Of courst, a direct it by a tornado will tear a wood structure to bits.

I am using a c block split face lower garage with a stick constructed second story for my office , man cave. I have to worry about termites in my part of the world

22 x36 with pull through config since I live in town and have alley access.

[Thepanzerfuhrer]

Well I can tell you for a fact that a steel building is a hell of alot stronger than a wood pole building. On june 7 a tornado hit my business's buildings and my house. A pole construction building 120 X 45 with 16 foot side walls got completely demolished. There were only 2 8x8 posts left standing. The roof flew at least 300 yards before it got hooked on a power pole.

My 120 X 85 Steel building with 16 foot side walls which was about 30 feet away from the wood shed got a direct hit also. The tornado pushed in garage doors, blew the steel sheeting out the back side and tore a small 30 X10 hole in roof. All in all the steel shed survived the hit where as the wood pole building there was nothing but a concrete floor left. The damn tornado also hit my house leveling that. It seems I have the worst luck.

[D60]

My shop is basically a steel pole barn. The main "poles" are 6" pipe, .188 wall. Every place a purlin attaches it does so w at least two sheet metal screws running thru tabs which are welded to the main structure. The primary I-beam for the "trusses" is 18" high with a 6" wide lip. I'm not a structural engineer and I may be way off my rocker but I'd have no problem attaching a beam clamp to anywhere on the trusses and lifting up to 1000lbs. I was even tempted to lift my 2k# Bridgeport this way but decided against it.

I don't see how you could build a wooden structure this size this strong - or if you did you'd throw so much wood at it it would cost a fortune-, and of course there's no way you'd do it clear span (another selling point of steel for me).

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/294835/fullsize/igshop-021.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/302068/fullsize/igshop-039.jpg

I never priced a wooden pole barn. I priced steel and stick-built. I went w steel 'cause it was literally half the cost, that is paying someone to put it up. If you're doing the labor yourself and you consider your time free everything may change. I also went w steel 'cause it IS more durable, and it won't burn.