Wood Magazine

Ask Wood

A Bill, if you’re thinking about a large building, steel is the more practical choice; you can have a wide, tall space without any interior supports. For a more typical workshop, comparable in size to a two-car garage, the decision gets more complicated.

Steel and bolts certainly produce a strong, solid building, but make sure you won’t have problems with rust on the outside or condensation on the inside. Before you buy from a particular company, ask for names of previous buyers in your area, and arrange to inspect one yourself.

If that building looks sound, figure out how much time, effort, and money it will take to give interior walls the appearance you want, and how you’ll provide for on-wall storage. The combination of steel, and in some cases, a curved wall calls for a different approach than a conventional building. Also, look into any local building regulations that might affect your choice.

Once you’ve decided what you want in terms of square footage, door, and windows, compare the cost of one building style with the other. We asked at a home center for a rough estimate on a conventionally built building, compared those numbers to a steel price, and didn’t find much difference.

Remember that kit prices generally don’t include a concrete floor, wiring, heating and cooling, or insulation.

Determine whether you’ll need machinery to unload and move parts, and how many people you’ll want to help with the construction. Finally, before you order, ask about guarantees, style options, and the availability of advice via phone.