We have unrestricted ac. in Texas we want to build a metal building and turn it into a contemporary home?

Question

We thought a 40X 60 was adequate space with two lofts on either end. We want to put two roll up clear garage doors for access out the back. I saw a company in Cali who was doing this. Any suggestions we need to do this on a budget and are equipped to do a great deal ourselves, A/C, kitchen cabinets etc... Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Hi, good luck! Would you consider, just consider concrete block? The metal building salesman will tell you many things, but fact is, the metal walls will not stand up to fire or tornados like concrete block reinforced with rebar! I't cheap, even a DIY thing. In Texas, use a slab floor and together you have the real makings of a solar adaptable building, mass stays cooler longer. Years ago I saw a home with block end side walls, and back wall with a wall of windows and a full length atrium entry, the sun came in heated the walls and floor. Partition walls are conventional. Sheet rock goes over block with furring strips and provides space for wiring exterior walls. Think of resale too, even if it's you last house and retired, like me, higher values mean a higher reverse mortgage while you live in it. But, live in a metal building, yes you can, insulate, insulate, insulate! Radiant heat is high behind metal, especially in the Texas sun. Good luck! B

Answer 2

My sister and brother inlaws did this about 15 years ago in Texas.  It looks really good, and it inspired me on many occassion to draw up some plans.  I pictured a garage door on each end... a black top drive with yellow lines on it running through the home.  on one of the long sides, I thought about setting it up like it was a movie set of an old western town.  With a wood plank sidewalk in front of the hotel, (bedroom), restaurant, (kitchen), general store, (closets and storage, pantry and whatnot) Laundry, (self explaining)...

I always had a wood roof overhang.,..over the sidewalk and above it, was the 2nd story.  mostly with just a fake front wall unless you had a need to build in rooms up there.  The blacktop roadway...that drove through the "house"..had a crown in the middle so that you could wash your vehicles inside, and the water and such would drain to the side of the "road", and then drain out of the inside.  One of my inlaws biggest expenses after the initial raising of the steel building was the insulation.  They had it sprayed in and it was about 5-6 inches thick everywhere.  Their interior room walls were only about 7 feet tall, and they put in no ceilings.  It was wierd at first, going to the bathroom...and even bothering to close the door..knowing that everyone could hear you anyhow, but I got use to it.

In the plans that I drew up mentally, I always ended up bumping up to 60 x 80, so that I could put in the "other side of the street".  How awsome it would be if you two could work at home, and set up offices at the house.  Approaching it from the outside as a customer would come up... Would be something like a beautyshop... They would come up and park like at any other shop....But, from the inside of the house, you could set up your own entrance to it, and make it look even more commercial.  Next to it could be a tax preparation shop or something... A lawyer's office.... blahblahblah...I don't know what you two do for aliving.... but...the ideas are endless.   I better shutup here cuz Im havin to much fun....lol