Steel Structure

[wannabeCitizen]

Regarding project #1

For buying the first structure, I got a quote from Steel Factory.

For a 25' x 30' x 13' it would cost $5699 + $0 for delivery before April 30. After April 30, $6599 + 850 delivery.

The guys said they can cut any size hole for doors as long as we give them the exact dimensions. For a nice 9 x 12 overhead garage door it would be $1341 through them. He suggested not buying their doors, but just getting our own down where we are. The one thing he did suggest was buying a door frame for $150 - this will ensure our door fits perfectly on the structure. The garage door should not need something like this, but instead we'll buy a rubber seal or something.

Sky lights and windows are something we should think about as well. Without them it will be very dark in there, meaning power will be needed all the time to work in there. We could price these ourselves by buying our own windows and having them cut it for us or we could do a requote with a certain number of windows and/or skylights. Windows would add a few hundred dollars, but may be worth the investment to not need lots of electricity.

What are people's thoughts? Should we requote with windows or order a few of our own and try to install them?

We should choose this stuff ASAP. IDEALLY, we order the structure 4/24 or 4/25, but no matter what we don't want to lose the April deal if we're going with this structure.

What are people's thoughts?

[mynameisfiber]

I think the building we've priced out would be perfect. I would also say let's get a door frame.

Regarding the skylight... I like the idea but it really depends on the price. We could always do the water bottle light source (although this is a cool idea even if we do get the skylight). Do you remember what a skylight would cost us?

[coopaloopster]

Dude that solar bottle is awesome! and so simple. I like that idea. Windows could be nice but if it really increases the cost, I say keep the garage door open and have some solar bottles during the day. Are there any pictures of a complete structure?

[cameronjj]

That solar bottle is really cool. How hard would it be to cut the holes into the steel ourselves?

I agree with getting the building with the door frame and would be interested in seeing how much a skylight or two would add to the cost. If skylights aren't much, they could be worth it because they may seal better than the bottle. Where are we thinking of putting the person door?

[wannabeCitizen]

The Solar Bottle is sweet, but, agreeing with Jackie's sentiment, I would be worried about how weather resilient and seal-proof it is. While I think it's a good idea, we have to consider the high wind climate we're in and the lifespan of this purchase. I would hope this structure will be in great condition in 30 years [Steel Factory guarantees this]. @coopaloopster @mynameisfiber What do you guys think?

[wannabeCitizen]

Also, I could call tomorrow and ask for an updated quote of the building with 2 skylights or windows to see. Are we still trying to finalize tomorrow?

[coopaloopster]

Yeah maybe an updated quote would be nice, just so we know our options. I don't think we would have to worry about the structural integrity of a 2 inch hole for the solar bottle. Drilling that and caulking around it would be pretty quite simple I'd imagine. I mean a skylight would be tits so if it's not too expensive that would be preferable. Haha where is all this money coming from for these projects? I could probably throw down 500 at the beginning of the summer for tools and stuff.

[wannabeCitizen]

Okay so I got quotes for the skylight and windows. The skylights are huge - 8.3' x 2' and well insulated (double-paned fiberglass). They cost $320 per skylight. So a bit pricey, but, if you compare to regular window prices on Loews or Home Depot, this is actually well priced. Windows we would probably want to buy on our own, but we can buy their custom fit frame for $150.

So talking to the guy about the installation of the skylight made me skeptical that we should cut holes in the structure. If we were going to, it sounds like we'd want to do it at the front or back, not on the arch. Each arch is load bearing and they use the double-pane fiberglass for skylights because they actually have to replace a section of metal with the skylight. So when we assemble the arch, the fiberglass will be fitted perfectly so as to be load bearing as well.

My vote is to either not worry about windows for now and just leave the garage open and get a nice lantern or get one of their skylights. If someone wants to try a solar bottle, I'd say do it on the ends, not in the ceiling, or at least explicitly talk to the people there because the structure comes with a 30 year guarantee for rust and holes, which may or may not hold if we cut our own holes in the main arch.

What do you guys think?

[heinburger]

steel factory the one

[mynameisfiber]

@wannabeCitizen any word from steeltown USA?

[wannabeCitizen]

Yes, they said the order was being processed yesterday. So the purchase has gone through; however, I have not received a call from the delivery driver yet. I figured I'd give them until tomorrow to contact me and, if I hear nothing by tomorrow afternoon, call them.

[tookyc]

Wow, that water bottle light source is fantastic! Sorry it took me so long to get on github and that I'm so behind on the times....

[cameronjj]

So now that we have the foundation and the steel building will be arriving sometime soon, we should begin to plan doors. I know there was talk of building barn doors ourselves. Any ideas on design? Micha -- I think you had a youtube video or article in mind as an example for building this -- if so, can you send it out?

[mynameisfiber]

@cameronjj Ccchhheecckkkit http://woodgears.ca/shed/doors.html

[mynameisfiber]

(there is a link to the video at the bottom of the page)