There are also all-steel buildings, without frames, such as American Steel (you can find them on the web). People have various comments about quality, from very good to not enough snow-load. Then there are fabric hoop buildings, which have come a long ways from even 5 years ago. These are cheaper, but of course, just how long does that fabric last? I'm kinda eyeing the American Steel for a slightly larger machine shed, but still just thinking. Just offering you some other ideas for discussion. Of late I see pole buildings built with 3 individual 2x6s nailed together for the posts, only the bottom parts to 2-6 feet above ground are presure treated. They are lapped together with various lenghts of 2x6. Possibly cheaper than whole 6x6 posts. Locally pole barns are getting a bad name, our soil rots the posts off at the ground. Oh, some people use old telephone poles, they might be free. If you have access to low-cost blocks or cement pouring source, you can make a 2-4 foot high foundation & set a 10-12' building on it, sometimes that is cheaper than the long beams of a tall pole shed and no rotting. You were asking for cheaper ideas... ;) --->Paul
|