As the final decisions are made, some luxuries may be cut. Is a 29 gauge steel wall 12ft height, with ten-foot post spacing, just too cheaply constructed? There will be insulation, but I really don't have a feel for the difference between 29 and 26 gauge panels although I expect it is significant. On a 30X50 shop, is 26 gauge worth an extra $1000? If so, why? :confused:

On my 30 X 60 shop I went with the thicker siding. With the hailstorms, snow and tornadoes we have I thought it might add a little extra protection. Whether it would make a noticeable difference I couldn't tell you.

you could get away with 29 ga. if you put more horizontal braces in to screw the sheeting to. imho i would go with the 26 ga.:thumbsup: since this is what i do for a living and have lots of experience with this

29 ga? wow. what the gauge of a beer can?

67 cents per square foot for material that's 20% heavier and 30% thicker is another way to think about it. I believe that's worth the extra $$.
BillL

....is 26 gauge worth an extra $1000? If so, why?....

"If so, why?" What are you? A teacher giving us a test? Do we need to show all work on a separate piece of paper? :D

Yes...it's probably worth the extra money. The majority of commercial pre-engineered buildings use 26 ga siding. I always called 29 ga sheeting "barn siding".

Thanks for input everyone. OK also has a few storms and we plan on putting our storm shelter in the shop (which will also serve as a "pit" when storms aren't around :D). I'm gonna go for the 26 gauge.

No Danny, it wasn't a test! I was the one flunking Shop101. That's why I asked. Come to think of it, I never took Shop. Dang private schools :mad:.

If it helps,I am a pole building contractor ,been building pole barns for 20 years.29 gauge is standard with 24" spacing on your wall girts and roof purlins.If i were you i would make sure you use rodent guard along bottom.29 ga is def thicker than a "beer can",and standard shears can be used to cut.Also for shops nothing better than white metal liner panel for the walls.26 ga. is seen were your supports are spaced further apart.John:)

If it helps,I am a pole building contractor ,been building pole barns for 20 years.29 gauge is standard with 24" spacing on your wall girts and roof purlins.If i were you i would make sure you use rodent guard along bottom.29 ga is def thicker than a "beer can",and standard shears can be used to cut.Also for shops nothing better than white metal liner panel for the walls.26 ga. is seen were your supports are spaced further apart.John:)Expert opinions always help, so thanks John. Your buildings look great. My contractor specifies 26" 2X4 wall girt spacing. And the rat-guard was the first option on my "must-have" list. Will a sliding door ever be rodent resistant, or should all the "garage" doors be overhead?

We're waiting on the new quote while I chase down someone for the grading. No Danny, not that kind of grading. :D

Expert opinions always help, so thanks John. Your buildings look great. My contractor specifies 26" 2X4 wall girt spacing. And the rat-guard was the first option on my "must-have" list. Will a sliding door ever be rodent resistant, or should all the "garage" doors be overhead?

We're waiting on the new quote while I chase down someone for the grading. No Danny, not that kind of grading. :D
In a shop application I would definately go with an overhead door.Definately a lot tougher to get a slider to seal as tight ,and its just as much if not more money by the time you add up the track and hardware.:)

:thumbsup: