building shop?

[frustrated1]

We are looking at updating our undersized shop.
The original archrib just won't accommodate the
newer iron. Of course to decide on the options.
Piles and grade beam? Footing and 4 foot frost wall?
Pole building? Steel structure? Cheapest is not
necessarily the best BUT.... How long will the pole
structure last? Have seen a lot of posts rot off over
the years. Will you be happy with the insulation
"squished" under the tin in a steel structure? I'm
leaning towards the frost wall and stick built but is
also the most expensive. 20 foot wall to
accommodate 18 foot high doors. Any thoughts or
experiences? Options I'm missing?

[ry0972]

Go with spray foam insulation and in-floor heat.
Tryin to put the plans/$$$$ together for a shop myself this summer.
Want all steel but likely settle for stick frame or post with perma-columns.
Also 20' min wall height, want clearance for lights/fans and to use a trolley or A-frame crane. Hoping to go 80 X 120 or so. Undecided on doors in each end or bays down one side with a through lane or two?

[frustrated1]

The spray foam seems to be the cadillac but sure is
pricey around here. About $10k less for all blown
in on the 60 by 80 Might not do all infloor, only
about 30 by 40 fab/work area. Low tech with hot
water tank. We have radiant in our current shop and
quite happy. Some of the guys around that have in
floor dont' like the sauna effect as the snow melts.
Still gathering info as to type of structure. All steel
is tougher to get doors just where you think they
should be and I'm still not sold on insulating one,
althouth we have lots in the area that did. Wood can
basically put anything anywhere as far as windows,
doors.

[monte]

How old are you and how long to do want it to last?
Might help you decide on investing more or less...