How do I Build a 40X30 Storage Building?
The easiest way to build a 40-by-30-foot storage building is to use a prefabricated building kit. However, if you prefer to build from scratch, the pole building technique is a simple and inexpensive method. Metal is the material of choice for storage facilities because of its fire resistance, greater open span length and resistance to rot. A concrete slab floor is standard for general storage facilities. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tractor
- Stakes and string lines
- Hole-digging equipment
- Gravel
- Concrete
- Mechanical lifting equipment
- Carpenter's level/string
- Power drill
- Hand tool set
- Kit or building materials
- Materials for interior finishing
Instructions
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First, select a dry location with good drainage. You probably will need a building permit and approved architectural plans, so check with your local building department. Even with a simple building style, you should have drawings with measurements and detailed specifications for construction. The website metalstoragebuilding.org shows typical column and beam loads, as well as other requirements.
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With a tractor, level off a slightly raised area for the building site, then excavate and install plumbing and electrical wires and fill in the area. Mark the locations of the columns using stakes and string lines. Check to make sure the shape is symmetrically rectangular by measuring corner to corner, ensuring the diagonals are the same length.
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Dig holes for the columns as outlined in the specifications and pour in about 6 inches of gravel at the base of each hole, pack it down, then pour 8 inches of concrete. When dry, use mechanical lifting equipment to set the columns into the holes so that they are level with each other, bracing with 2-by-6-inch wooden planks set at angles and screwed together with blocking. Pour concrete into the holes until slightly higher than ground level.
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Attach stringers, i.e. metal channels, to the tops of the poles using adequate hardware and bolts after the concrete pole bases have dried and cured for five days. Mount the trusses, which are complex beams with zig-zag support, on top of the poles with lifting equipment as described in the references. The first truss will require additional bracing. Stabilize trusses thereafter with cross bracing in between and purlins (long channels) attached on the tops of the trusses.
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Attach metal roof panels onto the roof purlins with a power drill, beginning from a lower corner. Overlap roof panels slightly, as noted in the specifications. At the roof's crown, affix a metal ridge cap, then attach side trim to complete the roof.
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Make a wooden frame and pour a concrete slab floor if you are planning one. When dry and cured, attach galvanized metal stud framing for the exterior walls and attach metal lathe directly onto the structural steel columns.
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Install batt fiberglass insulation, if specified, plus a plastic moisture barrier and the exterior siding, such as metal paneling. Install the doors, windows and any additional metal trim.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you have all the proper building permits before beginning any construction work.
References
- Photo Credit å½± image by i-ken from Fotolia.com
