Metal Buildings: Custom Garages, Shops, and Commercial Steel Structures

Metal buildings are one of the most durable, flexible, and cost-efficient ways to add serious square footage to your property, and Steel Structures America has been helping owners across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Montana get exactly what they need.

Whether you are planning a two-car garage, a large contractor shop, an agricultural storage building, or a full commercial structure, a steel building gives you clear-span space, long-term durability, and a faster construction timeline than most traditional building methods.

This guide covers everything you need to know about metal buildings: how they work, the different types available, what they cost, how to size your project, and how to find the right builder for the job.

What Is a Metal Building?

A metal building is a structure built primarily from steel or other metal components. The framing, roofing, and exterior walls are all made from engineered steel systems designed to provide strength, longevity, and large open interior spaces without the need for load-bearing interior walls.

Metal buildings come in a wide range of configurations, from small prefab garages to massive commercial warehouses. The common thread is that the structural system relies on steel framing rather than wood stud walls or concrete block construction.

Most modern metal buildings fall into two main categories: pre-engineered steel buildings (sometimes called prefab metal buildings) and fully custom metal buildings. Both have real advantages depending on what you are building and why.

 

Why Choose a Metal Building?

There are a lot of good reasons people choose steel buildings over other construction types. Here are the ones we hear most often from our customers.

Durability That Lasts for Decades

Steel does not rot, warp, split, or attract insects the way wood can. A well-built metal building is designed to handle high wind loads, heavy snow, and whatever the local climate throws at it. When you build with steel, you are building something that should still be standing and performing well 40 or 50 years from now.

 

Large Clear-Span Interiors

One of the biggest advantages of metal buildings is the ability to create large, column-free interior spaces. Rigid steel frame systems can span 40, 60, 80, or even 100-plus feet without interior support columns getting in the way. That open space is a huge deal if you are storing equipment, running a workshop, or operating a business out of the building.

Faster Construction Timelines

Because the steel components are engineered and fabricated off-site, metal buildings typically go up faster than stick-built or masonry structures of similar size. That means less time managing a construction project and a faster path to using your new space.

Cost Efficiency at Scale

Metal buildings tend to be more cost-competitive as the size of the project increases. A large 60×100 or 80×120 steel building can often be built for significantly less per square foot than an equivalent wood-framed structure. For commercial and agricultural buyers especially, that cost efficiency is a major factor.

Low Maintenance

Modern steel panels come with high-quality painted finishes that resist fading, chalking, and corrosion. Compared to wood buildings that may require regular painting, staining, or repairs, a metal building keeps ongoing maintenance costs low.

 

Types of Metal Buildings We Build

Steel Structures America builds a wide variety of metal building types. Here is a look at the most common categories our customers work with.

Metal Garages

Metal garages are one of the most popular building types we build. Whether you need a single-car garage, a large four-car detached garage, or a garage and workshop combo, steel gives you a clean, durable structure that handles daily use without issue.

Common metal garage sizes run from 24×24 for smaller two-car setups up to 40×60 and larger for customers who want extra workspace alongside parking.

Metal Shop Buildings

Contractor shops, hobby shops, and home workshop buildings are a major part of what we build. Metal shop buildings offer the large clear-span interior space, tall ceilings, and multiple overhead doors that working shops require.

Shop buildings work well for mechanics, welders, woodworkers, excavation companies, landscapers, and anyone else who needs a dedicated work environment with room for equipment and vehicles.

Agricultural Buildings

Farmers and ranchers rely on steel buildings for equipment storage, hay storage, livestock shelters, and general farm infrastructure. Metal agricultural buildings hold up under the hard use that farm environments demand and provide the large, clear-span space needed to house combines, tractors, and other large machinery.

Commercial Metal Buildings

For business owners, developers, and commercial contractors, steel buildings provide an efficient path to large functional space. Commercial metal buildings are used for warehouses, light industrial facilities, self-storage developments, retail spaces, and contractor yards.

The structural engineering behind pre-engineered and custom commercial metal buildings can accommodate large spans, high eave heights, and the load requirements that commercial use demands.

Metal Building Homes and Shouses

Metal buildings are increasingly popular as residential structures and shop-home combinations. A shouse, or shop-house, integrates living quarters with garage or shop space in a single metal building shell.

Barndominiums

A barndominium is a residential building built on a metal or post-frame shell that combines open living space with the look and feel of a barn or agricultural structure. Metal buildings make an excellent foundation for barndominium projects.

Pre-Engineered vs. Custom Metal Buildings

One of the first decisions you will make when planning a metal building is whether to go with a pre-engineered system or a fully custom build. Both approaches have real advantages, and the right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and how specific your design requirements are.

Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings	Custom Metal Buildings
Designed from standard components	Designed from scratch for your project
Faster lead times and lower material costs	Full flexibility in dimensions, layout, and features
Great for standard sizes and uses	Best for unique footprints or specialized requirements
Packages are well-documented and easier to permit	May require additional engineering review
Common choice for garages, shops, and warehouses	Common choice for commercial or complex projects

 

 

Common Metal Building Sizes

Metal buildings come in a wide range of sizes. Here is a general reference for common building dimensions and the types of projects they typically suit.

Building Size	Common Uses
24×30 / 24×36	Single to two-car garage, small hobby shop
30×40	Two to three-car garage, small workshop or storage
40×60	Three to four-car garage, mid-size shop, small agricultural storage
50×100	Large contractor shop, small commercial use, equipment storage
60×100	Commercial shop, agricultural building, small warehouse
80×120 and larger	Large commercial warehouse, industrial use, large farm building

 

Keep in mind that these are starting points. The right size for your project depends on what you plan to do inside the building, what you need to fit through the doors, and how much room you want to grow into.

 

Metal Building Costs: What to Expect

 

Metal building pricing depends on a number of factors including size, foundation type, insulation, number and size of doors, local wind and snow load requirements, and whether you are going with a pre-engineered package or a custom build.

As a general range, smaller prefab metal garages may start in the $30,000 to $60,000 range for a basic shell, while larger commercial or agricultural structures can run into six figures depending on complexity and finish level.

The best way to get accurate pricing is to get a quote based on your specific project. Our team at Steel Structures America works with customers across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Montana to put together detailed, project-specific estimates.

 

Metal Building Permits and Building Codes

One of the most common questions we get from customers is whether they need a permit for a metal building. The short answer is: in almost all cases, yes.

Metal buildings are regulated structures, and most counties and municipalities require permits for any permanent structure of meaningful size. The permitting process for metal buildings involves several elements that are different from wood-framed construction, including engineered drawings, wind and snow load calculations, and in some jurisdictions, specific requirements around foundation design.

The good news is that pre-engineered metal buildings typically come with engineered drawings already prepared, which simplifies the permit process considerably. Custom metal buildings may require additional engineering review, but a good builder will walk you through what is needed for your specific location.

How to Find the Right Metal Building Contractor

The contractor you choose for your metal building project matters as much as the building design itself. A good metal building builder brings experience with local code requirements, reliable supplier relationships, and the project management skills to keep your build on schedule.

Here is what to look for when evaluating metal building contractors.

Experience With Metal Building Systems

Not every general contractor has experience with pre-engineered metal building systems or rigid steel frame construction. Look for contractors who specialize in or have significant experience with metal buildings specifically.

Local Knowledge

Local contractors know the permit requirements, soil conditions, wind and snow load specs, and common zoning rules in your area. That local knowledge saves time and helps avoid surprises during the permit and construction process.

Transparent Quoting

A reliable contractor provides detailed, itemized quotes that break down material costs, foundation work, labor, and any additional features. Vague or overly round-number quotes can be a sign of poor planning or hidden costs down the road.

References and Past Work

Ask to see photos of past metal building projects and ask for references from previous customers. A contractor who builds quality buildings will have a portfolio of completed projects they are happy to share.

Metal Buildings Across Our Service Area

Steel Structures America serves customers across the Pacific Northwest, Mountain West, and surrounding states. Our team is familiar with the local code requirements, climate conditions, and permitting processes across our service region.

Idaho

From Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene to Boise and Twin Falls, we build metal garages, shops, agricultural buildings, and commercial structures across Idaho. Idaho’s varied climate means snow load and wind load requirements vary significantly by region, and we design every building to meet local specs.

Washington

We serve customers across eastern Washington including Spokane, the Spokane Valley, Yakima, and the Tri-Cities area. Metal buildings in eastern Washington need to handle significant wind events and winter snow loads.

Oregon

Our Oregon customers range from the Portland metro area to Bend, Medford, and rural eastern Oregon. Oregon has its own building code and seismic considerations that we factor into every project.

Colorado

Colorado metal buildings need to be engineered for high wind events and significant mountain snow loads in many areas. We build shops, agricultural buildings, and commercial structures for customers across Colorado including Colorado Springs, Monument, and the Front Range.

Montana

Montana’s wide-open spaces and harsh winters make metal buildings a natural fit for agricultural and shop building projects. We serve customers across Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and surrounding rural areas.

Ready to Get Started?

If you are planning a metal building project, the best first step is a conversation with our team. We will help you think through the right size, the right building type, and the right approach for your property and your budget.

Steel Structures America has helped hundreds of customers across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Montana build shops, garages, agricultural buildings, and commercial structures that hold up for decades.

Give us a call at (800) 833-9997 or request a free quote online. We are happy to answer questions, walk through your options, and put together a detailed estimate for your project.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Buildings