The owner walks through the finished shop and shares what went into building it.
This 50′ x 100′ x 18′ post-frame shop in Post Falls, ID gives a car collector exactly what he needed: a 5,000-square-foot building that protects his vehicles, stores his equipment, and still has room to relax. Steel Structures America built the shop with an 18-foot eave height, full insulation, Perma-Columns, and a custom mezzanine level that sets this build apart from a standard storage structure.
Design & Layout
Steel Structures America constructed this shop on a standard gable frame with a 4/12 roof pitch. The 18-foot eave height gives the main floor enough clearance for larger vehicles, a boat, and equipment storage side by side. Above the main floor, the owner built out a mezzanine level as a personal retreat.
“Just having a mezzanine that was not on the same level where everything is stored,” the owner explained. “Put a TV up there, couch, sofa, little wine cooler, refrigerator, sink, just a little hangout spot for myself to get away and think and work.”
Together, the open main floor and upper mezzanine make this shop function as two separate spaces within one structure. Steel Structures America also enclosed the 2-foot soffits on both the gable and eave sides, giving the exterior a finished, intentional look.
Exterior & Features
Steel Structures America installed three 16×16 insulated Therma-Tech overhead doors with openers across the front of the building. Those wide openings give the owner easy access for vehicles of all sizes. A 3′ x 6’8″ walk-in door provides everyday entry without opening a full overhead door.
For the exterior finish, the owner went with blue siding and charcoal on the roof, corners, fascia, and trim. That combination gives the building a sharp, modern look. Furthermore, 4×3 double-pane vinyl windows run along the sidewalls and pull in natural light throughout the day. Throughout the design process, the owner kept a clear goal in mind: “Something that was just real nice, modern, but affordable and sustainable.”
Steel Structures America covered both the roof and walls with 29-gauge steel panels over fiberglass insulation. That insulation layer keeps the interior workable in both summer and winter.
Concrete & Foundation
Steel Structures America poured a 50×100 concrete slab at 5 inches thick with fibermesh reinforcement and a smooth finish. Saw-cut joints control cracking across the full floor area. For the foundation, posts went in on Perma-Columns®, which keep all structural wood above grade and protect against ground moisture over time.
The Perma-Columns consistently impress visitors to the shop. “When I take someone on a tour, they’re impressed right away with the Perma-Columns,” the owner said. “It’s not wood going all the way down and getting rotted.”
After the pour, the owner finished the floor with Armor Seal stain from Sherwin-Williams. That product enhances the natural concrete texture while adding a protective sheen. “I wanted the natural concrete look, but I wanted it protected and I wanted it to shine a little bit,” the owner noted. “It turned out great.”
Engineering & Performance
Steel Structures America engineered this shop to meet local snow and wind load requirements. Both the roof and walls carry full fiberglass insulation, so the building holds temperature well across seasons.
Beyond the specs, this build also moved fast. When the owner decided at the last minute to add metal railing around the mezzanine, Steel Structures America measured, fabricated, and delivered it within 24 hours. “Very, very, very impressed,” the owner said. “Again, at an affordable price, which was unbelievable.”
Overall, the owner did his research before choosing a builder. “I pay attention to builders and do as much research as I can, and there’s always people that can build cheaper, but you don’t get the quality sometimes and you don’t get it done on time. There wasn’t a day that was wasted while it was being built.”
Dimensions
Width: 50 ft.
Length: 100 ft.
Height: 18 ft.
If you’re planning a post-frame shop with a custom layout, request a quote today and let Steel Structures America build it right, serving WA, ID, MT, WY, OR, and CO.
