Wide open questions, maybe too many for this board and one question.

First a good building center or local contractor should be able to help you out to narrow your questions down a bit.

Steel will give you the best result and price if you take into account open floor space, long spans, and the ability to accomodate additions of air exchangers and spray booths because of the space between columns is a typical 6-10' and will allow a 2'x2' hole just about anywhere you need one The size and number of doors is more agreeable with steel framing. Also insurance may be a factor to say steel is better with your shop. Consider sprinklers and dust control with construction to protect the building and pocket book.

The only draw back is noise if you don't insulate or finish the inside of the building

Watch the zoning regs in your area, they have a lot to say about steel structures in some places.

One thing to keep in mind when considering this type of construction (metal) vs. wood construction, is that there are a few different types of "metal buildings". There are steel truss type structures, Red-Iron "clear-span" types, stick for stick replacement of wood with steel studs, etc.

Be sure that you know full well what it is you are looking at, because the cost differences between them can be substantial.

As an example, the type of building you are considering, in a "Red-Iron" type structure, would be on the small end of the scale and cost between $7000 - $10,000, depending on the options you choose. This type of structure would allow for at least 20' spacing between main frames (or 25' or even 30'+), and spans (without interior columns) anywhere from 20' to as much as 250'+. The purlins (roof framing members) are typically set at 5' on center, allowing (as the previous post stated) room for practically anything.

And yes, insurance rates are definitely a factor, with a metal building you can actually achieve a Class A fire rating.

Hope this info helps some...

[This message has been edited by Xpress1 (edited February 03, 2000).]