Project Journal
Tips, Guides & Builds
Building tips, guides, and project stories from Rocky Mountain Metal across Colorado.
What Should I Plan Before Building a Small Steel Warehouse?
What to decide before you order a small steel warehouse or commercial building in Colorado: size, clear span, doors, wall height, site, permits and how you'll use it.
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Metal Carport vs Metal Garage: Which Do You Need?
A metal carport shades and sheds snow; a metal garage locks up and keeps weather out. How to choose between them for vehicles, equipment and storage in Colorado.
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How Does Buying a Steel Building Through a Dealer Work?
How a steel building purchase works when you buy through a local dealer like Rocky Mountain Metal: who designs it, who makes it, who installs it, and who you call.
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Can I Add On to a Steel Building Later?
How steel-framed metal buildings grow: lengthwise extensions, lean-tos, enclosing a carport, new openings and interior finish, and what to plan now to make it easy.
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Does a Steel Building Need a Concrete Slab?
When a steel-framed metal building needs a concrete slab or footings, when another surface works, what to decide before the pour, and how to plan the foundation with your county's requirements.
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Do Metal Buildings Rot? Why We Only Sell Steel-Framed Buildings
Why buildings with wood posts in the ground can rot at the ground line, how a steel frame on a concrete foundation avoids it, and how to keep the base of any metal building dry.
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Steel Garage vs Stick-Built Garage: What's the Difference?
Steel-framed metal garages vs conventional stick-built garages, compared on structure, foundation, cost drivers, openings, looks and resale for Colorado homeowners.
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How Long Does a Steel-Framed Metal Building Last?
What determines the lifespan of a steel-framed metal building in Colorado: the frame, the panels and fasteners, drainage, engineering and simple yearly maintenance.
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What Drives the Price of a Steel Building Up or Down?
The decisions that change a steel-framed metal building quote the most in southern Colorado, and which ones are worth paying for.
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Post-Frame vs Steel Building Cost: What Are You Really Paying For?
An honest look at how post-frame and steel-framed building costs compare, what each price includes, and why Rocky Mountain Metal sells steel-framed buildings only.
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How Long Does It Take to Build a Metal Building, From Quote to Done?
The real process for a steel barn, shop, garage or carport in Colorado: site visit, ordering from the manufacturer, permitting, delivery and installation by the manufacturer's crew.
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What Should I Do After Hail or Wind Damages My Metal Building?
Step by step after hail or wind hits your steel barn, shop, garage or carport: safety, documentation, temporary protection, insurance and warranty.
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Do I Need to Shovel Snow Off a Metal Roof?
When snow on a metal roof is a problem and when it isn't: design loads, wet vs dry snow, drifts, warning signs, snow slide, retention and safe removal.
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Metal Building Maintenance Checklist for Colorado Owners
A seasonal maintenance checklist for steel-framed metal buildings in Colorado: fasteners, sealant, doors, anchors, drainage and snow.
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How Do I Stop Condensation in a Metal Building?
Why steel buildings "rain" inside, and the fixes that work: roof condensation control, insulation, vapor barriers under the slab, ventilation and heat.
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How Do I Insulate and Heat a Shop in Colorado?
Insulation options for a steel-framed shop (blanket, spray foam, liners, roof condensation control) plus the heating choices that work in a Colorado winter.
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How Tall Does an RV Garage Need to Be?
RV garage door and sidewall heights for travel trailers, fifth wheels and motorhomes in a steel building. Measure with the A/C and antennas, then add clearance.
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How Do I Lay Out a Workshop Building? Doors, Bays, Height and Light
Planning a steel shop building that works: door placement, bay depth, sidewall height, bench walls, power, lighting, heat and the future lift.
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How Big Should a Detached Garage Be? 2-Car, 3-Car and Shop Sizes
Real-world steel detached garage dimensions (24×24, 24×30, 30×40 and up) with door sizes, depth for full-size trucks, and how much to add for a workshop.
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How Do I Size an Equipment or Tractor Storage Building?
How to size a steel machine shed for tractors, implements, trailers and ATVs: door width and height, depth, sidewall height, drive-through layouts and room to grow.
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How Do I Ventilate a Livestock Barn in Colorado's Climate?
Natural ventilation for steel horse and livestock barns in Colorado: ridge and eave vents, Dutch doors and orientation that move moisture and ammonia out.
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How Should I Store Hay to Keep It Dry and Reduce Fire Risk?
Hay storage that keeps bales dry, ventilated and off the ground: steel hay barn size and layout, why hay heats, and keeping it away from animals and equipment.
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What Is a Loafing Shed and How Big Does Mine Need to Be?
What a loafing shed (run-in shelter) is, how to size it per horse or cow, which way to face it in Colorado wind, and why a steel-framed shed holds up.
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How Big Should a Horse Barn Be? Stall, Aisle and Ceiling Sizing
Steel-framed horse barn sizing that works: 12×12 stalls, 12-foot aisles, clear height, tack and feed rooms, wash racks and hay.
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How Do I Get Power and Water to a Detached Shop or Barn?
Options for running electricity and water to a detached steel shop, garage or barn in Colorado: subpanel vs new service, trenching, frost depth and planning before the slab.
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Can You Build a Metal Building on a Slope or at High Elevation?
How a steel-framed metal building goes up on sloped and high-elevation Colorado parcels: level pads, cut and fill, retained pads, snow loads and access.
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How Much Room Does a Crew Need to Build on My Property?
The access, staging and working room a steel building delivery and install crew needs, from truck and trailer clearance to laydown space around the pad.
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How Do I Prepare My Site for a Metal Building?
Site preparation for a steel barn, shop, carport or garage in Colorado: choosing the spot, clearing, grading, drainage, the pad, access and utilities.
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What Are Stamped Engineered Drawings and Why Does My Building Need Them?
What a licensed engineer's stamp on steel building drawings certifies, what the drawings contain, and why counties, insurers and lenders ask for them.
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Setbacks, Easements and HOAs: Where Can I Put a Building on My Land?
How setbacks, easements, well and septic clearances, floodplains and HOA covenants decide where a barn, shop or garage can go on a Colorado property.
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What Is an Agricultural Exemption for Barns in Colorado, and Do I Qualify?
How Colorado's agricultural building exemption works, what counts as agricultural use, and what the county still requires for a steel barn or ag building.
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What Snow Load and Wind Load Does My Building Need to Be Engineered For?
How snow load, wind load and exposure are set for your Colorado parcel, and how they change a steel-framed barn, shop, carport or garage.
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Do I Need a Permit to Build a Barn or Shop in Colorado?
When a steel barn, shop or garage needs a building permit in Colorado, how agricultural exemptions work, what the county will ask for, and how we help you through it.
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Are Metal Buildings Good in Heavy Snow and High Wind?
How steel-framed metal buildings are engineered for Colorado's snow and wind loads, what fails when they aren't, and what to ask before you buy.
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Post-Frame vs Steel-Frame Buildings: Why We Chose Steel
How post-frame and steel-framed metal buildings differ in structure, foundation, span and upkeep, and why Rocky Mountain Metal sells steel-framed buildings only.
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How Does Financing a Metal Building Work?
The realistic ways to pay for a steel garage, shop, carport or ag building in Colorado: Heartland financing, rent-to-own through RTO National, bank and credit-union loans, ag lenders and home equity.
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How Much Does a 40×60 Shop or Barn Cost to Build?
Why 40×60 is one of the most-requested steel building sizes, what a basic building vs a finished shop includes, and the decisions that swing a 40×60 quote the most.
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How Much Does a Metal Building Cost in Colorado?
What drives the cost of a steel-framed metal building in southern Colorado, what moves the number up or down, and how to get a quote you can actually compare.
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