Sheet Metal Building Photos

When steel was introduced into construction at the beginning of the 20th century, a new affordable building material became available for roofing. Metal was rolled into flat sheets, stiffened by ridges, then dipped into molten zinc to protect them from corrosion. All of this, when fabricated by an automated process in a steel mill, produced the cheapest and most available metal roofing material on the market, and its use grew tremendously. Over time, it was also used as building siding, particularly on industrial buildings, where fire concern was an issue.

 
  This is the Big River Sheet Metal factory in Lynnwood. It is a plywood shell, covered with the sheet metal material, which is attached with Silicone adhesive.

 

 This freight house is my latest building. The structure is made with "Jig Stone" molds, casting Quick-Crete. The roof has a plywood substructure, and the sheet metal is attached with Liquid Nails Adhesive. For the first time, I tried etching the galvanized metal to accelerate rusting. Click HERE for details.

(built by C B Hollinshead)

   
Alexa Borowski, age 11, and her replica of Lincoln Works, a structure in Lincoln NM on her family's property. The basic structure is made of fired ceramic, the roof is corrugated steel. The clay structure did have some problems firing. The gable ends sagged in but this is largely invisible due to the roof overhangs. Probably should have been made thicker. The fired clay structure was fixed to a Masonite base with liquid nails. The roof panels were cut from the Masonite and liquid nailed to the gable ends. The corrugations were similarly attached. The porch roof was again masonite, suppported by 14 square spruce posts. The whole was painted

Three models by Sue Piper, Lakeside, Calif.

 

Sherrif's Office

 

Crossing Tower

 

Village

    Grain Elevator by Bob Westover, San Diego, Calif. Elevator silos are heavy duty water pipe, with plywood based.

    Produce Wharehouse by Bob Westover. Plywood base structure. Inspired by growing up in Kansas.

 

 This industrial building has a 1/2" marine plywood sub-structure. The sheet metal panels are applied with Liquid Nails Outdoor Adhesive. The peak at each end is filled with redwood board and batten construction. It has been outside for over 2 years and the galvanized has only begun to chalk off.

(built by C B Hollinshead)

 

 Acme Products is a large industrial industrial complex built as a flat against the base of the house. The sub-structure is 1/4" tempered masonite. The sheet metal panels are applied with Liquid Nails Outdoor Adhesive. The Masonite panels are glued to the concrete footing of the house with the same adhesive. The loading bay cover structure is made from pine.

(built by C B Hollinshead)

   This is a detail of Acme Products.

 

 This mine sub-structure is built from 1/4" luan plywood. The siding is plastic sheeting, and the roof is galvanized metal, both are applied with Liquid Nail Adhesive.

(built by R Westover)

 

 This sawmill has an exposed framework of redwood timbers. The sheet metal is nailed on with Atlas track nails.

(built by D Meeks)

The Matchless Mine building is framed out of 1/2" x 3/4" pine trim. The siding is 1/2" redwood, stained with a mixture of India ink and rubbing alcohol. The roofing is attached with Liquid Nails. The metal is weathered with a very fine rust powder made by dissolving steel wool pads in a saline solution, and then letting it dry out. The metal is painted with Floquil Rust. The rust dust is sprinkled in while the paint is still wet, then sealed with Dullcote, and finished with the same wash of India ink and alcohol as the siding. With time, the Dullcote slowly wears off, and the rust dust begins to oxidize again, creating rust streaks down the corrugated steel.

(built by M. Hutson)

 

This goose barn is framed with 1/2"x 3/4" trim.The floor is Plexiglas and S-core foam board forms the base for the roof and walls, which are then covered with the sheet metal. The exterior is painted with Krylon ultra-flat black and ruddy brown primer. The roofing got the same treatment as the Matchless Mine above.

(built by M Hutson)

 

This engine house is built in the same manner as the two buildings above.

(built by M Hutson)

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