Wood Barn vs. Metal Barn: Which is Better?

Everyone who owns a barn has opinions on construction – both in structure and material. However, regardless of opinions, deciding the correct way to build a barn will be entirely dependent upon what you plan on using it for. Two of the most common construction trends with barns as of recent revolve around the selection of materials: wood vs. metal.

Wood Barn vs. Metal Barn: Which is Better?

As stated before, all decisions on barn construction will boil down to purpose. Here is a high-level overview of what wood and metal barn constructions are best for:

Wood Barn Construction

Barns have been traditionally constructed from wood for hundreds of years. Generally speaking, wood barns are great for living quarters, as the wood provides structural integrity and a certain degree of insulation (at least better than metal!)

If you are building a barn for the purposes of living, whether your primary home or an additional guest home, wood will always outrun metal in the competition.

Also keep in mind, wood is a much better sound isolation material, so if you are building a workspace for loud projects, wood will be a better material of choice!

Metal Barn Construction

Metal is a more recent material being used in the construction of barns, but it has a wide variety of applications. Metal barns are almost always a better choice for storage and project needs. If your biggest priority is durability and you are not entirely concerned with achieving perfect insulation and sound isolation, metal is an easier and cheaper option for barn construction.

Metal barns are primarily used for work spaces, as they are easy to build and materials are always readily available.

Conclusion

It’s hard to say whether wood or metal is better for barn construction, as it all boils down to what the barn will be used for. Keep in mind, wood is always better when your barn requires insulation and sound isolation benefits. Conversely, metal barns are cheap to build and easy to source materials for and work great for work spaces and storage needs.

Make sure to do your research and select the building material that best suits your project!

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Original article and pictures take http://www.metalbuildinganswers.com/News/wood-barn-vs-metal-barn-which-is-better/ site

13 Awesome Outdoor Bench Projects

I love to linger in the garden, to actually spend time there. It’s not enough for me to just have the neighbors compliment my yard, or to know I increased the salability of my home. I live for, and in, the garden when I can. To do that, you have to eventually sit down. :) I love a garden bench because they can be easily moved, accommodate a thoughtful spot without blocking the garden itself, and makes an easy DIY project. A garden (or outdoor) bench is a seat, and some means to support that seat. Two blocks and a board will accomplish it, but I think you will agree these DIY outdoor bench ideas are a far step above that, yet almost as easy! Giving yourself a place in the garden to contemplate and de-stress can change the way you look at it. (And everything else!)

Awesome Outdoor Bench Ideas

Our first project is a cinder block bench created by ‘Hello Daly‘. I love it because it’s simple for anyone to do, it’s inexpensive, and it will last! I also love it’s more contemporary look. Good step by step photos for this outdoor bench.

From ‘Fab Every Day‘, this DIY cinder block bench could be made in less than an hour, and thats with adhering the blocks together, which is optional. It’s like college bookshelves, on garden steroids!

From ‘Aristo Crafty‘, Jenny Meese made this colorful DIY bench and shares her “how-to” with everyone. I love the colors she chose!

I LOVE this cedar outdoor bench with planters. From ‘My Daily Randomness‘, Britt created this bench project for a Home Depot challenge. Great tutorial for a fun woodworking project.

‘Sawdust Girl‘ shows us how to do a project! Her $20 X-Leg bench has tons of step by step photos, drawings and eight simple steps.

‘Rambling Renovators‘ did a deck remodel and created this L-shaped storage bench that would be worth a little sweat! The tutorial is pretty short and sweet, so this is a better project for a more experienced wood worker who can connect all the dots.

This DIY outdoor sectional from ‘Accessorize and Organize‘ has a short tutorial and some step by step photos, made from a pallet!

‘Build it with Brooke‘ made this Ana White design 2X4 Outdoor Bench, and gives you the information on how to get your own free plans.

This nice modern DIY bench seat with storage is from ‘BHG‘… sorry about the small photo. They have full instructions there for you. Love the finish!

Here’s another example of a modern outdoor bench that we love…Photo by ‘Foundry Forum‘.

Our last three are purely inspirational! Have a blast making your garden bench!

Hopefully you are well on your way to making one (or seem!) of these Awesome Outdoor Bench Projects! We think you will also love our posts on DIY Storage Benches and 9 Brilliant DIY Outdoor Furniture Projects!

Image Credits: Build It with Brooke, Hello Daly, Fab Every Day, AristoCrafty, My Daily Randomness, Sawdust Girl, Rambling Renovators, Accessorize and Organize, BHG, Foundry Forum, Domidizajn, Tumblr, Emmas Blog
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Original article and pictures take http://www.thegardenglove.com/13-awesome-outdoor-bench-projects/ site