Revisions log for Answer #625
This is the answer to the question What garage to choose – as a smooth wall (sheet steel) or wooden post and beam construction?
Revision 1
Metal naturally expands when heated, and so all the fun stuff moves around. Of course, metal does not absorb moisture, but it can allow it to condense beautifully. without proper interior cladding, the interior often turns into a cave for drips. That is why sheet metal canopy roofs usually have felt glued to them from below.
Of course, metal can be protected from the weather by various methods. The simplest is probably hot-dip galvanizing (galvanizing is not really enough for constant outdoor use in the rain). However, it can also be painted with powder coating. Both methods have the drawback that flaking or even just scratches on the metal sheet will inevitably attract rust (or require re-treatment).
Let's briefly tell the long story:
— Hot-dip galvanizing is cheap and durable, but it doesn't look good.
— Powder coating is a little more expensive, but you can get any color metal you want. as long as the coating is applied to all the metal, it will last a long time.