Choosing the Right Size for Your Hybrid or All-Steel Building

A Guide to Going Big the Smart Way

When it comes to pre-engineered hybrid buildings and all-steel structures, one of the most common things you’ll hear from long-time owners is this: “I wish I’d built bigger. (Check out Ep. 279: A Chat with Miracle Truss, RCV Performance and CartoTracks – Wheeling Wine And Whiskey – Around 29:30 and 1:17 marks)  ” Choosing the “right” size for your shop, garage, barn, Barndo or storage facility can be tricky, and often, the temptation to save a little money up front can lead to limited space in the long run. That’s why investing in a slightly larger footprint can end up saving you much more over the years, allowing your building to meet both current and future needs.  (It is almost always “money” that will come back – INCREASED!!)

Whether you’re looking to construct a hybrid building for equipment storage, a workshop, a shouse, or a multi-purpose barn, here’s what to consider when sizing up your structure, and why a bit of extra space now is an investment in years of convenience.

Popular Uses for Pre-Engineered Hybrid and All-Steel Buildings

Before we dive into sizing, it’s helpful to know what types of buildings people are creating with Miracle Truss hybrid designs. Our versatile designs are ideal for a wide range of uses, including:

• Storage buildings for agricultural equipment or personal items
• Workshops with enough space to work on projects comfortably
• Garages or RV storage buildings with extra height for larger vehicles
• Livestock barns with room for feed storage, stalls, and equipment
• Airplane hangars or mechanic shops
• Man caves, she sheds, or multi-purpose rec rooms for family gatherings or hobbies

These building types all benefit from the flexibility and durability of steel-and-wood hybrid structures, with the additional cost savings and customization potential that come with pre-engineering.

For more inspiration on uses, https://miracletruss.com/blog/.

Choosing the Right Size: Planning for Now and the Future

Choosing the right size for your building is about more than just square footage. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Take an Inventory of What You’ll Use the Space For

Think about your primary use, but don’t stop there. Do you want space for tool storage? Will you need a workbench, or stalls for livestock? List the essentials and map them out. Miracle Truss has handy pre-engineered examples through their many photos that can help you plan out your space requirements in detail.

If you’re unsure about your future needs, remember that it’s often easier and cheaper to invest in a larger building now than to expand or replace it down the line. https://miracletruss.com/building-galleries-2/

2. Consider Ceiling Height and Accessibility

Popular for everything from garages to barns, pre-engineered hybrid buildings give you the flexibility to go tall as well as wide. For instance,  our hybrid structures can reach heights to accommodate RVs, semis, or even tall tractors and other machinery. When planning, consider whether you might want to drive in larger vehicles or if you’ll need space for an overhead loft or storage racks.  A lot of this can come from the size of door you will need.

Higher ceilings also allow better ventilation and lighting options, making it an ideal choice for workshops, hangars, or recreational spaces. Check out some ideas for typical home/room heights! https://www.bobvila.com/articles/standard-ceiling-height/

3. Account for Additional Storage Space

Once the main purpose of your building is accounted for, look at your storage needs. Many customers start with a specific use—like a garage for car repair or equipment storage—and end up wanting extra space for seasonal items, tools, or personal storage. Investing in a slightly larger building now could mean the difference between a clean, organized workspace and a cluttered one later.  Or even having to spend more time and money on renting storage units, and all the headaches that can go with that!

For example, our 30×50 steel-wood hybrid buildings are popular with those who need ample workspace plus storage, with plenty of flexibility for future additions like tool sheds or lean-tos. https://miracletruss.com/options-capabilities/

4. Thinking Long-Term Can Save You Big

The small cost difference between a building that’s “just big enough” and one that offers additional square footage can make all the difference. Expanding a building or adding separate storage units down the line generally costs far more than simply sizing up at the start. (Although Miracle’s hybrid design can help alleviate with that with it’s EXPANDABLE endwall options too!)

Many of our customers who went bigger say the flexibility to rearrange, expand their use, or repurpose the building has been invaluable—especially for multi-purpose buildings like barndominiums, shouses, and home-based workshops. Explore our blog on flexible building uses to learn more.

5. Check Your Local Building Codes and Zoning Laws

Before choosing a size, also take the time to check your local building codes. While pre-engineered buildings are typically designed to meet standard codes, you’ll want to be aware of any height restrictions, setback requirements, or zoning regulations that could impact your design. You might also want to consider voluntary upgrades, such as FORTIFIED standards, to make your building more resilient in case of extreme weather. Read more about building codes and fortification here.

Why a Little Extra Space Now Can Save Big Later

Choosing a slightly larger building might add a bit to your initial investment, but it can provide benefits for years to come. Imagine you’re building a workshop for woodworking; down the line, you may want room for additional equipment, storage, or even a small office. Or, if it’s a farm equipment storage building, you might need to store larger machinery as your operations expand.

The cost per square foot often decreases slightly as building size goes up, making it a relatively low-cost upgrade. Miracle Truss’s pre-engineered, easy-to-assemble kits offer flexibility and expansion options that can make your future projects even easier. Discover how we make expansion easy here.

Start Designing Your Building Today!

With the range of available pre-engineered hybrid building designs, it’s easy to create the ideal space for your specific needs while maintaining the option to add or adjust later. Miracle Truss makes it simple to create the right space with durability, affordability, and style that works for farms, businesses, and homes alike.

Want to discuss options, get personalized advice, or check out other popular building sizes? Contact Us to start planning your ideal building solution!