I have one automatic in a glass building. I am thinking of opening a second location. Instead of using a glass building I was looking at maybe a brick or block building. I could get a open steel building with a metal roof and then have the sides bricked in with big windows. I have searched on the internet and in the library for some ideas or blueprints but couldn't find anything. I live in the South so I don't have to have doors on it. So anybody ever did anything like this or have any ideas.
Building
- Thread starter BLHCW18
- Start date
Waxman
Super Moderator
I have a steel Kirby building with a 4' foundation wall. I like it just fine. However, I would install FRP or similar liner panel on interior walls and ceilings, instead of the ribbed steel.
Metal has been called undesirable by some, but in reality, it has held up with only minimal need for paint touch ups in 5+ years. If I had done FRP it would be even better. I chose it because of price (40' x 60' was under $90k).
Metal has been called undesirable by some, but in reality, it has held up with only minimal need for paint touch ups in 5+ years. If I had done FRP it would be even better. I chose it because of price (40' x 60' was under $90k).
JustClean
Active member
If you can do it - leave the windows out! Saves you cleaning them and it looks like glass. For me: I would not go glass again. That's for sure.
Cheers Justclean
Cheers Justclean
robert roman
Bob Roman
Among other things, I’m a re-seller of pre-engineered buildings.
By the time you get a metal stick building delivered and assembled on site, you can usually figure to tie up about $45 to $50/SF or so.
You can install an attractive façade on the front and sides for another $10 to $15/SF or so.
Throw in another $15,000 or so for tongue-in-groove paneling on ceiling and sidewalls.
By the time you get done, the cost would approach that of a glass building.
For liability purposes, I would consider a set of inexpensive roll-up access doors in the event you need to shut the wash down for some purpose.
Glass side walls and windows may be a hassle to keep clean sometimes but I can assure you customers prefer washes with the wide-open feel to them.
How much better does it get when motorists can see other people having their cars cleaned or the picture it can create at night?
For less than a couple of grand, you can build your own window rinse system out of PVC using the same approach as a lawn irrigation system.
By the time you get a metal stick building delivered and assembled on site, you can usually figure to tie up about $45 to $50/SF or so.
You can install an attractive façade on the front and sides for another $10 to $15/SF or so.
Throw in another $15,000 or so for tongue-in-groove paneling on ceiling and sidewalls.
By the time you get done, the cost would approach that of a glass building.
For liability purposes, I would consider a set of inexpensive roll-up access doors in the event you need to shut the wash down for some purpose.
Glass side walls and windows may be a hassle to keep clean sometimes but I can assure you customers prefer washes with the wide-open feel to them.
How much better does it get when motorists can see other people having their cars cleaned or the picture it can create at night?
For less than a couple of grand, you can build your own window rinse system out of PVC using the same approach as a lawn irrigation system.
Last edited by a moderator:
ted mcmeekin
Fast and Clean
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2007
- Messages
- 412
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 16
We built 9 1/2 years ago. My wife came up with colored block (colored all the way through). She chose dark brown for first 3 courses stair stepped up another 3 courses on each end, with tan / earth for remaining courses. Not as flashy or reflective os many other solutions but looks exactly like it did new. We have never ever cleaned the block but spray a little bleach once in a great while if we get a little algae. Yes she is smarter than me. These colors blend so well, we used same block 5 yrs ago for addition--can't tell the difference from original building. (Remind me again why we built addition). I would expect industry consultants to share this brilliance as their in next books.
.
But even in small town with no competition we not sheltered from our current administration.
Ted
Ted
Ted
.
But even in small town with no competition we not sheltered from our current administration.
Ted
Ted
Ted
robert roman
Bob Roman
Nice answer, except for the cheap shot you took at consultants. What a good natured soul you must be. I'll make sure I will leave your brilliance out of my next book.
