Recommended Accessories for Metal Buildings & Carports

Master accessory list for all the things you could add to your metal building or carport. This list will be updated over time, but prices may be slightly out of date. I will do my best to keep on top of it.

If you have any positive/negative reviews with items on the list, please let me know.

Roll Up Door Openers

Roll up door openers are used to, well, open roll up doors automatically. Most openers come with

Roll Up Door Opener (19.7' Tall Max) - $259.17
Roll Up Door Opener (16.4' Tall Max) - $184.99

Sealant Options

You can seal gaps by window trim, roof trim, or other areas of sheet metal for pretty cheap by getting foam enclosure strips. For cracks or gaps under the base rail, you should get caulk.

For foam enclosure packages, make sure to get the type that corresponds with the type of sheet metal you have. All tube frame metal building & carport companies (that I know of) use a classic rib system. You should call your manufacturer just to double check before ordering.

Classic Rib

20pcs Inner Foam Closure Strips - $49.99
20pcs Outer Foam Closure Strips - $44.99

R-Panel

20pcs Inner Foam Closure Strips - $57.99
20pcs Outer Foam Closure Strips - $57.99

Best Lights for Your Metal Building

Good lights might just be one of the best things you can buy for your garage. Good lighting is important in your garage to be able to diagnose issues with vehicles or even just to spend time doing your hobbies. I'm a bit of a lighting nerd and am going to go on a bit of tangent here, so feel free to skip this section if you're not interested.

Kelvins (K) are a united of measurement used to measure the temperature of light. The lower the K reading, the closer to red the temperature is (warmer). The higher the K reading, the closer to blue the temperature is (colder). My personal preference for home lights is 2700K, this gives a nice warm color, and allows for relaxation, but it doesn't turn everything orange. Workplace lights (offices, warehouses, etc) are generally around 6500K, this is far too high and the reason many people get headaches and would rather work with the lights off. I believe the best color temperature for productive activities, like working in your metal workshop, is 4000K to 5000K. Daylight is about 5500K. 4000K is better if you want to feel more relaxed, and 5000K would be better for general visibility. I've included options for both below. Be careful shopping online without checking the K reading, as most lights marketed towards metal garages are 6500K, which is a very unpleasant color.

Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a measurement of a light source's ability to accurately reveal the colors of an objects, in comparison to sunlight (100 CRI). It's a difficult thing to comprehend from words alone, this photo will help. I would recommend a minimum of 80 CRI for metal workshop and garages. This is considered good color rendering, and most LED lights and fluorescent bulbs fall into this range. If visual accuracy is very important to you, then you should go with a CRI of 90+. CRI above 90 is really only needed in professions where colors are extremely important, like first responders, art studios, photography, etc.

LED Light Bulbs

2-Pack 4000K 80+ CRI (20w/150W) - $14.99
4-Pack 5000K 80+ CRI (20W/150W - $15.99
2-Pack 5000K 85+ CRI (30W/250W) - $20.99

Linkable LED Shop Lights With Pull Chains

2-Pack 5000K 80+ CRI 3.6 Feet (100W) - $109.59
4-Pack 5000K 80+ CRI 3.6 Feet (100W) - $199.99
2-Pack 5000K 80+ CRI 3.6 Feet (120W) - $109.99
4-Pack 5000K 80+ CRI 3.6 Feet (120W - $205.76

Heating and Cooling a Metal Building

If you're looking to kill multiple birds with one stone, I'd recommend getting a mini split. Mini splits can be used as air conditioners, heaters, dehumidifiers, air filters, and fans. They require very little setup, no duct work, and are very energy efficient.

British Thermal Units (BTUs) are a unit of measurement for thermal energy. To calculate BTUs recommended for a metal building, do total sq ft x 20 BTUs/sq ft. If the building is old and poorly insulated, you may want to use this formula: total sq ft x 30 BTUs/sq ft.

Before I get into all heating and cooling options, it’s worth mentioning that all options will be astronomically more effective if your metal building is insulated. Insulating your metal building may come with a higher upfront cost, but you’re going to save money in the long run from extra power you’re going to spend keeping your building at a more comfortable climate. There are several insulation options, but closed cell spray foam is what I would recommend.

Mini Splits

Senville 9,000 BTU (1110/20V) - $699.99
Senville 12,000 BTU (110/120V) - $749.99
Senville 12,000 BTU (208/230V) - $819.99
Senville 18,000 BTU (208/230V) - $899.99
Senville 24,000 BTU (208/230V) - $1,139.99
Senville 30,000 BTU (208/230V) - $1,899.99

Heating

There are several different types of heaters and which one to get really depends on what your metal building is going to be used for, how cold your winters get, how large your building is, and how fast you want it heated up.

Forced Air Heaters

Forced air heaters use a fan to blow hot air, quickly heating up large spaces. They are ideal for metal workshops and large garages because they can distribute heat evenly and warm up the space quickly. Kerosene heaters are better than propane, as they will burn at a constant rate/temperature until out of fuel, whereas propane will fluctuate as the fuel level gets lower. However, kerosene produces an order when burned, and you need to be sure to properly ventilate the building to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.

Infrared heaters

Infrared heaters provide direct, radiant heat that warms up people and objects, rather than the air, these are great for drafty metal garages or workshops, they're also A LOT more energy efficient, as heating up objects is faster and requires less power than heating up air, but are only good for heating up small areas.

Dr. Infrared 5,200 BTU 1,500W (120V) - $125.54
Dr. Infrared 10,260 BTU 3,000W (220/240V - $293.09

Ceramic Heaters

Cooling

Metal buildings can get extremely warm in the summer, especially if you live a warmer climate like Arizona or Texas. I’ve already covered mini splits, which I do believe to be the best option for cooling, however, mini splits do require more work to set up than something like a portable air conditioner or a window ac unit, though they are more energy efficient.

Window Air Conditioning Units

Frigidaire 5,000 BTU (115V) - $219.00
Frigidaire 6,000 BTU (115V) - $249.00
Frigidaire 8,000 BTU (115V) - $289.00
Frigidaire 10,000 BTU (115V) - $328.00
Frigidaire 12,000 BTU (115V) - $382.14

Portable Air Conditioning Units

BLACK+DECKER 8,000 BCU (115V) - $329.99
BLACK+DECKER 10,000 BCU (115V) - $376.19
BLACK+DECKER 12,000 BCU (115V) - $420.12
BLACK+DECKER 14,000 BCU (115V) - $489.99

Maintaining and Keeping Your Metal Garage or Workshop Interior and Exterior Clean

Keeping up with maintenance on your garage, including cleaning, will help keep your air filters clean, air smelling fresh, and help you to enjoy the time you spend in your metal building. Most importantly, cleaning your building will extend its lifespan. Clearing buildup off of sheet metal, galvanized steel, and red iron will help to avoid corrosion and rust.

Floor Sweepers

If you have a floor in your garage, it’s a good idea to pick up a floor sweeper. Floor sweepers will remove dirt, dust, debris, leaves, pebbles, and more.

Dapper Supply 22” 6.5 Gallon Sweeper - $199.95
Dapper Supply 36” 10.5 Gallon Sweeper - $329

Power Washers

Power washers are one of the best maintenance items you can buy for your metal buildings. Clean your floor, siding, roof, interior and exterior. Power washers come in many configurations. The best option is always going to be a power washer that hooks up to a host spigot, but if you don’t have one, you can get one with a built in tank, though they are not as powerful and won’t clean as in-depth.

COMING SOON

Car Equipment and Tools

Car Lifts

If you like doing simple maintenance like oil changes, swapping tires, etc, a lift is a must have for your garage. Lifts aren’t cheap, but with the money you’ll save doing your own work, they’ll pay off in the long run.

TRIUMP 4 Post Car and Truck Lift - $3,695.00

Air Compressors

Your days of heading to your local gas station and bending over in the middle of winter in the freezing cold are over. Air compressors aren’t that expensive and will save you $2 every time you use them. What’s worth more than the money you’ll save is the ability to put air in your tires in your own garage. You’re not going to be able to stop smiling the first time you put air in a low tire in your garage or workshop for the first time.