The Ultimate Quonset Hut Home Tour | SteelMaster Buildings

Watch as SteelMaster Buildings customer Tom W. gives you a detailed tour of his Quonset hut home, along with some helpful tips.
Tom was the first place winner of the 2019 SteelMaster Video Contest! steelmaster.news/2019-contests
Read more about Quonset hut homes: steelmasterbldgs.com/homes
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[@tweaver]

My daughter and I made this video for Steel Master a few years ago. She’s a film major at DePaul and we both agree now that the piano music mix could have some improvement. Some of the comments however, especially about your kid’s piano recital, I find especially…..HILARIOUS! Anyway, sorry if the piano annoys you. Here are some answers to some posts: The house is 51’wide by 40’ long. It was originally 51’X60’ but the EPA kept eating up my buildable land by requiring the septic field to be larger. The blue prints were adjusted 3 times. It is built out of 16 gauge steel. The costs are comparable or slightly less than the same house of the same square feet with the same amenities. If you can do some of the work yourselves, obviously, it’s even less. You’re buying the building but you’re not buying roof trusses, roof sheathing/shingles, siding, gutters, etc. The interior framing is board for board what the same house would be if it were conventional. The framing on the shell is mostly half by material and is less than a conventional outside wall. We had an architect design the foundation plan and reaction and the interior plan. The building does not support any of the structure so the lower level framing must support the first floor and the first floor must support the upper floor. Most walls are load bearing and engineered joists were used thru out. To attach the outer drywall, we used couplings on the bolts coming through from the outside and then all thread. Drilled holed in the 2x4 and counter sunk the nuts and cut off the excess all thread. Then nailed half by at 90 degrees which made it really easy to drywall and attach the car siding. This is an approved method by Steel Master. The structure can withstand many (I forgotten exact numbers) pounds per square foot of snow and hurricane force winds. The curvature did not bother the drywallers. It’s not a problem so don’t let anyone tell you it is. The hardest thing the carpenters had to deal with is the compound miter cuts for the baseboard trim where an outside wall meets a vertical wall. The weight of the insulation and drywall/car siding has to be deducted from the per square foot load but still leaves plenty of room for a Midwest location. We used spray in foam insulation. The house is very energy efficient and very quiet. We do not hear the wind and we can’t tell it’s raining unless we look out a window. We are very happy with the performance and we won’t have to worry about leaks. A crew of 5 to 6 people can erect the shell in a few days. The foundation needs to already be in place. I recommend measuring out the bolt holes in the sole plates and setting the anchor bolts in the wet concrete. It’s a lot easier than drilling the holes later. We lost two trees. We tried our best to keep all of them but both died we think do to the roots being cut during the excavation. I hired a local wood carver and turned one of them on the lake side into a bear. The house is on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. We hired a team of local Mennonites to help set up the shell and do the rough in framing. They were familiar with putting this type of steel building together and you won’t find any harder working crews. They came up with the idea of using 6X12X20 cedar posts for the main stairs, fireplace mantel, and outside porch columns. Can’t answer the smoking comment. No one in my immediate family smokes.?.?.? Not sure what you’re talking about. We needed to do something with our lake home that was falling apart. My wife got this idea from looking through the internet just like you guys are. We started out looking at log home’s but we feared they could be a lot of maintenance. This is maintenance free for the most part. We really liked the flatter style quonset home that Steel Master was involved in on the east coast. I think it is a very “majestic” looking home. The problem is that the flatter you get, the less room for a 2nd floor. We needed the 2nd floor for the extra bedrooms and the loft area. We originally had a shell with a 17’ apex and were going to put it on a 4’ concrete riser wall giving us 21’ total height for the main and upper floors. It turned out to be cheaper to get a slightly more rounded shell, 23’ apex, and the standard high pour foundation. This gives us high ceilings on all 3 floors and great views. Keep in mind also that you loose usable floor space on the 2nd floor due to the curve of the outer walls. The more “rounded” the whole shell is, the more space you’ll have upstairs. Find a bank that’s shouse friendly. Shouse is short for a Shop/House combination. Most banks that are familiar with structures of unusual nature, like a resort area, ski area’s, Alaska, etc., shouldn’t have a problem with this. Shop around. Now is a great time to get a mortgage.

[@SuperLooneyrooney]

Cool and i am planning some sort of steel structure and am leaning towards this quonset style as well and by coincidence I'm just around the corner from you between Climax springs and Camdenton nearby Fiery Fork Consv. on the Little Niangua river

[@wt8918]

Pretty amazing. What do have now for R-Value the way you insulated?

[@laxinthe303]

Would you share what your total construction cost was? What are you using for HVAC? The condenser looks like a mini-split system. It looks like you went open cell foam instead of closed foam. How did you ensure that the bolts were waterproof before you sprayed the foam in?

[@tweaver]

@@laxinthe303 Dear Lax, I estimate our costs to be between $95 and $115 per sq. foot. The reason for the variance is that we bought the property in 2001 and used it as a summer home for about 17 years before we tore it down to build the quonset. It was a small cabin built in 1957. I also had to redo the septic system, upgrade to 200 amp service, etc., which may or may not affect you. But as best I can break it down, that's the cost and keep in mind, we do have upgraded fixtures, sandstone and granite counter topes, zoned HVAC, etc. We have natural gas (and propane in a tank) available but the utility company wanted $25/mo just to hang the meter on the side of the house. Since it's mainly a summer home, we decided to go all electric. In fact, I have a well and my own septic so electricity is my only utility bill besides TV/WIFI. The main unit is a high efficeint heat pump with humidifier. The two bedrooms upstairs are a dual minin split. The bedrooms have returns to the main system but no supply. If they are unoccupied, just leaving the door partcially open keeps the temperature comfortable with the mini's are turned off. The HVAC guy used insulated ducting throughout and used the "V" in the metal shell to run lines from the basement to the upper floors. The foam is strong and light weight. I know they used 2 different types depending on how thick it was going to be. On the end walls and other framing, they used a cellulose type that is typical for framed construction. I got some advice from a guy who built a huge quonset to be used for a retail store. He told me before insulation, get inside the shell during a good rain and check every bolt for drips. Do this twice. We did find a couple of leakes. Just spray them with orange paint so you can fine them later. Replaced the bolts and hit it with a garden hose to make sure it's fixed. The first time it rained, it was about midnight and 40 degrees and I was up on scaffolding with a flashlight looking at my bolts. I feel really confident that I won't have any leak issues for a long time. The old saying, if you want it done right..........

[@achikensamich]

Thanks for the info dad! - Your better and favorite son, Jacob.

[@victoriaweaver1007]

Excellent video and the music is super cool. But I'm also biased because this is my Dad 😁

[@laurenholly1849]

What county and state is this in?

[@slyny6052]

Damn. You know how much it cost him to build this? And did he do it himself or with some company?

[@scottmatthews537]

Victoria, I am the specialist who assisted your mother and father with this Quonset home. One of the most enjoyable clients to work with in my 30 year sales career. We don't skip a beat every time we talk on the phone. You are a blessed child to have such awesome parents. Tell your mother and father I said hello.

[@victoriaweaver1007]

@@slyny6052 I'm not sure how much, but he built this with SteelMaster Buildings. They have a wide range of pricing and customizing options.

[@victoriaweaver1007]

@@scottmatthews537 thanks Scott! I'll pass that along!

[@BeeVee-zz9ip]

Wow this was one of the coolest houses I have ever seen! Really beautiful and the piano music was nice too!

[@keithclayton1271]

I am very impressed at how homey and stylish a quonset hut can be made! What a great vision and execution. Thank you for sharing this dose of imagination fuel.

[@scottmeyers7297]

Love listening to the music. Awesome job on the house

[@transylvanianfarmer]

Excellent video! Thank you! Really shows the possibilities of a Quonset home

[@deannamad1113]

Would love to know what it cost total to complete for everything.

[@fosterfletcher2881]

That 1st piano piece wazs very lovely.

[@dr.alaricshawncastleberry6789]

This is the best video I’ve seen with regard to the interior of a Quonset home. Than you for sharing!

[@johnfitzgerald6510]

WOW!! I'm impressed. It is just beautiful.

[@rosebuckner7612]

Just coming across this!! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL HOME!! 😍 Thank you for sharing the details and great video!!

[@tweaver]

Thanks and glad you liked it!

[@chiquitacrawley2271]

This is really nice looking home. REAL NICE!!

[@tweaver]

Thanks

[@michelmullaney3641]

This is beautiful and so is the music thank you

[@Steelmasterusa]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sp276]

What can I say other than beautifully executed and I am feeling very green with envy. :)

[@tweaver]

Thanks. Something like this should be a bucket list item, only sooner.

[@EJ-mm8wc]

the music is lovely. I enjoy it as well as the tour of your magnificent house. I wonder what lake you are on.

[@chownzi2461]

I like the look of the straight wall quonset

[@dailyrider2975]

Thank you for video. Must have taken a lot of work, just like the house. Lots of interesting ideas.

[@mollyjoesten603]

Thank you! Yes we are hoping these videos will provide inspiration!

[@KevinG58444]

Hey man that is an awesome house, how much did it end up costing all said and done? I’m wondering if it’s comparable to classic building methods. Awesome video man thanks

[@tweaver]

Some more good questions…….I suppose I could send a pdf of our floor plans and blue prints but they are pretty specific to our size Quonset on our topography with a walkout front. Any modification over a few feet will require a new architect rendering anyway for the permits, most likely. How long will it last in Florida? Talk to SteelMaster but if the galvalume does where thin enough to start surface rust, you may have to professionally prep and paint the steel shell. I wouldn’t expect this for many years and then repainting would be akin to a new roof every 20 years or so. Worst case is replacing some panels at some point. Again, akin to replacing the siding on a house. I’m in my 60’s so I’m not too worried about it.

[@dovesolutions]

Yours is gorgeous!

[@GODANMEDIA]

Thank you for sharing

[@michaelaquigley908]

Yall are so mean, videos great. Loved the music and you heard you just fine.

[@fatbackbass8477]

Boo Hoo

[@tweaver]

Thanks. Glad you liked it. TW

[@brianpeterson5559]

Well done very nice,bet that grid and drywall strengthened it a lot not to mention R-value

[@tweaver]

I’ve been home during 40 to 50 mph winds and not a creak or groan. It’s rock solid!

[@showaltermicro]

super nice job

[@tracyjohnson8503]

I love your home and the music is there a way I can get some advice on my build from you thanks

[@kb5ulp]

Tom, I noticed that your building crew did something I have never seen in all of my research. It appears they started raising arches in the middle ( or near the middle) of the quonset length. Can you comment on their reasons? Beautiful home you have made. Love the music. Your voice over could have been a bit louder in relation to the music, but that is probably my poor hearing. Thanks for all of the information you shared. R.H.

[@tweaver]

Hey Ron, that’s just an illusion. We started on the uphill, road side and worked toward the lake, downhill. We did however, put in the joists and floors (including covering the stairs wells) so we would have a level platform. If we hadn’t done this, it was over 12’ from the ground just to get to the base of the arch on the lake side. Most traditional houses are built this way anyway so it wasn’t that unusual other than the joists sit on the foundation in traditional construction. A Quonset sits on the foundation so you have to frame up the lower level first, which means pouring the basement concrete. Same steps, just a different order. Hope this helps. Tom

[@godssonknowledgeofself]

What is a rough estimate in cost of construction and materials?

[@nunyabiznes3901]

That’s the best looking Quonset hut I’ve ever seen! You and your builder were quite creative! Do you have a background in construction? I appreciated the process video…it was fascinating. Well done!

[@tweaver]

Thanks so much. We appreciate the kind feedback. I don’t have any formal background in construction but I did rehab a 1903 Victorian over a 5 year period and have built 3 new houses over the years along with basements and man caves. I’ve done a little of just about everything associated with construction at some point so I have learned many lessons along the way. If you see features you like in other homes, keep a list so you will remember later. Someday you might be able to incorporate things in a remodel project or new construction. If you can think of it, you can build it. The trick is figuring out how!

[@tweaver]

Someone asked about costs.......many variables but the bottom line is you’ll save some money and construction time but not a whole lot. You’ll save more time than you will money. With middle to slightly upgraded interior appointments, windows, cabinets, flooring, etc., you can easily spend $150 to $200 sq. Foot back in 2018, when this was built. Now, in the spring of 2021 with material costs rising so rapidly, be prepared to spend at least this or more per sq. Ft. Again, a lot will depend on what level of home you’re building and how much elbow grease you’re willing to put in towards the finished product.

[@DalaOhio]

If you get rid of the music, we might actually be able to hear what you have to say. I can't understand half of what's being said. it's a beautiful home. Is there any place online where we could see the floor plan?

[@Steelmasterusa]

Hi Dala. We have a transcript of the video here if you're interested: www.steelmasterusa.com/news/videos/ultimate-quonset-hut-home-tour/ We don't have floor plans for this particular home but we have some on our Pinterest page.

[@hippiehillape]

A life well lived

[@12vLife]

What's the real life expectancy of a 18ga steel structure like this in humid, rainy place like Florida? Will you have problems in 40 years? Are there any pre-developed building plans for sale of these structure with state required insulation, walls, plumbing, electrical, structural, energy ratings, etc.?

[@mowattlavern62]

I love qounset homes. I think i spelled it right. Gorgeous and totally spacious

[@Steelmasterusa]

It's actually spelled Quonset, but glad you love them! :)

[@mowattlavern62]

Thank you for correcting me. But you have a gorgeous home.

[@tweaver]

Thanks. I hope you get to build one someday. You’ll love it!

[@arthurtanchak2411]

Very nice home

[@claret4u2]

Is this cheaper than building thebother type of house like a brick for example?

[@franklee9095]

There is an excessive amount of detail to this house which makes it really a show piece, but with all the details I wonder how much this cost versus building a conventional home? It's all about taste and I'm sure these people are enjoying their home but I'm looking into building a main house, an in-law full 1 BR/BT with kitchen and THEN possibly a Quanset for a lab for my research and experiments. But only because I'd be spending a lot already. I hope to find short cuts/cheap solutions to building multiple houses with being able to stand up straight 6 inches from the wall. Oh, P.S. alot of people complained about the music being loud. Turning it down still allowed me to hear everything.

[@TC-en7vi]

Perfect

[@deemanrt]

Would this homeowner be willing to share the plans?

[@FarSideOfMoon]

Appeared to be sprayed on insulation. Is that recommended by the manufacturer? Also is manufacturer okay with the attached load of the 2x4 grid with drywall and tongue and groove wood ceiling?

[@scottmatthews537]

The collateral load was factored in for all the finishing materials. Many clients choose to use closed cell spray foam. It's extremely efficient.

[@426superbee4]

I love em

[@robertkeopple5555]

What lake is this on?

[@matthewburkhart142]

I was just gonna say the music is that of a silent movie, house is very nice though. I was the colors used were perfect.

[@joel8010]

Amazing job!! What was your total building cost?

[@slyny6052]

Lol did you ever find out?

[@qhazwel]

Looks like they went above and beyond what most people building a quonset home would do.

[@petejohnson7918]

This is the only real question. Is building quanset cheaper than building traditional is all that really matters.

[@dethmaul]

@@petejohnson7918 Everything is pretty much the same price as a normal home, if you outfit the home like a normal one. Earthships, quonsets, geodesic, monolithic, nothing saves money unless you do it yourself and don't frame walls on the inside traditionally.

[@mgabrysSF]

@@dethmaul Oh cool - I'm looking at a free-floating / non-attached interior (unless I get some ideas on some arch-trusses to create timber rib interior panels for sound and lighting purposes) for mostly (industrial) loft-style living (which doesn't need massive cutouts). Apart from some custom ends, for window hanging and vehicle egress, it sounds perfect - and the cost can be less than a typical home since I'm going 'industrial' anyway.With current market trends (skyrocketing) and urban renewal at a standstill (because of covid), I can 3X-5X the space of a 'typical' (real - not McLoft) space and use remote location to mitigate many other associated costs for my needs.

[@mariaicb]

how they attached the inside framing to the arches???? do you have a video or some information on this???

[@Wingnut353]

Coupler on the roof bolts + all thread then after you attach the framing you saw off the all thread flush. This does create a thermal bridge so maybe less indicated up north, but probably fine elsewhere.

[@CoCoTopaz90]

How much was this?

[@Oheh84]

When insulated do these buildings stay as warm as traditional home?

[@Steelmasterusa]

Yes!

[@j.c.elkins9334]

i'm curious as to the dimensions of this steelmaster kit. width, height, and length. Especially the height as they were able to get in two stories with the two upper bedrooms. Also, it looks like there were clear panels put in for skylights? Do those alter the structural strength much? Thx. A beautiful home.

[@Steelmasterusa]

The Quonset hut is 50'W X 61'L x 22'H and it is on block walls. Skylights should not alter the strength if installed correctly.

[@slyny6052]

@@Steelmasterusa you have any idea the rough cost of a home like this would cost?

[@tweaver]

Concrete walls, not blocks. Follow the engineering guidance for skylights. The architect will need this to ensure the required placement coincides with a logical location within the room.

[@seansyw143]

Came here to learn about Quonset homes. Instead I got roped into another piano recital. At least I didn’t have to lie and say “good job, son. I’m proud of you” this time

[@mooneymakes359]

You never went. 😊

[@garym7771]

i like the piano

[@tweaver]

Thanks. As with anything, you can’t please everyone. Glad you’re in the plus column.

[@geeeeeee3]

Impressive but was the cost less than stick or modular?

[@Wingnut353]

It's gonna be similar to the framed interior cost... If you build a large building with only a portion framed or you go with an open floorplan, expect costs to be similarly lower.

[@Tbrown-pitmaster]

I just got done building my house same company

[@crmayer88]

Beautiful home. Music was great. I'd live here with the music lol

[@msnanchung]

Without appliances, decor, or furniture, what was the bottom line- the $$cost to build this home?

[@tweaver]

Please refer to previous replies.

[@Kdawg101]

Hi! Curious what's it like trying to buy home insurance for these homes?

[@Steelmasterusa]

Typically the same as any other home insurance. We usually suggest to shop around!

[@tweaver]

State Farm, no issues. Nothing unusual with the policy.

[@Kdawg101]

OK. Thank you

[@The_Red_Pill__]

Great video-music is a bit too loud though.

[@j.g.7054]

what was the total cost of this home?

[@tweaver]

Please see previous posts.

[@fatbackbass8477]

I'm a minimalist...this place is too visually busy for my tasteI want to live on 1 fl ...good kitchen where friends can gather...open plan....garage and studio/shopI'm done with stairs Am looking into and steel building const. Where I'm headed no worries about snow loads.....more about HVAC and staying cool

[@shiriyahroyal8037]

Does durospan steel cause radiation?

[@mysteriousknowledgetexts9809]

cant stop looking at your nails. thanks for leaving them in the picture.

[@62Cristoforo]

I enjoyed the workmanship, but I had trouble hearing the narrator. That background music seemed kind of louder than necessary.

[@Steelmasterusa]

Hi there! Thank you for leaving us a comment! You can click the CC button and the bottom right of the video and it will auto-generate subtitles.

[@Tex1961]

Tell us more , tone down the music please. Good content, but the music hurts.

[@Bromo_Sexual]

Total cost? 😮

[@mollyjoesten603]

Hello! The cost varies depending on location as we custom engineer to meet local wind/snow load requirements. Where are you located?

[@Bromo_Sexual]

@@mollyjoesten603 give me pricing for all 50 states son.

[@TheGameClerk]

total cost?

[@Steelmasterusa]

Not entirely sure for the total cost of this home, as we only provide the arches.

[@Arthur-Silva]

Most of the budget was blown in very loud piano soundtrack

[@Steven-gv1ke]

@@Steelmasterusa how much did just the structure cost (y'all's part)? Did this include the foundation as well?

[@LR-je7nn]

I watched until the end just for the music. Spray with aluminum paint to block the EMF's from frying you.

[@Wingnut353]

What on earth are you talking about? This building is essentially already faraday cage... the concrete itself grounds it and pretty much nothing is gonna get inside from outside.

[@LR-je7nn]

@@Wingnut353 Yes, the aluminum paint is probably overkill.

[@lovejcdc]

Awesome video and house. I can't stand the music 😒 but besides that great.

[@barrygrant2907]

Now I know why I don't sit through piano recitals.

[@susanfox007]

Yes, that is terrible.

[@sgtpepper1138]

You uncultured swine ;) . Just kidding, but I love the piano and like the background music.

[@Jennie4Weaver]

Aye, I helped make this video a couple years back; how am I just seeing it now? 😂

[@achikensamich]

Cause I sent it to you duhhhhh

[@Jennie4Weaver]

@@achikensamich noooooo. Lies

[@officiallynmotion7100]

music to loud to hear info :( lovely music and lovely house but not while trying to understand construction lol

[@Ziji-LetYourSoulShine]

This "q" or "s"?

[@transylvanianfarmer]

Looks like Q

[@scottmatthews537]

It's a Q model on a concrete walk out basement wall

[@richardmarshall2229]

I thought I tuned into a Mr. Roger’s

[@GustavoGonzalez-oj8xb]

a 10

[@dominickdanna9906]

ditch the music,

[@einarabelc5]

Get rid of the music please, or at least turn it down in the mix. Jazz has too much dynamic range to be played over talking voice.

[@andyholder6039]

Ryan Allen In Va beach shorted a couple i know 1 piece and wouldn't make it right told them it was over 900 plus a surcharge. I wouldn't do business with them just saying.

[@MasterCarguy44-pk2dq]

I bet this thing makes a lot of unfriendly noises in big winds. All that metal. I prefer vualt peace and quiet.

[@Steelmasterusa]

Hello, Quonsets are the ideal structure to live in in big windstorms and do not make unfriendly sounds. They are becoming a popular option for homes versus traditional buildings for several reasons. And most of our customers who use their Quonsets as a house get it insulated.

[@tweaver]

Actually, it’s very quiet. Sometimes, we don’t even know it’s raining until we look outside.

[@Firguy]

The piano background track isn't bad; these normies complaining about it in the comments are just too stupid to appreciate jazz. I can't imagine how they'd react to Pharoah Sanders, Charles Mingus, or Sun Ra... Or these: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqm3i2WndpmVqKc kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5e0kqKVZqhqh9E kzbin.info/www/bejne/rH_RiHShdrNjnq8

[@MrsAnneLark]

The music is too loud! I love the style of music, but not when I am trying to listen to someone talking!!

[@2kalubafak404]

Music is annoying and distracting from the subject matter.

[@stevehendrickson3425]

Please turn the music off or at east down. thanks

[@jameswright7923]

I can only imagine the man hours into the final product verses a traditional build . just the framing inside alone puts the labour cost well out of range for me.not worth the cost

[@as110]

Please remove the music when you are talking. It is so distracting it's hard to understand what you are saying. I appreciate the project though. Just the presentation needs tweaking. Thnx

[@dominickdanna9906]

music is annoying. ditch it..

[@ericwilson2186]

Well I'm out

[@kurtmcq]

Nice video but WORST MUSIC EVER.

[@traditionalarcher5678]

Music has to go

[@imthebrach]

poor trees...

[@me-yc9gr]

Trusted by Disney and Boeing? You can do better.

[@anthonybrown8920]

Ughhhhh........you really have have to get rid of that music......interferes with the info being submitted........

[@MarkasTZM]

Shame to contaminate such an interesting structure with your tacky 1980s style interior build out complete with wood framing and drywall. Cringe worthy.

[@tweaver]

Thanks for your post. The decor is what we had in mind for our 2nd vacation home on the lake. Hopefully the video gives you some ideas and construction tips for you if you ever decide to build something unique. You can build whatever style you want. Best of luck.

[@st.george9404]

my god that piano is annoying.

[@TacitusR]

This would be watchable if not for that annoying piano music.