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Free Planning Tools

Plan For Your Build

Use these free interactive tools to estimate, size, and plan your metal building project. No sign-up required — just practical help from people who've built thousands of structures.

Workshop Electrical Panel Planner

Add your circuits, set quantities, and get an instant panel size recommendation. Customize every line item with your own names and load values.

Workshop Electrical Panel Planner

Estimate your shop's electrical load and panel size

No circuits added yet. Click Add Circuit to get started.
Add circuits above to see your total load and panel size recommendation.

Ready to build? Once you've mapped out your electrical needs, share the plan with your electrician and then get a free quote on your metal building. Sean can help you size the structure to fit your shop layout.

Workshop Insulation Configurator

Compare insulation types — from budget foil bubble wrap to closed-cell spray foam — and pair them with the right interior panel for your metal shop.

Workshop Insulation Configurator

Compare insulation types and interior panel options for your metal shop

Insulation Type

Interior Panel

Selected Insulation

Popular

Double-Bubble Reflective

R-3 to R-6

Pros
  • •Better R-value than single bubble
  • •Vapor barrier included
  • •Lightweight
  • •Reflects radiant heat
Cons
  • •Still needs air gap
  • •More expensive than single bubble
  • •Not a substitute for fiberglass in cold climates

Selected Panel

Most Common

1/2″ Plywood / OSB

1/2″ thick

Pros
  • •Good rigidity
  • •Can mount shelves & tools
  • •Widely available
  • •Paintable
Cons
  • •Heavier than 1/4″
  • •Costs more than 1/4″
  • →Same air gap rule applies — 1/2″ minimum between metal skin and foil.
  • →Tape all seams with aluminum foil tape.
  • →Use 1-1/4″ self-tapping screws into steel studs. Pre-drill pilot holes for cleaner fastening.

This configurator is for planning purposes only. Actual performance depends on climate, installation quality, and building design. Consult a contractor for final specifications.

Questions about insulation? Sean can walk you through what other shop owners in your area are using and what works best for your climate. Reach out anytime.

Materials & Budget Calculator

Enter your shop dimensions to get a complete shopping list — panel count, screw count, and estimated cost — for your chosen insulation system.

Materials & Budget Calculator

Enter your shop dimensions to get a screw count and cost estimate

Shop Dimensions

ft
ft
ft

Insulation System

Enter your building dimensions above to see the shopping list and cost estimate.

Know what you need? Once you know what you need, Sean can help you get the right building sized and quoted to match your layout. Get a free quote.

Mid-South HVAC Sizing Estimator

Select your city across TN, AR, MS, MO, or KY to get a tonnage recommendation, SEER/HSPF targets, and a localized contractor budget range — adjusted for your climate zone, freeze line, and metro labor rates.

Mid-South HVAC Sizing Estimator

Select your city — get a tonnage recommendation and contractor budget range

Select Your City

❄ = sustained freeze-line winters  💧 = high-humidity / latent-load climate

Building Details

sq ft
ft

Select a city above to see your HVAC sizing recommendation and budget estimate.

Ready to size your building? A properly sized HVAC system starts with a properly sized building. Sean can help you spec the right metal shop or garage to match your layout and climate needs. Get a free building quote.

HVAC Pro Tech Tips — Memphis & Mid-South

Field-tested tips from real Memphis service calls — attic heat protocol, crawlspace duct sweat, MLGW brownouts, cottonwood season, and condensate traps. Browse by category or search the full library.

Showing 20 of 20 tips

Day 01Humidity94°F / 76°F DP · 84% RH

Memphis Morning Dew Point Check

Before first call, check outdoor dew point vs. indoor RH. If outdoor DP >70°F, expect condensate complaints. Add 30 mins to diagnose drain + coil.

Day 02AtticAttic 142°F · Roof deck 168°F

The 140°F Attic Protocol

Stage tools outside attic hatch. Headlamp + 2 waters + phone timer 20min max. Check flex duct sag >4" = 30% airflow loss.

Day 03DuctworkCrawl 78°F / 92% RH · Duct surface 58°F

Crawlspace Duct Sweat in Germantown

Crawlspace RH >80%? Wrap with closed-cell + mastic, not duct tape. Check for standing water on vapor barrier pushing humidity into return.

Day 04Electrical208V dropping to 191V · Contactor 185°F

Brownout Season - Wolfchase Area

MLGW brownouts July-Aug fry caps. Test cap under load, not just MFD. If voltage <197V at contactor, note it - compressor will fail in 14 days.

Day 05CondensateDrain water 72°F · Algae growth x3 in July

Algae Season - Mississippi River Effect

Memphis river humidity breeds algae in 11 days. Use pan tablets + brush, not just vacuum. Pitch drain 1/4" per foot - check with level.

Day 06HumidityRuntime 6 min · Indoor 68% RH

Oversized Unit Short-Cycling in Bartlett

If 4-ton on 1400 sq ft Bartlett house, humidity complaint inevitable. Check runtime <8 min. Solution: dehumidify + blower speed down, not bigger unit.

Day 07RefrigerantSuperheat -2°F (flooded) · Static 1.1" WC

Low Charge vs. Low Airflow Test

Mid-South rule: Check static pressure BEFORE gauges. If 0.9"+ on 3-ton, coil frozen due to airflow, not charge. Don't add refrigerant to a choked system.

Day 08AtticBefore 138°F / After 116°F · Ceiling temp 94°F → 81°F

R-19 to R-49 - Midtown Bungalow Fix

1920s Midtown attic has 3" blown cellulose. Sell R-49 + radiant barrier + sealed can lights. Temp drop 18°F attic = 25% load reduction.

Day 09OutdoorHead 410 PSI → 285 PSI · Condenser ΔT 8°F → 22°F

Cottonwood Season - May to June Nightmare

Memphis cottonwood clogs coil in 72 hours. Don't power wash fins bent. Use foaming coil cleaner + gentle rinse from inside out. Add coil guard screen.

Day 10ElectricalBoard 0V output · Storm 78% lightning days

Surge Protection - Summer Storms

Memphis lightning + MLGW surges kill boards July. Install hard-start + surge protector at disconnect. Document for homeowner insurance.

Day 11DuctworkVelocity 850 FPM · Static 0.92" → 0.54"

Return Air Starvation - Southaven

Southaven tract homes have one 14" return for 3-ton. Need 400 CFM per ton. Check grille velocity >700 FPM = noise + high static. Add Rescue Metal return box.

Day 12HumiditySun wall 92°F vs interior 76°F · Sensor offset +7°F

Thermostat Location Fail - Sun Load

Thermostat on exterior wall or in sun = short cycle + humidity. Move to interior hall 52-60" high. If can't move, add remote sensor.

Day 13CondensatePan water 1.5" deep · Ceiling moisture 22%

Float Switch - Why Every Memphis Home Needs One

Install float switch in secondary pan AND at air handler. Wire to break R, not just alarm. Test by lifting float - system should shut off.

Day 14Refrigerant0 PSI standing · Oil residue + UV dye

R-410A Leak Check - Brazing vs. Factory

Memphis vibration from traffic (Poplar Ave) cracks braze joints. Check with soap first at service valves, then electronic at U-bends. Use nitrogen 350 PSI.

Day 15AtticSupply 62°F but 40 CFM · Room ΔT 14°F

Flex Duct Kink - The 90° Killer

Flex duct kinked over truss = 60% airflow loss. Support every 4' with 1.5" wide strap, not wire. No sharp 90s - use metal elbow.

Day 16OutdoorTilt 12° · Vibration 3x normal

Concrete Pad Sink - Olive Branch Clay

DeSoto County clay soil sinks pads 2" per year. Unit tilts = oil migration + vibration. Level with composite pad + Rescue Metal stand 6" above grade.

Day 17DuctworkBoot leak 18% total · Vent surface 61°F, DP 72°F

Mold on Vents - Not Mold, It's Sweat

Black around vents in Memphis = condensation, not mold (usually). Check supply air 55°F meeting 78°F attic air + 70% RH. Seal boot with mastic + insulation.

Day 18ElectricalValve ΔT stuck · October first failure peak

Heat Pump Reversing Valve - Winter Prep in July

Check reversing valve function NOW. Energize/de-energize 5x, listen for whoosh. Memphis heat pumps fail first 40°F night in October - get ahead.

Day 19CondensateDrain sag 1.5" · Wall moisture 18%

Mini-Split Drain - The Hill Country Issue

Garage mini-split in Memphis sweats drain line. Pitch must be 1" per foot continuous - no traps. Insulate line full length, not just 3'.

Day 20OutdoorFilter ΔP 0.45" · Pollen count 1200+ March

Customer Education - Filter Talk Memphis Style

Don't say 'change filter monthly'. Say: 'Bartlett oak pollen March + Memphis humidity June = change every 21 days summer, 45 days winter. Set phone reminder now.'

Need the building behind the system? Sean specs metal shops, equipment enclosures, and walk-board platforms sized for HVAC installs across the Mid-South — factory-direct, delivered to your job. Get a free building quote.

Workshop Generator Sizing Estimator

Add your shop tools, toggle motor loads for startup surge, and get instant portable and standby generator recommendations — with fuel cost estimates for gasoline and propane.

Workshop Load List

Add every tool you plan to run simultaneously. Check "Motor" for compressors, saws, and other induction-motor tools.

No tools added yet. Click Add Tool to get started.
Add your workshop tools above to see generator sizing and fuel cost estimates.

Ready to build your shop? Once you've sized your power needs, Sean can help you spec the right metal building to house your shop setup.Get a free building quote

Pro Tips from the Field

Hard-won advice from years of metal building installs across the Mid-South.

01

Level Your Site Before Delivery

A site that's off by even 2–3 inches can cause the entire frame to rack. Grade and compact your pad at least a week before install so the ground settles. Wet or soft spots will shift the base rail and void your anchoring warranty.

02

Go Vertical Roof in Wind Country

Regular and A-frame roofs trap debris and pool water in the ribs. Vertical roof panels shed rain and leaves straight down the slope — critical in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi where spring storms are no joke.

03

Size Your Doors for Tomorrow, Not Today

Most customers wish they'd gone one size bigger on roll-up doors. A 10×10 feels huge until you try to back in a lifted truck or a boat on a trailer. If budget allows, go 12×12 on the main bay.

04

Insulate Before You Move In

Retrofitting insulation after the building is full of equipment is a nightmare. Double-bubble is the easiest DIY option — install it during framing before the panels go on. Fiberglass batts need a vapor barrier on the warm side or you'll get condensation drip.

05

Anchor to Concrete, Not Gravel

Gravel pads are fine for carports and temporary storage, but if you're running a shop or storing anything valuable, pour a slab. Mobile-home anchors in gravel can pull out in a 60 mph gust. Concrete anchors are rated for 130+ mph wind loads.

06

Check Your Permit Requirements Early

Some counties in TN, AR, and MS require engineered drawings for anything over 200 sq ft. Don't order your building until you know what your county needs — lead times on stamped drawings can add 2–3 weeks to your project.

07

Plan Electrical Conduit Before the Slab

Stub up your conduit runs before the concrete is poured. Cutting trenches in a finished slab costs $500–$1,500 and weakens the surface. Even if you're not wiring right away, put in the sleeves so you're ready.

08

Match Panel Color to Your Roof Pitch

Dark colors (Charcoal, Black) absorb heat — great for cold climates, brutal in Mississippi summers. Light colors (Galvalume, Polar White) reflect up to 40% more solar heat. For shops you'll work in year-round, lighter roofs pay for themselves in A/C savings.

Have a question not covered here? Check the FAQ page for detailed answers on site prep, warranties, insulation, and more — or get a free quote and ask Sean directly.

More tools coming soon

Building size calculator, concrete slab estimator, and more are on the way.

Get a Free Quote Now