Here in the low desert of AZ, wood, or wood-insulated metal and such, is most commonly used because it's so much cooler than bare metal (which can literally fry chickens in our summers).
Here, open-air coops with metal roofs and backside (or usually partially 3 sided) are best utilized when placed in big, grassy, deeply tree-shaded areas. North facing with the south side being solid and metal, and where nest boxes would likely be placed near, will be like an inferno radiating heat on the hens when they're laying or roosting nearby...they will often lay in the late afternoon when the temps peak...and when the coolest it gets here overnight is 105, the roost will be hot and the early morning layers won't fair much better. The fiberglass panels are cooler than metal but they do not provide the needed shade.
Protection on the east side from early day sun, full afternoon shade on the west side, and all-around protection from reflective heat is something else to consider for our extemely hot climate.
The metal frame, similar to wood, will also need upkeep with paint, plus with an added factor of rust control.
All that being said, I, too, prefer the look of metal coops
when the chicken's comfort is not sacrificed for a crisp line, and with proper shade and cooling, and misters as needed (even without misters AZ rust is a real issue to contend with on outdoor metal items).
Here, open-air coops with metal roofs and backside (or usually partially 3 sided) are best utilized when placed in big, grassy, deeply tree-shaded areas. North facing with the south side being solid and metal, and where nest boxes would likely be placed near, will be like an inferno radiating heat on the hens when they're laying or roosting nearby...they will often lay in the late afternoon when the temps peak...and when the coolest it gets here overnight is 105, the roost will be hot and the early morning layers won't fair much better. The fiberglass panels are cooler than metal but they do not provide the needed shade.
Protection on the east side from early day sun, full afternoon shade on the west side, and all-around protection from reflective heat is something else to consider for our extemely hot climate.
The metal frame, similar to wood, will also need upkeep with paint, plus with an added factor of rust control.
All that being said, I, too, prefer the look of metal coops
