Pole Barn Question
 

I'm looking into building a pole barn next spring and was curious about a couple things. For starters, the barn is going to be 32' x 40' and I'd like to have a full loft above it for living quarters. I DO NOT want to have support posts in the "barn" part to support beams for the floor joists above. Do any of you have something similar, and if so do you have posts or not and what did you if you don't have posts? I don't want to use attic trusses, so that idea is out. Any info and pics would be great! Thanks!

Jay

Try this.
www.fingerlakesconstruction.com

I have what you're looking for, Dandi Systems in Woodburn, KY has a patent on laminated truss buildings, no supports, cathedral ceilings. It is a tank designed to take very heavy snow loads. When the wind blows no moving or creaking. They are good straight dealing and cheap. Bob Cook is the fellows name he lives 1 mile from me. They can do any design without additional cost. They can do it as a kit or they install. Installation is cheap and worth it. Eric

Either Cathedral in that section or custom trusses with 2X8 or larger bottom chords.

My old neighbor did something like this (although, much larger). Came out pretty nice. He had 14' ceilings on the garage level and a full 8' height on most of the second level.

VERY tall building though........

32' is a big span to have, especially if you want load(liveable area) above it. To clear span that distance you probably need deep steel I-beams or big microlams.

I have been looking to do this exact same thing , i have researched a little ,and to date have not turned up anything i like , i want to do a 40' x 60 ' , with about 1200 square feet of living above, And covering one end of the building. Keep the ideas coming.

I have just finished clearing. I want a 100x40x16 and build living quarters(for now) on one end. I plan on framing the living quarters up myself to save money. If anyone has any recommendations on steel buildings I would appreciate it. Look on E-bay. Lots of buildings for sale. Bob

That sounds like the ticket if it can be pulled off! Do you have a number I could reach him at?

I really don't want to go with a steel building, I'd like it to match the house and garage. Hopefully there's a way this can be pulled off, I would hate to have support posts down the middle of the garage... If there's no way around it, so be it.

Thanks everyone for chiming in, and keep the ideas coming!!!

http://www.dandisystems.com/

Appears to be pretty badass.

I just went thru that whole excercise....I built a 24'X44' building that started off as a Pole Barn and ended up traditional construction with poured footers and Block foundation. Started the project in October 08 and fisinshed in April 09.......took a while but came out real nice. I used 10x12 pitch attic trusses to get my 2nd story space. Here are some pics:

We plan on building our house on our waterfront parcel across the street from the garage next year. We spent alot of upfront time thinking about the colors and look of the garage as we wanted it to match with what we do with the house. Here are some inside pics of finished 2nd story and one from the water (Dockside)

Oh wow, you're in Cicero huh? I live on the north shore in Cleveland. I've seen your boat out at 3 mile before I think! Your barn looks great! What's the inside measurements of the living space? My mother will be living in it when it's done, so a bedroom, bath, kitchen and such will have to be in it also. That's kind of why I'm hesitant to use attic trusses, I really don't want to lose much space side to side up there and end up with something long and narrow.

I see your in NY I had mine built by "Barns by Josh White" out of Westchester NY .He is a Thrid generation barn builder He would be able to build anything you need. Mine is 36 X 40 with a second floor loft sorry about the bad pic it doesn't show much of the barn.http://www.yourcontractordirect.com/...sting_id=17165

WOW ...now thats a barn . I like your taste in boats too.

Thats who built my garage. First class firm all the way.

Ding, Ding, Ding... We have a winner!

I would bet that this project would be cheaper in the long run using metal building construction.

The e-bay building someone spoke about 'ARE NOT DEALS!' Check with your areas builders for small metal building manufactures. Make sure the building are 'engineered' for your codes with respect to IBC or governing code, wind, lateral and snow loading. Your live and dead loads will need to be calculated for the loft or 150 psf is an overkill number you can use - again check with with your codes!

Also - don't forget the majors. Butler, Star, VP, Metallic, Rigid, Kirby to name a few. EVERY metal building manufacture is hungry right now. But, line it out quickly - I'm hearing a steel material increase in coming next month/early Sept.

Best of luck!

I want this 40' deep and 12' walls. I don't think metal is an option with double width doors and wood span would be difficult. This design is 62 wide.

You can easily clear span 32' with a floor truss system, than rafter the roof with collar ties.

Agree floor trusses will easily span 32'. A 16" PRI-80 I joist will span up to 34' 12" OC and 31' 16" OC.

THANK YOU! I never even thought about that option. I have a truss company working on it (called this morning) and they should have something for me Monday sometime as well as Gambrel trusses for the roof. Again, a huge thank you to everyone who has given their thoughts!!!!!

I have a 54x80x16 shed. I built a 2 story house in there as well until the house gets built that is. I also put in a 14x14 door since I dont know what I may have years down the road. Mine is built by a Company from Indiana called FBI, But it works well for us. I would send a couple of pics but I cant since I am a non paying customer. If interested let me know an dI could e-mail you some.

as has been said already, check the code's for your area ,, where I live they will not let you live in a outbuilding, only in the primary house ! I hate gov officals with too much time on there hands .

RHC

If you live there, it's a house.

Thanks 89Mach1.

Pop a couple dormers into those 10x12 pitch Attic Trusses and your got yourself a nice liveable Flat.
I'll be using the space for storage as we won't be able to dig a basement when we build our house next year.

Your welcome to have a look if you think it would be helpful.......just ring me on my cell @ 345-5004.

Thank you Live Wire!

Thanks, I think I have it figured out. My lumber company I deal with daily (I'm a trim carpenter) had a truss company working on it the past few days for me. This is what they came up with. It will give me FULL use of the second floor as well as FULL use of the "garage" part of the barn with no support posts in the way. All in all, I'm very pleased with what they came up with for me!!!

If you're looking for a trim carpenter when you build your house next year feel free to get in touch with me. I come with great references! I trim for Miller Homes as well as Cromp Custom Homes. My number is 447-9549(cell/ Jay). I also do custom staircases on site, built-ins, and pretty much anything you give me a picture of I can come close to it or an exact copy. Always willing to help out a fellow OSO'er!

Again, thanks for the pics of your barn, it's beautiful!!

Jay

WOW.....I'm not so sure I totally understand what I'm looking at but then again.......you are much more qualified to make decisions about building construction than I will ever be!!! I TOTALLY rely on my Architect for this kinda sh.t! (On Paper ...looks like you got it figured out though bro!) Hopefully we can hook up some time and chat....I do plan on GC'in a good portion of my house when I build and I'm always on the look out for Good Craftsman/Tradesman!

Best of luck with your project!

Mike