30' x 40' Barn with Lean - Build Progress

[KennyG]

We don't often see standing seam on pole barns. Expensive but it's forever. It sure looks like a premium build. Are you going to insulate and heat/cool?

 

[aba4430]

Unfortunately, no heating and cooling or insulation in the plans for now. Its just an ambient barn. We will have concrete for the floor, the lean will be filled with correct grade of crushed limestone. The ceiling will be 12' 1" high; a 2-post lift I am considering getting some day requires a min. of 12' clearance. The builder is going to reinforce two 3' square floor sections for the potential lift also. My better halves horse(s) and pigs come first .

 

[WM75Guy]

My better halves horse(s) and pigs come first .

I understand that. When we built, we spent more per square foot for our stables than for our house.

 

[aba4430]

27Oct2025: Day 6 Progress

One door installed. Works effortlessly. Double latches on sliding doors; one on each inner side.

They are building a 10' X 12' sliding door for the rear of the barn, similar to the stall and pen doors.

 

[KennyG]

What's the reason for the small sliding door?

 

[aba4430]

There are 3X small exterior sliding doors, one for each stall and one for the pig pen.

 

[EddieWalker]

It's impressive to see how fast an experienced crew can get a building done!!!!

You have a very nice-looking barn. Something that you'll be proud of the rest of your life. Well done!!!

 

[ponytug]

Yes, the barn looks really nice! I hope that your wife, horses and pigs all approve.

I think that having the lower portion of the wall be separate is a great future proofing choice, as it makes repairs in the most damage prone region easier, and less costly.

It is fun seeing an experienced crew work; the attention to details of bracing various points during construction speaks volumes to me about how conscientious your crew is.

Thanks for sharing!

All the best, Peter

 

[Stimw]

I don't know if you were told but they do shrink after being put up!
How much it really depends on the owner. Enjoy!

 

[BackRoad]

Is it a barn crew (barn only) or a general contractor doing your build?

And very nice looking by the way.

 

[aba4430]

Is it a barn crew (barn only) or a general contractor doing your build?

And very nice looking by the way.

I am not entirely sure. Our builder builds huge barns, so ours at 30' X 40' plus the lean is probably nothing for him. I believe he also does roofing and some general upgrades etc. We obtained a few references and spoke to the owners. Everyone was highly complementary of the workmanship and the builder came highly recommended. The crew doing our work are young folks; late teens or in their 20's at most; same folks who cleared the lot also. They are connected to the builder somehow, directly or indirectly. Very polite and extreme attention to detail.

 

[deezler]

Great build and looking great!

You have a LOT of fill to add to get up to those grade boards....

 

[aba4430]

29Oct2025: Day 7 Progress; no work on 28Oct2025
Summary:

• 10' X 12' hand built sliding door installed
• Front wall finished
• Rain gutters and screen guards installed
• Stall siding doors installed
• Man door checked out and hardware installed
• 8X interior posts installed in preparation for interior build and trim
• Additional height to skirting added on the right side due to grade difference from left to right.

Digging @42" trench and running water line tomorrow. Water line will be right at 42" deep and covered suitably. The electrical service (100 amp) will be run >12" above the water line but at least 21" deep in the trench.

 

[aba4430]

We have specified a raised panel 12' X 10' garage door in the closest matching tan color and are having second thoughts. A Plain (similar quality) rather than raised panel door in plain white we think, would look better. I have left a message for the builder; hopefully, it is not too late to switch! At least it would match the whites on the windows and doors.

Another issue is the insides of the stall sliding doors. They have been built very well, but the insides need to also have a metal skin to withstand potential abuse by the animals. So a couple of issues up in the air we have to work through.

 

[EddieWalker]

Putting the water line and the electrical line in the same trench is not allowed here. The reason is that water lines break and you don't want to dig down to a broken water line with an electrical line above it. I believe the required minimum distance is two feet apart, but I'm not 100% sure on that distance. I always go a lot farther than that for my lines.

 

[BackRoad]

Kindly interested in the description of your posts with the lower black sections...

 

[aba4430]

Kindly interested in the description of your posts with the lower black sections...

Will get a close-up picture of the label later today and upload. Essentially the coating/covering is for moisture protection. Cost was @$38/post extra.

 

[aba4430]

Here you go:

 

[grsthegreat]

Ive never seen this black wrap either. I wonder how it will survive above ground, especially around mouthy horses like mine…..they eat everything

 

[drumminj]

Ive never seen this black wrap either. I wonder how it will survive above ground, especially around mouthy horses like mine…..they eat everything

I've not looked into it much, but my initial reaction/concern with the plastic sleeves I've seen used on pole barn posts is if water gets inside the sleeve it'll definitely keep moisture around the wood, whereas at least soil will drain/dry out eventually.

That black plastic looks better about this than what my neighbor has given it looks to fit tight against the wood so isn't just "catching" raindrops.