Advise on new metal barn

Hiltz · Oct 21, 2014

Foozle said:
I'm planning to build a metal barn. Will likely use a contractor for this as much too ambitious for myself. I had a few questions from the experienced builders/users of barns out there as this is my first foray into building such a structure. I'm attaching a rough plan as to layout and can attach a more formal design once the contractor gives me. I'm planning two wings of the barn for tractors and equipment (30' x 30' for each), one drive through area for truck/boat combo (48' x 22'), wood/metal shop and hobby area (48' x 38' for both combined). I had a few basic questions/comments, meanwhile.

1. Builder says they plan to use 26 gauge steel (Panel-Loc Plus). Was looking to see if anyone had experience with this type and whether was good quality,etc.
2. They are suggesting either 10 foot doors or 12 foot doors, which would make the interior ceilings 12 feet or 14 feet. My largest tractor is only 8 feet high, but am wondering if I should go the extra height just in case or whether might be overkill. 10 foot doors gives me 12 feet ceiling, which seems sufficient for a wood shop, but again am wondering if people have thoughts.
3. Builder plans to have 4" concrete flooring. Am wondering if this is standard and are there other considerations as to flooring.
4. Any recommendations on door types? I'm looking and standard panel overhead doors versus a roll-up type.
5. Happy to hear any other general suggestions/things to keep in mind.

Thanks!

I would be careful of free online advise on any type of building project. You might get dozens of different answers for the same question. All could be correct and all could be wrong. One good way to worry yourself sick is to ask for other opinions from what you hired your contractor to do. A favorite pastime back years ago when I was building houses was to bash the other contractors and the projects they were working on. Now the game has gone viral.

Foozle · Oct 30, 2014

Eddie - I'll definitely post a response after the inspector comes through. I will ask him specifically about the purlins and how they are attached. Attaching a couple more pics with progress.

pnhd65 · Oct 30, 2014

3 things, as BAP said, there's no diagonal bracing in this building, the posts should be braced and so should the roof, I disagree with Eddie, sheet metal won't substitute for bracing. What are you enclosing the structure with? I see metal on the outside but is it foam and plastic sheeting against your wall purlins? Are you going to insulate your walls between posts? If so, I wouldn't use plastic sheeting inside that wall structure.

Foozle · Mar 18, 2015

The barn finished up right around Christmas. Attaching a couple pics. Was happy with everything, except there were a few cracks in the cement eminating from around some of the posts. Wondering if they didn't do a great job of compaction after drilling holes and placing posts.

paulharvey · Mar 18, 2015

Foozle said:
The barn finished up right around Christmas. Attaching a couple pics. Was happy with everything, except there were a few cracks in the cement eminating from around some of the posts. Wondering if they didn't do a great job of compaction after drilling holes and placing posts.<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=417125"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=417126"/>

Concrete does 3 things; gets hard, turns grey, and cracks. With enough add mixtures you can prevent #1 and #2, is what they say. In all seriousness, if you can't make a dime stand up in the crack, don't worry. They probably should have cut control joints at the post footers, but all that would do is control the location of the cracks.

Edit: btw it's a nice looking barn

Foozle · Mar 18, 2015

One of the cracks may be approaching dime width, so I'll have to keep an eye on that. Thanks!

riptides · Mar 18, 2015

Foozle said:
The barn finished up right around Christmas. Attaching a couple pics. Was happy with everything, except there were a few cracks in the cement eminating from around some of the posts. Wondering if they didn't do a great job of compaction after drilling holes and placing posts.

Nice. Very nice.

EddieWalker · Mar 19, 2015

I really like your design. Is the center section your workshop?

Did you use rebar or wire in your concrete? I've found that it is impossible to spread concrete and keep the wire inside the concrete. They pretend to pull it up while spreading the concrete, but then keep walking on it, which pushes is back down to the bottom. In every house that I've ever worked on with wire in the slab, it is on the ground and not doing anything. Those are the ones with all the cracking issues too.

Eddie

Foozle · Mar 19, 2015

Thanks Eddie.

The front part of center section will be a drive through garage for truck+boat (about 48 feet wide by 25 feet deep). The back part of center will be split into two sections (both around 24 feet wide and 35 feet deep). One of those will be a workshop and the other will multipurpose area for hobbies, small kitchen (for canning, etc.), bathroom and anything else.

They used some kind of fiber mesh reinforcement on the concrete. There were four cracks in total, all starting around the posts in the front of the building.