Barn Construction ok?

JimR · Oct 7, 2006

It looks like light construction type to me. I just helped a guy put this up in MA. It is much heavier than yours. We do have snow load up here to contend with. I see what you are talking about in your first photo. The rear two uprights on the back wall that are mickey moused in my opinion. This building is 30x60

QRTRHRS · Oct 8, 2006

If it was my area, I would want to see Solarguard (tm) or some other brand of foil/bubblewrap insulation between the roof purlins and the steel roofing for moisture control. I don't know if this would be applicable in Florida or not.

MarkV · Oct 9, 2006

Blake, it looks to be a fine barn in my opinion. If you are required to have a building permit in your area, then somewhere along the line those trusses have been engineered to meet Florida’s wind load standards. After the Miami area blew away Florida really beefed up their codes so I would not worry at all.

Wroughtn Harv makes a good point about the final anticipated use of the building. If your end goal is for it to be more of a finished building inside, then there may be better styles of construction to consider.

MarkV

JimR · Oct 9, 2006

I forgot to mention that the building I put pictures of up is rated for 110 mph winds. I'd ask what that building you posted the pictures of is rated for.

RedRocker · Oct 9, 2006

JimR, who makes that building?

JimR · Oct 9, 2006

RedRocker said:
JimR, who makes that building?

I will ask the guy I was working for and post it later when he replies to my email.

hayden · Oct 9, 2006

JimR said:
It looks like light construction type to me. I just helped a guy put this up in MA. It is much heavier than yours. We do have snow load up here to contend with. I see what you are talking about in your first photo. The rear two uprights on the back wall that are mickey moused in my opinion. This building is 30x60

What's a building like that cost? Also, what are the tradeoffs between a steel frame building and a more traditional wood frame and sided barn?

JimR · Oct 9, 2006

Here's the link the builder sent me. Miracle Steel Structures

I can say that this building we put up is there for the long haul. The studs in the cement foundation are 3/4" in diameter and 14" long with a foot buried in concrete. All the uprights have 4 studs on each beam. All the bracing and roof trusses are 3/4 diameter bolts. I helped him install the main frame, some of the roof boards and the ends. I'll stop over at the barn and get some more pictures this week for you to see. The whole outside frame is done now. I only work with him when he needs an extra set of hands for the heavy parts. It was an interesting experience building this barn. I think he told me the building itself was $32,000. That did not include the wood, foundation, doors or windows. I'll get more info asap for you.

Hayden, You ask what are the difference between a steel building and a traditional wooden barn. That all depends on what type of construction and size of the beams you use in the wooden structure. This barn here was built in 1840. I have rebuilt it, jacked it up 9 inches in the center and pulled it over in the middle by 13 inches. It is built with 8x8's and is post and beam construction. It has sustained quite a few hurricanes in its lifetime and many a blizzard. Right now I think it will last another 100 years at least if my daughter keeps a good roof on it.