It is much cheaper to build up than another whole building. A loft can prove very useful for a multitude of uses. If money and land is abundant it would certainly be wonderful to overbuild or build multiple buildings but most people don't have that option.
Barn loft uses... not hay
- Thread starter BLSXJ
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CobyRupert
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pmsmechanic
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Friends of ours have a square dance in their loft once a year. Its a fun time!
aczlan
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Larry Caldwell
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You would think, wouldn't you? The fact is that a usable loft is very expensive. You have to have floor beams, joists and decking instead of a concrete floor. You have to stick frame it instead of using trusses. To use the square footage you need a gambrel roof, which means the labor to roof it three times, including the main section that is too steep to walk on. Then you end up with a loft that is load limited that you can't drive into.
I looked into it once for a shop building, and discarded the idea immediately. If I ever replace my wood shed, which is not the cutest building in the world, I might do a 15x20 gambrel roof building with an exterior stairway and use the upstairs for a pool table. Or not.
I think it will come down to the insurance company... apparently they get all nervous with hay lofts? I'll have to ask.
I Like the concept of storing hay right above the spot you want to use it. But if we ever move past small squares and up to round bails a loft just becomes a crap collector. And if that's the case I'd be better taking the money from a loft and building the main floor larger.
I Like the concept of storing hay right above the spot you want to use it. But if we ever move past small squares and up to round bails a loft just becomes a crap collector. And if that's the case I'd be better taking the money from a loft and building the main floor larger.
