Building a barn - how big?

[rationalizer]

Gary,

I'll be more specific - pole construction is cheaper. It came out to about 12% less on my original quote - but this assumed a concrete floor with 42" footers for both construction techniques. My comment about "same cost" was related to "final cost" for an insulated structure (which is where I hope to end up) In the short term a pole barn would have been cheaper - but I've learned to try to think (or rationalize) the long term view. It usually works out cheaper in the end.

I'm wrestling with my local building inspector right now - and I won't be able to make the shed quite as big as I wanted (due to rafter length) but foundation work should start next week. I'm not sure I know what I'm in for in terms of building the trusses myself, but it should be a good learning experience....!? /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[centex]

I am thinking about putting up a large metal building. I assumed that I would not have a condensation problem with the roof if the building is not heated. Am I wrong? It does not get cold enough here to need heat except on a very few days in a normal winter.

 

[Bird]

Don, I agree with everything Cowboydoc said about the condensation, especially in his area, but I don't think you'll have a serious problem. My shop is not insulated, and I normally have no condensation on the inside; however, I do have a couple of very small (14,000 BTU) "Mr. Heater" LPG heaters, and on a couple of rare occasions, when working out there in the coldest weather we ever have, I've had condensation form (and drip) right above the heater.

Of course, I'm talking about condensation forming on the metal (aluminum in my case) skin of the building itself. I do have some problem with tools and such rusting if I don't keep them oiled.

I guess what I'm saying is that you can do without the insulation, as most folks in my area do, but it would certainly be better if it's insulated.

 

[centex]

Bird, thanks for confirming what I thought. I have the same problem with tools and machinery rusting in an uninsulated garage. If I indeed go with a metal building I will certainly consider insulating it if I can figure out the correct way to do it. I may end up building a wooden barn with a gambrel roof and painting it red as I have always believed that a barn should be red even it is really a workshop. Form what I have seen in looking at prices though it seems that a metal building is the lowest cost way to build a large open building. Of course I did not look at the cost to insulate one.

 

[cowboydoc]

I don't want to disagree with Bird on this but where it gets cold and you have alot of humidity, ie midwest, the condensation is 20 fold from where Bird is at. Where Bill is at in Michigan the condensation factor is going to be a big issue. If I was storing cars, esp. for other people, I'm not going to want water dripping on them every day.

 

[rationalizer]

Richard,

Just to confirm - my barn will have a wood roof with asphalt shingles, and soffit and ridge vents. I've had several garages here in the midwest that were built this way and I've never had a condensation problem - or even a moisture problem when storing old cars (apart from "ambient" humidity in the "dog days" of summer). The only issue that I have had is in the winter - sometimes, during cold windy snowstorms, very fine snow makes it through the labrynth/honeycomb in the ridge vents and things get a little dusting of snow... I'm going to do a little comparative shopping on ridge vents before I install them on the new barn.

Bill

 

[cowboydoc]

Oh heck no you won't have any problem with condensation at all with a wood ceiling!!! I thought you had said you were putting on a steel roof. The only time you get a problem with condensation is if you have a metal barn. My bad there. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Bird]

We're not disagreeing at all on this, Richard. You're absolutely right, but centex is even farther south than I am, so I said he could get by without insulation as a lot of folks do, but it would definitely be better if it were insulated because even here we'll get a little condensation under the right conditions; just not as much as in your area.

Of course, I wish my building was insulated, but even more because of the heat in there when the sun hits it than because of the condensation in cold weather./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Soundguy]

Most of my tools always have a thin film of some kind of petroleum product, or silicone product on them. Even after wiping them off after use changing oil, etc.. there is almost always residue on them. Iv'e found this to be a great rust preventative. I also keep a silicone impregnated gun or fishing reel type cloth tied to a string hanging near the tool chest.. everything that goes in gets a once over. Every month or so, I hit the cloth with a shot of silicone spray.

Works great!

Soundguy