Concrete or gravel under barn wings

[MMagis]

I'm at a loss how gravel would be prefered over concrete. A clean, smooth surface that doesn't shift, doesn't move around, doesn't need to be smoothed out and is easy to roll things on, stack things on and clean up over gravel that never stops moving, having rocks work their way to the surface, is dusty and you can't roll things on as easily as concrete.

If money isn't a problem, then concrete is ALWAYS better the gravel!!!!!!

Eddie

You must not be familiar with dealing with frost heaving soil and/or heavy mud. For us up north, it would only take one winter and there would be a noticeable drop from concrete to dirt. It just gets worse every time you drive over it. Try to build up the dirt, and water drains down onto the concrete. While he won't have the frost issue in FL, the areas I'm familiar with down there are pure sand. I still think the transition will need attending to regularly. Well packed gravel is just easier to maintain.

 

[EddieWalker]

You must not be familiar with dealing with frost heaving soil and/or heavy mud. For us up north, it would only take one winter and there would be a noticeable drop from concrete to dirt. It just gets worse every time you drive over it. Try to build up the dirt, and water drains down onto the concrete. While he won't have the frost issue in FL, the areas I'm familiar with down there are pure sand. I still think the transition will need attending to regularly. Well packed gravel is just easier to maintain.

True. But it seems to me that there are plenty of places up north that have concrete pads that do not move around. Why not build it the way those people do so that doesn't happen?

Eddie

 

[Western]

Also agree with Eddie, especially if cost isn't a "snag". A year from now, you may decide to totally enclose one or two sides, if so, you're already good to go and concrete likely wont be cheaper in the future.

 

[MMagis]

Why not build it the way those people do so that doesn't happen?

Eddie

I'm not sure such a thing exists. Whenever I see a concrete/dirt transition that gets driven on regularly, I see these same problems. I'm sure someone can site an example somewhere, but I've personally never seen it work. It's not the concrete moving, but rather the dirt around it moving. First you get little low spots up against the concrete, then they collect water, then you drive over them?. The only way I've seen to prevent it is to gravel around the perimeter. Since money is no object, I suppose that would be my new answer.

 

[phiferpharm]

First of all, thanks to all of you for your input. It is most appreciated. I'm going to go with all concrete for another reason - my vet says that is may help keep the critters, including my "Oscar" junior (Elvis) nails/hooves better. I am going to put down horse stall type rubber mats in the main kennel area, which I have used in the present dog kennels and am really happy with.
I think I I will put pallets down on the equipment side to keep my tractor stuff off the ground. My son is a trucker and I have more pallets than I could ever use available for use in the barn.

I'll post up pictures as we put up the structure, and have added a picture of Elvis with my Granddaughters just because he is a cute little guy. He weighs 16 pounds and should not get more than 40 pounds. He is a " Rescue" minature pig.

 

[EddieWalker]

He is a " Rescue" minature pig.

Have you given him an apple yet?

Eddie

 

[phiferpharm]

Yup, but he needs to have it cut up fairly small. So far his favorite thing seems to be Blueberries.:thumbsup:

 

[longshot47]

Gravel for farm implement storage, firewood, building supplies, etc., is practical. As for the kennels, you might also consider pavers set in sand or stone dust. I've got a set up similar to yours and surfaced one of the lean-tos with recycled patio brick. Managed to get them for the effort of removal and the dogs seem to do well on them.

 

[sixdogs]

Concrete--100%--for dogs. Life is so much easier for all involved. If up north, including when we were way north, we just made the slab tapered underground on the edges to be thicker, added rebar and it works just fine. I think it was called am "Alaskan Slab." Gravel is a pain and even if it's a burdesome expense, it's worth it.

This part is open to debate but hard foam insulation and a vapor barrier under the pad significantly helps with creature comfort as well as sweating, etc, up north.

 

[phiferpharm]

Again, thanks to all for your thoughts. We cleared the area today for the build and I have fill being delivered Monday to raise the area a little bit. I am going with all concrete after getting thoughts from TBN and visiting two neighbors, one has gravel, one concrete.

I'm getting photos and will post a thread after we make a little progress next week.