I'd like to build a barn!

[gocards1177]

No animals for this one. Purely shop/machines and bunk house. I currently have a 10'x24' that I built last year and I've outgrown that.

What happened to the unrelenting TBN motto about "don't go too small"!? I didn't listen to that advice when I bought my first tractor last year and I've already had to upgrade. I've looked at a lot of barns and I think this is a good size for our plans. I made the first building portable and I'd rather my have several smaller buildings if I can avoid it. Of course $$$ is going to dictate what eventually happens. This is all just planning now.

 

[gocards1177]

Is the 12'x54' section on the right an overhang, or is it closed in?

I have a 2nd story shop, and it is a much more efficient use of space, but boy is it a PITA getting material up those stairs. Lumber is not so bad, but full sheets of plywood or MDF is no fun. And neither was moving a 200 lb drill press up the rickety wooden stairs. If I had my fantasy, I would have a big swing-out door in the 2nd floor shop wall, to allow me to move pallets of goods up there with the tractor's loader. Well... actually, my tractor's loader doesn't have enough lift to get that high, so I would also have to buy a different tractor. Alternatively, maybe do a hook-style lift from the loft, like they do in Amsterdam.

What if you moved the bunk space to the 2nd floor loft and kept the shop downstairs?

The 12 by 54 would not be closed in. It would be primarily implement covered storage. I thought it would a clever out of site place for a compressor and dust collector too someday.

I thought about putting the bunk on the second floor but I like the idea of this space having windows and I wanted to avoid dormers/skylights. Plus I like the idea of the shop/bunk/bath all being over a concrete pad with radiant heat.

 

[Ross71]

No animals for this one. Purely shop/machines and bunk house. I currently have a 10'x24' that I built last year and I've outgrown that.

Well there you go, you followed my advice a year before I gave it!

 

[MacLawn]

go, main floor ceiling is 14'? Sounds a bit high if so. Mine is 10' and works great for me. I just went too small at 24x32!

 

[gocards1177]

Well there you go, you followed my advice a year before I gave it!

Ha. I guess we're in kahoots! Where's my time machine?

 

[gocards1177]

go, main floor ceiling is 14'? Sounds a bit high if so. Mine is 10' and works great for me. I just went too small at 24x32!

I didn't describe that very well, sorry. The 24x30' area I have labelled for tractor storage would be 14'. I figured plenty of headroom in this area both since my tractor is over 8' tall and 14' would be nice if someday I get more into cars and such and want a lift. This also accommodates having a 10' shop with a loft/loft trusses over it in the central portion of the barn. Everywhere else other than the tractor storage area would be 10' ceilings at most.

 

[KennyG]

I would consider adding more access doors on the end. When I bought my place, the 40 x 48 barn had only a single 12 foot wide overhead door. It was a real pain until a cut another 9 foot wide door into the end.

 

[gocards1177]

Can anyone suggest a type of door for me to use? I'm collecting bids and don't know what to do about the larger access doors I want to the shop. This will face the house so I'd like for it to be aesthetically pleasing (like a sliding barn door). Not that I need it now, but I'd also like it to seal out drafts (like an overhead door). Maybe slider now and add an overhead someday when I pour the floor?

 

[Old Virginia Joe]

Will this building be inspected by the county building inspector? If it is an ag building, it may not need to be. If not, be careful putting the living quarters in such an uninspected building. If you have a nosy neighbor rat on you, they are going to shut it down. Around here, people try this (putting living space in a shed) to avoid as much real estate taxes, and get stuck. Myself, I was cited for allowing my hunting buddy to spend the night in his camper occasionally here on my 86 acre farm. The government nowadays prevents people from fully enjoying the use of their land, at least here in Virginia.

 

[doxford jim]

Just a thought, but how much of a hurry are you in and how much do you want to spend. I ask because for a quick build, using shipping containers might be a quick and viable alternative.
Eddie built a barn/shed out of three large shipping containers at one time and also incorporated a living area. I believe the cost was not too bad and it was quickly built. The roof was probably the hardest part of the construction from what I recall.
Anyway, I mention it as it could be a reasonabley cheap alternative until you house is built - you will get safe storage and a well built place with steel containers. I know that if I wanted another large workshop I would consider two or three 40ft containers. I believe there have been several threads on this subject - might well be worth looking into.

Jim