Indiana pole barn project

[bleazenb]

Well i'm getting mixed advice on what to use to fill in the gap between the treated bottom grade board to the ground? Some say continue using the treated tongue and groove all way to ground level, others say any cheap wood will work. But what I'm affraid of is that all lumber from the treated grade board on down will be exposed to stone fill on the inside and compacted dirt on the outside. Do I have to worry about untreated lumber rotting out very quickly and leaving voids around the edges of my building? Thanks for any and all advice!

 

[KennyG]

I would worry that any untreated wood left in the soil will attract termites. How about going ahead and forming up and pouring a "foundation wall" between the posts so you can back fill the outside immediately?

 

[brin]

How about Hardi plank ( concrete siding ) on the lower portions you are concerned about ? I have built several pole barns and I would be worried about pressure treated siding or regular wood siding having permanent contact with the soil and moisture...termites and rot..

 

[IndyIan]

If you use PT wood make sure its rated for in ground use. Maybe all the old PT wood was OK for ground contact but every new piece I buy is not.

 

[wedge40]

I guess the real question is how long before you plan to have the floor inside and the landscaping outside completed. If its a 6-9 months then painted particle board should be fine, if longer then maybe pressure treated planks would be the way to go.


Wedge

 

[MotorSeven]

I'd go with PT or like Brin said use a concrete board. PT will be the cheapest route. Around here PT is sometimes cheaper than white wood of equal dimensions....go figure???

 

[bleazenb]

After looking over the advice here and talking to a couple of local pole barn builders I have deceided to stick with the PT tongue and groove the rest of way to ground. I too was worried about rot and decay and builders stated it would last as long, exposed to soil, as the PT post I build the barn with. They did suggest putting a little gravel up against the outside before the dirt to allow water to get away from PT wood. Thank for all the advice! Start backfilling to final floor level tomorrow!

 

[bleazenb]

Though I'd update all on the progress of my barn build. After initial 6 day build. Things slowed down with haveing to add LOTS of fill to get to the grade I needed. Fill now complete, waiting on spring to install construction drive for new home build and to pour floor in barn floor and get back to finishing off inside!

 

[MotorSeven]

I have to say, that is a very sharp looking building, I think you did very well.

 

[weldingisfun]

Great looking barn. I am impressed by the gravel floor. How did you get it compacted so smooth and level?:thumbsup: