My barn build

scgargoyle · Jul 25, 2011

After nearly 5 years, we are finally starting to develop our rural property in SC. First up will be the barn (what else?). It will be 28 X 48 on a 6" concrete monolithic slab. Two-thirds of the barn will have a loft, with a 12' ceiling under it. The loft will be mostly usable space, with an 11' peak under the gambrel roof. The remaining third will have an open ceiling, and will be used as a great room for large get-togethers, and for a guest house for over-night guests. I'm putting a full bath out there, both for the aforementioned guests, and for my aging bladder, so I don't have to hike all the way to the house. Future plans call for both metal working and wood working tools, and I may put an automotive lift in the center.

I recently (Friday) left my job to focus on building for the next year or so. Construction will be my full-time job for a while, and once I'm nearly wrapped up, I'll go in search of a job. I only plan to work about 10 more years, and I won't need a huge pay check, as we won't have a mortgage on the new place. I'll camp on the property (bought a pop-up) until the barn is dried in, and then move to the relative luxury of the barn while I build the house. Here's a couple pics- a rendering of the barn-to-be, and a site picture just prior to concrete. It doesn't look that big until you realize that little machine is 100 hp. Not my machine- but I wish it was!

MotorSeven · Jul 25, 2011

From scratch or a kit?

bullbreaker · Jul 25, 2011

scgargoyle said:
. I'll camp on the property (bought a pop-up) until the barn is dried in, and then move to the relative luxury of the barn while I build the house. Here's a couple pics- a rendering of the barn-to-be, and a site picture just prior to concrete. It doesn't look that big until you realize that little machine is 100 hp. Not my machine- but I wish it was!

Scgargoyle congrats on your projects going on ! :thumbsup:
"WATCH OUT FOR THE COPPERHEADS" May I suggest a good 12 guage with a good turkey load or even buckshot.Take no prisoners !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boone

scgargoyle · Jul 25, 2011

The barn will be from scratch, although I did buy plans to follow. The house is my own design- nothing fancy; we're on a tight budget!

I know about the copperheads- there are a lot of them in the area, as well as bear and coyote. Black widow spiders, too, but I don't really have an appropriate firearm for them.:laughing:

scgargoyle · Oct 28, 2011

A quick up-date while I'm in reach of the internet. The barn is up, and nearly finished with a little (okay, a LOT) of hired help. It's a long story, but due to medical problems, I hired a framing crew to do much of the framing and sheathing. That turned out to be a good idea- this barn is much bigger than I imagined. Here's a picture of it. It still needs paint and trim, but you get the idea. It doesn't look big in the pictures, but those sliding doors are each 6' X 12'.

scott_vt · Oct 28, 2011

Good Afternoon scgargoyle,
Really nice thanks for posting the pics ! I built mine last year, 28 x 42 and kind of wish I went a few more feet for the 48, but Im still very happy with it.

Enjoy !

Here is a pic of mine completed...

MotorSeven · Oct 28, 2011

Dang, that looks pretty good.

'If it's not red it's not a barn"

scgargoyle · Mar 8, 2016

Cleaning out my old computer, and I found this old thread! I can't believe I never finished the thread. Anyhow, the barn is done, the house is done, and I'm searching for a tractor, so I guess I'll be hanging out here more often.

EddieWalker · Mar 8, 2016

Thanks for the update. Your barn looks really nice!!! Did you fill it up yet?

scgargoyle · Mar 9, 2016

Right now, it's just a big storage facility. I lived in it while I built the house, and then once we sold our house in FL, I moved all of our stuff to the barn. We're slowly getting the house furnished and cleaning out the barn. I made a crude freight elevator to move stuff up to the loft, as I don't have stairs yet. Next up, I'll drop a 240V line from the house and wire up a proper panel for the shop. I'm itching to get going on other projects now that the house is done. It has a full bath already, so it's mostly a matter of wiring and hanging lights. Then I can organize all of my tools and start wrenching on toys again.

ac2520 · Mar 9, 2016

The barn looks great. I'd be interested in hearing about the house too since we are about to embark on our modest build and welcome all ideas

scgargoyle · Mar 9, 2016

The house is small (1400 sq ft) but very well built and energy efficient. I built it with ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) for both the basement and main floor. I can link you to a couple of build threads I posted on other forums if you're interested. I did most of the work myself, only hiring out excavation, concrete, and drywall. I did everything else single-handed, including framing, roofing, flooring plumbing, electric, HVAC, and cabinets. No, I'm not in the business; I did a lot of research, as many of these things I had never done before!

ac2520 · Mar 9, 2016

Sounds very interesting. I would definitely be interested in seeing the links to the build threads. The ICF route sounds like you have a very quiet, strong and termite 'proof' structure. Looking forward to seeing those links. Thanks!

P.S. I PM'ed you my email address

MGH PA · Mar 9, 2016

First thing I said to myself when I saw your home was "That's mushcreek's place from Houzz!" Haha, small world. Great looking place!

scgargoyle · Mar 9, 2016

Here's a link to my build thread on another site. BTW- it's a good site for those planning to build small structures.

33 X 43 ICF home in South Carolina

EddieWalker · Mar 9, 2016

Thanks for the link!!! I've never done ICF's, so it's interesting to see it done. I've also never seen a sheetrock lift like yours. That's genius!!!!

buckeyefarmer · Mar 9, 2016

Love the house build, thanks for sharing the link. That's the kind of house I'd like for retirement, small, simple, well built, energy efficient.

Looks like the first floor deck sits on a concrete ledge from the basement wall. Is the basement wall thicker than the first floor walls?

ac2520 · Mar 9, 2016

Thanks for the link. Very impressive build. I like it a lot!

coralhead · Mar 10, 2016

Looking at your thread, what did you use for your deck railing panels? Is that cattle/hog panels?

scgargoyle · Mar 21, 2016

Sorry it took so long to answer- been away. The basement is 8" ICF; the main floor 6", so there is a 2" ledge, although it is just foam. The ledger sits about 3" above the step, and is bolted to the wall with J-bolts set in the concrete during the pour. That little gap gives me room to run wiring down from upstairs behind the ledger.

Yes, the deck rail has goat panels with 4" wire spacing, courtesy of TSC. They are strong, and don't block your view like wood balusters.

My home made drywall lift worked well. I wasn't about to buy one for a small job, and I already have an engine hoist.