New barn with living space best foundation?

[EddieWalker]

I am about to pull the trigger on a new barn. It will be more of a classic post and beam with rough cut posts and rough cut boards on exterior. Since I want to use part of the central "hay loft" as living space though I'm going back and forth on the posts. I can concrete in the ground pressure treated then tie the rough-cut beams to it or I can do concrete piers or I could I guess pour a slab at least for the center aisle and put the posts on the slab..

I know concrete piers will last longer but posts sitting on the piers don't seem as stable for a tall barn and I'm in a very windy area. Just looking for some similar experience with this or opinions.

Best has a variety of meanings and options. Best way to build for the least amount of money is a pole barn with the posts in the ground. This provides sheer strength and you don't have to spend any money on a foundation. Unlike the other comments, a pressure treated post will easily last a hundred years if it remains dry. Only a building that does not have proper drainage, meaning the water flows away from the building, is going to have issues. But of course, any building that does not have proper drainage is going to have issues.

From what you describe, it sounds like you want to build a timber frame monitor barn. Are you going to have concrete flooring on the bottom, barn area? If you living area is going to be above this, I would high suggest you pour concrete. If you are pouring concrete, then a slab foundation would be the way to go.

You will need to know your depth for your footings based on your location, but otherwise, stick built will give you the best results!!!

 

[RNeumann]

Sorry for the lack of response -it's been a crazy week. I appreciate all the replys and will look them over. If it takes an extra 10k to build it right I can probably do that. I'm really set on the rough-cut post and beam type barn but I'd do the foundation however is best. If I put this much into the thing, I'd like to do it right. I don't want to be rebuilding 10 years from now. Thanks again.

One of the better responses I've seen! Happy to hear (and help) someone who wants to do it right.