Pole Barn Advice

[wedge40]

I've heard lots people say they wish they had built a bigger shed, but still haven't heard a single person say they wish they built a smaller one. Like everyone else, go as big as you can afford. Most people have more time then money, so it doesn't have to get done all at once.
Being in PA, you WILL get snow and cold weather, so think about how you want to heat the place or if you're going to heat it for that matter. I'd go up a little, at least 12' if not more. An inexpensive storage option is a shed roof along one side.

I'm in the middle of mine. 40'x56'x12'. There's just me, and I'm not a farmer. I do plan on heating mine with radiant heat. Planning a utility room and bathroom as well. My goal is to be complete in 5 years or so.

Good luck..

Wedge.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I have a 24'X32' building which I use as a shop and storage for my '59 Impala. It has a 16' overhead door on the East side and a standard 36" door on the West; I have windows on the South side that allow me to see the house and yard, and it allows some solar heating in the winter. I had them add a lean-to (or porch if you will) on the West side that I really like. It allows some storage for things that can take a little weather and affords cover over the door. Wish I had added about 10 or 12 feet of concrete apron on both ends, but didn't think about it at the time. It is well insulated, which I like. I haven't added heat or AC, but could. I wish I had added a vent fan in the peak of the roof, but othewise I am really happy with the building. I added plenty of electrical outlets, including a 220 in case I wanted to use a welder or maybe an electric heater.

 

[Branchchipper]

1. We spent just a few bucks extra per truss for a "vaulted A" design rather than the light duty standard pole barn trusses with a 2x4(?) horizontal bottom chord.
They give considerably more headroom if you decide to build a mezzanine (second floor) storage area, install pallet racks, or whatever.
I had no idea how much more "heavy duty" they would be until they were delivered- they are now a topic of conversation for visitors, as they make the building look "industrial grade."

2. I strongly agree with other posters about size- push out the footprint as far as you can go now, and do the same with eave height- you'll be glad you did years from now. So...

3.Get some graph paper and make a scale drawing of your proposed footprint with door locations. Add scaled versions of any equipment, stalls, shop benches, etc that you plan to keep in the building, and move it all around to get the best layout. I guarantee that you will make a series of revisions as you realize that the current footprint just won't meet all of your present (and possible future) needs. I spent hours playing around with different layouts (storage and function areas) on paper before deciding on a best fit. My family thought I'd finally lost it, but I'm glad I did so. We built way bigger than originally intended, but there is NO wasted or unused space in there now (we built it in 2008).

4. A friend steered me towards roll-up doors. They are not cheap, but they ended up being perfect, as there are no tracks, cables, springs or anything sticking out into the shop space inside each door. If you need insulated doors, they are not the best choice, but I am sold on them otherwise, and insulation wasn't an issue for us (we just heat an "inner sanctum," not the whole barn.)

Good luck, and have fun!

 

[wedge40]

I forgot to mention, if you go higher, place your windows higher as well. The bottom of my windows are right at 6'. Makes it harder for people to look in.

Wedge

 

[rswyan]

3.Get some graph paper and make a scale drawing of your proposed footprint with door locations. Add scaled versions of any equipment, stalls, shop benches, etc that you plan to keep in the building, and move it all around to get the best layout. I guarantee that you will make a series of revisions as you realize that the current footprint just won't meet all of your present (and possible future) needs. I spent hours playing around with different layouts (storage and function areas) on paper before deciding on a best fit.

Mine:

 

[twodogs]

Mine:

I cannot wait to show this to my wife. She says that I am ****-retentive....
I am impressed - well done!

 

[300UGUY]

Thanks Guys! This is exactly why I posted - great thoughts!

I am potentially raising a few cows for beef. Currently, my father-in-law raises beef - haven't bought any from a store in nearly 20 years. That situation may change as he is getting older, although my brother-in-law may take over there. If someone in the family will raise them - I will let them! If it gets to the point where I am raising them, it won't be more than 3 or 4. We thought of taking about 20 X 20 of the barn & dedicating it to the cows - & maybe a goat...

The moisture & machines idea is something to think about. Currently, I keep my Kubota in my garage, but I would like to put my brush hog, tiller, & other equipment in there. That stuff currently sits under an overhang at my current shed, so I thought that this would be an improvement.

Keep them coming! I truly appreciate it.

It isn't just the moisture, the hay is very dusty, and everything gets coated in a fine dust. The dust holds moisture, and causes surface rust on sheet metal and gets into everything. Plus you have to keep the doors open most of the time for ventilation and allowing access for pasture.

 

[rgood]

I would put a lean-to all along the 40' side - that is less expensive space and great for livestock.
If money is an issue, you can buy 2 buildings for the price of a Morton.

 

[NorTracNY]

I've heard lots people say they wish they had built a bigger shed, but still haven't heard a single person say they wish they built a smaller one. Like everyone else, go as big as you can afford. Most people have more time then money, so it doesn't have to get done all at once.
Being in PA, you WILL get snow and cold weather, so think about how you want to heat the place or if you're going to heat it for that matter. I'd go up a little, at least 12' if not more. An inexpensive storage option is a shed roof along one side.

I'm in the middle of mine. 40'x56'x12'. There's just me, and I'm not a farmer. I do plan on heating mine with radiant heat. Planning a utility room and bathroom as well. My goal is to be complete in 5 years or so.

Good luck..

Wedge.

Sorry, I've been offline for a few days. Don't build too big. Also, when it comes to affording it, remember the tax increase. My town wanted to assess my place at over 3X the cost of it and that would mean paying thousands every year just to have a pole barn. I have to deal with this problem every few years when a new idiot assessor is moved in. They refuse to correct the problem.

 

[Boris1]

Sliding doors are a pain when you have to shovel the snow away to push them open, wish I would have just got a roll up for that and more of a seal from critters and wind.