Pole barn roofing question

[rick1ryan]

I'm looking at building a 40'X90' pole barn, metal trusses at 10' spacing and 2x4 purlins. In order to cut down on initial expense, I'm thinking about covering it, for a year or two, with a tarp instead of metal. Once I've got the money, I'd come back and put down metal roofing over the top of the tarp. Does anyone have any thoughts about whether this is a dumb idea or not?

 

[cat fever]

I think the tarp will not last and you'll be fixing/replacing it many times.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[bigtiller]

The wind will destroy the tarp in short order. Also, I wouldn't put the metal on top of the tarp. It will make a mess inside as it deteriorates.

 

[Scook222]

If it’s all metal, it would be fine out in the weather. If the 2x4 is wood, I would put the barn up and tin up on one side of the barn roof to cut down on the price for the time an roof the other half later. If it all medal and you want it covered but not with tin to reduce the cost for a year, I would look at cotton module tarps, or swimming pool liners, most of the time you can find those used cheap or free depending on where you. Another thing that would work really well is rubber roofing for flat commercial buildings. I’m not sure what it costs but have used some to line water troughs and put on a roof that leaked and it lasted several years. Most tarps I have used only last a few months even if you get the expensive ones and I think you would have to replace the tarps a couple of times a year

 

[747driver]

Thats a big roof area to cover with tarps. I would think the wind will be your big enemy in short order. If I had to choose I would put the metal roof first and then delay putting the metal siding on. Cover the sides with a house wrap or something like it and brace the corners to prevent racking. Not having the roof on for that long of a time period could get it out of square and very hard to get it back square.

 

[Snobdds]

I would not build until you can get the shell up as a whole. Nothing worse than chasing your tail on half done stuff.

Just tarp the metal structure on the group and when you have everything, build.

 

[Oldoak]

The wind will destroy the tarp in short order. Also, I wouldn't put the metal on top of the tarp. It will make a mess inside as it deteriorates.

And until the tarp deteriorates, possibly trap condensation between the metal roofing and the tarp.

I would not begin construction until I could afford to put on the full metal roof at a minimum. That's a big area to cover with tarps. I think you would be further ahead, even if you had to delay the product, to put the money you have spent on the tarps toward the price of the metal roofing.

 

[M5farms]

Figure the cost of trusses, purlins and poles then Build a 40x48 or 60 leave the end you want to expand to 90' without the overhang so you can just add bays till you get there.

 

[rick1ryan]

Thats a big roof area to cover with tarps. I would think the wind will be your big enemy in short order. If I had to choose I would put the metal roof first and then delay putting the metal siding on. Cover the sides with a house wrap or something like it and brace the corners to prevent racking. Not having the roof on for that long of a time period could get it out of square and very hard to get it back square.

Wow, I didn't even think of warping. I guess I should've given you guys more info on what I'm doing. I'm building an event venue for weddings. I need to get to a structure with a roof on it as quickly/cheaply as possible, then I should be able to book events. End product won't have metal sides, it'll be wood. Thank you everyone for such great input.

 

[dusty3030]

Wow, I didn't even think of warping. I guess I should've given you guys more info on what I'm doing. I'm building an event venue for weddings. I need to get to a structure with a roof on it as quickly/cheaply as possible, then I should be able to book events. End product won't have metal sides, it'll be wood. Thank you everyone for such great input.

Rent a big tent until you can build the other right.