Pole Barn Started

[mojoinco]

A couple of suggestions (by the way -- looks like fun to me). I have a 30x40x12 (to the bottom of the trusses) pole barn. Similar construction.

We have some fun thunderstorms that can really blow the rain under the edge of the metal at the tops (especially the gable walls). I found that there are two types of formed gasket material available, the backside and the front side of the siding metal. Since I wasn't planning on taking the siding off, I used 3/4" pipe insulation tubes (the foam type) and cut pieces to stuff in the gaps (between the siding and the cap rail & the same on the door metal). Stopped my leaks. Wished it had been done at installation. Did the same thing to my wifes horse barn (that's another issue altogether).

Also, they used fiberglass/plastic see through panels ~3' tall around the top row of the sides. Really adds light without causing any issues with fading.

We had a concrete pad poured and they finished it off by cutting the slab instead of forming the stress lines (whatever they are called). Wished I had realized how usable that makes a pad for other work (rolling things -- like creepers or wheeled tools such as welders, dollies, etc).

Another thing I did -- & didn't do -- was I made a litle 2x4 form to leave a hole in the concrete along one edge to be able to add a freeze proof faucet. I back filled it with gravel when I was done (I had already palced the drain, but could have done the same thing). I don't know why I didn't do this where I placed the breaker panel, as I wanted to NOT pierce the wall when at some future date I run electricity out to a shed (I eventually want my compressor outside of my work area). I had already roughed in the conduit so it never occurred to me.

I found that Home Depot sells flourescent yard lights (sized physically similar to mercury vapor lights). They will light pretty quickly in real low temps and are easy to install. Make for good general lighting. I put them interior to the shop, as I rarely use the exterior lights (just burns watts and adds to the light ' noise' on the exterior).

One more thing, when I wired the shop up I asked for suggestions from a couple of electricians. One question they asked was if I was going to store hay in it. My wife thought I was (silly girl) and I ended up installing water proof boxes (due to dust concerns and explosion risk). Just thoughts when you get that far.

Enjoy!

 

[pemad]

Mojo,

I am planing on adding water as you mentioned along with cable tv, telephone, and network connection. Gotta have all the bells and whistles if I am going to be working in the pole barn ! I plan to pour the floor either later this year or next year depening on funding!

No light pannels as I did not opt for them. I did buy the foam as you mentioned so I should not get water in to the building and will check out the lights you mentioned.

I also like the waterproof box idea for outlets!

Thanks for the good info.

Pemad

 

[pemad]

Tried to get a few trusses up this weekend in between the rain. Gets real slipery when water is on the boards so I am calling it a day! Here is a updated picture. Maybe next weekend I will have all the trusses set! All depends on the weather.

 

[streamin]

Pemad,
I was just wondering if you would mind letting me know the cost of your barn, I have been pricing 4 different companies and seems DIY is the cheapest.You can PM me if you like.
They say that they are going to have a 20% increase the 1st part of june so I need to pull the trigger if I want to save the money, of course mine is larger but gets me close.
How have they been to deal with, do they offer any help or "here are your materials" type.
Also, they say that the 4/12 roof is enough in cat county(snow belts) but I see you went more.Did you have to get a permit approval?

 

[pemad]

Pemad,
I was just wondering if you would mind letting me know the cost of your barn, I have been pricing 4 different companies and seems DIY is the cheapest.You can PM me if you like.
They say that they are going to have a 20% increase the 1st part of june so I need to pull the trigger if I want to save the money, of course mine is larger but gets me close.
How have they been to deal with, do they offer any help or "here are your materials" type.
Also, they say that the 4/12 roof is enough in cat county(snow belts) but I see you went more.Did you have to get a permit approval?

Cost was around $8,900 for the material minus the garage doors. I did a bunch of upgrades from the standard pacakge. 3 garage doors openings instead of 1 slider. 14' tall walls unlike the standard 10 or 12' packages they sell. Added the reflective material for the roofing. Went with a 5/12 pitch roof with 1' overhangs and spaced them 2' on center.

4/12 pitch is fine as the manufactured trusses should comply to your local codes. I went with 5/12 to get more snow to shed off the roof faster. Less build up.

I did have to get a permit, town needs it's tax money !

As for DIY, Mike and Brad are super to work with. All my material was delivered as expected. Nothing was missing. I have called them a couple of times with questions and they always taken time to help me out. I would recommend them as they have come through with all there promises.

I did get other quotes and they were the cheapest.

1 thing I would recommend is that you ask them to upgrade the truss supprts to #1 grade(not sure if this is correct) as the #2 grade 2x10's that I recieved were not that greatest and I had send some of the boards back for better ones. I am sure it would not cost much to upgrade.

 

[pemad]

More pics on progress. Heading to camp so I am not sure if I will make too much progress over the weekend!

 

[streamin]

When they quoted me on a building(DIY), they did the trusses 4 ft on center.I see yours are a lot closer. Is that what the inspector recommends or is it overkill?

 

[Turtro]

Cost was around $8,900 for the material minus the garage doors. I did a bunch of upgrades from the standard pacakge. 3 garage doors openings instead of 1 slider. 14' tall walls unlike the standard 10 or 12' packages they sell. Added the reflective material for the roofing. Went with a 5/12 pitch roof with 1' overhangs and spaced them 2' on center.

Pemad, nice barn, what type of garage doors are you putting on it?

Clint

 

[pemad]

When they quoted me on a building(DIY), they did the trusses 4 ft on center.I see yours are a lot closer. Is that what the inspector recommends or is it overkill?

I went with 2' on center becasue of 2 reasons.

1) In case I wanted insulate an sheet rock the inside I would not have to put furing strips up.
2) I noticed a lot of pole barns that have trusses 4' on center have sags in the roof. I assume the 2x4 purlings become weak after a while with all the snow we get up here in NY. So I am hoping this will not happen to my building.

4' on center is fine as most of them are built this way and the inspector did not care one way or the other.

Hope this helps.

 

[pemad]

Pemad, nice barn, what type of garage doors are you putting on it?
Clint

Thanks and I put 2 - 10x12 Coplay garage doors in the front and 1 - 8x7 Coplay garage door on the side.