pole barn

[mickish]

Building my own.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Not sure what your knowledge on PT lumber is so don't take this as an insult. You want to get ground contact rated PT posts or boards. Be very careful about where you purchase them. I have seen PT posts twist pretty badly or bow even when secured in place. Not sure if the boards were not dry enough (which would reduce the retention) or if it's just quality. I stay away from the soaking wet boards at the big box stores. I think they tend to warp.

Check out this info from Simpson Strong-tie. Very informative explanation on treatment processes and hardware.

 

[Rustyiron]

Listen to Quarterhorse!! He makes a VERY important point that I did not! I have yet to see on any PT 2X lumber in a big box or real lumber yd. the little stapled on tag on the end of the board that allows ground contact! This rating seems to have left with CCA treatment. I do remember reading some where that the CCA treatment was still allowed for "timbers" Not sure what constituted a timber (4x4 4x6 6x6???) There a some plastic sleves available for the bottom of posts, I just don't see it working.

 

[grsthegreat]

SNOW LOAD??? we have 60# here in idaho. 4x6 = no way

depends on where you live id expect.

in so. cal = sure.

 

[MikeInMaine]

I used 6x6s for the corners, and 4x6s in between. This way, the wall depth is the same -- 5-1/2" all around, which may or may not matter to you. (I finished my walls inside, so it did matter a bit to me.)

Best of luck with your barn.

 

[grsthegreat]

my latest pole barn structure here in Idaho was specked out for 6x8 posts, and thats what we installed.

not too cheap, but i don't want my buildings collapsing like some here did in the past few years.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I got to thinking about an existing 36x24 three sided utility shed I used to have. That barn was built with 6x6's spaced 12 foot on center for the open front with 4x6's on the sides and rear. The 4x6's were maybe 8 or 10 feet on center across the rear. The builder had also used 4x6 diagonals on the upper portion of the post tied into the headers.

For what it's worth, the former owner had to replace the roof when the snow load took it down. The posts had held up just fine.

Posts might be important but engineered trusses are a must in snow country.

 

[rimshot]

This last Fall I built a 28 X 28 X 10 Pole barn. The plans called for 4 X 6's but they are much more likely to twist than 6 X 6 posts, I reasoned. Remember that the bottom surface of your post carries the building load along with friction. I chose the 36 square inch surface on the end grain of the 6 X 6 post over the 24 square inch surface offered by a 4 X 6 sitting on my concrete footings. Opting for this additional 50% bearing surface just made sense. There wasn't a lot of difference in price between the two.

Another nice feature gained using the 6 X 6 is when it comes to the purlins is the premium surface space for splices for these 2 X 4 horizontal members on the walls.

rimshot (wondering if I used the correct term.........purlins?)

 

[Iowachild]

Get yourself this book: "Pole Building Projects", it has all the info you need including tables for poles, wind and snow loads. I bought it at my local TSC.:thumbsup:

 

[mickish]

Really appreciate all the info guys!!! Thankyou!!