Raising a barn

cat fever · Nov 22, 2016

It's been awhile since posting any progress but I finally got around to adding some lights over the work bench. (LED)
I wanted to see how bright they were before putting them throughout the barn. Here's a shot at night. I do like how bright they are. :thumbsup:

BigBoyToys · Nov 23, 2016

I just put some of these in my new barn/shop and they throw an amazing amount of light!
Can't beat LED lighting.

Lights of America LED Utility Shop Light - BJ's Wholesale Club

cat fever · Nov 23, 2016

BigBoyToys said:
I just put some of these in my new barn/shop and they throw an amazing amount of light!
Can't beat LED lighting.

Lights of America LED Utility Shop Light - BJ's Wholesale Club

I like the one's you have better. (if they are bright white) Mine cost 80 bucks a piece at HD.

buckeyefarmer · Nov 24, 2016

Costco now has LED shoplight for $10. Bought mine when they were $30 or more... These now interconnect.

cat fever · Nov 25, 2016

I will have to do some shopping around. I need at least 10 lights to finish the main barn area. Quite a difference in price/dollars.

LanceH · Dec 4, 2016

farmer2009 said:
Sorry for the wording. They sure do let in a lot of light. Where did you source/purchase the translucent panels?

Up here in Ohio, Menards carries the clear plastic panels along with all the other metal and trims you need for a pole barn project. Not sure if you have them in your area though.

HI Cat, great thread and nice project. I love how you spaced your double trusses a little further out (around me in Ohio the norm is 4' or 8'), and I like how you stood the 2x6 purlins vertical. A lot more strength over the span. How did you attach them to the truss though? I couldn't tell if you used Simpson type straps or if they were toe nailed.

cat fever · Dec 8, 2016

LanceH said:
Up here in Ohio, Menards carries the clear plastic panels along with all the other metal and trims you need for a pole barn project. Not sure if you have them in your area though.

HI Cat, great thread and nice project. I love how you spaced your double trusses a little further out (around me in Ohio the norm is 4' or 8'), and I like how you stood the 2x6 purlins vertical. A lot more strength over the span. How did you attach them to the truss though? I couldn't tell if you used Simpson type straps or if they were toe nailed.

Thanks Lance,
Look at post #14 second picture. Those small upright boards are nailed between the trusses, then the purlins are nailed to the uprights. It's a very simple design and easy for the novice builder (like me) to build.

cat fever · Apr 29, 2017

Thought I would update this thread now that I am nearly done with everything I plan to do with the barn. Still have not completed the lighting, but I don't use it much in the dark so no hurry.

All these pictures were taken today. Basically just showing each corner, cement is all the way around the perimeter with "crusher fines" as the main floor. I really like the stuff, it packs hard and is not dusty.:thumbsup:

As you can see there is a small sliver of light on the left side. (direct sunlight) Other than that there was no artificial light. Point is look how bright it is inside, both the big doors are shut. So if any of you are building and not sure about translucent panels---here's the proof. I could work in there even on a cloudy day and see fine without lights.

Added a picture of my fence charger. Keeps the animals where they belong.

And the last is how it's looks today. Sure wish it would warm up some so the hay would start growing more. But it is coming along great.

japody · Apr 29, 2017

Nice, very nice!

Kyle_in_Tex · Apr 29, 2017

I have a southerner question. Is it better to help melt the snow off the roof to leave it uninsulated? That way, the snow load doesn't get too big?

cat fever · Apr 29, 2017

Thanks japody, it was a lot of work, but well worth the effort.:thumbsup:

Kyle,
Not really sure, I know in the dead of winter the snow slides off usually while it's snowing or within a day even when it's single digit cold. There are times the snow sticks on the awning roof for a few days but only towards the middle of the barn, the ends always slide off. Not sure why. The south end of the barn does get warmer because the sun hitting the metal and heating it up. That is one of the reasons I went with darker colors. I figured I could open the doors in the summer and cool the barn down if I need to work in there. It works good since the barn has north/south doors and that's usually where the wind comes from.

Kyle_in_Tex · Apr 29, 2017

It really turned out nice. I like all the room.

cat fever · Apr 29, 2017

Kyle_in_Tex said:
It really turned out nice. I like all the room.

I am very pleased with it. I know whenever I take someone in there for the first time, the first word out of their mouth is "wow". Everytime.

If I had to do it over I would have built it 8' longer with the post on 10' centers. Only because it would have worked out better with the fencing.

EddieWalker · Apr 30, 2017

Outstanding!!! You've created an amazing space that seems to be the perfect size for your needs. The only criticism that I have is that you need to mount those elk antlers on the wall somewhere better then sitting on that cabinet.

:laughing::drink:

kevin37b · Apr 30, 2017

WOW is an understatement . AWOWSOME would be more like it . I still think I could stare at that view all day , and of course get nothing done . Where are the animals , want to see them . Kevin .

cat fever · Apr 30, 2017

EddieWalker said:
Outstanding!!! You've created an amazing space that seems to be the perfect size for your needs. The only criticism that I have is that you need to mount those elk antlers on the wall somewhere better then sitting on that cabinet. :laughing::drink:

Eddie I was sitting in one of those white chairs (in the pictures) just yesterday thinking the same thing about the elk antlers.

Kevin, when I said my wife thinks she is a barn widow, I was not kidding. Sometimes I just sit and look out the south door and watch the hay grow with the radio on. I'll have to find a picture of the cows.

buckeyefarmer · Apr 30, 2017

cat fever said:
Eddie I was sitting in one of those white chairs (in the pictures) just yesterday thinking the same thing about the elk antlers.

Kevin, when I said my wife thinks she is a barn widow, I was not kidding. Sometimes I just sit and look out the south door and watch the hay grow with the radio on. I'll have to find a picture of the cows.

With a view like that, I could watch the grass grow.

cat fever · May 12, 2017

kevin37b said:
WOW is an understatement . AWOWSOME would be more like it . I still think I could stare at that view all day , and of course get nothing done . Where are the animals , want to see them . Kevin .

Kevin, if you are out there; here's a couple calves. The one with some red is very friendly. He follows me around like a dog.