Yet Another Barn Project

[DaNag]

We're hoping to break ground on our barn/apartment in the next couple weeks. This is the first time I've tackled a project of this size, 'tis indeed a learning experience.

The goal is to build something large enough to hold the boat, tractor and truck, with a small 2BR apartment above. We started with a set of 36x60 plans from barnplans.com, but the construction cost was just too much.

So, we shrunk it to 32x40, but decided to design it from scratch. Our experience with barnplans.com stock plans wasn't really negative; we just ended up making so many changes, that the final version held nothing in common with the original other than the external shape. We also ended up with a hodge-podge of drawings - basically, a bunch of stock plans marked up by the engineer and architect, since you can't get digital versions from barnplans.com (for obvious reasons...)

Basic barn/apartment details:

- 32x40 w/gambrel roof
- 13' ceiling height on ground level (12' garage doors)
- 4 dormer windows upstairs
- Floor level has only 2 posts for upper floor support
- 22' scissor truss for roof (allows then to be delivered instead of built on-site)

My brother-in-law worked up the architectural drawings in AutoCAD, and forwarded them to a structural firm who drew up the construction drawings, also in AutoCAD. It's designed for very high wind and seismic loads. There are no copyrights on any of these designs, so...if anyone is interested in a similar project, I'd be glad to provide the AutoCAD files - just drop me a PM. I'm about to head up north for the ground breaking, so I might not get back to you for a couple weeks.

Attached is a PDF with elevations, and like others here, I'll be snapping up photos and documenting the process.

 

[DaNag]

Long time no post, but lots of progress is being made. Attached is a pic as of a few days ago. Garage doors are on order, roof should be on in a few days. We should be able to move a few things in around Christmas.

 

[DaNag]

Here's a cool pic viewed through the heavy fog we had last week.

 

[DaNag]

The builder and engineer have been great to work with - both have offered up great advice on little details that have made a big difference in how the building will turn out.

The original barnplans.com plans used hand-built trusses for the roof, which rested at floor level upstairs. By using narrower pre-fabbed trusses, and some strategic interior beam and wall placements for the dormer windows, we gained more interior roof height while keeping the exterior shape.

Also, the addition of a small, 18" stem wall upstairs made areas that would be cramped and/or unusable under a gambrel roof, almost completely available. Attached is a pic of my lovely wife modeling under a corner section that would normally be very difficult to get any functional space out of (you can see the beam above her, stem wall behind.) As it turned out, it will make a great closet, with all but the back 1' or so very accessible. The stem wall also makes cleaning a lot easier, as there's no "zero clearance" area where the roof meets the floor.

Oh...she's not covering her face cuz she's shy...just mad that I asked her to model before she had a chance to put makeup on for the day... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

A few more pics for anyone interested can be seen here.

 

[RobS]

Very nice looking barn DaNag! My apologies for not reading your entire post before asking, but it looks like you have an oversized door. Perhaps for an RV or something?

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DaNag]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...it looks like you have an oversized door. Perhaps for an RV or something?)</font>

Most RV's would probably fit, but the height was done for my boat w/RADAR arch. It comes in a little under 11' on the trailer. I'm also thinking of getting a camper on the truck someday - it should fit in the shorter bay as well.

Made the openings 12'6"...might lose a few of those inches to the garage doors.

 

[RobS]

I had a look at the rest of your pics DaNag, that's going to be one fine looking barn when you're finished. I really like the upper peak treatment. Nice proportions too. Keep the pics coming /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[EddieWalker]

Nice looking barn, or is is really a home disguised as a barn?

What part of the Bay Area are you in? I grew up in Hayward and my house was in San Leandro. What a nightmare compared to Texas. Are you building your barn as part of your escape?

Eddie

 

[ultrarunner]

Great Pictures! I would love to take a look at your plan....I have been thinking along the same lines...I grew up in Hayward and lived in Oakland most of my life and now spend my time between Olympia WA and the Bay Area. Did you ever have a c-dory at Alameda Marina?

 

[DaNag]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Nice looking barn, or is is really a home disguised as a barn?)</font>

Heh...we keep calling it a barn, but it's really just a garage/shop and place to hang out during long weekends and vacations until we retire in a few years. The only critters it will be housing are the dogs.

The plan is to live upstairs once we move, then build a house farther up the hill - we're fortunate that the county we're in (Clallam) has very lax accessory dwelling rules, allowing you to build in-law type units prior to the main residence.

I'm over in the East Bay (Pleasant Hill), been here since 1964. And yup - the "barn" is one of the final steps in our long planned escape from CA. Not sure when you left Hayward, but I'm guessing it's changed as much (or more) as my home town.

'Nuff said. My guess is, if you've left and not returned, you know why we're leaving. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif