Im looking into putting up a pole barn. I'm looking to start with just a 20' wide 30' deep. I will also be adding 10' lean 2s on the side walls that later on will be enclosed and barn bigger. But I'm looking for ideas and maybe prints that I can bring to my town and see how to get this going. I need more room for my trucks and work space. Thanks Roger

 

Any specific reason you will be going with a pole barn? Such as a lift install at a later date or need the height for larger trucks or motorhomes? The size your looking at is about a 3 car garage which is a little cheaper than a pole barn but is a lot easier to insulate and heat if you have to deal with winters like I do. It would also be easier to add on another garage at a later date instead of converting your lean 2's. If you have a menards near you I know you can use a computer designer at the stote to see what it will look like and get a print out for part prices. My 2 cents.

 

Go talk to the building official before you go to too much work making plans. Another good reason for a framed garage is it might be easier to get a building permit. Usually a pole barn is only good for AG use and some building departments will not permit it for anything but cows and tractors. That probably sounds ridiculous to people that live where building departments are not so picky but it's a real hassle where they are.

 

Subscribing. I'm looking at a 30 x 40 cold storage pole barn on a gravel pad myself. Thinking 12 or 14 foot walls, with a loft across half of it. I was just at a friend's house for the first time in the twin cities area, and that's what he has. He's able to fit 4 vehicles (on roller skates on concrete floor, so I should be able to fit 3 on gravel) side by side in the back half with the front half still open for all of the used items such as lawn mowers, snowblowers, atv's, etc... I would certainly check into permits and setbacks first, though. I hope to do that here this Spring, provided work stays busy for a couple years.

 

Roger,

20 x 30 is rather small... I'm in a 24x24 and with tools, truck piles, shelving, stuff... it's cramped. You might be limited to space. Build as large as you can afford and plan ahead for expansion of the main building.

Assuming you don't need or can get permits and such, there are a number of places online that have plans for pole barns... google it . Lots of AG sites and universities have farm/ranch plans online for free. I just googled 'pole barn plans' and got over 74K hits...

I understand the cost factor, but also consider the future as was mentioned. Ive seen some really nice shops/garages in pole type structures... insulated inside walls and concrete floors and ceilings, with heat and comfortable in winter... the outside appearance doesn't give you a clue what's inside.

later
John

 

Roger,
I have built 2 different barns/shops for the hobby.
The first was a nominal 30 x 40 pole barn. With a lean to shed on 1/2 of 1 side. I used 4" x 6" PT on 8' centers (I think). It was then strapped horizontally on 2 ft centers which became the nailers for native vertical board and baton.
The second and current is nominally 34 x 42 with a lean to shed on 1/2 of one side. It is a thick lip, floating, reinforced slab. It has a 2" x 6" PT plate anchored to the thick lip edges of the slab. I then studded it on 16" centers and strapped it horizontally on the outside with 2 x 4's again at 2 ft centers and vertical board and baton.
Both barns were built with W trussed roofs which I plywooded the floors for overhead storage. I used some native lumber on both and If I had to do it again, I would go with all native lumber except for the trusses.
I greatly prefer the current thick lip slab building and would go the same route again if it was necessary.
The significant lessons learned all but one of which I incorporated in the second barn were:

1. Rebar in the floors (the first 4" x 4" steel mesh in the first floor did not prevent significant cracking).

2. Every car storage location in my current barn has a door. I never have to move a car to get another out.

3. The cost of the thick lip slab building was comparable to the pole barn by the time that you pour a floor in the pole barn.

4. The current barn with 6" insulation heats better.

5. I had a pit that I built into the first barn. I ran into ledge on the 2nd and decided to not blast. I had planned to put a pit in the second barn.
I should have increased the height at that time from the 10' in the design up to at least 12 ft to incorporate a lift. I had to modify trusses and raise the roof later in the area where I now have my lift.

Note that both barns are not attached to the house and I heated only the walled off smaller shop areas in both barns.

 

Several years ago, I built a 60' wide x 30' deep pole barn for my farm equipment. Within a year, I got tired of piling everything up in the middle to keep the blown rain and snow off my stuff, so I closed in 3 sides. Then, last fall, I poured concrete in the floor on 2/3 of it (40' x 30'), and put two very big roll-up garage doors on it. I went the bassackwards way in getting my shop. It took me maybe 2 whole days to completely fill that building with my trucks and other stuff. I would definitely look into a pre-fabbed enclosed metal building if I were you. From the cost, usefulness, and time standpoint, you'll be miles ahead.

 

First I would detriment what you are going to use it for. What you need int it? What you want to have in it? Next is what you are planning on doing 5 years from now with the building. Are you planning on having or adding water (shower, sink, washer, and/or bibbs), sewer/septic & electrical (sub panel or extra service, 220 or 110)? HVAC? Sometimes this change codes you have to follow. I would first go to your city and/or county to find out who is going to inspect your building. Find out what their requirements are... If power is going to be added, aerial or underground? Means of egress (door requirement)? Foundation, Type and Footer? I would also contact your insurance company to find out if they will cover the type of building your are looking at building and type of use... So will not cover if it's not design right for intended use.

 

I have built a number of inclosed pole barns on my ranch in central Tx. I find them easier & cheaper to build than frame construction . If you can live with a gravel floor , you can cut cost a lot .

 

It seems that the unwritten rule of pole building / garage / shop building is that no matter what size you build it, it will never be big enough. So no matter what size you start with down the road you will come to the conclusion that you should have built it bigger. 20 X 30 with 10 ft side wall could be done with 4 X 4 posts, although if you use 4 X 6 it will give you room to use 6" insulation. If you plan on having storage overhead make sure the trusses are designed properly. Not sure how you plan on heating the building in the winter but if you can heating the floor works really nice, you have to plumb it before pouring any concrete though. Have a good one....

 

As mentioned above check the codes
I can't build a "Garage" that has a roof peak over 14' tall
I can build a "Shed" that is over 14' tall but it can't be bigger than 15x20
I can build a "Barn" as big as I want & have paved floors, water, sewer, elec & HVAC

 

Well to answer some questions. The main reason is for me to park my truck with the snowplow on in inside and just drive out when ready. The second reason is to work on my trailers over the winter time or bigger trucks with out the wind. I would also like to house some of the steel I have as well. Where I was planing on building this ic close to the garage now. I also planned on enclosing the lean 2s all on the sides later on as I build them. When time and money come in. I will finally pour a floor and frame in a corner for my work shop. The Bridgeport takes alot of space in my garage now. I already have a lift and way to many tools and steel that's in my garage now. 24 deep by 42 wide now but that gets full fast as many of us know all to well. I will also be buying a small loader with backhoe that I would like to keep covered. I have built a shed that's 16x20 that's full as well. Time to add on and I'm looking to start off small and add on. I have the land do it should be no problem with that. The power will come underground from the garage over time.