30x30 Auto shop

[Cb-man]

OK.... so I know there are many many post of shop me your whatever size shop....
So show me your 30x30 shop or close!

I really want to build a shop but i'm paying off my truck and really don't want any more payments so i'm going to have to use what I have.
Its a 30x30 pole barn One 10H x 11w sider at one side on the eave side
and a 7x6 walk thru slider on the gable end.

Its going to strictly be for cars and auto work. Im hoping for enough room to have two cars in it and work on both comfortably. I have a 79 Camaro I am restoring and would like room to bring in the truck or other car when I need too.
The issue is the one slider is all the way to one side. I will frame it in for a 10x8 or 9 ft tall over head door. The other slide will be framed in for a man door.

How hard is it to add a header and remove post and metal to add another over head door?

So heres a few pics and anyone with picture of there shop close to the same size or anyone with ideas on what to do please help.

Also notice the loft in the corner. Since space is an issue I want to take that out and patch the hole for the post.











Wood barn that has a concrete foundation. I want to tear it down and add 4 feet to the foundation pour concrete and put up an enclosed car port to house my fishing boat and tractor. possibly lawn mower and ATV's
wondering if just stick building something would be better here.

 

[Cb-man]

no help ideas or suggestions before I start on this thing?
adding another over head door?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

The pole barn has some good space.
I'd start by getting rid of the sliding doors. Removing tin and adding a header shouldn't be too difficult. I'd put in the widest, tallest doors that will fit.
My next step would be to upgrade the wiring and lighting.
Do you have any access to or plans for water? Just an outdoor hydrant close by will come in handy.

I like the barn and wouldn't tear it down. How's the roof? Looks like it could use a coat of paint and be useful for many more years.

 

[Cb-man]

That wood barn is in pretty sad shape. The original tongue and groove boards are soft and rotting and has been patched in many places also the corner 2x4s are rotting. Plus it isn't quit long enough to put my boat in. and the roof is in poor condition. I have thought about fixing it up many times but im not sure its worth the effort.

Does anyone know how to do about adding a header and removing a support post on the eave side?

 

[Cb-man]

there is currently no power to the pole barn but I put in conduit so I can run power this summer.
there is no water to the pole barn but I do have a hydrant in the wood barn. it froze this winter so im not sure it will be in good shape after the thaw...

 

[M17715]

I'd do everything I could to save the wooden barn. That is a classic. A metal roof would be cheap. I'd replace the slats and give it a good paint job. I'd love to have a barn like that.

 

[b-body-bob]

I've got a 26x30. With 2 cars in it, about 7 bicycles, parts for all that, benches and tools it gets a little crowded. When I'm actually working on my road runner I shove the car over into the center of the room on a diagonal to get more room. The extra 4' you've got will help with that. But I think you'll still have to keep things better organized than I do or be less claustrophobic than I am I hope it works out for you

 

[nolimits76]

I like the old barn too. If you are 4' short, have you considered adding an enclosed lean to on the back of it? That would solve your depth problem and preserve the existing structure if you want to keep it.

For me, there is more value in having an enclosed structure vs car port, assuming it's of reasonable quality.

 

[A29]

Starting to move in. You should see it now.

 

[volleyball]

I don't think adding a garage door is worth it. Just get some wheel rollers to move it to the other side.
I love old barns but there is an expiration date on them. I say get rid of the toys, don't do anything to the camaro that cost money until you can build a proper shop. But if you get rid of the stuff, you won't really need the garage.

 

[Cb-man]

I'm definitely not a fan of getting rid of my toys. the only two big things I like to keep inside are my boat and tractor. I do like the old wood barn. it would look nice restored but it is in pretty sad shape. Im not looking forward to tearing it down and burning and clean up.
But it is stick built with a beam down the middle and support poles.
I could get a carport and enclose it. I am having my garage door replaced on the house (16x8)
I would use that on the carport. this way I could get both the boat and tractor in.
Carport is about $2500 then materials to enclose and concrete or patio pavers.

Once the weather is better I might remove some siding on the barn but I can already see the corner 2x4s rotting and need replaced. Not sure its worth the work.
And im not sure how to add headers and remove 2x4's on a stick built to add the lean to on the back.

 

[volleyball]

You put the header on both sides of the studs. Put some support to the ground for temporary. Remove old framing below header. Pour new footings under ends of header. When ready, Build new end walls.
you can do this as the shed roof will enclose the header.

My point is you seem to have too many toys. If you are busy building the garage, you don't have much time to enjoy them. Take the money, get the spaces done. When you finish the projects, get new toys.

 

[Cb-man]

not getting rid of the boat and the tractor isn't much of a toy more of a tool on my 5 acres.

I was just thinking if I build a lean to off the back of the barn I want to open up the whole width of the barn 18ft.... so I could add a stack of 2x4s at the ends or 4x4 then build a header out of treated 2x6's mated together. would I screw this new header for the opening to the 2x4 header between the lower and upper level? support it in the middle while I cut of the 2x4 wall framing then add on to the header to reinforce it?

 

[jkwilson]

You are going to want insulation in that pole barn. It will rain inside when the temperature changes without it.

 

[Mike Miller]

Started with basically what you have. 28X34 with two sliders. Added doors and then a lean on the back. Just used 4X6 s for the door frames.

 

[Cb-man]

Looks good Mike! I think I will look into removing some metal and adding another over head.
I plan on insulating and finishing it out. also adding gable vents. the concrete with vapor barrier helped a lot to keep the barn from sweating last year.
I think with the one door right now it would be a pain.

 

[HOTFR8]

Moved he topic to the Gallery. A more suitable location.

 

[Mike Miller]

If you add a hoist you will be glad you put an extra door on it, I get a lot of snow here and it slides off the roof blocking the doors so think about putting it on the gable end.

 

[Cb-man]

I really do want to put it on the gable end.... but I have an apple tree on that end I don't want to get rid off. there is room but difficult to get a straight on shot to pull in.

I should just build new.... I am just getting my truck paid off and don't want any more payments this year. The money I save for truck payments is going into this barn. If I just get this one usable for this year and through next winter maybe next year I will build

 

[Cb-man]

OK I can't sleep thinking about all this.
When doing a search I found a post about a guy adding on to his pole barn but he left the gable end wall up. I believe the cost for materials was around $4000. I don't want to do that. I want to add on and a end up with an open shop.

I was thinking tear down the wood barn and put up a carport to enclose and use as a garage.
thinking about it the carport I am looking at is about $2700 then the extra metal siding and end wall costs lets say $500 and I want to get concrete in there.

I think I would be better off just adding on to the existing pole barn even 20-30 feet. and not have to go through the trouble of tearing that barn down and then I could restore it when I have time.

 

[Cb-man]

Just curious. Does anyone have detailed info on how to add another over head door?
removing the metal. how to remove existing header , support the truss and build a new header? and framing to support the new header?

I'm thinking just going on the eave side beside the existing door. I think pulling two cars in the same way would be better than a " T"