Barn Dilemma

[jason_etc]

Hello everyone. I'd describe myself largely as a long time lurker on the GJ. I really appreciate the expertise and insight of the folks here on the board. I'm hoping to be able to leverage the collective wisdom of the forum here to resolve a dilemma that I have with my barn. Here is a little background on the issue.

My wife and I moved into our home in June last year. The old timer who sold us the place was the original owner. He was a retired public service employee and he farmed our land and some of the surrounding properties. He ran into some health problems and ultimately decided to move into a retirement community. We really lucked into the property given the timing of when we sold our prior place and when this one came on the market. The home isn't in awful shape and it has a number of outbuildings on the property that we figured we could use.

Now that we've been here a while we've had a chance to investigate these buildings and make some decisions about how useful they likely will be. We've also learned a little about the prior owner's methods of construction. He definitely was of the old guard: codes and proper building methods be damned! Our largest "barn" is really an open shed that is approx 25x50. It has 4 "bays" and is relatively open. It clearly was cobbled together over time as his need for more space grew. The back posts are old telephone poles, which I presume he got from his public service days. The front are actual treated 6x6 timbers. The back wall is leaning away from the building slightly but its more or less solid. From what the owner's son told us, the barn has been more or less in this state for about 15 years. The walls are more or less square...aside from the leaning. The roof trusses are relatively good, though the beam they're resting on is likely not adequate enough; I'm not really sure. The worst of it is a very odd post set on top of a cinder block, seemingly holding up the gable end of the building, but there's another post actually supporting the wall...you'll just have to see the picture.

My dilemma is: is this barn worth saving or should I just tear it down? We've already pulled one small lean-to down. The other two outbuildings we'll likely keep, one as a coop/garden shed and the other as a 'garage' for parking our cars, this one is a small lean to as well. My initial thought was to add a concrete pad to the large barn, frame the walls and redo the roof. It needs its own service panel but that's about it. I figured I could get a real nice shop without the cost of building a whole building...but is it worth it? Part of me likes the idea of keeping the old structure in place, to retain that connection to the past. But I'm also concerned that structure isn't sound and might not be worth it. Obviously I am a little torn and would appreciate any input you all want to provide!

I'll put some pictures of the barn below. Thanks--

jason

Barn in question:


Another angle:


Leaning:


I am sure this is to code...

 

[kblazer87]

It looks well worth saving from what I can see in the pictures. You will need to fix the problems of course, but it looks to be a pretty solid building. I don't see any real major issues other than the crooked posts and those are really rather easy to replace as needed. Were it me, I would most likely replace the utility poles with treated 6x or 8x posts, make sure everything is squared and trued as much as possible then close it in.

 

[Blue]

I dunno. It seems decent for what it is (a place to put equipment under a roof and give it some protection from the elements). Just from the pics though, it seems like it would be more trouble than its worth to try to put down a concrete floor and close in the walls.

I'd take the time to figure out how much a shop of equal size would cost, built from the ground up. Then figure out how much it would cost to adapt your current building to be what you want. My guess is that it's going to make more financial sense to start from scratch.

 

[tinbender 66]

I'd fix it for sure but that's just me. At least you have a roof over your head and you can take your time correcting the problems.

 

[kbs2244]

It is not a barn. It is not a shop. It is a shed.
All it was meant to do is keep the wind, snow and rain off the equipment.
You will never be able to make it into a weather tight building.

If that is what you want then dismantle it. Save the trusses. Pour a pad the same size, maybe deeper, Then put up a stick built using your trusses. If you want it deeper you can put a lean to type roof on the back to keep the “look” from the front.
You have plenty of beams and poles that can be reused, even siding and roofing if you are careful when taking it apart.

 

[coljar]

It would make a great cold storage garage area if it had some walls closed in with some concrete and doors, but I'd want another "comfortable" garage to work out of. I have a lot of cars and ****, though.

 

[mobilus]

It is not a barn. It is not a shop. It is a shed.
All it was meant to do is keep the wind, snow and rain off the equipment.
You will never be able to make it into a weather tight building.

If that is what you want then dismantle it. Save the trusses. Pour a pad the same size, maybe deeper, Then put up a stick built using your trusses. If you want it deeper you can put a lean to type roof on the back to keep the “look” from the front.
You have plenty of beams and poles that can be reused, even siding and roofing if you are careful when taking it apart.

kbs2244 hit the proverbial nail on the head.

Use it for what it was built for...you've got equipment in it that looks right at home. Keep it and build yourself a barn or shop if needed/wanted.

Looks pretty rural. Given that, what's this "code" you refer to? Never knew equipment sheds had any "code"...but you are in Colorado, so it's probably different there?

 

[TxFig]

It is not a barn. It is not a shop. It is a shed.
All it was meant to do is keep the wind, snow and rain off the equipment.
You will never be able to make it into a weather tight building.

Agreed. And I might add - sheds like this are perfect for what they are supposed to do. I have both a workshop and a shed - the shed is where I store my tractor, mowers, & garden equipment.

If it were mine, I would probably fix the post holding up the side wall - but I wouldn't re-construct the whole thing and change it from what it is.


And yes, this is my first post to this board...

 

[Farmall450]

I would build new, as a quality pole barn (Morton) will last several lifetimes with some maintenance. Also, all new, high quality lumber & metal, for your legit shop.

Maybe keep the old one just for storage, I imagine you have a few roof leaks?

 

[jason_etc]

Thanks for all the feedback.

It certainly is a shed but it seems constructed along the same lines as a pole barn. So given that I assumed it might be capable of more than weather protection. I don't know how deep the poles were set and they certainly weren't set with a lot of precision.

Mobilus, the county I live in does have a pretty strict set of building codes, though I was more poking fun at the post on block ingenuity than anything. When we moved in the various buildings were full of all kinds of "stuff" so it was hard to assess them. Most of it wasn't worth saving but I do have a nice stock pile of old lumber growing that hopefully will make some nice furniture.

Txfig, all you'll have to do is post a few more times and you'll probably have more than me. I've been hiding in the shadows for a long while now. I guess I don't always know if I have much to say

 

[borgdog]

It is not a barn. It is not a shop. It is a shed.
All it was meant to do is keep the wind, snow and rain off the equipment.
You will never be able to make it into a weather tight building.

If that is what you want then dismantle it. Save the trusses. Pour a pad the same size, maybe deeper, Then put up a stick built using your trusses. If you want it deeper you can put a lean to type roof on the back to keep the “look” from the front.
You have plenty of beams and poles that can be reused, even siding and roofing if you are careful when taking it apart.

I really need to disagree here. This is a pole barn as they were originally meant to be, and various people put more or less sides on them as they desired to keep out the weather. It can be closed in and water tight just as well as any new built pole barn. That being said to make it water and condensation proof you will likely need to pull of the roof metal and redo possibly reusing the old metal but at least putting in vapor/condensation barrier. Personally I would put down sheeting (osb or ply), tarpaper, then the metal again with new screws that have nice flexible rubber washers as the old are probably hard, cracked and leaking. Of course you would need to make sure the structure can support the added weight.

 

[Krodad]

Fix the lean and the impromptu post, and use it as-is. Once you get the lean out, brace it at the ends. Hopefully the lean is something that actually happened over time… if it was built out of plumb it might be a little difficult.

If it makes things easier for you, I'll store that utility tractor at my place, no charge.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[dbabicky]

It looks well worth saving from what I can see in the pictures. You will need to fix the problems of course, but it looks to be a pretty solid building. I don't see any real major issues other than the crooked posts and those are really rather easy to replace as needed. Were it me, I would most likely replace the utility poles with treated 6x or 8x posts, make sure everything is squared and trued as much as possible then close it in.

Those utility poles are treated better than any 6x or 8x you're going to find.

 

[Firebrand]

Yes, you can make this building into anything you want as it's just a question of time and materials to complete the job. Having rescued several old post and beam barns during the past 20 years at my location, I can say with certainty that you have the beginnings of whatever you want to make of it. Cost and code are other considerations that factor in what your level of commitment is or will be.

First steps are to plan out your final vision, develop a budget based on local codes and materials, and then assess the calendar for seasonal considerations. All work must begin at the ground level, or below if you are improving or adding foundation structures. Plan on finding some surprises as you inspect your structure during the planning process and don't rule out some more along the way! Everything starts at the bottom and proceeds up from there. Find out what you know and don't know BEFORE you start and keep learning as you progress through the project! Ask questions, as the only dumb ones are the ones not asked!! Good luck!!!

 

[never enuf time]

I would definitely save what you have there. The roof line looks nice & straight , a wavy roof would be a sign of settling (movement).

You could still put a post in next to the existing posts if you are that unsure of them. You can even go in a ft from end.

You don't need osb or any vapor barrier for a metal roof, it can go directly on perpendicular framing. It's better for it to breath.

I love the character of this building.

You could also put up a nice new barn next to it & use it for what it is, a shed.

 

[John in OH]

I don't have much too add that hasn't already been said. However, I wouldn't be concerned about its "historical" value. It's just an old, cheaply built, pole shed ... not like it was built with hand hewn timbers and mortise & tenon joints back in 1870!!

But, if it were mine, I'd keep it as an open shed like it already is. If the roof and trusses are good and the structure is fairly square, it will be a fine open-air storage shed. Straighten it up, brace or reinforce the framing where necessary, put down a vapor barrier and pour a concrete floor. Spend what it takes to make it a sound and viable shed, but don't overspend. "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear". If you really want to get fancy, you could add large horizontally sliding barn doors on the front for a better appearance and for not much money (may keep the wife happier too, if the shed "looks" nice, especially from the house).

For your nice, well lit, well insulated and comfortable workshop, build a new workshop-dedicated structure adjacent to or near to this one.

I'll share my experience .... on two separate farms I have nice workshops for spending time, doing, maintenance and storage, etc. But on each farm, I've had to add open-air sheds similar to this old building. I don't want my workshop space taken up by parking tractors, implements, extra car, old half-junk pickup, bags of fertilizer, lawn equipment, etc., etc.... this kind of stuff all goes in the open shed.

 

[finn]

I agree. I'd never trade my shop for a shed like that, but having even an open air shed sure would add to my usable workspace.

Patch it up so it is safe, then build your workshop nearby.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I don't have much too add that hasn't already been said. However, I wouldn't be concerned about its "historical" value. It's just an old, cheaply built, pole shed ... not like it was built with hand hewn timbers and mortise & tenon joints back in 1870!!

But, if it were mine, I'd keep it as an open shed like it already is. If the roof and trusses are good and the structure is fairly square, it will be a fine open-air storage shed. Straighten it up, brace or reinforce the framing where necessary, put down a vapor barrier and pour a concrete floor. Spend what it takes to make it a sound and viable shed, but don't overspend. .

Well said ! I would question even spending the money for a concrete floor. If you need to store thing up off of the bare ground, use pallets.


If it is in bad place, or where you want a real barn, tear it down.

 

[Kevin54]

Well.....first off....how much money do you want to spend? Of course, everyone want's to save a dime if they can.

Secondly....the wall is leaning because a telephone pole is made on a taper. If you can live with the wall tapered, or as you say leaning, then by all means keep it. If you don't like the tapered or leaning wall, are you able to unscrew the sheet metal, shim your poles to where it is plumb on the side in question? And as with any pole barn, nothing will be exactly plumb or square. If you are able to keep things plumb, then by all means, go for it.

Your building is off to a great start. You'll just need some direction on which way to take it. The more the questions, the more the answers.