Barn Retrofit Project

[machyoung]

40 x 40 raised center aisle barn to workshop. Barn fabricator shows up tomorrow to remove all of the center partition walls. Should have by end of day, an empty space w/ 4 posts supporting the roof. Am looking to finish walls and ceiling areas w/ insulation/drywall, finishing the floor (TBD), and installing 4 roll-up doors. Have numerous questions that I will be posing to the members here as I go. Thanks for any/all your input, Robert

 

[matt_i]

Think some sort of X-bracing along the long axis of the center aisle would be nice, even if its up high.

 

[machyoung]

Yep, thinking of supporting the trusses at the 4 existing posts and removing and fabricating portions of the existing trusses. Need to raise the bottom chord level for head clearance, lift, etc. Have consulted with a couple of professionals smarter than me. Feel confident in fabricating the existing trusses. Ducking now. Ha!

 

[machyoung]

Photo update. Got all of the interior panels removed. Posts get lagged down tomorrow and trusses modified by end of week. Going to be lots of room. Hope that I don't run out of it too fast! Ha!

 

[don long]

Great looking space.
I did the exact same thing with my MD barn when I moved into my new place.
I totally dismantled the barn, poured a 4" slab over the existing floor (mostly dirt) and rebuilt the barn. I went to the manufacturer and had them re-engineer the trusses so I only have 2 posts in the center of the shop, I ordered additional panels to close out the side doors and raised the roof 4' I added windows in the raised roof sides and stretched the box 12' it is now a 36'x52' work shop with a rest room and an alcove for the compressor.

Good luck with your project

Don

 

[machyoung]

Truss fab complete. Raised the lower chord by almost 4 feet. Should make for plenty of lift room. Starting to frame and insulate. No rush as I really haven't made a decision about wall finish yet. Searching this forum is giving me enough choices to make my head spin.

 

[machyoung]

4 windows and man door installed. May add 1 more window. Windows are good; light, ventilation, view. The shop is placed on my property as such that windows will allow me to see approaching visitors coming up the driveway.
Next up is to complete the framing, finish planning the electrical layout, as well as air line planning. Don't want to overdue the electrical, however outlets and switches are easy to place now, difficult later (same with air lines). I'll check back in soon. Robert

 

[jwhcars]

Coming along nicely.

 

[machyoung]

Update: 2 insulated roll-up doors in. 220v electrical for compressor and welder in. Electrical for all convenience, exterior lighting, future RV pad, etc. ran. Lighting (24) Costco Feit LED's in. Compressor located at exterior and abandoned water heater closet. R-13 insulated walls and drywall/paint done. Really starting to come together.

Having trouble loading photos. Will try again in a second post.

 

[machyoung]

Resized pic's.

 

[machyoung]

2 more.

 

[52wrench]

Both of those are really really nice. I keep thinking about moving so I can have a much larger shop but then I think about all the moving BS and decide my detached 26x28 main shop and my 24x28 attached garage for storage is fine. I think I may get a 4 poster lift to stack one of the cars in the attached garage so I can free up a bay in the shop. But then I'd probably just buy another car..

Is the framing all galvanized steel?

 

[machyoung]

Yes, he framing is 2 x 2 galvanized. So far, very easy to work with, cut, weld, etc. Next-up will be building some workspace benches and moving in. I'll probably regret it, however I'm going to leave the floor as is. Budget and all.