Building 2nd level

[Mnshed]

Hi, I’m going to be adding a second story in my pole barn. I’m wondering if it would be best to do before or after I pour a concrete floor. I live in Minnesota. If I do it before I could set posts in ground and pour footings, then pour the floor later around these posts. If I install after the floor, the new posts would rest on top of the floor, being secured by anchors and brackets. Do you think one option is better than the other?

 

[matt_i]

I think that preparing for this before you pour the concrete floor is best.

I can think of a thick concrete footing so you transfer loads to the ground easily, just like the external posts of the building.

Plus the post buried in the underlying soil makes it moment-resisting (won't fall over easily by side loading up high). It would take quite the steel bracket at the base to keep a lever of the length I'm picturing upright under a mild side load....

 

[bridferr]

Your first option sounds better. Good luck to your plan, show us the result or the progress also.

 

[larry_g]

I had a second floor planned into my building and added extra posts to facilitate the job. You can see them in my build below.

lg
no neat sig line