Considerations for a Pole Barn With no Sides

[aShop]

I have been planning some extra covered parking space. The only answer I have gotten locally is just get an rv carport.


I can't bring myself to do that.
My original plan was to do one of the arched metal kits steelmaster ect, but the bid I got was $12k (extra special deal just for you) and that is me doing all the labor and the size ends up to wide and to short.



I am leaning towards a pole structure with no sides.
8 posts, 4 on each side spanning 30ft.
Roof 15ftx38ft (4ft over hang on each end)
I want this to set as low in the landscape as possible, so no trusses. I am shooting for 11'6" of clearance in the center with a low slope roof. The rear half of the structure only needs 10ft of clearance so things could be beefed up there. I assume I need to use strong ties throughout but I am unfamiliar with those. One side could have a cable support system, but the other broad side will need to have open access. Here are some photo ideas I have come up with. Thanks in advance.

 

[jack stand]

Yes, a wood structure will fit in a "home" setting much better and add value. A gable roof, even with a very modest 3/12 pitch would be what I'd suggest. Something along the lines of the 1st picture.
Deep, well packed posts will allow the diagonal bracing to be up in your half height upper walls.
Consider 14' clear if you've ever had a thought about a big coach.
Those a/c units will need the height.

 

[manwithtools]

I would look into metal trusses for a pole building, they are ideal for your application. Depending upon where you live, wind uplift can be a real concern on an open sided pole building. Many of the metal truss systems are designed with that in mind. It might need engineering or perhaps buy from a supplier who has already done the engineering.

 

[jives]

What you are really seeking is a portal frame, common in steel but do-able in wood.

Check out Rigidply pavilion packages:

Engineered Pavilion Packages - Rigidply Rafters

www.rigidply.com

Or go with these:

Lam-Ply Trusses for Agricultural, Residential & Commercial Buildings | Starwood Rafters

Durable Lam-Ply trusses for ag, residential, or commercial use. Custom designs. Made in Wisconsin, shipped nationwide.

www.starwoodrafters.com

 

[aShop]

Yes, a wood structure will fit in a "home" setting much better and add value. A gable roof, even with a very modest 3/12 pitch would be what I'd suggest. Something along the lines of the 1st picture.
Deep, well packed posts will allow the diagonal bracing to be up in your half height upper walls.
Consider 14' clear if you've ever had a thought about a big coach.
Those a/c units will need the height.

I have and watching them clear the tree branches in front of me ended that thought.

I would look into metal trusses for a pole building, they are ideal for your application. Depending upon where you live, wind uplift can be a real concern on an open sided pole building. Many of the metal truss systems are designed with that in mind. It might need engineering or perhaps buy from a supplier who has already done the engineering.

I have not been able to find a local seller of these trusses. I like them for a shop but it looks like a giant bird poop mess waiting to happen in a carport. One of my requirements is 0 places for birds to land or nest.

Wind uplift is definitely my concern.

 

[aShop]

What you are really seeking is a portal frame, common in steel but do-able in wood.

Check out Rigidply pavilion packages:

Engineered Pavilion Packages - Rigidply Rafters

www.rigidply.com

Or go with these:

Lam-Ply Trusses for Agricultural, Residential & Commercial Buildings | Starwood Rafters

Durable Lam-Ply trusses for ag, residential, or commercial use. Custom designs. Made in Wisconsin, shipped nationwide.

www.starwoodrafters.com

I love both of those even for a shop. I am guessing this breaks the budget quickly. Very cool stuff and thanks for the links.

 

[dcg9381]

Here's a tractor shed that family erected recently.... All wood, no trusses. Cheap to put these posts in where the soil is sandy. Not the highest quality thing out there, but gets the job done.

 

[manwithtools]

I have not been able to find a local seller of these trusses. I like them for a shop but it looks like a giant bird poop mess waiting to happen in a carport. One of my requirements is 0 places for birds to land or nest.

Wind uplift is definitely my concern.

What's your location? There's a spot in your profile to input that and it will show on every post. Takes the guessing out of the equation for everyone else. No need to be specific, could be as vague as "NE Iowa". That is still tremendously helpful to others when offering input.

You could pretty easily cover the truss webbing with plywood or metal to eliminate bird "perches". I understand your concern for that aspect of these.

 

[mikedodge]

Depending upon where you live, wind uplift can be a real concern on an open sided pole building.

That's ok, it's usually only a matter of time before sides go up on those things

 

[Firebrick43]

I would look into metal trusses for a pole building, they are ideal for your application. Depending upon where you live, wind uplift can be a real concern on an open sided pole building. Many of the metal truss systems are designed with that in mind. It might need engineering or perhaps buy from a supplier who has already done the engineering.

Most of the wood trusses can be built with uplift in mind. The biggest threat is actually pulling the post out of the ground. The anchoring of the post is imperative.

 

[manwithtools]

^ Oh dear....

 

[jack stand]

Most of the wood trusses can be built with uplift in mind. The biggest threat is actually pulling the post out of the ground. The anchoring of the post is imperative.

That's simply mater of drilling the posts horizontally in several places near the bottom below grade and driving some rebar through extending 6-8" out of each side... but you need a wider hole.

 

[Firebrick43]

That's simply mater of drilling the posts horizontally in several places near the bottom below grade and driving some rebar through extending 6-8" out of each side... but you need a wider hole.

I have seen the aftermath of even post with much more substantial angle iron anchors pulled out pulled out of the ground and balled up.

Until the ground has had sufficient water and time to settle properly around the post (about a year here) any pole structure not fully enclosed is susceptible to being pulled out of the ground. Get one fully enclosed and the doors on the uplift issue unless hit by a tornado is greatly subdued

Several around here either use concrete permacolumns and add additional concrete at the base/anchor or install screw in ground anchors in at least the corners and mid span until the ground has settled.

 

[1982fxr]

Hope you're not in tornado alley

 

[bdbecker]

As others have already mentioned, the engineering is not as straightforward as one would think on something like this. About 10 years ago, my uncle was getting quotes to have a loafing shed built for his show cattle and ended up just having a conventional building put up instead. He was surprised to learn that the cost was basically the same to enclose all four sides as it was to leave one side open because of the additional materials and reinforcement that needed to be added to the structure to prevent wind damage.

 

[aShop]

Does anyone else want to chime in on this one? I have reached out to my county to see what they have to say about it.

 

[Hooked]

I built a 15'x30'x15' 3-sided 'boat shed' with a simple sloped roof in 1988 which is still standing as built. Similar to your first picture except for the roof. 4x6 posts 3' in concrete, 2x6 purlins, 2x6 rafters on 3' centers, metal sides and roof with bracing on 3 sides and roof. It's been through multiple hurricanes without any damage.

 

[Hank11]

I wouldn’t get too worried about the wind carrying this thing away. Around here those open structures are extremely common and even the crappiest ones last for many decades or lifetimes. This however, does not include tornadoes. Nothing withstands tornadoes.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Does anyone else want to chime in on this one? I have reached out to my county to see what they have to say about it.

Will there ever be a chance that this will be closed in with walls/door ?

If so, I would attempt to build it as a start or base to upgrade later.

 

[aShop]

Will there ever be a chance that this will be closed in with walls/door ?

If so, I would attempt to build it as a start or base to upgrade later.

Very unlikely, but anything is possible. I do have plans for some temporary greenhouse plastic on the north side to block some wind.


The primary purpose is to the keep the rain and hail off. It will also be a nice place for guest trailers to come and stay for a couple days. A place to wash trailers out of the sun. Probably a place to pop a shell or two.

A few more for inspiration.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Seeing your price list, you've priced 16' 6x6's out as part of the build along with some glue lams.

You'll be cutting off a chink of those 6x's so I would either suggest pricing out some shorter ones or figure out what it would cost you to set this up as a base to possibly close it in using a 12' side wall.

Curious as to the reason for it sitting low in the landscape ? In town/AHJ or some type of HOA ?