Looking ahead for expansion before barn is even completed....

[WindyHill]

Hi All,

I am having a new pole barn/garage built. Dimensions are 30ft wide X40ft deep gable end will have two overhead doors as you approach. It will have a 10ft wide x40ft deep lean to shed on left side. What suggestions do you have for me regarding future expansion shed on the right side? I guess what I am asking is what -if anything- should I have the builder put on in terms of framing lumber during initial construction to make a future addition easier? Wish I could add it now but site work and fill would be needed and I am stretched for cash as it is. Thanks in advance. Will get some pictures up soon if I can transfer from my phone.

 

[Walkers]

Too late to help now. However, I built my 54x24 with 54x12 shed roof 20 years ago. It was just my hobby shop. I now work out of it every day. If I could go back in time I would truss over the whole thing to make expansion easier. In the walls I would put beams for large future doorways anywhere they might go.

 

[WNYflyer]

Well if it is going to be a professionally designed and stamped building I don't see any reason why you can't work out with the building designer/supplier what your future intentions are and incorporate that in the initial design. That way they could design the building as you envision the future final product and also supply drawings/bill of material/specifications incorporating the shed roof but just not supply the required material. One future problem could be if building codes change from initial design to actual construction of the future shed and of course that maybe dependent on the municipality/building officials.

 

[u2slow]

I had the trusses built for lean-to's on both sides. It was integral to the build... otherwise my building would have been too tall for bylaws.

I afforded it by not spending anything on electrical, insulation, or interior finishing.

 

[quickfarms]

I would make it tall enough so you can put 14 foot tall doors in in the future also 10 foot wide doors are small, I would go with 12 foot wide doors

 

[u2slow]

I don't regret a 14' tall door, but 12 wide was overkill. 10' would have been enough for my narrow shop. I have a good long driveway to drive in straight-on.

 

[matt_i]

Presumably you are going to add a lean-to on the right side as your expansion (?)

I would setup the framing the same way you do on the side you are currently building. The end detail which is likely most important is the roof overhang/intersection to the wall so you don't have leaks.

Also, however you are improving the headers so that they can take the additional roof load of the truss + the added lean-to rafter should be duplicated right now.

The only other way to expand would be to extend the 40' length...

 

[jack stand]

Absent a bunch of wiring and other mechanicals, you just take some of the skin (metal) off and make your changes as long as you don't require an opening wider than the post spacing. Even then it's simple, straightforward work for a contractor.
Since it's hard to predict what you're exact future needs will be, it might be a future savings if you simply leave a wall area (your best guess where) free of wires, plumbing, etc. A couple of under slab conduits towards this future area from the panel will be a huge savings as well.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Too late to help now. However, I built my 54x24 with 54x12 shed roof 20 years ago. It was just my hobby shop. I now work out of it every day. If I could go back in time I would truss over the whole thing to make expansion easier. In the walls I would put beams for large future doorways anywhere they might go.

I built a 20 x 26 years ago, on a 30 x 26 slab. Added the 10 x 26 foot shed addition later, but already had the openings framed in the walls as you suggest. Built another addition on the other side, a 22 x 26 later, so I wound up with 52 x 26 feet of barn space in the end. I don't know what they call the horse barns with a hay loft over the center section and the stalls outside of the main barn space. Maybe a monitor style barn. That is similar to what I have, as I have the loft above the center section. Well actually a full 20 x 26 foot room with 8 foot side walls. I drew it all up in advance, and built a section at a time. Whenever I was ready for another section, I would refer to the old drawings.

OP is very smart to think ahead. It saves a lot of headaches.