Michigan Pole Barn/Man Cave Build

[strandtc]

I'm new to this forum, but I've used it as a resource from time to time while researching and planning.

Anyway, I've been building a detached pole barn to use for a workshop, and storage.

56' x 30'
14' inside height
4/12 roof (shingles)
Steel Exterior
Two 10' x 10' insulated doors
4" concrete floor with 6" thickened area for future 2 post lift. 16" concrete rat wall.

Natural Gas Heat and Electrical sourced from the house
Cellulose Insulation

So far I've built the shell (roof and walls) and I'm starting on the interior, electrical and mechanical. I hope to have it insulated and heated before the snow falls.

I'll add some additional posts with progress to date after this.

-Chris

 

[strandtc]

So to start I'll mention my original idea, and the changes I had to make.

I wanted to build a 30'x40' with 14' inside height. 2 things happened. My mom said she wanted a small portion for her own workshop, and offered to pay the cost associated with expanding the barn. She has a 15'x16' corner, so I expanded to 30'x56'.

Secondly, my local zoning board has a height restriction on property my size (I have 3 acres). So I had to file an appeal and go before the zoning board. As part of the process, my neighbors were informed, and apparently decided to show up. The wife of the neighbor got up and said "the reason we live out in the country is so we don't have to see these big buildings!" and "When we wanted to building our pole barn, we weren't allowed to build it the height we wanted!" The footprint of the building wasn't in question.. only the height.. and it was like 2 foot difference.. viewed from their house ~300' away.

Whats even worse is the solution was to have a taller roof pitch, to get a higher ceiling. Anyway.... they approved my appeal.

Now for some pictures...

Quick view of the house for awhile ago. Barn is going to the rear/side.

Profile comparison trying to show that raising the roof pitch was going to be stupid. I never needed this in the end.

Lot Layout

And showing distance from roads... its the neighbor to the West that opposed building the barn.

More in a bit

 

[strandtc]

And here's a few examples of the plans...

 

[strandtc]

On to the building..

Hired a guy to bring in a bunch of sand to level out the area. Dump truck got stuck and had to bring in gravel, but thats not pictured here...

Pulling back the topsoil

I can't remember how much sand this is.. but it was more than I expected...

I hired out the framing of the shell to a guy who's done some work for me at my day job...

Post holes going in

 

[strandtc]

If you're looking for a builder in the mid Michigan area, Byrum Builders has done some great work for the company I work for, and he did a good job in the framing of my barn.

Not pictured is the roofing. Did a synthetic under layment, some ice and water shield along the edge, ridge vent, and a laminated shingle.

House wrap

 

[strandtc]

Siding

How I figured out where to make my cuts in which sheet for the gable ends.

Before I poured my floor I put some electrical PVC 90's in.

Rat wall and floor

Vapor barrier and wire mesh for thickened 2 post lift.

Soffit matched to ridge vent ventilation.

Now we're getting pretty close to caught up...

 

[bazzateer]

Nice size and I like the colour.

 

[strandtc]

This is what I have to get through to get the gas line, electrical and communications out to the barn...ugg

I decided to run a 1" gas line out there. I'll change the 90 that goes into the house into a T, and do a swing joint/valve down to the new riser.

I put the egg rock under the eves a month ago(ish), and graded everything out. Today I seeded with some 3-3-3 mix, with starter fertilizer, and covered in straw. I'm going to need to setup a watering setup to keep it moist for the next month and a half.

I think that's it for now.. Waiting on materials at this point. Next week I'm supposed to get my interior materials. Still need to finish my electrical materials list, and get the gas pipe ordered.

 

[scaron]

hey, always nice to see more michiganders up on here... the garage turned out nice. i like the color, too. is that a mil-spec hummer? my dad headed up the team responsible for the CTIS on those back at eaton in the mid 90s.

 

[strandtc]

Its a '93 Hummer. Same frame, body, suspension, engine, etc as the Military ones, but with 12V instead of 24V and a nicer interior. Its been my project for.... years now. I havn't had space to work on it, so its sat for a long time

My goal is to finish the man cave, and start back on the Hummer. Too many projects, not enough time.

 

[strandtc]

I bought it from a charity car donation place. It used to be owned by a Detroit radio station. They had logos on the vehicle that they covered with house paint...

It had a blown motor, and a well worn (nasty) interior. Rebuilt the motor, over hauled the suspension, rattle canned the paint job, and started updating the interior...

 

[W_A_Watson_II]

Nice location, and shell build.

 

[Marion3]

Hello from just down the road, looking good over there. I used to run around all over pinckney, went go pinckney high.

 

[strandtc]

I'm a transplant. Only been in the area for the last 6 years. I really enjoy the area. This is the first place we've had with this much land. It's nice having the privacy, and ability to have late night bonfires with friends.

The only downside is driving so far to... anything really. I work out in Lansing, and most of our family and my friends live an hour away in one direction or another. To run out to a big box store it's 15 minutes each way atleast.

I was just telling my wife tonight that we are not allowed to move once this barn is finished. I've been waiting probably 12 years now for one, and now that I almost have one, it would take ALOT to convince me to move.

-Chris

 

[51rider]

Looking Good!
Please continue to post picture updates

 

[NUTTSGT]

Nice place you have going up there.

I have to chuckle at your neighbor's wife's comments. The wife of the neighbor got up and said "the reason we live out in the country is so we don't have to see these big buildings!" and "When we wanted to building our pole barn, we weren't allowed to build it the height we wanted!"

Apparently, she is from the city and never lived in the "real" country. I believe she thinks that living out of the city limits is "country". She would flip out if a farmer put up a hog barn a 1/2 mile away. If they didn't get the building they wanted, did they file for a variance ? Also, if they got the building they wanted, would she have been able to look at it or even stand it since they don't want big buildings like that ?

 

[Wrench80]

I work for the department of defense and work on humvee all the time.if you have a question feel free to ask.i may even have some digi manuals around

Sent from my LG-LS970 using Tapatalk now Free

 

[Aussie Mike]

Great build. Looks like a nice place to live too.

Cheers

Michael

 

[MajorLeeGassole]

And showing distance from roads... its the neighbor to the West that opposed building the barn.

Instantly reminded me of the 2008 parody, "Superhero Movie." There's a scene where one character receives an award for the medical breakthrough of the year.

 

[burleyfarm]

Nice build strandtc. Whats the purpose of the forming and pouring the space between the posts separate?

 

[W_A_Watson_II]

strandtc,

It's a nice area, but it's built up a lot since we moved/lived there. Your shopping options are much, much better than they used to be.

Will

 

[strandtc]

Yeah, the husband didn't want to say anything. At the end when he heard I plan on putting a lift in it, and they approved it, he jokingly said "Well I hope I can come over and use it occationally". They seem like okay, people... if my variance hadn't been approved I probably would be alot more upset.

Nice place you have going up there.

I have to chuckle at your neighbor's wife's comments. The wife of the neighbor got up and said "the reason we live out in the country is so we don't have to see these big buildings!" and "When we wanted to building our pole barn, we weren't allowed to build it the height we wanted!"

Apparently, she is from the city and never lived in the "real" country. I believe she thinks that living out of the city limits is "country". She would flip out if a farmer put up a hog barn a 1/2 mile away. If they didn't get the building they wanted, did they file for a variance ? Also, if they got the building they wanted, would she have been able to look at it or even stand it since they don't want big buildings like that ?

 

[strandtc]

The builder recommended this. Inside the wall they dug down deeper to make a cement rat wall. I don't want to spend all this money and have critters burrowing under the slab.

In addition the inside treated lumber sticks up above the finished floor to provide a nailing edge to attach the OSB to.

Based on the great examples on here I probably would have tried to avoid any wood in the ground if I were to do this all again. Even though everything is rated for ground contact, no wood in the ground is better. I imagine this way of doing it was cheaper, but I don't know the cost difference.

Nice build strandtc. Whats the purpose of the forming and pouring the space between the posts separate?

 

[strandtc]

Oh yeah, but in the last few years the area has developed more. There is a Kroger and a hardware store 10-13 minutes away. I'm not complaining about the area.. its just different from living in a subdivision with shoping and an expressway within 2 miles.

Love seeing deer in my yard several times a year. Had some turkey running up the driveway not too long ago.

strandtc,

It's a nice area, but it's built up a lot since we moved/lived there. Your shopping options are much, much better than they used to be.

Will

 

[quadrcr87]

I was born and raised in Pinckney, small world.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Oh yeah, but in the last few years the area has developed more. There is a Kroger and a hardware store 10-13 minutes away. I'm not complaining about the area.. its just different from living in a subdivision with shoping and an expressway within 2 miles.

Love seeing deer in my yard several times a year. Had some turkey running up the driveway not too long ago.

The first time you hit one of those deer with your car, you won't like them as much.

 

[RDO23]

great job/great thread = keep up the good work

 

[strandtc]

Brother of a friend came over and dug the trench between the house and barn today. ~110' in an hour and a half.

Right now I'm planning on putting the following in it:
1" MDPE Gas Line
2" PVC Electrical
Qty 2 3/4" PVC Electrical (communications, etc)
Qty 2 1/2" PEX (for future compressed air back to house, and water out to the barn)

 

[TRWTOW]

looks great and your right on the pvc makes it easy for future. I messed up and didn't put the phonewire and cable tv in conduit just used under ground cable anyways now I cant add cat5 cable or whatever. good luck keep us posted

 

[Wheatty]

Awesome Barn! I live just a few short miles from you (I'm real close to Hell). Any chance your trencher friend is interested in a similar job for me? I need to dig another trench to the barn for my gas line and larger electrical, I already have power and water but I am upgrading the service for a lift and big air compressor and I need to get some real heat out here...lol

 

[strandtc]

Wheatty, sorry I havn't updated this. Been busy with work and the barn. The guy who did the trench didn't do it for free, but you're welcome to call him. David Roberts of Roberts Well Drilling company. http://www.welldrillingpinckney.com

Awesome Barn! I live just a few short miles from you (I'm real close to Hell). Any chance your trencher friend is interested in a similar job for me? I need to dig another trench to the barn for my gas line and larger electrical, I already have power and water but I am upgrading the service for a lift and big air compressor and I need to get some real heat out here...lol

 

[strandtc]

Been busy on the inside... making a storage loft and 2 "offices". I'll post pictures soon. Oh and got all my conduit in the trench awhile ago... but havn't had time to fill the trench back in.

-Chris

 

[Autorotica]

Thanks for posting Strand, looks great!

Chris

 

[sunsation288]

Nice built , i like the exterior color !!!

 

[strandtc]

So this is going to be a bit out of order... But I'm making progress.

Interior materials showed up...

I've been working on the storage loft/offices.

And I've been bringing supplies home however I can (Yes my daughter is sitting in the passenger seat)

And I've got the conduit run out to the barn. This is the end in the house. Its since been finished up, but wiring isn't ran yet.

And I had a visitor..

Will have to find the rest of the trench photos and will keep posting as I get it done.

-Chris

 

[burleyfarm]

Looking good. What is your finished ceiling height going to be in the office and work room? Are you using 2x8 joists? Looks like what I'm building.

 

[kw757]

I love the color of the siding. I've been looking for a color like that but haven't had any luck, and have been considering painting siding panels myself before I put them up (indoor application). Do you mind if I ask where you got the siding and the color name that they used? Thanks!

 

[strandtc]

I decided on 7.5' on ceiling height. I wanted a little extra space in the loft. And I'm using 2x12's because of the 16' span.

-Chris

Looking good. What is your finished ceiling height going to be in the office and work room? Are you using 2x8 joists? Looks like what I'm building.

 

[strandtc]

I don't remember the name of the color but the product is called "Ultra 2000". I got it at a local building supply place/lumber yard. I know you can google the name because I found the product info online. I'm sure they have the colors on the site.

-Chris

I love the color of the siding. I've been looking for a color like that but haven't had any luck, and have been considering painting siding panels myself before I put them up (indoor application). Do you mind if I ask where you got the siding and the color name that they used? Thanks!

 

[Miller6386]

Very Nice setup..... That is one long run for the power coming from the house... Can I ask why you didn't opt to have a separate service put in for the barn? Especially with the 220 outlets........ I know they want steep prices to put in another pole and you are a distance from the road but I think I would have weighed it out and felt better about having a separate service at the barn.