My Geobarn

[Bull]

After years of wanting to build a new garage/barn for my cars and other uses, I finally was able to get started last month. After looking into stick-built, Lester, and Morton, I stumbled across a website for a barn builder from Vermont. I already have an old barn, and just love the way they look, so I went with Geobarn. My experience thus far has been awesome. In eleven working days, I went from a bare foundation to this:

The crew consists of myself and two young (30-ish) barn builders. I've never had such a pleasant experience with a builder/crew in my life. The windows/trim and other et-ceteras should be done within another four or five working days, then I can move on to all the finishing work, concrete floor etc.

The barn is not huge, at 24x32. But, it has a full upstairs, walk-up cupola, and will shelter two F-bodies and one A-body inside, and then my truck underneath the 8 foot overhang on the north eave. If I were richer, I would have built bigger. But, I do have another barn and a small garage here as well to assist with storage and workspace.

Just wanted to share, after years of looking at everyone else's projects.

 

[Steve in Mi]

Unique interior framing. Looks GREAT! How high will the ceiling be downstairs above your concrete? I'm going to be watching with great interest to see how you fill that hole in the roof

 

[Bull]

Hi Steve, thanks for your reply.

The two bays in the front of the structure will have 7' ceilings. The bay at the back has 12'. I was originally going to put a lift back there, but don't think I have the room.

Yes, the diagonal framing is a unique feature of the Geobarn. I love the way it looks, and it is much stronger than regular vertical framing. It eliminates the need to sheath the building, so you can just nail the shiplap directly to the studs.

 

[DynoDave]

That's going to be a great looking place, Bull.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

It's got a fantastic look to it, Bull. That cupola is going to be an excellent finishing touch. Great job!

Greg

 

[mickeypat]

Very unique. Please follow through with us as you finish this project. Too many folks will post a new build, and never show the finished product. I would really like to see the completed job on this one. Good luck.

 

[73super]

She's a peach.. love that wood look!

 

[arbee]

Bull,

That is awesome. Keep the pics coming

 

[Bull]

I was away on vacation today, but I came back to find the siding finished, some windows installed, and some trim work completed. Will post more pics soon.

I need to admit to you that the inside will not be as nice as the outside. The barn builders are craftsmen. I am the one finishing the inside, and I barely qualify to be called an amateur.

 

[forgedfromtexas]

That looks amazing! More pics please.

 

[Bull]

The barn is almost finished. Well, in the sense of the structure itself being built...there will be much to do one the barn builders leave! But, tomorrow should be the last construction day, for a total of sixteen days of construction work by 2-3 people each day.

Here are some more shots, including some of the cupola that one of the builders and I worked on yesterday. It's built like a pillbox, and offers some great views.

 

[floyd]

Bull - I first saw this post late last week. I went to the Geobarns website right away to check it out. I emailed George and met him down where I live (in MD) last Sunday. They're building a barn in next-door VA and I arranged to meet him in-transit. Very cool looking buildings! I really like the look and design and I'm leaning hard towards them. Thanks for your post - I think I may have finally found a builder! Maybe I'll be able to post some progress pics in the next 6 months!

 

[Steve in Mi]

Bull, I have to ask why the windows under the porch roof?

 

[PAToyota]

I'm guessing ventilation?

 

[Bull]

Bull, I have to ask why the windows under the porch roof?

lol, a valid question.

Those windows actually do allow light into the upstairs, more than you might think given that they are under the cantilevered roof.

 

[Bull]

Bull - I first saw this post late last week. I went to the Geobarns website right away to check it out. I emailed George and met him down where I live (in MD) last Sunday. They're building a barn in next-door VA and I arranged to meet him in-transit. Very cool looking buildings! I really like the look and design and I'm leaning hard towards them. Thanks for your post - I think I may have finally found a builder! Maybe I'll be able to post some progress pics in the next 6 months!

Floyd, that is awesome. It is guaranteed that if you work with George and GeoBarns, you will have a great experience. He's got something special going with this company. I was actually sad when my two builders left the job yesterday. Working with them for four weeks was a great experience. I've never been sad to see a contractor leave before!

 

[Kevin54]

Money shot right there. I'm afraid I would have to have a seat up in the cupola just to sit and ponder the meaning of life. Great looking barn Looks like your neighbor across the road has a nice addition on his house to sit and ponder also. LOL!!

 

[Bull]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Kevin, the money shot for me is the one straight out the back, where I see nothing but my own field. However, the one you like is also good because I can see the mountains in the distance. In the winter, I will be able to see even more of them!

That brick house across the street is now offices, and maybe an apartment upstairs, I'm not sure. Too bad...it was once a grand old home, back when my grandparents lived in what is now my house.

 

[Syborg tt]

Wow - does this look awesome. I can't wait to see more progress pictures

 

[Bull]

Wow - does this look awesome. I can't wait to see more progress pictures

Thank you

Progress might slow a bit, so I can get some work done on my house. Floor will be poured next week, though. 6" slab, wire mesh, plastic vapor barrier, 3500psi, machine finish, and sealer.

 

[Bull]

Well, progress has slowed down since the speedy pace of the initial 17-day build. But, I do have some new pics to share.

The finish grading/gravel driveway was completed last week. The crew did a good job, although the guy operating one of the machines did hit the building and break two of the corner trim boards . But, the company called me to let me know what happened and said they'd pay for the fix.

My builder came back last weekend to install the custom, oversize windows on the back wall of the second story. They look awesome, offer a great view, and let in tons of light.

Finally, two out of three of my garage doors were installed today, by the local Overhead Door Company office. The rear door will still be a couple weeks out, thanks to having to special order the high-lift tracks that will keep the door as close as possible to my 12' ceiling in the back "work" bay.

You can see, if you compare these pics to those that I posted weeks ago, that the siding has taken on a rich golden color. I need to get it sealed up before it gets too cold now, and lock in the beauty. I'll be posting a question on the board here about my options.

Thanks for looking.

 

[KnightFire]

A man after my own heart, NICE F/A Bodies!!!

The barn is outstanding as well, I've been tossing around the idea for a simple 2 car 'shed' for my new property, I think I'll look up GeoBarn, see if they can work out my way and what they have to offer, thanks for the GREAT pics!!!

 

[Bull]

Thanks a lot for the reply and the kind words. Good to know we have other F-body/A-body guys on here. I've been a die-hard Pontiac guy since I got that GTO from my brother back in '94. That LT1 Formula is one of my favorite cars that I've owned. I have fun driving it every day, although I'd have even more fun if I could afford to pick up a 6 speed example lol.

George Abetti, the man behind Geobarns, is one of the greatest people you could possibly meet. I know that he does work down your way. If you go to his website, you'll see some barns down in Virginia that he has built, in his gallery. The smallest barn he's built is 20x24, so if you want smaller than that a Geobarn might not be your best choice.

BTW, I just checked out your photo album, and all I can say is "wow". The house looks like a palace to me, with my little old farmhouse, and the garage looks clean enough to lick the floor!

 

[brad d]

That is pretty cool, how tall is it?

 

[mhoffm911]

Bull,

Geobarns should give you a discount for your excellent photos of their product. If they need a photo gallery for a website, you have some excellent shots. Great looking barn.

 

[Bull]

Brad, I don't have the blueprints in front of me. Let me find them and get the height for you.

mhoffm911, thanks for the kind words. My barn is already in the gallery section of th Geobarns website, along with my testimonial letter. Most barns on there only get a few pictures, but George took advantage of the fact that I took pics for each of the seventeen days of the build, and used one pic from each day to show the progress. I get a kick out of seeing my barn on the site lol. Here's the link:

http://geobarns.com/DD-detail.htm

 

[Bull]

A very minor update. The third, odd-sized garage door was installed recently, so the structure is now weather tight. AI still haven't passed my final inspection due to the building commissioner being sort of...rigid. As soon as I do, I will feel like I can start moving in my tools and such.

 

[Syborg tt]

wow it looks really nice.

 

[Bull]

Thank you

 

[Magneto349]

Very nice! Nothin beats a nice barn!

 

[comp]

 

[Bull]

My barn passed the inspection today...hooray! We ripped out the stairs and put in a ladder, to solve that issue.

The commissioner signed the inspection card, and said the building was ok "except rafters cut for cupola need to be headered" referring to the one set of rafters cut to gain access to that space.

My question is, since she signed off on the building, why would she note this issue, and what is my motivation to address it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Abodyracer]

My question is, since she signed off on the building, why would she note this issue, and what is my motivation to address it?

Thanks in advance.

First off that is a grat looking building. As for the motivation factor, the inspector could give a follow-up inspection to see if you took care of this issue.

 

[Bull]

First off that is a grat looking building. As for the motivation factor, the inspector could give a follow-up inspection to see if you took care of this issue.

First off, thank you

Are follow-up inspections common? Is there a time limit she is allowed? I don't like the idea of her just popping back into my life at her whim.

BTW, I believe she is unprofessional. This was her third time here, having failed me twice before for other issues. But, this was the first time she had said a word about the cupola.

 

[Jononon]

Is that diagonal framing unique to Geobarns ? We don't go in for framed buildings much here (England) but I've never seen it before. It gives a very attractive finish, I presume it'll remain on show inside ?

BTW, I believe she is unprofessional. This was her third time here, having failed me twice before for other issues. But, this was the first time she had said a word about the cupola.

Someone with the word 'inspector' in her job title finding new work to do each time she arrives ? Say it ain't so !

 

[Bull]

Is that diagonal framing unique to Geobarns ? We don't go in for framed buildings much here (England) but I've never seen it before. It gives a very attractive finish, I presume it'll remain on show inside ?

Someone with the word 'inspector' in her job title finding new work to do each time she arrives ? Say it ain't so !

I imagine that there might be other builders who use the diagonal framing but yes, it is a distinguishing feature of Geobarn construction. I'd like to leave it exposed, but I do need to at least insulate the building....

 

[PAToyota]

I agree with you on the professionalism - she should have been thorough and listed that issue before her final inspection. Maybe it was an oversight - something she missed. But it wasn't exactly hidden. Why did she mention it now? Liability. She brought the problem to your attention.

Yes, there should be a header across the ends of the roof joists. Simple matter of framing them in and I'd go ahead and do it as you have the potential for those joists to sag over time.

 

[Bull]

Let me take a pic of the cut joists, and perhaps you can explain to me how to header them properly. The issue will be one of maintaining the open space inside the cupola...the entire reason for cutting the joists in the first place lol.

 

[PAToyota]

Header goes across the face of the cut joists - perpendicular to them. Cut a piece that will span from the full joist on one side to the full joist on the other side, toenailing into each of those. Then nail through the face of the header into the end of each joist. Does that make sense?

 

[farrbar]

Let me take a pic of the cut joists, and perhaps you can explain to me how to header them properly. The issue will be one of maintaining the open space inside the cupola...the entire reason for cutting the joists in the first place lol.

The joists are visible in post number 11 (pic 7). Looking at that picture, just cut 2 boards. The boards will run from the rafter just before the cupola, to the rafter just after the cupola. So using that 7th picture, one would run down the left side of the pic, the other other would run down the right.

The ends of this "header" would be connected to the uncut rafters, the middle would be nailed to the end of the cut rafter.