old barn questions

[mainemarkincali]

I bought an old house in New Hampshire built in 1840. I has an attached barn with a full cellar concrete floor then three floors above. The first floor is level with the ground in the front of the home and barn. This barn is massive and all post and beam from what I can see. The cellar would make a great shop with the exception of the ceiling beams being at maybe 6.5 feet above the floor. Not tall enough to drive my van into. So my questions: Is it possible to build a concrete cinder block wall with beams above it to carry the weight of my van during the winter months? I will rarely if ever work on it inside the barn simply because I see much better in natural light then in fluorescents. But since it is rust free and old I hope to keep it that way. My van weighs approximately 3500 lbs. The wall I am speaking off would be a U shape from the outside wall approximately 14 feet long. Thank you, Mark

 

[rburke65]

Sounds like a great home! I’m not sure I can visualize what your asking though. Welcome to 5he Ga4age Journal...from Ohio!

 

[Jlbc212]

There's quite a few old barns as you describe with a cellar and a wood floor above at ground level that are being used as a garage. There are many ways to support the floor and the weight of a vehicle. What you described with the concrete blocks appears doable.

 

[firebirdparts]

A frame structure would be a lot lighter and cheaper and could still be totally adequate. I think block would have an awful lot of disadvantages for this sort of job.

 

[PCustoms]

Somebody else recently had the same question

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=471839

 

[cstmg8]

Definitely need pics of this one!

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[CraigStu]

I would think there is a good chance you could just drive in on what is there now but we need pics.

 

[yeldogt]

Sounds like a bank barn ... post some pictures.

If not damaged or modified they can hold a lot of weight .... think about what they were designed for. They did not often have all concrete under them ... so it may be modified

 

[Bent Handle]

Pics of the hot rod van!

 

[Wrench97]

Yes pictures help, I grew up with a 1800's 4 story 2 wing 60 cow 10 horse barn.
The second story was where the equipment was parked, fixed, and stored. so your floor may support more than you think.

Most likely the concrete was poured long after the barn was built that's why it's only 6.5' high.

 

[manwithtools]

Sure sounds like a bank barn. I'd wager the structure will hold your van with no problem if all is in good condition. Pictures sure would be helpful here.

 

[walta]

My wild guess is a floor built to support a herd of cows will support a van.

My opinion and every other opinion from the internet is worth what you pay for them nothing.

If you want to know pay an engineer to visit the site and inspect the building do the math and write a report and then you can feel confident.

Walta

 

[kbs2244]

Cows and a barn full of hay is not light
I would go with the idea you can use the milking floor as an auto storage area.

You are most likely not the only one in your area with this problem/idea.
Drive around and see what someone else has done

 

[Bent Handle]

It’s odd you started 2 very similar threads and never commented again after creating them.

 

[bobemmerich]

Welcome to GJ. The floor was probably poured well after the barn was built, so that may account for the height. As far as building a concrete block wall, I doubt you have to go through that much trouble. Those barns were (are) built like tanks! If anything, I'd say just some reinforcement from underneath with some 4x4's/2x10's you should be fine. I'd sure love to see some pics of this!

 

[TractorJeff]

I would assume the second floor entry door (mow) would be a better place to park, instead of damp concrete.
In New York State my brother's Bank Barn has tractors parked "upstairs" all the time.

 

[HotrodHR]

Pics!!!!!!!