Pad planning

[USAFpj]

In clearing a pad for a 30x50 pole barn, I had the grader clear enough on the side for an inevitable 30x10 addition. It looks great, but my question is this: If that extra area has been cleared, but not covered with a roof, should the fill/crusher be laid down now, or when I plan on putting another slab down? I received a quote to lay the crusher for the barn slab, and that extra area was added to the quote.

 

[matt_i]

Personally, I'd lay the crusher run now. Years (meaning time) of rainfall, etc, will help settle and compact it.

That said, in a slab that's going to be poured "now" I like the washed stone with fines gone. I feel like it won't compact anymore than you can do with 2 runs of a plate compactor.

Whereas having the fines in it will surely start to compact now, but will start to settle some more as the fines start moving again. In other words, need more time to reach stability. And, you don't want it to reach final equilibrium after the concrete is poured.

 

[tomroblee]

In general I would say that it is better to lay the stone sooner than later. The stone is always good for additional parking or storage regardless of whether a roof or enclosed addition is added.

Depending on your site and your builder, there are a few other things you might consider.

Is your cleared pad higher than the surrounding ground, level with it or, or lower? You don't want to create a wading pool along side your barn where your future addition will be. The Amish who built my barn liked to start with a level dirt pad. They would set the posts, then attach skirt boards. Rock base was hauled in after the skirt boards were attached, and the concrete was poured over the rock base. My site was a low area, so I had rock hauled in to create a firm pad before the Amish arrived. It somewhat took them by surprise, and they insisted on adding even more stone after the skirt boards were attached.

Will the addition be an extension of the main roof, or will it be at a lower level? Are you planning on having gutters on the main building and/or addition?

Would it be more economical to have at least the roof of the future addition build at the same time as the main barn?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

It depends on how long it will be when you pour the pad for the addition and how you are going to care for that area.
If weeds/grass grow in the gravel area expect to have to redo the top part (at least).