Perma-columns

[Guilliams94]

Ok guys I’ve been reading post for quite some time and finally decided to make my own. I’m Finally in the market for my shop after waiting for what seems and eternity! Me and the wife built a house on the family farm so we plan on being here for quite some time. My question is perma-column vs regular treated 6x6 posts. The perma-Colin’s seem like a solid idea and Definetly will never rot, but is the cost really worth it? There are 50+ year old pole barns out there that are still standing fine with good post still in the ground. I plan to build the shoot myself, with the help of a few buddies. It roughly be a 40x60x14 any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[jives]

We've got 'em, the Amish guys who built our barn use them for their own barn. Over the cost of the whole barn, not the big of a dent.

At what price peace of mind?

 

[mikehaugen]

There are concrete-in-place braces that will essentially do the same thing, but you mix and pour your own concrete. I don't know what the cost difference is to know if they are worth the trouble but it's something to consider. I think Simpson makes them, among others.

Sent from my SM-G930V using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[mike93lx]

Putting wood in the ground for such an expensive project seems crazy to me.

I would pour tubes and use metal brackets

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Avoiding putting wood in the ground is always a "no-brainer".

But...
There are things to consider that can cut cost- labor and material. What type of soil conditions do you have on-site? What type of timber will be used, the finished grade at the building's dripline. If gutters and downspouts are going to be installed- pipe downspouts well away from the building.

There are other details that can surely help avoid water intrusion and keep support members dry and/or rot resistant.

 

[readhead]

How do you know that the posts in the ground are still good. Next big wind or snowfall may collapse the building.

 

[nh_yota]

Yeah but those 50 year old poles were probably treated with creosote or something else that's no longer allowed.

 

[readhead]

I'll give you that, but you still don't know.

 

[cj7jeep81]

Another vote for perma-columns here. I used them on my 40x64, and while an expensive individual item, the fact that I'll be using this for the next 30 years makes it a no-brainer.

 

[readhead]

Every hay barn I have replaced with a metal building had a common thread. The farmer said it was up one day and down the next without any warning.

 

[bradn]

I decided to do it, percentage wise it did not hardly add anything to the cost of the building. On my 60x80 it was an additional 3200

 

[coljar]

Didn't add much cost to my 30x40, either. Less than $300 in 2010.