Pole Barn Girt Size

[CudaA39]

I'm working through the design process with my builder for a 30'x50'x12' in W Pa. Building will have 6" perma-columns 8' on center, with 2x4 girts. I've elected to move to 2x6 girts, but I'm wondering if this is unnecessary overkill. I don't want to skimp on things I can't change later, but don't want to mistakenly err on the side of caution, throwing money away, because I'm not necessarily familiar with carpentry. My builder has been great and hasn't pushed the upgrade, I self elected it. I'm just curious what others have done.

 

[kj_mustang]

2 x 4 girts on mine.

 

[mike93lx]

They are just holding the siding in place, not supporting weight. 2x4 is plenty and will save a good chunk of money.

 

[liliysdad]

My little 24x30 has 2x6 girts, with 6" posts on 10' centers. I have never seen one down around with anything smaller.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Not sure what you gain by going with 2x6 girts other than a bigger target when you hang your siding.

 

[CudaA39]

My original thought was that the girts provide some aspect of structural rigidity and strength, but it appears I'm mistaken. If they're only for siding support, and have no tangible bearing on anything else, I can adjust back to standard dimensions. Glad I asked for sure!

 

[rayra]

2x6 girts will allow you to hang more weight or build out modifications inside later. If the only concern is hanging a metal skin, 2x4 will do.

Been watching RR Buildings pole barn builds for a long time, if I'm not mistaken they use 2x6 for their girts almost always.

 

[jack stand]

Another consideration in this decision is what spacing he's planning on, 24" 30" 36"?
These also help to brace (rack) the building. Moving to a 2x6 has it's down side, a slight "cup" in the face in a board that has the cup out will put a little "pucker" in the metal that's easily missed. Un screwing a 1/4 turn always concerned me wondering if it will leak around the now not properly compressed washer.
2x4 wall girts @ 24" centers would be my choice.

 

[WisJim]

You could do wind load calculations and see if the size and spacing of girts made a difference. So it can depend on where you are, what codes require for wind load, pole spacing, etc.

 

[CudaA39]

2x6 girts will allow you to hang more weight or build out modifications inside later. If the only concern is hanging a metal skin, 2x4 will do.

Been watching RR Buildings pole barn builds for a long time, if I'm not mistaken they use 2x6 for their girts almost always.

Same here, that's one place I checked to see what was standard elsewhere.

The original plan calls for 2x4 on 24" centers.

 

[jack stand]

My original thought was that the girts provide some aspect of structural rigidity and strength, but it appears I'm mistaken. If they're only for siding support, and have no tangible bearing on anything else, I can adjust back to standard dimensions. Glad I asked for sure!

The difference is 2 nails or 3. Repeated all the way up the wall it will rack the wall better. As long as he puts a pair of full height diagonals in each wall on the inside of the girts, the 3 nail (2x6) scenario is less important.

 

[rayra]

RR guys have also pre-positioned or altered heights on some girt locations to better facilitate adding windows later or attaching a porch roof.
Consider future plans / desires and build them into the girt skeleton years ahead of need.