My barn is 24' across. I was thinking about adding a small loft area for misc. storage between the roof truss spans which are 8' across. My thought is to tie a beam across the posts and build it like a deck. I could do this at about 8' or 9' off the ground and still have plenty of head room. I am more concerned with taking up room in the middle of the building with a post. Have any of you done this and if so did you clear span it across or did you have to add some supports?
Pole barn loft question
- Thread starter jbbies
- Start date
little d
Well-known member
Jb,
there are several ways to clear span what your wanting...LV, I beam, filch plate, etc...then add your joist. I'd shop around and see what is going to work best for you and at what cost.
there are several ways to clear span what your wanting...LV, I beam, filch plate, etc...then add your joist. I'd shop around and see what is going to work best for you and at what cost.
How tall are your walls ?
Bear
Well-known member
That's exactly what I did in my Pole Barn. My shop is 36 x 36. The posts are on 12 foot centers. My local lumber company ordered me a 16 x 5.5, 36 foot long glue lam. Engineering from the manufacturer rated it at 24 clear span for a storage load on top which is heavier than living space. I put posts under it at 12 feet from the back and 4 feet from the front. I decked it with 1 1/8 tongue and groove over 2x12 joists. Glued and screwed. Height is at 9 feet. The beam was surprisingly cheap. Around $600 delivered. I'm into the whole loft project under $2000. Did all the work myself.
