Pole Barn Plans and Questions on Dimensions.

[carlschmarl2]

I've been a lurker for a while here and am finally posting.

I'm looking to build a new pole barn / garage.

I have no idea how big to make it and I don't know where to find builders/plans in my area of NEOH/Geauga Co.

Maybe you all can help me with some basic dimensions so I can get an idea of size.
1). It needs to have four over head doors/bays (three vehicles and tractor). I'm thinking probably 10'x8' doors with at least 2' between the doors so that vehicle aren't on top of one another. Maybe one door being 10x10 to fit a tractor through.
2). I'd also like an extra area on one end for work benches and an area to set up some of my wood working tools (see photos below).
3). I'm thinking the depth needs to be at least 30' to fit a pickup and Suburban in two of the bays and still have room to have a work bench/items along the rear wall with room to maneuver around vehicles.
4). I'm unsure of the total length needed.
5). I'm unsure of how tall to make it. Storage space above would be ideal.

Your thoughts and ideas are welcomed!

 

[tjdux]

Well first off have you heard the saying build it twice as big as you think you need? Its solid advice.

Second if you can swing it go with 10x10 doors for the cars and 10 or 12x12 for tractor. You never know what you may end up witb that has tall ROPS or a trailer some day. Its rare to say man i wish i had smaller doors but the oppisite is often heard. Plus bigger doors and that 2 ft gap will be nice space onbetween each car.

Dont know what woodworking you do but consider buikding a wall to seperate it 100% from the cars. Sawdust is a huge constant mess. That 2nd building where the right end is likely workshop would seperate easily. That also makes it much easier to have insulation and climate control.

Next think about parking depth. Say you have 3 cars now but someday want a project car or garage queen...If you make the garage deep enough to park cars 2 deep then your 4 car becomes an 8 car space in theory. That also leaves room for all manner of strorage.

Food for though would be ceiling height for a lift, or mezzanine. Obvously lifts are great for auto work and a mezzanine can be excellent place for storage or hang out space. Good luck.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Stuart in MN]

First thing is to check if you have any local rules about accessory building size, setbacks from property lines, etc. I'm guessing you live out in the country, so those things may not be an issue.

 

[kbs2244]

The best online how to site for pole building I know of is:

http://www.easybuildings.com/

 

[RPH]

I bought mine from Diy pole barns. Great online site and better personal follow up. Also, there located in Ohio.
http://www.diypolebarns.com

 

[carlschmarl2]

First thing is to check if you have any local rules about accessory building size, setbacks from property lines, etc. I'm guessing you live out in the country, so those things may not be an issue.

Country with plenty of acreage...


What length do you all think I'll need for 4 bays with side work area? It doesn't need to be an enclosed area for "wood working" as I don't do all that much.

 

[kj_mustang]

32' depth minimum for trucks and workbench room. My 12' wide doors will barely fit my equipment hauling trailer. 56' long would be my recommended minimum for 4 bays.

 

[Fueler]

12 ft inside height minimum. 14 would be smarter. I wasn't.
Tallest doors possible.
I think you are too shallow on the depth.
It is amazing how much floor space gets sucked up with a truck.
What if you wind up with a crew cab dually or a motorhome in the future?
Never say never on this. I did and I do. Hindsight.

 

[RPH]

Watch your door locations. Nothing worse then the snow sliding off the roof and blocking access. I see from your location the snow does fly.

 

[TractorJeff]

Northeast Ohio is all AMISH Builders! I travel to NYS quite a bit, going up from Cleveland to Erie, I stop at the Pilot for Fuel, in the morning the Amish Builder crews are always in there.
Park a couple of vehicles like you think they will be and set up a few tables. Take some measurements. 12 by 12 door advice is true!

 

[MagKarl]

Go 16 high so that you can put in a 14 foot door and have a full height loft.

 

[larry_g]

In my build below I went 36x48. Here on cheap buildings we can go to 12' between posts. so the buildings are often multiples of 12. I also planned in the second floor and dividing wall so set additional posts inside the building to accommodate that . I used the grizzly workshop planner, http://www.grizzly.com/workshopplanner to do some layout of machines and benchs and found it to be quite good for that.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[rburke65]

I am also from NE Ohio. Don't know if you ever heard of Bernard Daniels Lumber here in Canfield, but they supplied me with all the material AND a build crew. They had great looking lumber and their guts did a great job. No affiliation, just a customer. I went with 12'x8' doors....love em. 32'x56'x 13' 4" ceiling. They are never big enough.

 

[larry_g]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363427

One thing that most people forget is area to allow for storage/workbenches around the walls of the building. I ran the above poll to hopefully gather some information on that. I assume that those who poll'ed less that 3' did not allow for standing room in front of the bench.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

I have similar plans / requirements and someday will do a 40x60x14.

See my latest design post here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338095

 

[prd2hnt]

I have a 40x60 with 14 ft walls. Limits me to a 12 ft door. That is my biggest regret. If there is any chance of a camper or tractor with ROPS, go big on at least one door.