Pole Barns some more

[callcoy]

In searching the previous posts regarding pole barns I have not found an answer to how deep can a pole barn be, meaning the narrow measurement. In the case of 30 x 40, the 30 foot dimension, could this be as great as 50 feet? I am aware that steel constructed units can even exceed 50", so what is the max. for pole barn construction.

Second question, does anyone have a handle on what the estimate costs are per square foot for a wooden mezzanine. Would it be cheaper to build a mezzanine in place of adding more square feet at ground level?

A mezzanine would offer a great place to store stuff, could build that paint booth I always wanted, under the floor, by only having to frame in one side and build a set of doors. Could put my wood working equipment up there and with light framing and plastic sheeting I would have another room that would be low in construction costs and keep the dust out of the rest of the shop.

I know that I would have to go up with the walls and that would add to the overall cost. But I wouldn't have to grade and pour more concrete to gain the square footage that I would gain with a mezzanine, nor would I have to pay extra for the larger building.

 

[RPH]

Diypole barns.com offers upto 70' wide. Just exactly what the pole positions are or if that is clear span I don't know.

 

[Voi]

In searching the previous posts regarding pole barns I have not found an answer to how deep can a pole barn be, meaning the narrow measurement. In the case of 30 x 40, the 30 foot dimension, could this be as great as 50 feet?

In previous discussions I seem to recall 60' being doable with free span trusses and that was even in areas with some snow load, which I assume you don't have? Anything above that is where the cost per square foot started creeping up.

I would do some more searching of this site using the following terms:

freespan

free span

free-span

Might was well search those terms with and without pole as well.

 

[rburke65]

I believe 60', 80' plus spans are available.......IMO.

 

[larry_g]

In my old shop I had 10' walls for 24' and then kicked up to 14' walls for12' to give a second floor in that area. So don't discount a stepped roof as I and others on here have done. On my current shop below I chose to raise the whole roof as it now will take trucks and tractors in, but I still incorporated the second floor in one bay. Since the second floor and the dividing wall was planned from the beginning you will see where I eliminated trusses and went with rafter framing in the loft area. It works for me.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[shelbyz28]

Pole barns can have wood trusses exceeding 80 feet, metal exceeding 120. If you're talking a fixed truss width of, say 40, they can be as long the other direction as you have space or level ground to go. Or un-level ground I'd suppose.

Your expensive direction to add feet is truss span width.

 

[jkwilson]

If you need to go wider than normal, you can always raise the eave height and add rafters to one or both sides to make a lean-to that can be open to the rest of the building or walled off separately. There will be a row of poles at the truss ends, but if you need space beyond the center open area for storage, office space or things like a paint booth, it works well. You can start the rafters at the truss ends or drop them down if you don't need the full height.

I have 14' eaves on my building, and I'm still over 10ft at the end of a 12' rafter.

One of my neighbors built a 60'X120' building for farm equipment, He added a 24' lean-to down one side for showers and office area plus a game room he didn't have space for in the house, then he put another lean-to on the other side where his wife and daughters have a mini-factory for crafts they sell at fairs and on Etsy. The building is 108'X120'.

You can sit down and talk to somebody experienced in buildings and they can quickly tell you your best options.

 

[Model A Fan]

Any company like the diypolebarns.com that service the other half of the US? Kinda lame how they don't go past halfway in CO.

 

[goldenfirebird]

Morton building and Menards come to mind.

 

[dw1]

It all comes down to "How deep can you go" $$$$ in your wallet. I priced several options, it was more economical for me to stay at 30', which is fine, I am going to have my doors on the side of my building, which will be on the 50' side, mine will be 30' deep.
(Hope that makes since) One price I got for 40' trusses jumped up substantially, mainly because he said they had to order them and did not keep them in stock??

 

[MagKarl]

Any company like the diypolebarns.com that service the other half of the US? Kinda lame how they don't go past halfway in CO.

I bought mine from Hansen, they supply nationwide.
http://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/

 

[callcoy]

Many thanks to those that responded to my post for help. I will be building a approx. 3000 sq. ft. shop this year and need to collect information for the project.

rph, voi, shelbyz28 & rburke65

The info you guys provided me with info about spans that has now been confirmed by suppliers, appreciate your input.

larryg

Your comments about a stepped roof may be something that I will use, it may result in reduced heating a cooling costs.

Model A Fan

Your comment about diypolebarns reminded me to update my physical location now, I have moved cross country and now reside just outside Nashville. Sorry about the old location, diypolebarns are available here.

dw1

Your comments make sense as suppliers have confirmed this, but I may have to pay a little more because of the building site in an effort to obtain the sq, footage I want.

MagKarl

I did use data from your source to do my unofficial cost comparison, thank you

You guys helped me out with my question about spans, but no one was able to chime in on the mezzanine question. I did some real simple calculations base on materials cost only and found that utilizing a mezzanine would save close to 2/3rds in costs to obtain the additional space. I would end up with a smaller building footprint maybe reduced energy costs and a potential savings in construction costs due to larryg's suggestion. Time will tell and if I can figure out how to post photos maybe you guys will be able to see how it comes together.

 

[Autorotica]

Many thanks to those that responded to my post for help. I will be building a approx. 3000 sq. ft. shop this year and need to collect information for the project.

You guys helped me out with my question about spans, but no one was able to chime in on the mezzanine question. I did some real simple calculations base on materials cost only and found that utilizing a mezzanine would save close to 2/3rds in costs to obtain the additional space. I would end up with a smaller building footprint maybe reduced energy costs and a potential savings in construction costs due to larryg's suggestion. Time will tell and if I can figure out how to post photos maybe you guys will be able to see how it comes together.

I would buy a larger, taller building now. Add a mezzanine later when you need more space... again...

Chris