Pole building, lower the floor?

[C G]

So I have a small pole building for a shop, 18x28. Like a lot of garages and shop builds, we find that we wish we would have done something a little different after using them for awhile. Me, I wish I had more ceiling height.

My building has a single truss in the middle. Its eight feet high, which is actually fine except Id like to put some sort of lift in. An eight foot from the floor truss right in the middle of the shop makes a lift useless. There really isn't a lot of room to redo the truss, its only about four feet from bottom to the peak. I was thinking a ten foot ceiling height would be pretty good.

So lowering the floor two feet would put it way below grade. Can I build a foundation similar to a stick built garage and encase the poles in the concrete? I have no idea how deep they are in the ground.

 

[HoosierMark]

Why don't you just lift the roof. Disconnect the trusses from the posts and raise it up. You may need to do it in steps but that would be the simple way in my opinion. Then you could add some high windows or just different color siding to the area. I am thinking marry some similar size posts to the existing posts to carry the weight of the truss and for the other areas build a 2 x 4/6 short wall in between the areas. I am sure the other more experienced guys will have better ways.

 

[astroracer]

Here: Post #2.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321537

 

[msgross]

I would make 4ft extension posts out of 2.6's and sister them to the current poles, raise the roof. probably way cheaper than new concrete.

 

[lakeroadster]

Ever thought about using a 4 post lift and building a 2 foot deep pit under the lift? That utilizes your drop the floor idea, but just under the lift.

Curious, you fellas talking about raising the roof 2 ft.. you ever actually done that? In the end it would likely be cheaper to add onto the building, and building on would for sure be more cost effective since the larger building footprint would be better re-sale.

 

[HoosierMark]

I watched a neighbor do it and have seen and read several threads on this site. I agree if the OP could add on it would be great. But that option was never presented as a possibility. Did you read that somewhere in his post?

 

[kerr]

We call that a swimming pool here in Oklahoma . LOL . If you aren't on top of a hill right on the peak thats what you would have , right ?

Raising the roof is not that big of a deal compaired to going , under ground I would think .

YMMV

 

[davo727]

edit, Was thinking it was stick built and jacking up and putting sub wall underneath but pole barn is a different animal......

 

[CNGsaves]

Raise the roof . . . . but not on top . . . . from the bottom:

Convert normal wood poles in ground . . instead . . . to Perma-Columns. So prep the whole building for lifting, then CUT OFF the poles !!

Won't be easy, but will be better with concrete in ground holding up the poles.

Add veneer exterior brick for that lower portion 4 ft that you raise the building. Yeah, take it to 12 ft ceilings so your lift won't have any limitations. With proper planning and implementation, your building will be stronger, better functioning and look better than it did before.

 

[davo727]

Yes jack it up and add on underneath.

Heres a couple pics from one members jack job.

 

[davo727]

Heres a good one showing bracing and lifting a garage

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283853&highlight=Garage+raise+boat&page=11

 

[lakeroadster]

I watched a neighbor do it and have seen and read several threads on this site. I agree if the OP could add on it would be great. But that option was never presented as a possibility. Did you read that somewhere in his post?

Did you see raising the roof as an option?

 

[914wilhelm]

Would it be possible to notch a 2' tall by 8' wide section out of the bottom of the truss after you box it all around with plywood? Another option is to run a beam lengthwise down the ridge (perpendicular to the existing truss) to support the roof and then delete the truss. This beam would need to be supported on posts at each end.

 

[HoosierMark]

Lakeroadster- You are correct, he never mentioned raising the roof as a possible option either.

 

[msgross]

Being a pole barn is why I mention raising the roof. I would probably remove the metal and drop the trusses. The walls will stand up because of the poles, something a stick built can't do as easily. Disturbing dirt and the poles on the bottom would be an issue.

 

[davo727]

Maybe he didnt present it as an option because he might not have known it was a possible option. It shouldnt stop someone from suggesting a far superior fix than digging a swimming pool under the building.

Lakeroadster- You are correct, he never mentioned raising the roof as a possible option either.

 

[C G]

I thought about the raising of the roof, but it seemed like it would be as big a project as lowering the floor. I looked into notching the truss too. The pitch of the roof isn't much so its not as feasible as one that's steeper.

Im pretty sure raising a pole building is out of the question. (but Ill have to look into Perma Columns, never heard of them)

My shop is sided in wood, not metal and the inside is all wired, insulated and dry walled.

As far as the garage turning into a swimming pool I don't understand that. I don't know the correct lingo, but the cement sides would be built higher than grade. I would also add drainage just like a regular foundation build.

I was thinking trim up the sides inside and out to expose the poles and make room for forms. Maybe its a dumb idea haha, Im not a builder when it comes to structures. I can do all the internal wiring, plumbing, drywall etc etc.

Also I would move the garage door to the other end of the shop. I can level the outside on that end with the floor.

edit: reading through the posts some more, the sited thread where the fella boxed in some of his ceiling wouldn't work pole building is different.

As far as making the garage bigger, its exactly as large as was allowed with all the setbacks and rules the city has.

The more I think about it raising the roof does sound interesting. Plus I could give the roof a steeper pitch.

Lots of interesting thoughts fellas ... thanks!

 

[lakeroadster]

Don't be so quick to abandon the lift with a pit concept. Something like the photo below, but with a 4 post lift over it.

 

[C G]

Don't be so quick to abandon the lift with a pit concept. Something like the photo below, but with a 4 post lift over it.

This wasn't what I envisioned ... that's actually pretty interesting.

 

[theoldwizard1]

we call that a swimming pool here in oklahoma . Lol . If you aren't on top of a hill right on the peak thats what you would have , right ?

At least it will be indoors !

 

[davo727]

Ok now with the info that it is drywalled, wired and all that now im jonesing on raising the roof instead of jacking up from the lower walls.