My barn has a loft. Previous owner, (who built it) was a general contractor and used it to store materials. While I like to keep a little extra lumber around, I don't keep that much, and it had honestly just become sort of a dumping ground for me. I decided I wanted to reclaim some of the floor space to make room to eventually add a lift, so I cleaned it out, and plan to reduce it from its current 8x24 footprint to 8x12.
Basically, the plan is to just disassemble the front half. I'm going to add a lateral brace to the railing, take that that down first, then pull up the floor (nailed OSB) and peel off the 2x6's as I go.
My concern is that the mid-span post (4x6) becomes the end post (i.e. in the pic below, the beam on the left goes away, the beam on the right remains.) I'm 100% certain this is not up to code, but, it held way more weight than I'll ever have have on it for many years, so I don't feel like it requires a complete "do-over".
What I am planning to do here is add a 2x10 cleat or cripple stud secured to the 4x6 with GRK structural lags so that the beams sit on top of a support instead relying on the shear strength of the nails. Also considering adding a 45 degree brace at the corner to resist racking as there is no sheeting on this side.
Would welcome your thoughts or ideas.
Basically, the plan is to just disassemble the front half. I'm going to add a lateral brace to the railing, take that that down first, then pull up the floor (nailed OSB) and peel off the 2x6's as I go.
My concern is that the mid-span post (4x6) becomes the end post (i.e. in the pic below, the beam on the left goes away, the beam on the right remains.) I'm 100% certain this is not up to code, but, it held way more weight than I'll ever have have on it for many years, so I don't feel like it requires a complete "do-over".
What I am planning to do here is add a 2x10 cleat or cripple stud secured to the 4x6 with GRK structural lags so that the beams sit on top of a support instead relying on the shear strength of the nails. Also considering adding a 45 degree brace at the corner to resist racking as there is no sheeting on this side.
Would welcome your thoughts or ideas.