Timber frame barn from trees on property

[sbeausol]

I am in the planning stages of a DIY barn that will be 24x32 on my property in Essex MA. I was initially thinking a pole barn might be a good solution for me since it will be DIY and I want costs to be down. I have 2.5 acres, and some years ago someone planted about 30 spruce trees. They all grew into each other, have taken over many of the fruit trees that are back there and in summary are all coming down. On average the trees are 25-30' tall and are around 14" in diameter. They are all pretty straight. I have a local mill that can mill them to any dimension I want for $0.60 per foot. My understanding for why timber framed structures are expensive is largely because of the lumber. As a result I have a few questions:

1) Is it reasonable to think that I can use the trees in my yard to make a timber framed barn? I would estimate that I should be able to get at least 20 trees milled to 8"x8"x16' for a total of $200. Am I even in the ballpark for what kind of lumber I will need? (I am fine using trusses for the roof if that simplifies things)

2) I haven't been able to find a resource to estimate the lumber needed for the structure I want to build. What should post spacing be, or beam span etc? If some can point me to a useful reasourse that would help.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[rsanter]

Don't you have to rough mill them and then dry them?
Are you sure their price is by the foot and not the board foot?

Bob

 

[sbeausol]

yes, they will have to be dried, but it can be done outside. I will be calling the mill about the pricing again, but worst case, the price goes from $200 to $800? Not sure how much that lumber would be otherwise...

 

[rbonitz]

I built my timber-frame shed with trees from my property - But used almost entirely oak - with some poplar for the rafters - I'm not sure about using Spruce.

See thread "Old School Build..." from a while back. It makes a big difference to have the right guys building - I was fortunate to find some real craftsman with a sawmill and a lot of experience.

 

[buddyboy]

there are tables you can use, you'll have to do a google search.

many variables such as species of wood, type of cut, dimension and use will need to be known.

I'm sure there is a way to grade each timber also. you don't want a load supporting beam to snap in half because it had a knot in the wrong place

build a standard stick built garage and have them rip them into 2x and get them kiln dried, you'll still save some $$$ with no worries.

 

[justanengineer]

Do yourself a favor and just go buy the kiln dried lumber from them or work a deal with your logs as partial trade. Realistically, you cant tell how straight a log is until its on the mill carriage and I think you might be surprised how short the posts might end up. Beyond that, spruce logs are dirt cheap so youre basically going to be paying their labor anyway, and this way you wont have to worry about problems with drying them.

 

[Bender78]

What you are asking is exactly the way that I built my 28 x 32 foot barn, except that my timbers came from a neighbors property.

Don't listen the the nay-sayers. My timber framed barn was one of my most favorite projects and I am still extremely satisfied with the results 15 years after building it.

If you work with a good mill, they will help you select the best timbers for the structure from the logs you supply to them.

Good luck with your project.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Do yourself a favor and just go buy the kiln dried lumber from them or work a deal with your logs as partial trade.

Very few, if any, small sawmills have the space or equipment to dry lumber.

 

[KEH]

Spruce trees are not common in my area, but I don't think they are decay resistance enough to put in the ground. Get local advice if your plan is to put the posts in the ground. They should be fine for other framing lumber. There may be local rules about using inspected, stamped lumber. Kiln dried lumber is good since the process kills bug eggs. If you can find a place to kiln dry your lumber that would be good. You are building a shop, not a house so rough lumber should be fine. You may want to do a little comparison shopping on the price of having the lumber sawed.

KEH

 

[kbs2244]

Do it.
It will give you something to brag to your grandchildren about.

To check you building details, go to

http://www.easybuildings.com/

You may want to check into someone with one of those portable sawmill coming to your site.
It will save you all the trucking.

 

[justanengineer]

Very few, if any, small sawmills have the space or equipment to dry lumber.

Bubba's portable band mill likely wont, but IME in the family business at least in the NE US, most full time mills have at least a small solar kiln. My grandfather built his ~50 years ago and even then it was considered pretty old technology but very cheap and effective. Planers are the same way IME, the hobby mills dont have them but even the 1-2 man small full time mills have at least some basic thickness and edge planing capability, even if its just slow, old equipment.

FWIW tho, I could see a mill having a niche as cutting rough-cut only since it seems like quite a few of the woodwackers prefer it. We used to regularly get hobbyists digging through the slab pile simply bc of the bark.