What to do with this barn?

[DaveE]

First of all, What a cool forum!!! I found you guys through a thread on the Pelican Parts Forum (Porsche stuff) and am fascinated by the info here. Now on to my issues:

I have this barn on my property, 32 X 38, split level, damp, dirt floor in the upper ground level bay (16 X 38). The lower level was used for stables and I have two cars stuffed into one large (for a stable) area. This area is 15 X 19 and has a half-dirt half-concrete floor and I would like to make this area sutable for car storage, ideally for one car. What are my floor options?

1. I've considered building a wooden floor that would extend over the concrete, using those patio footers in the dirt.

2. Pour a new concrete floor over the old floor and the dirt. Can I pour four inches over existing concrete?

3. Pour concrete over the dirt area only.

Any thoughts?

 

[ChucksCrib]

Pics

And when your done with that....post some more pics.



Seriously, Welcome to the addiction. I'm sure your get a load of opinion here.

 

[ChucksCrib]

I can suggest one thing however, A vapor barrier is a must under new slabs if you are planning on throwing down an epoxy floor some time in the future. I would also think that a vapor barrier may inhibit rust on tools,vehicles, etc due to moisture migrating through concrete.

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah, Im not to sure exactly what the layout is of your barn, but Id def. put down a concrete floor. Heck, if you have a dirt floor, Id consider installing a "pit" as well, just makes oil changes and stuff easier.

Jim

 

[iiibdsiil]

What kinda Porsche ya got? I have a 914 with a 3.2 in it.

 

[Luckydevil]

Welcome to the forum Dave.

Pics will definitely help out here if you can get any.

 

[DaveE]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'll go out and take some pics tomorrow so you have a better idea of the layout.

iiibdsiil, I have mostly a motley collection of older cars, a '65 911, '65 912, '73 914, '67 912. They all need work, rust repair mostly. I have a nice '78 911SC that I drive daily, at least until the salt (I mean snow) flies.

My barn now is a mess of parts and cars, needs massive organization. I'm planning a true garage to attach to the one side at which point the barn will be a dedicated shop. I don't think I can start on it until next year at least.

 

[ranger_dood]

Hey Dave, sounds like the place has some nice potential! Just looked up Bellwood on Google since I've never heard of it. My GF goes to college at IUP, so I'm down that way quite a bit. I'll have to swing by and see the finished project in a few years

Very nice area down there, I like living in the country-type area. I usually come across Rt 80 from Bloomsburg and then come down to IUP from Clearfield, about an hours drive on 2 lane roads, but it's fun.

I've also come across from Philadelphia on the turnpike, then gone Rt 99 to 22 to 422. So anyway, I've driven CLOSE to Bellwood, but never through.

 

[Tim240Z]

My GF goes to college at IUP, so I'm down that way quite a bit. I'll have to swing by and see the finished project in a few years

Hmm...I almost went there....ended up at Shippensburg instead...

 

[sca037]

Welcome Dave.......the more P-car guys here, the better

Brian

 

[DaveE]

Ranger dood: You're welcome any time. I like the area. I grew up in Altoona and went to PSU at the local campus then finished at State College. I've been lucky I think to stay in the area and make a decent living. There are some nice fun roads if you don't get caught behind the semi's and tri-axles.

Tim240Z: You're from PA I guess?

Brian: Thanks for the warm P-car welcome!

Well, I want to get some barn pics taken today.....

 

[DaveE]

Photos as promised. The first is of the barn showing the lower (front) and upper ground levels. The lower level has two cars in it as seen in the third pic. The second shows the wall I removed and re-attached to get the two cars in. The 4th and 5th pic is the upper rear ground level from the other side of the barn. Three cars presently in there, a '67 912 in the foreground and a BMW 2002 tii and '65 912 in the rear. Pic 6 is above the lower level, just a mass of parts. Yes, that's a Vespa small-frame. Pic 7 is directly above the two cars in pic 3, a work area of sorts.

 

[dink]

You have a great selection there.....needs some tiding though

 

[bmwpower]

The best garages start with a good foundation.

I would rip up the old concrete floor and redo the whole floor. Build a block wall to tie the lower floor and the upper floor together.

To do this, you'd have to move everything out of the barn. That may not be possible.

If it were me, this is what I would do.

 

[dink]

The best garages start with a good foundation.

I would rip up the old concrete floor and redo the whole floor. Build a block wall to tie the lower floor and the upper floor together.

To do this, you'd have to move everything out of the barn. That may not be possible.

If it were me, this is what I would do.

Or just bring it all down and start over

 

[BetterDays]

Wow, my dad grew up in Johnstown and we have family in Altoona.

(go Steelers, even though I am from near the "Construction Barrel" City... At least a construction barrel with a "skid mark".

 

[bmwpower]

Or just bring it all down and start over

Yes, true. There's only so much you can do with an old barn. It will always leak air/water.

Tearing it all down and starting over will definitely cost more, though.