Barn Designs Anyone...?

[Rich Stevens]

Guys,

I have decided to build myself an old style mini "barn" for my surburban backyard. At this stage I am figuring on something about 20' by 14' It will be built on a concrete slab (non negotiable) however I am keen try something other than standard 18" O/C stud pine and pre-fab pine trusses. I like the look of heavy Douglas Fir post and beams - but nothing too heavy please - maybe 6" by 6" posts and 6" by 3" rafters or similar...

I would be most grateful if any of you could point to web sites of interest, forums, companies that specialise in this type of thing.

BTW, This "barn" is to be built in Australia and I plan to do all the work myself.

Thanks
Rich
Melbourne

[Tom Scott]

Rich,
When I was designing a cottage-style workshop (for my wife's business) for our backyard, I found this site that might be of interest.Barns and Backbuildings (http://www.abetterplan.com/barns.html)

Your floor plate is similar to what I built, but I added a loft. I would take a picture but it's night here.

Good luck,
Tom

[tim rowledge]

Either FWW or FHB did a post&beam shed a while back. Damned if I can find out the issue for you though; I'm just not getting hits from searching finewoodworking.com & finehomebuilding.com for 'timber frame shed' etc.
Does anyone else remember the article?

[Rick Cabot]

Hi Rich
You might find the following site helpful for general ideas. Just download their construction guide and I think you will find some helpful hints.
http://www.just-sheds.com/construction_tips.htm
Good luck with the project.

Regards Rick Cabot

[Justin James]

You might take a look at the book "Barns, Sheds, & Outbuildings" from Creative Homewowner for ideas, plans, etc. You can probably find something like what you have in mind and adapt the plans to suit. I've built a couple buildings based on this book, the information was fairly complete.

Barns, sheds, & Outbuildings
John d. Wagner and Clayton DeKorne
ISBN 1-58011-075-4

[Bill Leonard]

"www.barnplans.com"

[Kelly C. Hanna]

Unless you know a good framer, stay away from the gambrel roof style. My buddy tried to build one like mine without my help and he about went nuts trying to get it framed.

Barns are cool shops! Here's mine...

http://www.hannawoodworks.com/workshopa1.jpg

[Lee Schierer]

When I built my barn 16 X 24, http://home.earthlink.net/~us71na/barn.jpgI contacted the local lumber supply and they were able to get me drawings of the trusses I needed for the roof. I altered the truss design by putting 2 X 10's for the bottom member so I could have some storage capacity on top if them. I must have done something right as it is still there with 800 bdft of hickory in the storage area with no sags in the rafters after 15 years. The barn is a pole barn construction with solid hemlock siding.