Once upon a time we built a pole barn in which to store “stuff”. We actually built it before we built a house because the house was going to have a lot of housestuff that would need to be put somewhere before it actually went into the house.
The pole barn was built at 8300’ about 20 miles WSW of Pikes Peak on a 35 acre parcel in Colorado, so it good pretty cold inside during the winter and real hot during the rest of year when the sun would shine (most of the time).
So we insulated. I had the insulation made in blankets to match the 6’ bay widths by an insulation company in Denver. Although it was fairly easy to install with glue/nail on insulation spike, there are still blood signatures where we forgot a spike location when pushing the insulation on. Sometimes, you have to put a little of yourself into your work.
It next turned in to a finishing palace for the trim and doors going into the house build. Yes, we finally got around to building a place to live. We had our priorities right, or at least I put together a somewhat reasonable story for “she who controls the checkbook” on why this makes sense…at least in my universe.
It has also been the site of one of the best parties, ever (http://patcaulfield.blogspot.com/2009/08/25th-anniversary-party-after-action.html).
It’s not a showplace, but it is a good place to hang out. In fact my wife calls it “Pat’s Place for Putzing Around”, when talking to her pals. For those of you familiar with the “Garage Logic” philosophy espoused by Joe Soucheray on AM 1500 in the Twin Cites, it will seem very recognizable.
It has become a pretty general purpose workshop. I use OSB to line it for a few reasons;
We think it turned out OK, (http://patcaulfield.blogspot.com/2010/01/shop-that-osb-built-at-least-on-inside.html)
- I generally hang things in the wrong place the first time, so I didn’t want to be repairing holes all the time,
- I once saw a REI store finished in stained OSB that looked great.
- And oh ya, I bought the needed 100 sheets off of Craigslist for $3 a board.
The one thing I don’t have is a reading room. I hope to remedy that this summer with the acquisition of an old phone booth, into which will go a chemical stool and a custom made paper and sanitizer holder. ( http://picasaweb.google.com/PTCaulfi...93391228252322 ).
Pat Caulfield
http://patcaulfield.blogspot.com/