First time pole barn builder needs help

landis76 · Feb 2, 2010

My buddy and I are in the middle of building a 40x60x12 pole barn and we are definitely learning as we go. Our trusses will be on 10 foot centers so we are going to put our 2x6 roof purlins on edge using hangers. Does anyone know where I can buy those double slip over the truss hangers for a reasonable price? Also, I am looking for 29 gauge painted steel at a great price. Any other golden nuggets of advice are also appreciated.

hcallaway · Feb 2, 2010

Where are you located? That might help with some possible answers. Good Luck. How did you come up with the spacing on your trusses? Do you have much snow where you are located?

landis76 · Feb 2, 2010

Kansas City. Sorry, I thought I added that. The truss guy said we'd be ok with trusses and posts on 10 foot centers. Sounded a little far to me too.

hcallaway · Feb 2, 2010

Go down to your local Home Depot or Lowes. Check out the information they have posted for Painted Metal or Bare HDG Metal Roofing. Call them direct, they almost all deliver direct, don't mention where you got their name. Also check Bargain Trader's, Penny Savers for the section on Garages and/or building supplies. Many carport guys also roll form Metal themselves or will order it cut to length for you. I am sure you will have to pay in advance but you should save some bucks.

schmism · Feb 3, 2010

slip over purlin hangers,

USP structural connectors (or Simpson strong tie connectors also)

USP's number would be JDS26

most truss companies either deal with USP or simpson and should be able to supply hangers. youll just have to call around to truss companies and see who carries USP. (or what simpsons version is if they have one)

as a commercial product your not going to find it at ace or a big box hardware store.

jcaron2 · Feb 3, 2010

landis76 said:
My buddy and I are in the middle of building a 40x60x12 pole barn and we are definitely learning as we go. Our trusses will be on 10 foot centers so we are going to put our 2x6 roof purlins on edge using hangers. Does anyone know where I can buy those double slip over the truss hangers for a reasonable price? Also, I am looking for 29 gauge painted steel at a great price. Any other golden nuggets of advice are also appreciated.

I always use Simpson H1 brackets where the purlins attach to the trusses. I usually pay around $0.65 apiece from a box store. That assumes that the ends of the purlins butt up to each other or only overlap by the width of the truss, since an H1 will only accomodate the width of a single 2x board. Otherwise, a pair of H2 brackets can accomplish the same thing.

I built a barn in Florida in that style which met code and has so far survived several hurricanes with no problems at all. The trusses were 12' on center, and the purlins were 2x6 on edge on 24" centers. No snow load there, but I would think 10' would be fine where you are. For a 20# snow load (which I think is code where you are) and 10# dead load, a #1 SPF 2x6 @24"O.C. will allow a span of a little over 11' with L/180 deflection limit, and is still over 10' with an L/360 deflection limit.