Looking for Pole Barn Building Guide

[MikeFromVA]

A while ago, I read a post that had a link to a book on how to build pole barns. The book looked like it was very good, but not professionally published. The guy was asking for $40 for a 60 page book. Now that I'm in the planning stage of my pole barn, I'm looking for a good book. Of course, now that I'm looking I cannot find the post with that link in it.

Does anyone have the link?
Is the book any good?
Any other good books that you recommend to help me with design and construction of a small pole barn (16'x24' - I think).?

 

[Jimbrown]

Maybe not the best but cheap. I also got a set of plans from Sutherlands farm store. I would suspect any farm lumber store would have similar. "Practical Pole Building Construction with plans

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0913589160/102-9256656-6899340?v=glance

 

[EddieWalker]

Mopower bought a book in his post about building a pole barn. He mentioned it several times in the post.

I was buiding my pole barn at the time and thought it wouldn't hurt to see what I could learn from that book and maybe improve my barn.

I read it the day it arrived and was utterly amazed at how confusing it was. The author is probably a great builder, but he has no idea of how to edit a book. His illustrations are confusing, he seems to jump around in the order of building, and many times I had no idea what he was talking about.

I'm a contractor, so I'm not without some knowledge on building things, but this book was probably one of the biggest problems mopower had building his barn.

Do not waste your money on that book.

 

[bczoom]

MikeFromVa

Are you building it yourself? If so, the place you're getting your lumber from probably has brochures of several designs.
If someone else is building for you, same thing.

When I had my 32x48 built, I designed using software on my PC and gave to the builder. (Although I just used Visio, there's several software packages out there now that will provide templates for buildings.) He only needed a few minutes to look it over to adjust from one of his standard plans and it came out perfect.

 

[MikeIA]

There is Midwest Plan Service, another quality service from Iowa State University /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

http://www.mwpshq.org/Default.htm

 

[wejones]

Mike, Check with your local extension agent for plans also. There probably are a dozen different ways to build a barn depending on size and materials available and your final use. I can almost guarantee that whatever size you build will become too small in the future. There are many options available and no one way is best for all. Will you be buying all materials? Using salvaged materials is a way to save. but it limits options on size and shape. I have built and rebuilt sheds and barns on the family farm using just about every material imaginable. So I know you have a lot of possibilities. willie jones

 

[fishman]

The book written by Monty Burch is o.k., but he contradicts himself on a few minor points. It's kind of a "get ur dun" approach, and it's worth the money. I think I got my copy at Tractor Supply.

 

[jmc]

I was surprised to find several at our library.

John

 

[MikeFromVA]

I think I'll give it a read - thanks

 

[MikeFromVA]

Thanks for letting me know what not to get - mopower's threads look like a good start for me also.

 

[MikeFromVA]

bczoom - I will be building it myself and will probably lay it all out in Visio first - it's great for that.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Go to your local library (many you can search online) and look in the 'Business & Technology section somewhere in the 600's, as I recall. You will find a wealth of construction information there. You should find more than a couple books there specifically dedicated to pole barn construction. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The most valuable card in my wallet? My library card. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MikeFromVA]

Sounds like I need to make a trip to the library. Take my daughter there all of the time 'cause she loves books and I never think to look for myself...

I know, I know - just like my tractor, I will always want a bigger barn, but the funds will be the limiting factor I'm afraid (spent too much on the tractor?? nah....)

 

[cowboydoc]

There is a great pamphlet from Menards building supply on building pole barns. It is concise, to the point, and very easy to read. Kind of like "Pole Barn Building for Dummies".

 

[riptides]

Hey Mike,

I think I learned more from these forums and picked up more how-to here than anywhere. Plus you have the needle factor. Once you announce your plan, well - you know.
Anyway, here is my link. Mike Z pole barn

It has held up very well so far. I still cannot get the RTV in there, someone likes it in the garage. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Luremaker]

Go to this web site www.cps.gov.on.ca they have hundreds of free plans and lots helpful information on building farm related buildings. They even show you how to contruct the buildings. Everything is in pdf format. Be prepared to spend a lot of time going through the plans. There are hundreds...

Canadian Plan Service