Hi, I love the website and have got plenty of great suggestions. Now I am looking for some more. I am interested in building a garage. I like the idea of the pole barn for cost savings. I figured I can do 95% myself. My questions are do people use those Post Protectors? Are they worth it? I know it is different everywhere, but I am looking for something that is going to last, and I know a regular foundation would be the best but $$ is a factor. Or would I be better to use a concrete encapsulated pole footing? Or is it possible to pour a sonotube and just bolt the 6x6 onto that using those Simpson tie plates that isolate from the ground? I probably just need to go and talk to the building inspector but trying to get all my info lined up before hand. I am in Massachusetts and the ground is mostly a clay dirt mix. We have a small backhoe and figured I could dig out the poles easily enough, but wondering on what to use. I read a lot of different posts and see that some use them and most do not. Thanks.
Pole Barn question
- Thread starter nvip9r
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s78wingrider
Gold Member
I don't like putting any kind of wood in the ground for a building. Just my 2 cents :confused2:
ace10
Silver Member
Consider your property tax situation, as well. Does your local taxing authroity consider pole buildings to be Ag/temporary and tax them at a lower rate than stick built one?
sal64
Platinum Member
my pole barn has pt 4x6 posts in the dirt 4 foot down with a concrete pad form under bottom of post and the concrete flore was pored around the post with expantion matirial between post and concrete that is coed in my area . before the coeds my dad built a pole barn 4x6 pt post with a rock under post and it still standing 30 yrs later.
simonds
Bronze Member
I have built many pole type buildings in upper N.Y.State. and North central Pa.
You have to check with your code enforcement people to do it the way they require. We have always dug the holes for the posts so they are at least 42" below grade, then mixed 1 bag of concrete mix into the hole and smooth it out the best you can. Next day set the posts and backfill about 6-8" at a time and tamp down very well. Do not pour concrete around the post. The frost will catch on the concrete and push the post upward.
Good Luck with your building,
Clayton
General Contractor for 42 years
You have to check with your code enforcement people to do it the way they require. We have always dug the holes for the posts so they are at least 42" below grade, then mixed 1 bag of concrete mix into the hole and smooth it out the best you can. Next day set the posts and backfill about 6-8" at a time and tamp down very well. Do not pour concrete around the post. The frost will catch on the concrete and push the post upward.
Good Luck with your building,
Clayton
General Contractor for 42 years
Kyle241
Platinum Member
I am close to finishing my pole building garage (24x32). I have poured concrete piers and used simpson strong ties to bolt down 6x6 treated posts. I agree not being a fan of any wood in the ground.
I'm much further along now, completely enclosed but still need to do soffitting and will get to the insulation and will pour a concrete pad next spring.
I'm much further along now, completely enclosed but still need to do soffitting and will get to the insulation and will pour a concrete pad next spring.
Thanks guys for the input.
Kyle - that looks great. Looks like you have the attic trusses. I am wondering on how you plan on insulating? Will it be metal roof and walls and then using that spray foam insulation?
That is another question I have, how to get around it raining in the garage if I decide to throw a wood stove in there later on.
Do you happen to know which ones you used?
On your cement pylons, how did you do it? 18" base and then pour a sonotube 12"?
Thanks again
Kyle - that looks great. Looks like you have the attic trusses. I am wondering on how you plan on insulating? Will it be metal roof and walls and then using that spray foam insulation?
That is another question I have, how to get around it raining in the garage if I decide to throw a wood stove in there later on.
Do you happen to know which ones you used?
On your cement pylons, how did you do it? 18" base and then pour a sonotube 12"?
Thanks again
Kyle241
Platinum Member
Yes I have attic trusses and the second floor is approx. 12'x32' so ample room for storage. I am planning to insulate with spray foam to help seal up the building. The roof is galvalume and exterior walls are smart panel with the bottom two feet treated ply and next spring finished with stone (not true stone, the cut stone).
Not sure I understand your question about the wood stove. I am installing a pellet stove I bought for my previous garage/barn that I built. It has a large hopper and burns for about 24hrs. It will vent out the back of the garage.
The cement piers were easy because I used 'The Footing Tube' (Concrete Pier Forms | Suitable for Decks, Fences, Additions, Docks | The Footing Tube). Not cheap as I was going to use big foot's and sono tubes but the footing tube seemed like an easier method for me.
Thanks to the guys that have chimed in.
I was hoping for some more input on the pole buildings and the post pole protectors or how other have done their buildings. And what they did to make sure they will last. I'd hate to have to rebuild in like 20years. I figured there are a lot of buildings out there and since not many in my area maybe get some good info from the site.
Thanks again
I was hoping for some more input on the pole buildings and the post pole protectors or how other have done their buildings. And what they did to make sure they will last. I'd hate to have to rebuild in like 20years. I figured there are a lot of buildings out there and since not many in my area maybe get some good info from the site.
Thanks again
bearcreek paul
Gold Member
Pole barns in my area are not taxed like a garage with a foundation is.Plus they are alot cheaper to build.I started mine in september and had the roof shingled on october 31.That was all done by myself after work and on weekends.I had a head start when i built the trusses in august they were made from 2x6's.I did 4ft deep holes 6in gravel in bottom tubes with concrete i used 4x6 posts 2x10s one on inside one on outside 2 1/2in bolts through the posts and 2x10s for the trusses to set on and 2x4s for truss ties.After i started putting up the trusses i wished i went with rafters.All in all it was a learning experience and very enjoyable.The siding and floor will go in this spring after i get my hernias repaired.Also received alot of advise from my neighbors on what works here,and their barns are still standing after many years.
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