pole barn

[mickish]

Anyone used 4x6 pressure treated posts to build their barn as opposed to 6x6 posts.

 

[hcallaway]

I used the 4 x 6 on the porches. On another building I used 6 x 6 on the corners and 4 x 6 on the walls. I am sure there are others. Good luck on your build.

 

[whistlepig]

I had a 30'x40' barn built by Blitz builders twenty years ago with 4"x 6" posts. No problems at all with it.

 

[LD1]

Yep, lots of people do it.

But how tall you make the building is the determining factor. If you only plan on a 8-10' ceiling, then 4x6's on the walls with 6x6's in the corners will be pleanty strong.

When you start getting above 12' walls is when 6x6's are worth the extra cost.

And you may want to check the codes where you live if any of them apply. They will probabally at least specify minimums for a given height.

But me personally, I used electric poles in the 8"-12" diameter range for my 14' high walls.

 

[whistlepig]

Yep, lots of people do it.

But how tall you make the building is the determining factor. If you only plan on a 8-10' ceiling, then 4x6's on the walls with 6x6's in the corners will be pleanty strong.

When you start getting above 12' walls is when 6x6's are worth the extra cost.

And you may want to check the codes where you live if any of them apply. They will probabally at least specify minimums for a given height.

But me personally, I used electric poles in the 8"-12" diameter range for my 14' high walls.

Good point. I had Blitz builders build me a another 24'x40' pole with 10' walls 4 years ago were we live now. Old barn 30'x40' barn with 4"x6" poles was 9' walls. They went with 6"x6" poles for this barn with 10' walls. No building codes or inspections here for agri buildings. Blitz builders decided the post size.

 

[mickish]

I think I need at least 10 ft ceiling height at least,other wise what's the point,I'm thinking 12ft ceiling height would be best so as I get 10 ft door height ,so maybe 6x6 is the way to go.I was thinking the osb sheathing would add some as well as wire lath would add some strength .the cost difference between 4x6 and 6x6 is a fair bit.

 

[whistlepig]

I think I need at least 10 ft ceiling height at least,other wise what's the point,I'm thinking 12ft ceiling height would be best so as I get 10 ft door height ,so maybe 6x6 is the way to go.I was thinking the osb sheathing would add some as well as wire lath would add some strength .the cost difference between 4x6 and 6x6 is a fair bit.

What size barn are you wanting to build?

 

[mickish]

24x40 with a loft,if I go over a thousand sq ft I have to do storm water management and I ain't sure what all that will entail so I'd rather avoid that secnario.

 

[whistlepig]

24x40 with a loft,if I go over a thousand sq ft I have to do storm water management and I ain't sure what all that will entail so I'd rather avoid that secnario.

I am forever glad to get away from the county and city restrictions on building a pole barn. They will probably want you to dig a retention pond. If you are going to have a loft with weight stored in it I would for sure go with 6"x6" posts. Another important consideration is the wind. Where we live now is flat as Kansas. Our buildings take a very considerable beating from the wind. We have redundancy built into everything just to allow for the high winds here.

 

[LD1]

I forgot to add that post spacing makes a difference too.

For 12' walls 4x6 posts ever 8' sould be just fine.

But stretch that to 10' or 12' between posts and I'd definatally be using the 6x6's