Poles for Pole Barn Sizing

[jcook5003]

Hey Guys-

I'm looking to build a small horse barn on my property, I am going to build it 36x36.

I was going to use free span trusses with a 4:12 pitch and for posts I was thinking of using 20' 6x6's notched for a double 2x12 header to support the trusses. I looking at having a 16' sidewall height.

Do you guys think the 6x6 is a big enough post for this application? or should I upsize to an 8x8 or even 10x10? It seems most people use 6x6's and do fine, just wanted other opinions.

 

[bp fick]

Welcome to TBN.

You didn't fill out your profile or state where you live, as this will have some bearing on your decision. Heavy snow loads? Hurricane alley? These things make a big difference. Shooting from the hip, I'd question 6x6 for 36' span and roof load, but ymmv.

 

[jcook5003]

I live in Blacksburg Virginia, this past winter in one storm we had 18+" of snow but it was a very unusually tough winter.

I was wondering about the 6x6's as well I think I would feel better with a larger post or maybe even an alternate wall construction method?

 

[smstonypoint]

Based on this pole barn plan, you could get by with 6"*6".

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~mwps_dis/mwps_web/plans/72056.pdf

Steve

 

[MarkV]

I think of 6x6 as the standard with some using 4x6 on all but the corners. With 16' side walls are you planning on hay storage in a loft?

MarkV

 

[jcook5003]

No hay storage as of right now. The current plan is to build the 36x36 structure for a horse barn until we can build our barn/house in the future which will be much nicer and larger.

By using freespan trusses later down the road I can tear the stalls out and finish pouring the floor in concrete and have a very nice/garage/equipment storage/hay barn. Basically whatever we would want to use it for.

Sort of like a temporary fix that will till be very useful later down the road.

 

[jcook5003]

Also I had planned on spacing the poles 12' on center, is that to far apart? Perhaps back down to 6' on center?

 

[LD1]

I think 6x6's would work fine but I was curious as to why you andted 16' high walls??? Just for horses and then later a garage, wouldn't 10-12' be pleanty??

But just for an example, back on grandpas farm, he had a morton barn built ~20 years ago. It's 40x80 and 16' high walls (combine storage). Posts are 8' OC and are made up of 3 2x6's (which only measures 4.5" x 5.5"), with the trusses setting on top of each post. (sandwitched between the 2 outer 2x6's).

The building has stood for 20 or better years and still looks good. I live in Ohio and we do get some decient snow loads too.

I'd say, if you get 8' OC trusses, then set the posts 8' appart. This will also reduce the size of header board that you need.

 

[CharlieS]

What do local codes call for? Any advice given is only supposition if local codes stipulate differently. Quite an expensive oops if you start a build thats not code approved.

 

[rswyan]

But just for an example, back on grandpas farm, he had a morton barn built ~20 years ago. It's 40x80 and 16' high walls (combine storage). Posts are 8' OC and are made up of 3 2x6's (which only measures 4.5" x 5.5"), with the trusses setting on top of each post. (sandwitched between the 2 outer 2x6's).

The building has stood for 20 or better years and still looks good. I live in Ohio and we do get some decient snow loads too.

I have a Cleary polebarn - 42' x 72' x 12' or 13' high walls, built with clear span trusses that uses exactly this type of construction (laminated posts, of three 2 x 6's) - not sure on the roof pitch, but 4:12 sounds about right ..... poles are 8' OC.

Using lam posts is (potentially) stronger than a solid 6 x 6 .....

Be sure when you build the posts to leave the center 2 x 6 shorter on the top than the outside boards, leaving a slot to set the truss in. Set the posts and then cut a short section of 2 x 6 for the center of the post, that the truss will set on, to set the truss at the correct height. Then trim the outside boards to length. :thumbsup: