New Barn Build - 25x36 Pole Barn

[Natty Bumppo]

Hey guys. Had a long summer working on my barn and thought I'd do an update. I started this build in the summer of 2017 and having been chipping away at it. It's now about 90% complete. Except for the cement pad, I've done everything myself. This past summer I worked on insulation, wiring, and interior walls.

I used 2" polyiso for insulation on the walls and ceiling. I took the time to foam seal all of the seams. It was a lot of work, but I wanted to be sure I could work out in the barn on the coldest of New England days and feel toasty.

I then wired the entire building...brought out 2-2-2-4 aluminum service entrance cable to a 100 amp sub panel. I had a few electrician buddies of mine help me with this. Also, want to give Bowsnbucks a big thanks for his advice!!!! I tried to think of everything....20 amp work bench height outlets on 2 different circuits, hot outlets in the ceilings for drops, switched ceiling outlets for LED lights, 30 and 50 amp outlets for welders and air compressors, switched high wall outlets for neon signs and that kind of fun stuff, and a 30 amp outlet in the ceiling for a future lift. I dreaded pounding the 2 8' ground rods into our soil, but I lucked out. I didn't hit a thing and had them both in in about 10 minutes. Finally, I dug my trench and got the approval to connect....finally lights and power to my barn!

 

[Natty Bumppo]

For the interior walls I used 1x10 ship-lap pine screwed to my nailers horizontally up to 8'. From 8' to the 12' ceiling I then used OSB. In these pics you can see some of the detail of the insulation, wiring, and walls. I am now working on getting the rest of the ceiling up and an 80,000 BTU Mr. Heater Big Maxx installed. I heat the barn with a little portable Mr. Buddy heater and it gets the barn nice and warm. Using Unistrut to hang the heater, but I have some constructions obstacles in the way of the vent pipe so I need to rethink where it's going.







Here it sits todays. Took this pic yesterday after I got done plowing. Plans for the rest of winter are to finish the Mr. Heater, hang the rets of the ceiling OSB, and get my black pipe installed for the air compressor.

Next summer I will build a deck to the entry door on the second floor to my attic space and a shed roof off the rear for implement storage, and that will be it.

 

[Tree Spud]

Nice work? What is the upper level used for, how do you access?

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Nice work? What is the upper level used for, how do you access?

Thanks Treespud. Next summer I am going to build stairs and a deck to that door. I just ran out of time this fall. That space is going to be mostly storage...summer stuff like kayaks, bikes, pool supplies, etc. in the winter. And winter stuff in the summer. I am also going to put up a wall on the other gable end and make a small family work-out and recreation room. A place to lift some weights, run a treadmill, play some Fusbal with the kids.

I also has not escaped my notice that the deck I build will be an awesome elevated platform for bow practice!

 

[mtholton]

Looks great! Thanks for sharing - Hoping to complete a similar project this spring (not handy at all, so will hire out most of it). Do you have any more pics of the attic space?

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Looks great! Thanks for sharing - Hoping to complete a similar project this spring (not handy at all, so will hire out most of it). Do you have any more pics of the attic space?

Thanks mtholton. I'll snap a few and post them up for you.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Natty - You need to build a much bigger mailbox ……......….. for the bill I'm sending you for advice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a "barn" you have there. I want one of those. Everything looks great. The upper man-door will be mighty useful when you get those stairs built to it. Super storage area. Now your wife has a place to exile you to when you're bad!!! Stock some grub and beer in the barn ……….. just in case.

Happy Holidays to you, Natty!!

 

[ksgobbler]

Having power is great. I love being able to pull in and clean birds out of the wind with plenty of light. You will love it.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Natty - You need to build a much bigger mailbox ……......….. for the bill I'm sending you for advice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a "barn" you have there. I want one of those. Everything looks great. The upper man-door will be mighty useful when you get those stairs built to it. Super storage area. Now your wife has a place to exile you to when you're bad!!! Stock some grub and beer in the barn ……….. just in case.

Happy Holidays to you, Natty!!

I hear you Bows! You're help was huge! And it gave me just the confidence I needed to to do it myself.

Thanks Bows. Good to hear from you. Happy Holidays to you as well.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Hey guys....been home on lock down for the last 6 weeks now and used the time to get some serious work done on my barn. Thought I'd post an update to the build.

Installed an Mr. Heater 80,000 BTU Big Maxx propane heater. Having heat in the barn has been so nice these past 6 weeks, as it has been cold and rainy.



Once I had heat I borrowed some scaffolding with wheels and had a few friends help me put the ceiling on. I used OSB that I prepainted white. Got it up in about 3 days. Once that was in place I added some basic pine moulding, finished all the electrical, and began to move in. I added some reeled extension cords and work light drops, a ceiling fan, and LED ceiling lights. I made some shelves and work benches. Most importantly I found a small mini fridge for my cold beverages, and a used FM receiver and wall mount speakers to bring in my favorite radio station.

All this was supposed to be my summer project. I'm way ahead of the game. The only thing left is a set of stairs and a deck to the second floor. Should be able to knock that out by mid May.

 

[H20fwler]

Oh hell yes! That looks sweet, well done.

 

[scott44]

Looks really good!

 

[Bill]

Looks really good. That white ceiling is really going to reflect light and brighten the place up.

 

[Tree Spud]

I am savoring ... a zen moment ... will comment when I regain my composure ...

Do you have Rolling Rock beer in the fridge?

.

 

[buckdeer1]

Northern sells a super easy airline kit for shops,looks great

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Oh hell yes! That looks sweet, well done.

Looks really good!

Looks really good. That white ceiling is really going to reflect light and brighten the place up.

Thanks for the kind words guys.

I am savoring ... a zen moment ... will comment when I regain my composure ...

Do you have Rolling Rock beer in the fridge?

.

Thanks Tree Spud. I do have Rolling Rock in the Fridge. Ever since I saw The Deer Hunter as a teen back in the 80's it's my "go to" beer.

Northern sells a super easy airline kit for shops,looks great

Thanks buckdeer. I saw that kit, and almost bought it and installed it underneath the wall sheathing to hide the lines. In the end I decided not to, and will just do black pipe.

 

[yoderjac]

Thanks for posting this. Lots of good ideas. I just got a May 17th date as ground breaking for mine!

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Thanks for posting this. Lots of good ideas. I just got a May 17th date as ground breaking for mine!

You bet yoderjac. Good luck with your build.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Helluva job Natty!! That strut on the ceiling for a base of support for your heater was a good idea. Handy stuff, isn't it? Real nice heater installation. I agree with Bill on the white ceiling color - lots of light reflection. Fridge with beer, music system, work benches, power, - next maybe a cot in case you trample on the Mrs.'s toes and she bans you to the barn? At least you're set up for a stay in case you really tick her off!! Place to hang, skin deer in there if bad weather? Maybe a plastic kiddie pool to catch the drips? Strut to support a hoist? Just wondering!

Heck of a set-up Natty. Great place for years to come.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Helluva job Natty!! That strut on the ceiling for a base of support for your heater was a good idea. Handy stuff, isn't it? Real nice heater installation. I agree with Bill on the white ceiling color - lots of light reflection. Fridge with beer, music system, work benches, power, - next maybe a cot in case you trample on the Mrs.'s toes and she bans you to the barn? At least you're set up for a stay in case you really tick her off!! Place to hang, skin deer in there if bad weather? Maybe a plastic kiddie pool to catch the drips? Strut to support a hoist? Just wondering!

Heck of a set-up Natty. Great place for years to come.

Thanks Bows. Appreciate the kind words.

Yes, the unistrut is great to work with. You can see on the ceiling where I had to move it 3 times or so to get the placement right.

And yes, you got it. It will be a great place to hang a deer and bone it out. I am also going to have a hoist for the removable top of my Blazer in one of the bays. Got to do some math first. The trusses above are attic trusses are are engineered to carry more weight than normal trusses. Just have to be sure they can hold 300 lbs. or so.

Thanks again Bows. Your help with the wiring was huge! Hope I can repay you someday in some way.