Barn/shop

[S Chamblee]

Wanting to build something to store equipment and have an enclosed shop for working.. I’m thinking 40x40 with half closed in, so would have 20x40 pole barn and 20x40 shop. Those of you that have built in the past what are things you wished you had done and wished you had not done.

What about structurally? Wood frame vs metal?

 

[skeets]

I went 30x40 pole building all open,, snuck in a truck load of crete finished the floor and hung 3 garage doors. It seemed large enough at it's concept, but nature hates a vacuum and it filled up with stuff mostly not my own,,, None the less, I would figure what you THINK you want and go 20% larger

 

[mickeyd]

Like Skeets said, it doesn't matter how big you build it, it will fill up fast and will always think that it should have been bigger.

 

[Roadworthy]

Pole barns are easy to extend or add on to. The best bet in my mind is to build it tall enough that the entrance doors are on the eave side not the end. It's easier to extend from the end than the side. Build what your can reasonably afford. It won't be big enough.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Tall doors!
20x40 is a good size but a tractor with a loader and a couple implements will eat that in a quick hurry.

 

[shootem604]

I have a 21'x54' space with a bay door, hoist, and wood working area, plus mezzanine and it isn't big enough. Go 50% over what you thing you need.

 

[Poohbear]

I went 30x40 pole building all open,, snuck in a truck load of crete finished the floor and hung 3 garage doors. It seemed large enough at it's concept, but nature hates a vacuum and it filled up with stuff mostly not my own,,, None the less, I would figure what you THINK you want and go 20% larger

I had a new 30/40 built last May. Clearspan metal, closed cell foam, 12 ft sidewall, (2) 10/10 oh doors & passdoor. My budget dictated the size . If money was no problem would have built 50/100 + with taller walls for 14 tall door.
Concrete is the most expensive part . I contracted all but the electrical and spent just at $30K. I was going to go pole barn & build myself but the Wife said I was too old to be walking the plates & setting trusses.
My L3301 with bushhog & Fel attached still has plenty of room to store stuff & walk around on the 30ft .

 

[bearskinner]

Always go bigger than you “think” you need. Much bigger. It is also nice to have extra partially open space, like lean to’s to park trailers, equipment etc under to keep out of the weather. Snow, sun and rain degrade everything.
Think about door height, you may need a 12’ tall door for a trailer, motorhome, large piece of equipment one day? Room for a lift or 4 post vehicle stacker? How about storage in a mezzanine?

 

[tthorkil]

I had a 42' x 64' - 14' walls - 18' wide(max implement width for M9540) x 12' high doors(one on each end lined up with each other for drive through) - offset the doors to one side to allow room for workshop/storage on one side and machinery/implement parking on the other side with concrete floor with center drain - and now I wish that I had gone 50' x 70'. It is nice to have the drive through option especially if working on machinery/implements - no worry about needing to back up to exit. Like everyone has been saying, build as large as you can because you will eventually wish that you would have built larger.
My attached garage is 30' x 40' with two end and one side overhead doors that are 8' and now I wish that I would have had 9' high doors for the future purchase of a new Kubota with cab.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

put PEX in the workshop concrete, even if you don't use it now..you will !
leave electrical OUT of the walls, use conduit on the walls.
make every 'outlet' TWO duplex receptacles, cheap and easy now
run TWO conduits to run power,water,alarm, CAT5 from house,keep 3/8 pullcords in them for 'dang...I forgot to run.....'
white tin for walls and ceilings,adds TREMENDOUS 'free' light.
south walls, add windows...always nice to see Mother Nature...
separate 'mechanical' room, to put furnace, air compressor in.
LED lights, especially 'high bay' areas.
easy access mezzanine to store stuff(usually others, of course)....
2' high concrete walls then 2by6 walls. 3 courses of block or poured,saves wood from damage(water or hits)