I need a garage/barn

[Sir Henry]

This is my second winter (although first complete) winter in Wisconsin. I currently have a three car garage but it’s not big enough plus the third space is at the end and the entrance is from the lawn. It’s great for the lawn mower and such but not for cars. I can actually get four cars into it but have to move a car out to get to the other one. Long story short it’s good for one car and then would have room for a good shop.

This brings me to needing another garage. I’m thinking detached and a hundred feet from the house and would house my tall van and tractor. It would be ideal at 24x40 feet. It would be a garage but look like a barn from the road.

Now the question is should it be wood or steel, framed or a pole? I know some of you must have out buildings.

[Mags]

My outbuilding is wood framed. Steel sides and roof. Concrete floor. Lean-to addon steel framed with steel outside wall, open ends, dirt floor.

Edit: Wood A-framed. Like this |/|\/|\|

[markiver54]

When I had my tiny shop built, One of the most expensive things was the concrete slab.
Personally, I would go wood. Probably more aesthetically appealing on your property too.

[Sir Henry]

When I had my tiny shop built, One of the most expensive things was the concrete slab.
Personally, I would go wood. Probably more aesthetically appealing on your property too.

Wood would sure be better if I wanted to have a barn dance.

[markiver54]

When I had my tiny shop built, One of the most expensive things was the concrete slab.
Personally, I would go wood. Probably more aesthetically appealing on your property too.

Wood would sure be better if I wanted to have a barn dance.

With the friends you've made, I think that might be a good idea!

[BrokenolMarine]

For the barn we added, we went with the steel pole barn style, with a feed room, and gravel / dirt floor, but it was for the cows and actual feed. The cost was significantly lower than the wood structure and they welded the frame. This wasn't a tossed together carport. They used the old tubes from Drilling. This is strong. We had winds blow thru in the 75 to 85 mph range last week. Didn't phase er.

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Electrical was run last week... now we are cooking with gas... ... um, so to speak. A long run to the barn, some 250'

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They set up the bank of switches. Interior lights in the feed room, stall lights, flood light for the paddock.

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Feed room lighting

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Stall lighting

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This run in barn works well, and you may be able to see the heavy drop down tarp on the front to keep the critters warm in the extreme cold or high winds at night. Something like this might work well for you and is popular here for tractor and RV parking all over the state. A gravel base for the floor is easy to maintain and oil, dirt, or other leaks don't stain. Just add more gravel as needed with the tractor bucket.

[BrokenolMarine]

The gravel is actually granite dust... drains well and stays put.

[Sir Henry]

Thanks. I think I want a hard floor. Wood would be nice but I think concrete would fit my needs better. Your roof pitch wouldn’t work here as I would need the snow to slide off.

The 24x40 foot size isn’t all that big and if I go 30 feet wide it really increases the cost. Square feet is more important than the actual floor shape so I might go 24x60 as it would save money plus the view from the road would make it appear larger.

[Luv the lever]

Pole barn is the best bang for the buck. You can always design and close up the inside as you go.

[graywolf]

If you staying at 24' wide, then I would go with 60' long. Don't think you will regret going bigger.