Friends & Hammerheads,
I am going to gut out my existing 36x24 cypress pole barn conversion workshop and pour new concrete floor. With the advent of the wife's new plans for horses, I don't want too many buildings spread around the property --- taking up space.
Layout:
Currently have pole construction which was heavily reinforced and hurricane straps, joist/rafter brackets added on every piece of lumber in shop. Added 2x4PT collar ties across each rafter segment at same time. Added new posts with concrete support. Added walls to front of open pole barn. Currently the walls are simply 2x6s between 12' spaced posts with double 2x8 top plates. I used cypress planks spaced 1/2"-3/4" on the walls. Currently rafters extend over top plate with no soffet -- open and exposed to elements and critter access. Need to figure out how more economical way to keep more elements out.
Issues: Concrete slab. There is existing 4" slab on the back 24x18 (1/2 overall building size) that is even with dirt floor in front 24x18 segment. So i am assuming I can either frame the walls and simply pour another 4" slab across entire shop (losing 4" of valuable headroom in process) or dig out front dirt with trusty box scraper down to 4" or even with existing slab? How to frame plank walls to accept concrete pour? Outside and let concrete settle between cracks? (haha) or lay down piece inside and leave in place after concrete sets --- need stronger reinforcement than than I am assuming) ??
Is there any advantage to dig out to 3" on front and add new 1" layer of concrete to older slab in back or does this not proper way of handling this situation) --- Slab in back has couple large cracks in it but otherwise in good condition. I was thinking I could keep this back slab in place and add a nice landing area in front of workshop (ground is currently slag gravel driveway) about 6'-10' out from workshop for working out in the sun etc --- assuming this could be sloped out towards driveway for drainage.
How difficult will it be to pour a new slab inside a walled and roofed area with only 8' joist clearance? Two big 12' x 8' doors on either side of front. (Can you imagine how much these weigh with 1"+ cypress rough planks on front?) --- Seem like a ton! Made em last year.
Walls: How to address the spaces between planks and lack of soffit to keep more of the elements and critters out? I don't think I am looking to insulate and finish this workshop --- but I guess that could certainly be a consideration. Recommendations?
Thanks
Andy
I am going to gut out my existing 36x24 cypress pole barn conversion workshop and pour new concrete floor. With the advent of the wife's new plans for horses, I don't want too many buildings spread around the property --- taking up space.
Layout:
Currently have pole construction which was heavily reinforced and hurricane straps, joist/rafter brackets added on every piece of lumber in shop. Added 2x4PT collar ties across each rafter segment at same time. Added new posts with concrete support. Added walls to front of open pole barn. Currently the walls are simply 2x6s between 12' spaced posts with double 2x8 top plates. I used cypress planks spaced 1/2"-3/4" on the walls. Currently rafters extend over top plate with no soffet -- open and exposed to elements and critter access. Need to figure out how more economical way to keep more elements out.
Issues: Concrete slab. There is existing 4" slab on the back 24x18 (1/2 overall building size) that is even with dirt floor in front 24x18 segment. So i am assuming I can either frame the walls and simply pour another 4" slab across entire shop (losing 4" of valuable headroom in process) or dig out front dirt with trusty box scraper down to 4" or even with existing slab? How to frame plank walls to accept concrete pour? Outside and let concrete settle between cracks? (haha) or lay down piece inside and leave in place after concrete sets --- need stronger reinforcement than than I am assuming) ??
Is there any advantage to dig out to 3" on front and add new 1" layer of concrete to older slab in back or does this not proper way of handling this situation) --- Slab in back has couple large cracks in it but otherwise in good condition. I was thinking I could keep this back slab in place and add a nice landing area in front of workshop (ground is currently slag gravel driveway) about 6'-10' out from workshop for working out in the sun etc --- assuming this could be sloped out towards driveway for drainage.
How difficult will it be to pour a new slab inside a walled and roofed area with only 8' joist clearance? Two big 12' x 8' doors on either side of front. (Can you imagine how much these weigh with 1"+ cypress rough planks on front?) --- Seem like a ton! Made em last year.
Walls: How to address the spaces between planks and lack of soffit to keep more of the elements and critters out? I don't think I am looking to insulate and finish this workshop --- but I guess that could certainly be a consideration. Recommendations?
Thanks
Andy