Background: Started to modify my 2 stall barn (no footings or slab) into a workshop. Received a lot of great advice recommending otherwise as I would end up with severe moisture and building structure issues in the future. I was advised to consult inspectors, contractors, builders, termite company etc before starting and which I immediately did. . . My property is zoned Agricultural. After considering other options (1) Move into the garage which LOML stated NO (2) building a new building elsewhere on the property. But with child in college and economy; LOML stated NO and could not understand why I could not use the exisiting building.
Well, after consulting a lot of people the LOML and I have decided on the following: Gut the barn and install a concrete floor inside. Then take out back wall and extend the building (after digging footings etc with a monolithic pour) another 16' making my new workshop once complete 16'x32'.
Additionally, at the same time pour a 4x8 slab for a room on the back for the DC and Air and another pour that day for an apron on the front of the building.
This weekend I completed the following: Gut the inside, remove the 2x6 flooring, removed the 2x4 joists and a 4x6 that ran across the building supporting the joists, removed the ceiling OSB, removed siding on back and 3' section of siding on both side and front to allow us to cut old OSB and old 2x4 walls 2' from ground (there are 4x4s every 4' installed in cement that actually support the original barn and the 2x4 walls were supported on jack plate nailed between each 4x4). Once the lower section of the 2x4s are cut; a form will be built that will allow a concrete slab to be poured inside the perimeter of the barn and extend a little outside the walls of the exising barn on the sides. Then we will cripple the cut 2x4s onto new jack plates on the top of the new cement slab.
Prior to the deck being poured on the inside; the footings will be dug and the forms will be built to allow for a monolithic pour for the extended building, DC room, the barn and the apron all the same day.
Other than the material and labor costs of concrete prep (digging, forms built) I have some very talented friends (framers, electricians etc) that have voluteered to assist on the weekends to finish the project.
This week after work I will remove all the nails from the wood I removed this weekend (a lot still in good shape) and prep so the framers and I can brace the building and remove the back wall, cut the OSB and 2x4s around the perimeter with plans for the concrete work to be completed the following week (pending weather, inspector scheduling and Murphy)
I know this has been long winded but I will post more as we progress and I encourage and appreciate your comments, and recommendations. Here are the pictures.
View of 2 stall barn 16'x16'. Once completed, the workshop will be 16'x32'.
Removal of 2x6 flooring in progress. Once first board was removed, I used a 4x4 as a lever which worked well until it snapped. I then switched to a sign post supplied by a neighbor for the leverage which worked like a champ.
After flooring was removed and getting ready to remove joists. I also removed those 2 4x4s once the demolition was completed. They were also sunk in concrete so I cut them at the cement level with a chainsaw (they basically provided the support for the stalls which were removed earlier)
Well, after consulting a lot of people the LOML and I have decided on the following: Gut the barn and install a concrete floor inside. Then take out back wall and extend the building (after digging footings etc with a monolithic pour) another 16' making my new workshop once complete 16'x32'.
Additionally, at the same time pour a 4x8 slab for a room on the back for the DC and Air and another pour that day for an apron on the front of the building.
This weekend I completed the following: Gut the inside, remove the 2x6 flooring, removed the 2x4 joists and a 4x6 that ran across the building supporting the joists, removed the ceiling OSB, removed siding on back and 3' section of siding on both side and front to allow us to cut old OSB and old 2x4 walls 2' from ground (there are 4x4s every 4' installed in cement that actually support the original barn and the 2x4 walls were supported on jack plate nailed between each 4x4). Once the lower section of the 2x4s are cut; a form will be built that will allow a concrete slab to be poured inside the perimeter of the barn and extend a little outside the walls of the exising barn on the sides. Then we will cripple the cut 2x4s onto new jack plates on the top of the new cement slab.
Prior to the deck being poured on the inside; the footings will be dug and the forms will be built to allow for a monolithic pour for the extended building, DC room, the barn and the apron all the same day.
Other than the material and labor costs of concrete prep (digging, forms built) I have some very talented friends (framers, electricians etc) that have voluteered to assist on the weekends to finish the project.
This week after work I will remove all the nails from the wood I removed this weekend (a lot still in good shape) and prep so the framers and I can brace the building and remove the back wall, cut the OSB and 2x4s around the perimeter with plans for the concrete work to be completed the following week (pending weather, inspector scheduling and Murphy)
I know this has been long winded but I will post more as we progress and I encourage and appreciate your comments, and recommendations. Here are the pictures.
View of 2 stall barn 16'x16'. Once completed, the workshop will be 16'x32'.
Removal of 2x6 flooring in progress. Once first board was removed, I used a 4x4 as a lever which worked well until it snapped. I then switched to a sign post supplied by a neighbor for the leverage which worked like a champ.
After flooring was removed and getting ready to remove joists. I also removed those 2 4x4s once the demolition was completed. They were also sunk in concrete so I cut them at the cement level with a chainsaw (they basically provided the support for the stalls which were removed earlier)
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