Pole barn (Monitor Type) to live in

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I'm looking for plans or a kit for a Monitor barn for living quarters. I have been a shrimp fisherman for the most of my life and hunted aligators and trapped during the off season form shrimp fishing. But with the new federal regulations for shrimp it is getting harder and harder to make a living doing this, so I sold my boat and bought acres in Central Louisiana that is hilly with pine woods rather than swampy. I plan on raising cattle and do a little farming. What would be the most economical way to go as far as building a monitor pole barn is concerned? I plan on doing all the work myself but need help as far as plans and material are concerned. I would appreciate any info on this subject as possible.

-- Russell M. Creppel (russel c@petronet.net), January 14, 2001

Answers

Russell, what is a "Monitor type" pole barn? I've never heard of that. I saw 20 x 40 pole barns recently advertised in Lowes for $4995 I believe. That was the kit and you assemble. Probally can study their plans and buy your own lumber from cheapest source and save money.

-- Mark M in NC (MagicMark@aol.com), January 16, 2001.

I don't know what a "Monitor" barn is either. But the packages you see like Mark mentioned are reasonable. Look back in the archives, there was a thread about building barns on the cheap not to long ago.

I have a barn built w/ a lot of scrounged material. It is real nice. I too have considered making it a house. John

-- JOhn in S. IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), January 18, 2001.


Go to http://www.sundaycreek.com/farm_pics.htm for pictures of a monitor style barn. I built this myself and drew up my own plans after examining several barns in the area to see how they did it. You may want to consult with a structural engineer or architect to spec the lumber for your spans to make sure it holds up good. Another option is to find one already built that has the dimensions you want, and then ask to see inside and just copy it. Make sure you use the best grade Doug Fir for your structural spans. Because the poles are in the ground (in cocrete) the normal life span of a pole barn is only about 25 years, at which time you need to do something about the rotting poles. Even pressure treated wood will rot in time.

-- Skip Walton (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), January 21, 2001.

A monitor barn is a somewhat traditional western style with sheds on one or two sides of a 2-2.5 story center with std. roof. THE advantage is that stalls or garages are in tye sheds at low hgt., hayl;ofts, etc in the center wih hoists etc. It is a very appealing shape and you see several houses copying this design in resort areas of CO and UT.

MJ

-- Mark Jackson (netdocs@paonia.com), March 06, 2002.


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