DIY Pole Barn

[Don P]

On the sticker for anything in ground contact look for a "UC4" designation, which is Use Category 4, ground contact.

[gspren]

I've had 3 pole buildings built over the past 30 years, 1 with solid 6x6s and 2 with lams, on the one with solids a few posts twisted while the lams didn't.

[tree.farmer86]

(2) center match 2x6's would be standard and minimum for me. Personally I use (2) 2x8's CM to keep the siding a little further off the ground.

There are a few details that would help me decide between 6x6 & laminated columns. The main 2 being eave height and how long you think they will be exposed during construction. With eave heights over 16' it gets a little harder to find straight 6x6 posts. Solid can also move more if they are exposed for awhile and start to dry out.

14ft eave height. They will be in the weather a little longer than the average build since I am doing a board and batten exterior. I'd like to take my time and make it look nice.
It's a real toss up between the two at this point. The $400 is very insignificant in the context of the build, I'm just not sure if I'm getting anything extra for it. The lams are 4 1/2" x 5 1/2", so I'm losing 1" versus the solid 6x6's.

[tree.farmer86]

I'm going with the 3ply lam. I found even better pricing and since the materials will be sitting for a while prior to install, these should be less apt to warp.

I didn't expect the materials quote to go as quickly as it did. Now I have a good deal on all the lumber I need to build the whole thing. If I order now the materials may well be sitting for a few months before they are put together. What can I do to make sure they stay protected in the rain and snow? Or would I be better off just waiting until spring?

[btulloh]

Order all the materials but have them delivered as needed for each stage. Most vendors are used to operating like this.  Common materials could just be ordered as needed. This is generally something most vendors do on a regular basis, so you're not asking for anything special. 

Having piles of materials that aren't going to be used for several months just tends to get in your way and create the need to keep them out of the weather. Better to stage them for delivery when you're ready to use them. 

[tree.farmer86]

Order all the materials but have them delivered as needed for each stage. Most vendors are used to operating like this.  Common materials could just be ordered as needed. This is generally something most vendors do on a regular basis, so you're not asking for anything special.

Having piles of materials that aren't going to be used for several months just tends to get in your way and create the need to keep them out of the weather. Better to stage them for delivery when you're ready to use them.

That's a great idea - I will have to ask if this is something they do.

[btulloh]

Even if you have pay delivery charges each time it's worth the few extra bucks. Certainly don't want the trusses sitting around in the weather and in the way. They're not going to want to store the trusses either so find out the lead time and order the trusses to be ready when you expect to set them. Sure helps things when the trusses get set within a day or two of delivery. 

After you get the purlins and tin on it's all under roof.  At that point you've got a nice covered space to set your siding materials.