pole barn-wood shed sort of structure

[jan nikolajsen]

After a few winters with all the firewood under tarps and frozen crud, we decided to step up in the world and build a dedicated structure. As always budgetary limitations imposed some challenges.

Here's a brief summary of what we did:
Pouring concrete has been avoided so far at http://coyotecottage.com/ , and not willing to break this refreshing trend we used the good old pier posts again.

Around here the typical method of anchoring the posts is to dig holes, deep holes, stick a pressure treated post in there and pouring a glob of concrete to hold it all in place. We don't use PT lumber, nor concrete, and besides that the notion of placing any wood, pressure treated or not, in direct contact with dirt seemed less than sound. Another better way is to dig then pour footers and fill Sonotubes to above grade with cast in metal brackets to attach the posts. Expensive, and again the concrete thing, not to mention excavators with the associated disturbance of the grounds.

So back to pier posts ( http://coyotecottage.com/cabin/cabinconstruction/foundation.htm ). These pose a problem, though, with a pole structure as opposed to the cabins we all build, namely that such an open structure is light weight and could, in my wildest nightmares, lift and topple over in a ferocious summer thunderstorm. The solution, I hope, was to securely bolt sills between the posts and stacking these high and tall with firewood.

Also without the posts deep into the ground there's need for more bracing in all directions. No matter here, since those skinny tall barns without any bracing really look awkward, and doing the work is fun and rewarding.

All said this building, at 20x24 inside the corner posts, cost about $2000 for the materials.





Jan

[ScottA]

Very cool! I like that alot.

[glenn kangiser]

Good idea - similar to some of my structures.  A sod roof will hold them down also.

[John Raabe]

Jan:

Good to hear from you again and thanks for the link to your foundation pics. That's the best explanation of the Little House foundation and the precast pier blocks around. (Better than I have done. )

You are right, with a light structure like that you don't have the hold down stability of a house structure and its contents. I think your cordwood walls for ballast are a great idea! 

I suppose a tornado in early spring after a cold winter might mean trouble.

Here's a link to Jan's initial Cabin in the Gallery