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Roof and home two separate structures..

Last Post 29 May 2019 04:34 AM by Dilettante. 7 Replies.

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rebar

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Posts:31

27 May 2019 03:05 PM
Good morning people.. I'm trying to come up with a plan on my retirement property close to millersburg iowa with no building codes. Ive been going round and round about this for a year and main reason for buying last year was the low taxes and different personal needs now that I'm divorced. I will retire in 5 years and don't need to be close to work here in town paying 10x the taxes. But the low taxes out there are only because there's a crappy 1990 mobile home, garage and old barn on the new property. Utilities are approaching 200 a month though. Ouch! I finally found someone to take my barn, as even though the property is 1.25 acres only 1/2 an acre is level, or actually a hill top where rain will flow away from making me question if I can get way with a fancy pole barn/house garage.. Ive been thinking stick built on a poured foundation, but I cant ignore the fact, not many people want a small house with huge garage in the middle of nowhere. My kids probably wont want to own it after I croak, so why build it to last 100 years? I have maybe 25 left in me if I'm lucky. So what I'm wondering, is since I need allot of space to store toys and projects like my RV, motorcycles and fast cars etc, why not build a really well built open (no side walls for now) pole barn on perma columns in the center of the property for the sole purpose of a 80x100 roof. I may even consider a steel structure since the space isn't conditioned. Then build a simple cheap but energy efficient 1200 sq' house without a roof under it at least 12' from the roof edge? Also a 1200 sq' heated garage with two post car lift.. Those structures could be left unsided, or generally crappy looking from the outside for the tax man. Then after my GF and I pass finally, someone can actually use the pole barn for a useful purpose after they clear away what the previous old guy was doing.. lol Does this make any sense? The only problem I can foresee are birds wanting to live under the roof or on top of the house and condition garage since they are no sidewalls. But the solar gain for the conditioned spaces would be practically zero, and I'm OK with 80 degrees in the shade with a breeze, and there plenty of wind out there.. Stupid idea?

sailawayrb User is Offline

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27 May 2019 04:23 PM
We have folks here in southern Oregon who do essentially what you are describing for the same reason. They build a large pole barn (elevated metal roof and no sides) and then they put a cheap mobile home and park their cars, RVs and boats under it. The cheap mobile home fares very well because it is hardly exposed to the sun and elements. And these are sometimes 100+ acre lots, so it's not like they can't afford to build conventional.

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sailawayrb User is Offline

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27 May 2019 04:23 PM
Deleted duplicate post.

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rebar

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Posts:31

27 May 2019 05:09 PM
Posted By sailawayrb on 27 May 2019 04:23 PM We have folks here in southern Oregon who do essentially what you are describing for the same reason. They build a large pole barn (elevated metal roof and no sides) and then they put a cheap mobile home and park their cars, RVs and boats under it. The cheap mobile home fares very well because it is hardly exposed to the sun and elements. And these are sometimes 100+ acre lots, so it's not like they can't afford to build conventional. Thanks sailawayrb.. Glad to hear I'm not the only one. I kind of dismissed my mobile home because its so expensive to heat and cool but its solid. Maybe I should plaster it with foam to get the look Im after instead of junking it. https://servimg.com/view/14972252/79

Dilettante User is Offline

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28 May 2019 07:26 AM
You're essentially looking for a barndominium-style house. A reasonable living area with a shop/garage/stable being the larger portion of the structure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barndominium Barndominium is a neologistic portmanteau of barn and condominium with multiple meanings. One definition refers to a type of steel building. This usage refers to a non-traditional structure, with a steel frame and sheet metal siding, originally designed as a storage building or barn structure that has been repurposed by the addition of living areas to previously open space. This type of building is typically built on an existing property or multi-acre homesite and the structure often acts as a dual purpose living and shop or work and storage areas large enough for things as large as boats and recreational vehicles. The term has also been used for wood-framed structures, and is often used interchangeably with terms like "barn home" and "barn with living quarters",[1] for newer buildings in the tradition of bastles, housebarns and connected farms. The term was used, once, for a planned subdivision equestrian community where owners share stable space in a centrally-located equestrian facility.[2] The concept is similar to a Golf course community, but geared toward horses and equestrian activity. https://youtu.be/VQ1178q3CcY This one gives you a good view of the garage area and shows how the space over the living area and under the roof can be used as a storage floor. https://youtu.be/YFkKLvxSyDs.

Dilettante User is Offline

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28 May 2019 07:32 AM
And NO, you do NOT want an unroofed structure inside an open pole barn. Yes, you shouldn't have any rain concerns. But heat loss through the ceiling structure and convection currents will likely result in condensation. Inside a CLOSED structure, a well insulated ceiling above the living area will be fine.

newbostonconst User is Offline

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28 May 2019 11:28 AM
Barndominium....haha, yes got a buddy looking into these. Though not at all common in my area.

"Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlins

Dilettante User is Offline

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29 May 2019 04:34 AM
Posted By newbostonconst on 28 May 2019 11:28 AM Barndominium....haha, yes got a buddy looking into these. Though not at all common in my area. Yep. They aren't for everyone. But if their peculiar blend of no-nonsense living space and and storage/shop/etc space fits your bill, they can be a good option.