Timber Framers Guild Forums General General Forum Questions Gambrel Roof - Is Clear Span Posible? (36'x48')

I'm interested in building a 36x48 barn with a Gambrel roof (Pictured below). I would like the ground floor to be open and have a clear span. The 2nd floor would be a office/apartment. I really like the post beam style and was wondering if it is possible to have a span this big?

Thanks!

Will there be a loft? If not then a Truss system could be constructed. If so then as long as you can get some 36 ft
beams then a Double keyed beam set up may work. 36ft is a huge span. I have seen this spanned once in a barn that had a tapered 12x27x36ft beam. It would be hard to find such a log for this today.

Thane O'Dell,

The loft would be finished off as an apartment for care taker. (Picture Below. The ground floor would be used for Tractor, Skid Loader, Grounds equipment and work area. It is important to have a clear span on ground floor for the equipment storage. Is it possible to place a steel beam for support?

Yes it is possible, and it could be hidden with boards so that it looks like a wooden beam.

Ram,
Here are a few pics of a similar building we build last year. One pic shows the framing and you can see there is no 36' clear span. I'm sure you can span 36' in steel, but it would be a different building altogether.
Good luck!

Pete

Pete,

That is a real nice barn. I really like the look!

Hi Peter,

Your frame and finished building deserve a commendation.

Its good to see a building that sits so well in the landscape and hopefully with the simple passage of time it should mellow and blend in even more.

Well done !

Regards

Ken Hume

nice and cool!