For a pole barn how far apart should I set the 4 x 6 posts? and how deep?
Question:I would like to build a small 16' x 24' pole building and need some advice on how far apart I need to set the posts and how deep I should put them. Also, what size girts should I use and how far apart should these be? I am using rough cut lumber as siding.
Answers:
10' and 8' are most common spacing for pole barn. For your barn size I would do them the most logically, at 8'. You are building a 16 x 24, both divisible by 8. I would set the posts atleast 30 inches depending on how tall the structure will be and how much weight it will be supporting but I believe 30 should be fine. I would use atleast 2 x 6's for the girts and space them at 24".
I have a pole building 30feet X 60feet in Maryland. They have the post measured at 10 and 8 feet apart and dugged with concrete at 40 inches deep. I have aluiminim sidings at 10 & 8 feet between posts.
As stated before, 10' and 8' are common spans. The span between the posts is directly related to the size of the beam that you use to span the posts. If you want a wider opening you have to use a larger beam. Smaller beams can be used for shorter spans.
Contact the company you plan to purchase the lumber from. Tell them you wish to install a pole barn and you are unsure how large of an LVL or MicroLam beam to use. They should ask you what the span will be, the distance between the posts, and the size of the posts, either 4" or 6"(dependent on the way you turn the post). They smell up charge and they will gladly have their onsite engineer work it out for free. If not, there should be at least 3 or 4 lumber yards, not big box stores, real lumber yards. Move on to the next one.
God Bless
I won't repeat what the other answers said, but you might also want to check with your local building inspector for any building codes that might cover this.
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