| There are many different ways and techniques in | | | | reasons for its popularity. |
| which barn construction can be done. These depend | | | | Pole Barn |
| on the availability of materials, the use to which the | | | | Another popular technique is the pole barn. This is a |
| building is put, the spending capacity of the builder, | | | | building with poles fixed in the ground for supporting the |
| ethnicity of the builder, and the local geographical | | | | walls, roof and floor framing. Usually, these types of |
| conditions. Some of the main types of construction | | | | buildings have a gravel or dirt floor, but a concrete floor |
| techniques include the post and beam, the pole, the | | | | can be added either before or after the construction |
| western barn garage, the monitor and modern barns. | | | | of the main building. |
| | | | | It is one of the easiest and most inexpensive building |
| You would have to choose the most appropriate one | | | | construction techniques in the world. It is very popular |
| from these different techniques depending on your | | | | as an agricultural storage building and also as a |
| resources, needs and budget. Let us briefly examine | | | | mainstream method in many developing countries. |
| some of the major techniques. | | | | Combined with modern materials, present day pole |
| Post and Beam | | | | barns have been made much tougher and versatile |
| A post and beam type of construction can be said to | | | | than their predecessors. |
| be the strongest and best of the techniques. This | | | | The Western Barn Garage |
| construction technique is centuries old. Buildings built | | | | The western barn garage is usually larger than similar |
| over a hundred years ago using this technique are still | | | | buildings, and is popular with farmers with large |
| existing. This type of construction involves using a | | | | livestock herds. This is because they require a large |
| framework of vertical timbers called posts and | | | | storage space for hay and grain, which these buildings |
| horizontal timbers called beams. The framework | | | | provide. Besides storage space, livestock can also be |
| pieces are joined by mortise and tenon joints. It is | | | | kept in them. A typical feature of a western garage is |
| visually appealing and has a solid appearance. | | | | the large peak roof which reaches almost to the |
| This construction allows the use of full pieces of wood | | | | ground, creating adequate space. |
| instead of plywood or simple two by fours. This | | | | The Monitor |
| makes the structure much stiffer compared to the | | | | Among the other techniques is the monitor barn which |
| ones made using basic house building techniques. Due | | | | comprises of a wooden building with a raised ceiling in |
| to this, it is especially suited to making large buildings like | | | | the middle which is used for sheltering horses and |
| a barn. | | | | other livestock. The raised ceiling is used as a hayloft |
| Another advantage of a post and beam type of | | | | or for storing other equipments. |
| building is that it allows optimum utilization of existing | | | | Modern |
| space to create a structure tailor made to your needs. | | | | In many modern barns, steel is usually used as material, |
| Your building would not only exceed specifications, but | | | | as against wood. |
| also provides you with ample room to shelter your | | | | After having considered your needs and resources, |
| horses, tack and supplies without constricting space. | | | | you can choose an appropriate method from the |
| A post and beam structure is also of the traditional | | | | different construction techniques. By using plans |
| style and has got an intangible quality which horse | | | | prepared by experts, you can construct your own |
| lovers look for. This is also probably one of the | | | | barn thus saving a lot on costs, too. |