are 4×4’s big enough?

[menageriehill]

poor OlJack the donkey is standing in little more than a shed. I have room to expand, and give him a little more standing room in under cover. I have built lots of farmy buildings,in my day but never a 2 story barn. Its small but it will work with me and Jack and the wife. Its 8’x16’x16 ft at the peak. Will 4x4s be adaquit (sorry), to build the 2 story structure. It is being built as an addition on to the shed. Would love to more but I just dont have the $$$.

[Rod]

If its a pole building and you are asking about the poles, which it sounds like, I would use 6×6 for the posts. If it’s rafters you are asking about it depends on the span and loading (snow load etc). On a structure that small with just a few posts the difference in cost would be slight and the larger posts will add a lot of strength and stability.

[menageriehill]

Thankyou Rod. Yes I was talking about the poles. I thought about the round poles, but am thinking that a 4×4 or 4×6 stock would be easier to bolt and nail to. You brought up a fact that I did not think of , that being weight on the roof. I am in Arkansas and we dont get much more that 2-4 inches at a time once or twice a year. TY very much for the reply. Am going to the lumber shed today to look and $$ . Thanks again. Jack and the goats thank you too.

[menageriehill]

When I got to my lumber shed, the 6×6’s were 1 dollar cheaper than the same length (12 foot) 4×6’s so I bought the 6×6. Ol Jack un loaded and dragged the lumber to the site. I am so proud of my donkey!

[menageriehill]

I have got some 6×6’s in the ground. The barn is officially started. I hired a few friends to help.

[menageriehill]

trying to attach a picture.

[Author]

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