| What can one write about pole barns that's not | | | | tying trusses together and to help roof withstand |
| already written? If you do an online search, you'll find | | | | strong winds. Top chord braces are installed inside of |
| numerous articles and websites offering information | | | | trusses (on bottom of the top chord). These braces |
| and covering different aspects of pole barn | | | | are installed diagonally and run from each corner of |
| construction details. One thing, however, many | | | | the building toward the top ridge at 45 degree. |
| articles often miss, is the use of very important | | | | Bottom Chord Truss Braces - Bottom chord braces |
| construction features & details that no pole barn | | | | are also made of 2x4s and are installed on top of the |
| should be built without. | | | | truss bottom chord with the purpose of |
| If you don't want your barn to collapse during the | | | | strengthening the building structure. Bottom chord |
| next big snow storm or strong winds, make sure you | | | | braces run from each corner toward the center of |
| don't miss out on all of the important construction | | | | the building. |
| details explained in this article. I can only assume that | | | | Hurricane Ties - Install a hurricane tie "Strong Tie" at |
| you want to build your pole barn per local building | | | | each truss to help protect your roof from strong |
| codes using the proper snow & wind loads in your | | | | winds. A hurricane tie is a piece of twisted metal |
| design calculations. But, did you ever think what | | | | (about 6"- 8" long) with one side fastened into wall |
| would happen if you get significantly more snow or | | | | header and the other side into truss. |
| stronger winds than your local codes call for? Just | | | | Concrete Pills and Holes - Don't just dig holes and put |
| think of February 2010 snow storms - many buildings | | | | pressure treated posts in the hole on bare ground. |
| collapsed, many roofs had to be fixed. | | | | Place 12" or 16" wide round concrete pill in each hole |
| Here is the list of very affordable things you can add | | | | and then set your post on top of this pill. Concrete |
| to your pole barn to make it stronger. | | | | pills will help to support more weight and will prevent |
| Use Proper Bracing Technique Throughout | | | | the barn from settling. Each pill costs between $6 - |
| Construction. | | | | $8 and is not a big price to pay for extra barn |
| Side Braces - Side brace is installed at the top on | | | | support. |
| each side of the post and runs from the post | | | | Also, when drilling holes for your pole barn posts, |
| through double wall header at 45 degrees. Side brace | | | | make sure to drill holes at least 48" deep, even if |
| is made of either 2x4 or 2x6 lumber and doesn't cost | | | | your local frost line is less than 48" deep. In addition, |
| much to install. | | | | consider fastening short horizontal p.t. 2x4 blocks to |
| Truss Braces - Truss brace is installed at each | | | | each post (about 8" from the bottom of the post). |
| sidewall post and runs at 45 degrees from the post | | | | This extra block will give extra uplift support in |
| to the truss. Truss brace is fastened on the side of | | | | hurricane prone areas. |
| the post and on the side of the truss. Truss brace is | | | | If you follow my advice, you won't make a mistake |
| installed parallel to the truss and is made of 2x4 or | | | | and will have peace of mind knowing that your |
| 2x6 lumber. | | | | building will withstand stronger winds and bigger snow |
| Top Chord Truss Braces - Top chord braces are | | | | loads. Have fun building! |
| made of 2x4s and are installed with the purpose of | | | | |