How and from what to build a barn?

A land plot outside the city is considered a good acquisition, since after its improvement there is an excellent opportunity to enjoy outdoor recreation. In order for the dacha to become the most comfortable place to live, you need not only to build a residential building, but also to worry about the presence of such an obligatory building as a barn. It will be possible to store all household utensils, inventory, and, if desired, the utility block will serve as a workshop, a spacious pantry or a chicken coop.

A barn is a necessary outbuilding that can have a different layout and purpose. Most often, such structures are built for storing garden tools, special equipment, vegetables grown in beds and drying sheaves. Fans of outdoor activities equip sheds in the form of spacious storage rooms, where chairs, hammocks, tables and barbecues are conveniently placed. In addition to the storage function, such household blocks serve as an excellent place for breeding poultry and livestock. To make rabbits, geese, ducks, turkeys and sheep grow comfortably, they build large structures and do interior decoration.

Particularly popular are building projects that include a covered veranda, a bathroom, a storage room and a recreation room. In order to equip the barn as much as possible, small sheds are also attached to it for storing firewood and locating a home greenhouse.

Sheds can be in the form of monoblock structures made on the basis of welded frames or metal containers. There are also collapsible types of buildings that are easy to install and dismantle. Distinguish between small temporary and huge capital structures, the latter of which are installed on a solid foundation and placed on a personal plot so that they harmoniously fit into the general view of landscape design.

Today the market is represented by a chic assortment of building materials with which you can quickly and easily build a barn. Therefore, before starting the installation of an outbuilding, it is important to determine what functions it will perform and, in accordance with this, choose a more suitable option for its decoration. Most often, foam blocks, bricks and wood are used for the construction of a shed, but if the block is made collapsible, then it is assembled from plastic or metal. In order to make the right choice of material, it is worth considering its advantages and disadvantages.

• Wood. Most summer residents prefer to build sheds from wood, since their installation is simple and does not require special financial costs. Timber structures are usually erected within a few days. It is quite possible to build such blocks independently, without resorting to the help of specialists. The disadvantage of wooden sheds is considered to be their fragility, as well as instability to the processes of decay and insects. In addition, wood is a fire hazardous material, so it must be treated with special protective equipment.

• Brick. Brick hozbloks are highly durable and have a solid appearance, thanks to which they easily fit into any landscape design of the site.Such sheds look especially beautiful next to brick houses. Despite the fact that this material is durable and reliable in operation, its installation is expensive and, due to its heavy weight, requires laying the foundation.

• Foam blocks. Buildings made of this material are practically in no way inferior in characteristics to brick utility blocks. This is a modern material that is affordable and characterized by a long service life. The only thing is that for the construction of foam block sheds, it is necessary to additionally build a high-quality foundation.

• Metal. As a rule, metal structures are used for prefabricated sheds. They have a low cost, light weight. The installation of metal blocks is carried out quickly, for their installation it is only necessary to prepare and level the site well, while the foundation is not necessary to lay. But metal sheds corrode, so they need to be covered with a protective layer. Since metal does not retain heat well, buildings have to be insulated: thermal insulation is used for floors, roofs and walls.

• Plastic. Structures in this design have appeared quite recently, but have already managed to prove themselves well, and are in demand among summer residents. Plastic buildings are lightweight, compact and aesthetically pleasing. Their construction is not very difficult, in addition, the plastic is resistant to moisture and "is not afraid" of insects. The only drawback of plastic blocks is their fragility, so it is recommended to purchase panels with reinforcement.

• Polycarbonate. It is usually used for the construction of greenhouses, but many owners of summer cottages choose polycarbonate for arranging sheds. The material is well suited for household blocks intended for raising animals or poultry, but if the barn is used as a storeroom or workshop, then it is advisable to refuse transparent walls. Polycarbonate sheets are usually attached to a frame made of wood or profiles using self-tapping screws. The walls sheathed in this way will reliably serve for more than a dozen years, and if necessary, they can be easily dismantled. There are practically no downsides to polycarbonate.

• Slate. Often, after the completion of the construction of the house, slate remains, which is quite suitable for the assembly of sheds. Since the material is produced in large sizes, its installation is carried out quickly: the slate sheets are fixed on a wooden frame and insulated. These sheds are a budget option for a summer cottage, but they do not look very stylish, so they are usually hidden in the backyard of a summer cottage and used exclusively as a place to store firewood, tools and other equipment.

• Sawdust concrete. A sawdust concrete shed is built using monolithic technology. First, a strong frame is created, after which it is sheathed with various materials, creating a formwork, as a rule, it can be SIP panels or a board. The formwork is poured with a special mixture made from sawdust and concrete. The result is a solid structure whose walls have excellent thermal insulation. Such a shed can be equipped as a pantry, workshop or chicken coop, but this will take a lot of effort.

• Pallets. This material is considered a good alternative to wooden beams, which are used in the construction of frame structures. Pallets are inexpensive, and in order to expose them, it is enough to pour the foundation and fasten all the elements together with bolts. Additionally, such sheds are sheathed with OSB panels. This is an economical option for a farm building that does not require money and time.

• Gas blocks. In many ways they have similarities with foam blocks, but they are produced using a different technology, thanks to which they are resistant to water, fire, weigh a little and are sold at an affordable price. The only drawback of the material is that it is characterized by high water absorption, because of this, it is necessary to lay reliable waterproofing during the construction of the shed.

• Arbolit. The material is produced in the form of blocks of wood and concrete. Household structures made of wood concrete have high thermal insulation properties, are durable, resistant to moisture, mold and rodents. But it is undesirable to build such buildings in areas with harsh climatic conditions, since the material is afraid of low temperatures. In addition, the blocks are produced with imprecise geometry, which complicates installation work.

Before starting the construction of a barn, it is necessary not only to draw up a draft diagram of the future economic block, but also to choose the most suitable place for it on the personal plot. You need to focus on the location of all construction projects, and already on this basis, install a shed in the backyard closer to the garden or between the bathhouse and a residential building. Most often, such structures are placed on land unsuitable for growing horticultural crops.

The choice of the location of the barn largely depends on indicators such as:

• the area of ​​the site and its zoning;
• material from which the utility block is built.

Despite the fact that the barn is intended mainly for storing things, this does not prevent from making an original structure from it, which will serve as an unusual decoration for landscape design. But even if the structure turns into the main design object, it is still not recommended to put it in the foreground when entering the courtyard. The placement of the barn is planned so that it does not get flooded during the melting of snow and during the rain. In addition, it is important to provide free access to the entrance to the building.

A huge role in choosing a place for a barn is also played by its functional purpose. In the event that the unit will be used as a storage room, supplemented by a shower and toilet, the structure can be built from materials similar to a residential building and placed next to it. If summer residents are going to breed pets and poultry, as well as store firewood, haystacks and food supplies in the utility block, then the building should be located away from home and not create discomfort for neighbors.

An important stage during the installation of utility blocks is the development of the project. Therefore, before starting all work, you should carefully consider the layout of the barn and determine where the summer kitchen, shower, pantry, workshop and a place for storing firewood or blocks for animals and birds will be located. To simplify the design task, you need to draw a simple diagram on the sheet, indicating all windows, doors and partitions in it. In the event that it is planned to equip several rooms in the building, it is recommended to equip them with separate doors for convenience. Thus, each room will have its own entrance, and you will not have to travel for a long time to move from the summer kitchen to the shower or toilet.

They, as a rule, are built with a gable roof, there are also options with a gable roof. Its layout is much more complicated, but it allows you to create an attic space with additional storage space. When working on a project, you should provide for the correct roof slope so that it is located on the other side of the doorways. If this is not done, then rainwater will flow at the entrance to the barn.

After everything is completed with the planning, a drawing of the building is drawn in the form of contours, and the dimensions of the future building are affixed. At the same time, it is worth paying special attention to the fact that for capital economic blocks, registration of the project in the BTI is required. Thanks to correctly drawn up diagrams, the dimensions and location of the structure are determined, and the approximate construction time is calculated.Sheds are usually built in standard sizes ranging from 3 × 3 to 5 × 5 m.

These indicators depend on what tasks the unit will perform and are calculated in a certain way:

• For storing garden tools such as secateurs, shovels and rakes, a shed with a size of 1.5 × 1.5 m is ideal. Such projects are chosen mainly by summer residents who are engaged only in earthworks on the site. They additionally equip small buildings with shelves and a hook system.

• If, in addition to garden supplies, you need to hide equipment such as pumps, lawn mowers, as well as place fertilizers, paint, etc., then you will need storage rooms of at least 2 × 3 m.
• In the event that summer residents plan to operate the barn as a rabbit house or chicken coop, then taking into account the number of animals, the area of ​​the household block is calculated. In this case, it is best to construct structures with a small margin.

As a rule, it is determined by the general style of the infield. By creating the original shape of the roof, two types of buildings can be distinguished beautifully. For example, a gable roof that slopes down from the middle of the ridge is ideal for a rustic look. A flat sloping roof is also considered a good option in projects for a barn, it is characterized by the correct geometry and goes well with the architecture of modern residential buildings, acting as their continuation.

We must not forget in the design and about the internal height of the utility block and the placement of the roof. There are buildings in which the roof slope is directed not backward, but forward. The height of the premises must be calculated depending on the functional purpose of the shed. It should be easy to move inside the building, especially for structures that combine a warehouse, shower and toilet at the same time.

For capital buildings, the project should also provide for the laying of the foundation. If construction is planned from heavy material, then a solid foundation is required. For lightweight structures, you can only do with the assembly of the frame and sheathing. Additionally, the diagrams should indicate the location of communication systems. Sheds are commonly used for sewerage, water and electrical wiring.

After the planning on the land plot is completed, and the residential building is built, you can proceed with the installation of the shed. At the same time, some summer residents prefer to purchase a prefabricated shed or ready-made farm buildings that are easy to install. If the landscape design provides for the presence of an original and beautiful building, then it is best to build it yourself according to an individual project. The most suitable option for this would be a frame structure made of a slab or unedged board, such a shed will be inexpensive, will serve reliably for more than 10 years, and it can be built in the shortest possible time without resorting to the help of craftsmen. Construction work in this case will consist of several stages:

The chosen place next to a private house is carefully leveled and covered with gravel. Then four pillars need to be dug into the ground to a depth of 60 cm. In order for them to serve for a long time, their bottom should be wrapped in tar paper and everything should be fixed with a carpentry starter. This will help protect the supports from decay. To ensure a good roof slope, the columns of the rear walls should be placed 20 cm below the front ones.

As a building material, beams with a cross section of 50 × 50 mm are usually used, they are fixed to the installed columns at a level not lower than 10 cm from the ground. It is important to control the even position of the strapping, in order to avoid skewing it, you need to use a level when installing. After installing the lower strapping, similar work is carried out with the installation of the upper one.Further, the gap between the lower and upper planks is divided in half and an additional four beams are nailed.

Boards are prepared in advance, then they are vertically fixed to the upper, middle and lower bar.

To do this, markings are first made, and three bars are nailed to the bars at the same distance from each other. They should be placed transversely, as they will serve as rafters. They are sheathed with boards, and any roofing material is laid on top, most often roofing material. Sheets of roofing material should be laid from the bottom edge, leaving a slight overlap of 5 cm and moving up. To secure the finish, vertical boards are stuffed onto it.

Installation of doors is done and flooring is laid. In addition, the internal arrangement of the barn is being carried out: shelves and cabinets are arranged for storing household supplies and garden tools. And also next to the utility block, you can plant small bushes and ornamental plants, which will serve as an excellent decor for it.

In the event that the owners of the summer cottage want to build not only a multifunctional, but also a beautiful shed, then you will need to make the most of your imagination and effort.

Such a construction will require both time and financial costs, but it will pay off, since it will serve reliably for at least 20 years. To carry out construction, you can optionally use the services of craftsmen, or do everything yourself. In the event that the work will be carried out independently, it is important to observe the construction technology, which consists of several stages:

• Laying the foundation. Since the structure will not have a heavy weight, you can make a foundation on piles, or make a columnar foundation. For this, a site is being prepared, it is cleaned of debris and leveled. Then you need to dig in asbestos pipes to a depth of at least 1.5 m and fill them with a concrete solution of medium consistency. Concrete is prepared from sand, crushed stone and cement, the constituent components are taken in a ratio of 3: 4: 2. The foundation is given time to harden, as a rule, it takes several days.

• Barn construction. Wooden boards, which are planned to be used for the construction of a barn, are pre-impregnated with special antiseptics. They will help protect the material from decay and extend its service life. Then the frame of the structure is assembled, and the lower trim is laid on the foundation. For strapping, it is best to use beams. Next, logs are prepared, on which the flooring will be convenient, this can be done both immediately and at the end of construction.

If a corner utility block is planned, then the number of racks will be increased, they are additionally installed at the corners of the building, as well as in those places where window and door openings will be located. Then you can proceed to the construction of the roof, while if the shed is installed with a canopy, it is enough to lay a pitched roof. But it is worth noting that the gable type of roof will give the barn a more attractive look, therefore it is often chosen for outbuildings located next to the house.

At the end of the installation, the wall cladding is made of boards. After that, the windows and the door are installed. To decorate the barn, you can also additionally decorate it with clapboard. Inside the building, it is necessary to finish the ceiling and equip it with the necessary shelves.

Outbuildings made of blocks are also very popular with summer residents. Compared to unedged boards, such objects have many advantages, they are durable and reliable in use, as well as resistant to moisture and temperature extremes.In addition, the blocks are easy to install, which simplifies the construction process. The construction of such a shed involves several stages of work:

• Pouring the foundation. A strip foundation is usually chosen as the base for block structures, on which a layer of waterproofing is additionally laid.
• Block masonry. This building material is laid with a mortar made from sand and cement. When fixing the blocks, it is important to control the thickness of the joints; it should not exceed 5 mm. First, the corners of the future building are laid out, then, using a plumb line and level, the surfaces of the walls are leveled vertically and horizontally. In addition, a reinforcing belt must be performed at the bottom and top of the structure.

• Roof installation. The construction of the roof is carried out according to the same scheme as in the construction of frame structures.
• Installation of flooring, windows and doors.
• Finishing work. Walls inside the object can be either plastered or sheathed with drywall sheets. Moreover, the latter option is considered the simplest and most affordable. Drywall allows you to get a beautiful and durable finish, and it will take a lot of time and labor to apply the plaster correctly. If the shed is planned to be used as a workshop, then it needs to be equipped with special shelves and cabinets inside.

There are also many other ways to build a barn using building materials such as metal, plastic or polycarbonate, but the principle of their construction is similar to the steps above. If the material is light, then construction begins with the assembly of the frame and wall cladding, and if the utility block is built of stone or brick, a solid foundation is first laid, and they act according to the usual scheme. The main thing is that at the end of the work the barn does not spoil the landscape design of the site.

For example, a beautiful flowerbed of ornamental plants and a path lined with natural stones will become a real decoration of even the simplest building.

The barn is considered an important outbuilding on the land, which performs many functions. But over time, the structure, under the influence of the external environment, begins to lose its original appearance and operational characteristics. To prevent this, the utility block needs to be regularly repaired. The restoration of the barn is not particularly difficult, so it is quite possible to do it yourself, the main thing is to have a desire. Before you repair the utility block, you should pay attention to the condition of the base, beams and roofing material of the building. In addition, you need to check the integrity of the flooring, walls and ceiling.

The estimate of the work is calculated, and the tools are prepared. For the restoration of the foundation, brick and concrete mix will be required; for the restoration of the roof, roofing material, screws, nails and staples should be purchased. If the shed is wooden, then it must be sheathed on the outside with new boards, and the walls must be insulated inside.

Repair of the base is carried out as follows: with the help of a jack, the corner of the building is raised, using brick and cement mortar, a curbstone is built, after which the structure is lowered onto it. As for the roof, during its replacement, it is necessary to provide for the laying of waterproofing from a polyethylene film or roofing material, this will protect it from leaks in the future. In the event that the waterproofing was not laid during construction, then the roof will have to be disassembled completely. Next, a metal tile or slate is applied to the insulating layer.For a gable roof, it is mandatory to check the condition of the ridge, if necessary, change it to a new one.

First, the old flooring is dismantled, and the damaged boards are replaced with new ones. If the front door has lost its attractive appearance, it can also be changed. In the event that the original project did not provide for the presence of windows in the shed, they can be installed during the renovation. This will allow you to work indoors without using electricity. In modern versions of buildings, lighting is often organized, consisting of several sockets and bright lamps.

It is also worth paying special attention to the repair of walls and load-bearing beams. If the load-bearing elements and ceilings have rotted, then there is no need to disassemble the entire structure, it is enough to install new ones next to the damaged fasteners. To restore old walls, you should dismantle broken and decayed boards, replacing them with another material. When installing new wooden elements, it is important to pre-treat them with an antiseptic. It will protect the wood from insects and moisture.

It is also recommended to place new racks and shelves inside the block, which would make it possible to more efficiently distribute the block space. In addition, it will not hurt to make convenient devices for storing skis, bicycles and other equipment. In the workshop, it is recommended to install tool mounts above the workbench. To free up storage rooms inside a residential building, during repair work under the barn, you can build a compact cellar for storing vegetables and fruits.

Recently, most land owners have chosen to build sheds with their own hands, as it is economical and allows you to individually create more suitable project options.

In order for the outbuilding to be properly built, reliably serve for a long time, it is recommended to take into account the advice of specialists.

• The frame of the future building is best made from combined materials. Thanks to the combination of bricks, logs and boards, the structure will gain strength. At the same time, a waterproofing layer must be laid between the tree and the brick.
• During construction, the boards should be overlapped. This will reduce installation work.
• For the construction of solid blocks, you need to use silicate brick. It has excellent moisture resistance. In addition, you need to lay the foundation and perform reinforcement. This is especially true of buildings, the size of which is rather big.

• Decking will be a good material for the shed; it is best to buy sheets with a thickness of 0.45 mm. Such a structure will last more than 40 years, does not require repair and is simply installed.
• It is necessary to place the utility block in a convenient place, at a distance of 1 m from the neighboring site. In the event that it is planned to keep chickens and other animals in the barn, the distance will have to be increased to 4 m.
• For laying the flooring, it is advisable to use high-quality and durable boards, they must not only be treated with an antiseptic, but also additionally covered with several layers of varnish. You cannot lay the floor until the foundation is frozen.

• When cladding the walls of the barn, it is necessary to use simple, and not galvanized nails, which over time can leave ugly stains on the finish.
• The dimensions of the utility unit must correspond to its purpose. The optimal size for a summer cottage is a 2 × 3 m building with a ceiling height of 2.5 m.
• In order to be able to find everything quickly while in the barn, it is important to place tools and things in it correctly. A good solution would be to install comfortable shelving.
• During the planning of the building, it is necessary to provide for the presence of a shed. This will allow you to work outdoors in the shade in hot weather.

For information on how to build a barn yourself, see the video below.