corn crib roof and rafters support?

Question

I would like to take old corn crib and convert it to cottage, by removing inner walls. What do I have to do to make sure that the roof does not cave in or how do I beef up the rafters (not buy them), Also is there a good web site to see pictures or drawings. Do I need to beef up the base? It was built in 1950s. HxWxD 12 plus roof by 28 by 32. Roof is probabbly another 10 to12 ft.

Answer 1

you fail to mention why you are worried about the roof in the first place, is it sagging and in sad shape? Water damaged? infested? dry rotted? you can sandwich plywood on both sides using construction adhesive and screws, you can add on metal supports, sandwich new or in good shape beams to the old ones, must be dozens of ways to shore it up. without seeing it, i cannot give you a definitive answer. if it is too far gone, you might simply HAVE to replace it.

you neglected to mention the size of the joists and such, but i figure if it has been up for round fifty years, if it is still in decent shape, just repairing what needs to be in some manner will do. i would look into various forms of insulation after you get it repaired. some thing that tall is going to be a bear to keep warm unless you install a lowered ceiling, sounds to me like you could make it at least two separate floors.

as to beefing up the base of it? again without knowing what is already there, i cannot give an honest informed answer. if you think it needs beefed up, it probably does.

Answer 2

Converting a Corn Crib into a dwelling may behoove you to tear down and start from scratch..

Herein lies the problem. the footing of the corn crib are whoafully inadequate under most conditions. Generally Corn cribs had a monolithic footing, for a dwelling you want a frostline footing in most locales.

The standard practice of 2x4, 2x6 framing still apply often older corncribs are piece meal at best, 36" center framing, maybe 32" for roof if the farmer was ambitious.

Answer 3

i could elect to work out a percentof your corn crib yet ordinarily. taking off up particular factors of the indoors partitions with using some header fabric could be better then removing thoroughly. exceedingly if in fact this is tied to roof help, that stands out as the only way. some rafter collar ties and purlans could be effective for basic power of roof as properly.

Answer 4

I would sugest yuo talk to your local building inspector and pick his brain about your project and ask him to recomend contractors. Harrowsmith magazine and Mother Earth news are also good resources for this kind of project. Building codes are going to be the big thing, and you find a copy of your local/ state building code. while it has many rules, it can also suggest solutions. A good relationship with the inspector is a must. A friend had a problem with plans not arriving on time so his inspector actualy drew the foundation plans for him so he could start footings etc. Many good books too on farm construction, post and beam consttr, etc. Talk to a district agriculturist and see what they can recomend

Answer 5

You wall needs to be 16inch on center to support the Roof, you can add webbing from the Joist to the Rafter, and if the Rafters are not 2 foot on center, you probably need to add more.