The Shelter Blog has been inactive since May, 2019. Too much to do! From this point on, Lloyd’s Blog will have the buildings, vehicles, and home-related posts such as what has previously appeared here. Go to lloydkahn.com.

Lisa's Pole Barn House

By Lew Lewandowski on October 19, 2015
11985666_f1024

The pole barn house makes a great small home, guest house, cabin or cottage. It’s simple shape makes it easy to build! It’s 1,085 square feet and features:

  • 2 bedrooms
  • 1 bath
  • storage/sleeping loft
  • modern design
  • shed roof
  • high ceilings
  • radiant in floor heat
  • pole building construction
  • passive solar
  • abundant windows
  • some universal design principles

10136377_f520Holes 1-2′ in diameter were dug 4′ in the ground below the frost line. 1′ of cement was poured in the bottom of the holes and posts were placed on top of the cement. The holes were then back-filled. The cement pads distribute the weight from the load on the post.

Here are some attributes of the pole barn house lot:

  • no lot clearing was needed
  • built on open part of land
  • minimal leveling (excavation) needed
  • driveway was installed and leveled for $1,000
  • shade in the south provides for natural cooling in the summer

TIP: If you’re looking for land, look for land with the following attributes:

  • minimal excavation needed
  • good drainage
  • proper sun exposure or shelter
  • land that perks for a regular septic system (specialized system can be triple the cost!)

TIP: This is important … if you grasp this, it can make the difference between living in your home or the “artful” living in your home.

Best piece of advice I’ve ever heard regarding home placement is from my friend Lou. She said:

“I’ll never understand why people feel they have to place the front of their house towards the road. I placed my house so that when I sit inside I get the best and most beautiful views looking out. It doesn’t matter what people think when they drive by your house or when they walk up to your house. What matters is how YOU feel when you’re in it.”

12168624_f520ALL of the doors and windows for the pole barn house were purchased for a TOTAL of $1,519! They were builder restock and salvaged. Pole building construction allowed for the easy placement of doors and windows.

TIP: Always make sure doors and windows are in excellent condition before buying.

TIP: Best piece of advice I’ve ever heard regarding reclaimed doors and windows (that are in excellent condition) is from designer Eric Hughes:

“Don’t worry if you find windows and doors that don’t match in color or size. If you find a good deal pick them up because I can always use them somewhere in your house. It may mean that each wall will have a different color but if designed right, people will never know or will think it’s supposed to be that way.”

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I love living in a pole barn house and I hope you found something inspiring here. I’ll leave you with this — benefits of pole construction:

  • minimal impact on land
  • easily passes code
  • appraises as stick-built home
  • ease of construction
  • able to get roof on early!

You can purchase plans for Lisa’s pole barn house at polebarnhouse.bigcartel.com/….

10923479_1582302625340396_8868674322317164697_n pole_barn_house_left_elevation 

Categories: Small Homes 

Related Posts:

9 Responses to Lisa's Pole Barn House

  1. Pingback: Peter

  2. Pingback: Anonymous

  3. Pingback: Anonymous

  4. Pingback: B. Walters

  5. Pingback: polo

    • Pingback: Evan Kahn

  6. Pingback: Amanda Kay Ellis Mathes

  7. Pingback: Donald Lawson

  8. Pingback: Bart Frank

Post a Comment

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!