Free Barn Plans Books
While doing my research years ago on Old barn Designs, that I could bring to the modern era, I found tons of cool old books full of old Barn Plans, Innovations, and ideas.
Gothic Barns: Creating Enchanting Wedding Venues with Timeless Design
The Gothic barn, with its distinctive architectural features and robust construction, offers an idyllic backdrop for weddings, imbuing each ceremony with a sense of history and romance.
Plank Frame Barn Construction: A Deep Dive into John L. Shawver’s Book
John L. Shawver’s “Constructing a Plank Frame Barn,” Forever changed the way farmers build barns.
Barn Plans and Outbuildings | by Orange Judd Company, published in 1886
Barn Plans and Outbuildings is a book that provides a wealth of designs and plans for constructing barns, outbuildings, and other farm structures. Originally published in 1881, this book offers a unique insight into the architecture and construction of these essential structures during the 19th century.
In the past I just had links to those books on this page, but now I have decided to dive deep into these resources, and dedicate a page to each one. Below you will find articles to each of these books and resources as I compile them.
This will be an ongoing project so be sure that you come back and revisit this page often. This is meant to shortcut research into these old barn designs and keep the information fresh so that it isn’t lost to history.
These books that will flood your mind with ideas! If you are planning to build a barn and need some good ideas before you get started. These books are wonderful resources for barn building ideas.
Whether you are looking for ideas for a horse barn or a barn home, you are sure to find your imagination stimulated by these beautiful sketches!
Click on the links below to find the barn plans:
Here is the Radfords Practicle Barn Plans Book
Here is the Louden Catalog of Barn Plans
Free Pole Barn Plans for Farmers From Iowa State University.




Read More about Post and Beam Barn Kits below.
Mortise and Tenon vs. Steel Plate Joinery in Timber Frames: What DIY Builders Need to Know
Explore the differences between mortise and tenon joints and steel plate connections in timber framing, focusing on strength, aesthetics, and construction methods.
Checklist for Hiring a Barn Contractor
Learn how to hire the right barn contractor with essential tips on credentials, reputation, bids, and communication for a successful project.
How to start a barn wedding venue business
Learn how to successfully launch a barn wedding venue business, from planning and renovations to legal requirements and marketing strategies.
Is it worth while to have a local sawmill cut some or all of my Barn Lumber or even do it myself?
We have a LOT of eastern red cedars, Tulip Poplars, among other species. If I have a local sawmill cut our pieces for us, would you expect a significant savings overall?
Pride and Accomplishment in Having Built a Barn Myself
Besides the utility of having a barn and the value it adds to our property, having built the barn myself has given me a sense of pride and accomplishment that’s hard to place a value upon.
Free Chicken Coop Plans
You can build this hen house with these free chicken coop plans. It is easy to do. All you need is some rough cut lumber, a hammer, nails, and a circular saw. You can even build one with regular dimensional lumber from your local lumber yard. I built one like this for...
36 egg incubator reveiw. Trying an incubator from amazon.
In may of 2024 my husband and I decided to purchase an incubator in the hopes of hatching some cute silkie chicks for our son to enjoy. We bought eggs from local breeders to hatch along with sticking some layer mixes from our own farm in. As a busy family with my...
Best exterior coating for a barn?
Question asked in the BarnGeeks Facebook Group 4/21/24 Does anybody have any recommendations of the best exterior coating for a 40x60 gambrel? Unfortunately the wood is not rough cut so it won't absorb as well as all of the beams and the frame. I used iron oxide mixed...
Rebuilding Tradition: A Family’s Journey with BarnGeek’s Gambrel Timber Frame Barn
The old 40 x 60 barn my grandfather built in the forties collapsed in a snowstorm in 2015. I wanted to replace it with a similar style so I chose the 40 x 60 gambrel.