Barn terms and their definitions
Bay – This term refers to the open space between the bents of your barn kit.
Bent – This term refers to one section of framework made up of posts and beams. Bents are spaced 10 or 12 feet apart.
Board and Batten – This is the vertical siding of your barn. They are full dimension rough cut 1″x10″ boards and 1″x3″ battens.
Girts – Girts are rough cut full dimension 2″x6″ timbers and are nailed horizontally from post to post.
Knee Braces – Knee braces are the short angled pieces that support the posts and tie beams. They are rough cut full dimension 4″x4″ or 6″x6″ timbers with precut angles
Loft Decking – These are rough cut full dimension 1″ thick boards. They attach to your loft joists and make up the floor surface of your loft.
Loft Joists -These are rough cut full dimension 2″ thick boards. They attach to your tie beams and support the loft decking.
Posts – These are the upright support timbers that run from the foundation to the tie beams and rafter beams. They are full dimension 6″x6″ rough cut timbers.
Purlins – Purlins are rough cut full dimension 3″x6″ timbers that lay horizontally from rafter beam to rafter beam.
Roof Sheathing – These are rough cut full dimension 1″x8″ boards. They attach to the purlins on your barn. They run vertically from the peak to the eve and provide a surface for your roofing material.
T-Plates – T-plates are 3/16″ thick steel brackets shaped like a T. They are predrilled to match the predrilled holes in your timbers. They are used to connect your posts and beams in various places on your bent.
Tie Beams – Tie Beams are full dimension 6″x8″ or 6″x10″ timbers that run horizontally from post to post. They help support the roof, walls, and loft of your barn.
U-Bracket – U brackets are 3/16″ thick steel brackets that are formed to fit on the bottom of your posts and attach to your foundation. They are predrilled and come with wedge anchors for attaching to concrete. They also provide a barrier between your posts and the concrete so that no wood touches concrete.
Read More about Post and Beam Barn Kits below.
The Ideal Horsebarn
Picture This: In the heart of a rolling countryside, nestled among whispering trees and fields of wildflowers, stands a timber frame barn that embodies rustic elegance and timeless charm. Its sturdy wooden beams, weathered by years of standing tall against the...
Gothic Barns: A Homesteader’s Guide to Durable and Efficient Design
The Gothic barn, with its distinctive arched roof and robust frame, caught my eye as a structure that’s not just functional but also has an aesthetic charm. The design, which dates back to
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.
How to Securely Install Post Brackets for Barn Building: A Step-by-Step Guide
For a standard Post Bracket installation, position your wedge anchors diagonally across from each other in the slots on the U bracket’s tabs. This method provides a balanced, sturdy attachment. When dealing with corners, it’s tempting to cut the U bracket
Cutting Timbers in Advance: What is the best size to cut?
Question: Aaron- Thank you for all the helpful info on your website. I just recently purchased a bandsaw mill and am going to start cutting timbers for later use. I am years away from thinking about a specific barn design but know I want to create these post and beam...
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.
Barn to Barndominium, The Secret’s in the Loft
Hey guys, Barn Geek here. This knee wall is one of those difficult things to translate from plans to real-world scale. That knee wall on the plans looks short, and people might think they won't have much room. I am approximately 5 foot 10, or 5 foot 8. This is our...
Taming SPRING POLE Widow-Makers for a Safer Timber Harvest
As you harvest timbers for your barn project you will inevitably encounter a very dangerous situation in the woods called a Spring Pole. There are videos on youtube that discuss spring poles but most of them approach it by using two different cutting techniques. DO...