Raising the ceiling in an existing barn

Posted by jloomis on January 31, 2009, 9:58 am

I would do this work, but leave all the existing rafters in. I would build
temporary supports and support the new joist placement with temporary posts.
I would bolt the new joist to the rafters. This uses a lot of "new wood"
Another way would be to do every other joist if you want to save material.
You would still need to temporary support the "new joist placement"
So, put a post and beam temporary support in at the correct height. Start
with one joist and move it to its new place. Do the alternate side.......
Then go to every other joist and do the same. When all the joist are moved
and "bolted securely" to the rafter replace the "new post" to the new joist
support beam.
I know it can be done, and I would not be afraid to give it a go.
jloomis construction and concrete

> Hello,
> I have a project that I have am researching before beginning. I have a
> 34' x 53' barn that has 7 foot ceilings on the main floor and I want to
> raise them up to about 11 feet. The joists are nailed to the rafters on
> the outside wall and also supported by a 2 beams that run down the middle
> of the barn. These beams rest on posts that in turn are on concrete pads.
> If I cut the joist off near the rafter and raise the floor up, the joists
> will again be more than long enough (because the roof is radiused).
> So far the best thing I have come up with is to do the ceiling in three
> sections. The barn is about 34 feet wide and 53 feet long. Each
> section would be 34 feet wide and just over 18 feet long. Maybe four
> sections would be a little more manageable.
> Anyway, I need photos and testimonies on past projects. I have quite a
> bit of construction experience but I tend to be pretty anal with projects
> like this so I want to be 100% confident before I start.
> Thanks in advance,
> DOC
> MN, USA
> -------------------------------------
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> Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
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Posted by Avon_Jeepman on February 1, 2009, 12:31 pm

Avon_Jeepman had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/construction/Re-Raising-the-ceiling-in-an-existing-barn-16296-.htm
:
Now we are getting somewhere. That sounds much more manageable and much
safer. I'll go out to the barn and think that through while looking at
the structure. The issue I immediately see is removing the flooring. The
nails are into the joists pretty good since it was built while the lumber
was wet in those days. There must be a way to get them out. ?????

I could add new concrete pads inward a few feet of the existing ones since
my ceiling will get a few feet narrower once it is moved up. Then I could
place the new (taller) posts and put in new beams that run the length of
the building. Then do what you said and start moving joists.

I am pretty sure I will add angular bracing near the edge at some point
for wind bracing. There currently isn't any which is typical for barns in
theis area.

I am heading out to the barn right now.. LOL

Thanks

DOC

MN, USA
-------------------------------------
jloomis wrote:

> I would do this work, but leave all the existing rafters in. I would
> build
> temporary supports and support the new joist placement with temporary
> posts.
> I would bolt the new joist to the rafters. This uses a lot of
> "new wood"
> Another way would be to do every other joist if you want to save
> material.
> You would still need to temporary support the "new joist
> placement"
> So, put a post and beam temporary support in at the correct height.
> Start
> with one joist and move it to its new place. Do the alternate
> side.......
> Then go to every other joist and do the same. When all the joist are
> moved
> and "bolted securely" to the rafter replace the "new
> post" to the new joist
> support beam.
> I know it can be done, and I would not be afraid to give it a go.
> jloomis construction and concrete

> wrote in message

>> Hello,
>> I have a project that I have am researching before beginning. I
>> have a
>> 34' x 53' barn that has 7 foot ceilings on the main floor and I
>> want to
>> raise them up to about 11 feet. The joists are nailed to the
>> rafters on
>> the outside wall and also supported by a 2 beams that run down the
>> middle
>> of the barn. These beams rest on posts that in turn are on
>> concrete pads.
>> If I cut the joist off near the rafter and raise the floor up, the
>> joists
>> will again be more than long enough (because the roof is
>> radiused).
>> So far the best thing I have come up with is to do the ceiling in
>> three
>> sections. The barn is about 34 feet wide and 53 feet long.
>> Each
>> section would be 34 feet wide and just over 18 feet long. Maybe
>> four
>> sections would be a little more manageable.
>> Anyway, I need photos and testimonies on past projects. I have
>> quite a
>> bit of construction experience but I tend to be pretty anal with
>> projects
>> like this so I want to be 100% confident before I start.
>> Thanks in advance,
>> DOC
>> MN, USA
>> -------------------------------------
>> ##-----------------------------------------------##
>> Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
>> Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
>> Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
>> alt.building.construction - 15495 messages and counting!
>> ##-----------------------------------------------##

##-----------------------------------------------##
Delivered via
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
Web
and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
alt.building.construction - 15536
messages and counting!
##-----------------------------------------------##

Posted by jloomis on February 1, 2009, 12:48 pm

Using a sawzall can cut the nails instead of pulling them.
Sometimes hitting the nail prior to pulling loosens the grip caused by
corrosion and or "set"
A nail puller does a good job. (hammer puller)
Drilling off the head will save the board, time consuming, and then pulling
up the board.
A good pry bar works wonders.....
Yes, you can, move the pier footing, although if you temporary crib the new
joist, you can pull out the old post and add a new one when ready.
Sneaking in the new beams may be tough but doeable.
jloomis construction and concrete.

> Avon_Jeepman had written this in response to
>

http://www.thestuccocompany.com/construction/Re-Raising-the-ceiling-in-an-existing-barn-16296-.htm

> :
> Now we are getting somewhere. That sounds much more manageable and much
> safer. I'll go out to the barn and think that through while looking at
> the structure. The issue I immediately see is removing the flooring. The
> nails are into the joists pretty good since it was built while the lumber
> was wet in those days. There must be a way to get them out. ?????
> I could add new concrete pads inward a few feet of the existing ones since
> my ceiling will get a few feet narrower once it is moved up. Then I could
> place the new (taller) posts and put in new beams that run the length of
> the building. Then do what you said and start moving joists.
> I am pretty sure I will add angular bracing near the edge at some point
> for wind bracing. There currently isn't any which is typical for barns in
> theis area.
> I am heading out to the barn right now.. LOL
> Thanks
> DOC
> MN, USA
> -------------------------------------
> jloomis wrote:

>> I would do this work, but leave all the existing rafters in. I would
>> build
>> temporary supports and support the new joist placement with temporary
>> posts.
>> I would bolt the new joist to the rafters. This uses a lot of
>> "new wood"
>> Another way would be to do every other joist if you want to save
>> material.
>> You would still need to temporary support the "new joist
>> placement"
>> So, put a post and beam temporary support in at the correct height.
>> Start
>> with one joist and move it to its new place. Do the alternate
>> side.......
>> Then go to every other joist and do the same. When all the joist are
>> moved
>> and "bolted securely" to the rafter replace the "new
>> post" to the new joist
>> support beam.
>> I know it can be done, and I would not be afraid to give it a go.
>> jloomis construction and concrete
>> wrote in message

>>> Hello,
>>> I have a project that I have am researching before beginning. I
>>> have a
>>> 34' x 53' barn that has 7 foot ceilings on the main floor and I
>>> want to
>>> raise them up to about 11 feet. The joists are nailed to the
>>> rafters on
>>> the outside wall and also supported by a 2 beams that run down the
>>> middle
>>> of the barn. These beams rest on posts that in turn are on
>>> concrete pads.
>>> If I cut the joist off near the rafter and raise the floor up, the
>>> joists
>>> will again be more than long enough (because the roof is
>>> radiused).
>>> So far the best thing I have come up with is to do the ceiling in
>>> three
>>> sections. The barn is about 34 feet wide and 53 feet long.
>>> Each
>>> section would be 34 feet wide and just over 18 feet long. Maybe
>>> four
>>> sections would be a little more manageable.
>>> Anyway, I need photos and testimonies on past projects. I have
>>> quite a
>>> bit of construction experience but I tend to be pretty anal with
>>> projects
>>> like this so I want to be 100% confident before I start.
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> DOC
>>> MN, USA
>>> -------------------------------------
>>> ##-----------------------------------------------##
>>> Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
>>> Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
>>> Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
>>> alt.building.construction - 15495 messages and counting!
>>> ##-----------------------------------------------##

> ##-----------------------------------------------##
> Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
> Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
> Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
> alt.building.construction - 15536 messages and counting!
> ##-----------------------------------------------##

Posted by Avon_Jeepman on February 2, 2009, 12:36 am

Avon_Jeepman had written this in response to
http://www.thestuccocompany.com/construction/Re-Raising-the-ceiling-in-an-existing-barn-16334-.htm
:
After looking again at how the ceiling is built I agree that temporarily
cribbing the new joists might be the better way to go. Mainly because the
new beams that run the length of the barn would prevent me from just
lifting the joist straight up as one piece. They are made of three boards
and pulling those nails out would certainly be unpleasant (and a waste of
time).

Thanks,

DOC

MN, USA
-------------------------------------
jloomis wrote:

> Using a sawzall can cut the nails instead of pulling them.
> Sometimes hitting the nail prior to pulling loosens the grip caused by
> corrosion and or "set"
> A nail puller does a good job. (hammer puller)
> Drilling off the head will save the board, time consuming, and then
> pulling
> up the board.
> A good pry bar works wonders.....
> Yes, you can, move the pier footing, although if you temporary crib the
> new
> joist, you can pull out the old post and add a new one when ready.
> Sneaking in the new beams may be tough but doeable.
> jloomis construction and concrete.

> wrote in message

>> Avon_Jeepman had written this in response to

http://www.thestuccocompany.com/construction/Re-Raising-the-ceiling-in-an-existing-barn-16296-.htm

>> :
>> Now we are getting somewhere. That sounds much more manageable
>> and much
>> safer. I'll go out to the barn and think that through while
>> looking at
>> the structure. The issue I immediately see is removing the
>> flooring. The
>> nails are into the joists pretty good since it was built while the
>> lumber
>> was wet in those days. There must be a way to get them out.
>> ?????
>> I could add new concrete pads inward a few feet of the existing
>> ones since
>> my ceiling will get a few feet narrower once it is moved up. Then
>> I could
>> place the new (taller) posts and put in new beams that run the
>> length of
>> the building. Then do what you said and start moving joists.
>> I am pretty sure I will add angular bracing near the edge at some
>> point
>> for wind bracing. There currently isn't any which is typical for
>> barns in
>> theis area.
>> I am heading out to the barn right now.. LOL
>> Thanks
>> DOC
>> MN, USA
>> -------------------------------------
>> jloomis wrote:

>>> I would do this work, but leave all the existing rafters in.
>>> I would
>>> build
>>> temporary supports and support the new joist placement with
>>> temporary
>>> posts.
>>> I would bolt the new joist to the rafters. This uses a lot of
>>> "new wood"
>>> Another way would be to do every other joist if you want to
>>> save
>>> material.
>>> You would still need to temporary support the "new joist
>>> placement"
>>> So, put a post and beam temporary support in at the correct
>>> height.
>>> Start
>>> with one joist and move it to its new place. Do the alternate
>>> side.......
>>> Then go to every other joist and do the same. When all the
>>> joist are
>>> moved
>>> and "bolted securely" to the rafter replace the
>>> "new
>>> post" to the new joist
>>> support beam.
>>> I know it can be done, and I would not be afraid to give it a
>>> go.
>>> jloomis construction and concrete
>>> "Avon_Jeepman"
>>> wrote in message
>>>> Hello,
>>>> I have a project that I have am researching before
>>>> beginning. I
>>>> have a
>>>> 34' x 53' barn that has 7 foot ceilings on the main floor
>>>> and I
>>>> want to
>>>> raise them up to about 11 feet. The joists are nailed to
>>>> the
>>>> rafters on
>>>> the outside wall and also supported by a 2 beams that run
>>>> down the
>>>> middle
>>>> of the barn. These beams rest on posts that in turn are
>>>> on
>>>> concrete pads.
>>>> If I cut the joist off near the rafter and raise the floor
>>>> up, the
>>>> joists
>>>> will again be more than long enough (because the roof is
>>>> radiused).
>>>> So far the best thing I have come up with is to do the
>>>> ceiling in
>>>> three
>>>> sections. The barn is about 34 feet wide and 53 feet
>>>> long.
>>>> Each
>>>> section would be 34 feet wide and just over 18 feet long.
>>>> Maybe
>>>> four
>>>> sections would be a little more manageable.
>>>> Anyway, I need photos and testimonies on past projects. I
>>>> have
>>>> quite a
>>>> bit of construction experience but I tend to be pretty
>>>> anal with
>>>> projects
>>>> like this so I want to be 100% confident before I start.
>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>> DOC
>>>> MN, USA
>>>> -------------------------------------
>>>> ##-----------------------------------------------##
>>>> Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
>>>> Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
>>>> Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
>>>> alt.building.construction - 15495 messages and counting!
>>>> ##-----------------------------------------------##

>> ##-----------------------------------------------##
>> Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
>> Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
>> Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
>> alt.building.construction - 15536 messages and counting!
>> ##-----------------------------------------------##

##-----------------------------------------------##
Delivered via http://www.thestuccocompany.com/
Building Construction and Maintenance Forum
Web and RSS access to your favorite newsgroup -
alt.building.construction - 15547 messages and counting!
##-----------------------------------------------##

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Raising the ceiling in an existing barn - Page 4