Better Barns Hardware and Plans

Kittery, Maine
Better Barns Hardware and Plans - Kittery, Maine
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Hello-

I built this 10x16 colonial barn last summer (2009). The toughest decision was what to use for siding. After going back-and-forth, I decided on 1x6 tongue-and-groove pine boards that I prestained with an opaque stain. I'm really happy with the results!-

Another tricky part was the site. I wanted it to be on the edge of the lawn in a certain spot for convenience and looks, but the site dropped off about 18 inches or so from front to back, so I built a "box" using pressure treated 4x4s secured into the ground with rebar. After digging a shallow french drain at the low sides of the box, I filled it with crushed stone and placed/leveled the blocks you can see in the photo.-

Once completed, I installed some customized built-in shelves using 2x4s for tires, A/Cs, etc. and some mounts for hanging garden tools, etc. I also really like having a loft in this barn. The windows are standard barn sash windows bought locally and the door hardware is from Better Barns (and I'm very pleased with the quality of it). Finally, the small ramp was made with pressure-treated supports and Trex decking material to stand up to the abuse of lawn-mowers, snowblowers, etc.-

I had never built anything significant before, so I'm very appreciative for the great plans and DVD which along with a few of my own ideas, made this project work. Best of luck to those of you considering a project of your own--you can do it!-

-- Thad Kittery, Maine
6/19/2010
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