What is the widest I can span a gambrel barn?

by Kim Petersen
(Winnemucca, NV)

What is the widest I can span a gambrel barn?

I am looking to build a post and beam wooden barn to use for weddings and special events. I want to be ready to build early spring.

I am from Winnemucca, Nevada so good temper beams are hard to come by.

Is there a way to purchase a kit with materials?

I am also considering a wood floor to dress it up from concrete. I am hoping to find a way to insulate it so I can use it in the winter. Thanks for your help.

Hi Kim,

Thank you for your question.

The widest we will design a barn to clear span is 20 feet.

Of course we can design your barn to be wider but there will be interior posts to support the weight of the roof and loft. Now, we could hypothetically clear span much wider distances, but that would require special beams, and engineering, that are way beyond the scope of what we do here. It is our goal to design simple and affordable traditional barns.

We try not to ship whole kits out of state because of the cost of shipping, and we believe in strong local economies. In Nevada I understand that there probably isn't a great deal of local lumber available. However, I know that there are some really nice Douglas Fir timbers available from sawmills in Oregon or Washington. There is also Ponderous Pine available in the Dakotas.

Have a great day!

Aaron Esch
BarnGeek