Customer Reviews

How to Build Small Barns & Outbuildings

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a great general building reference book. I pull it out whenever I'm starting something new or if I want a refresher. This book has helpful detailed information on all phases of building design and construction. This includes: 1. Foundation design layout and pouring for slabs, piers, & footings of all sorts; 2. Framing design & construction-- whether pole or platform framing, roof trusses or rafters; 3. Siding & roofing options, design & construction details for each; 4. Wiring details from power to the service panel to switches, lighting and outlets; 5.Plumbing from the well to the septic leach field.

It also has over 20 plans for various buildings ranging from pole barns and equipment sheds to guest houses, garages and studios. I have built several sheds from plans in this book and plan to build more.

I was interested in learning how to build a outdoor storage/workshop building. This book gave me a great foundation. With it's acurate how to list, materials and dimensions, it give confidence to all do it yourselfers. I felt that the step by step from supplies to completion really proved invaluable. I would suggest this book to anyone interested in building their own buildings. I look forward to trying out the next design, a green house/garden shed. I feel this book should be apart of all libraries.

I never built a building before, I did help build a deck.
I bought this book to build a small music studio (16'x24')
and it was easy to read. It had everything I needed in it to build the building and the project came out great. After reading this book you will think it is easy to build small buildings.

Clear writing, accompanied by excellent illustrations for all the steps. Everything is included: planning, foundation, material, tools, foundation, windows, wiring and finishing. If you're a newbie, you're not wasting your money by buying this.

This book is written with simple jargon, clear illustrations and concise instructions. A great spring-board book for those new to construction.

Although all the details are there I don't think this is a beginner's book. There are a lot of terms and language that is not familiar to someone not in the construction industry. For a beginner I think there should have been more pictures and diagrams and maybe more explanation of the terms used. It's not unclear but I had to do some digging to understand everything.

This is undoubtedly the worst written, worst illustrated book I have purchased from Amazon.
I think the other reviews were from the authors family members. Luckily I purchased used as
I do all publication from Amazon. This copy will be placed in the "out house" by my barn for
emergency use. Save your money.

The author covers many areas of basic construction and gives cues for making the job easier and saving money. It is what I needed as I plan to build farm structures but why is there home plans included? The book does not give the detail necessary to attempt such structures. Speaking of the plans in the back of the book, my greatest peeve is that none of them include a materials lists.

I thought i knew how to build a shed, having built three from the ground up. This book has taught me so much in just two days of reading. If your looking for a book to teach you different types of plyboard, how to lay out square buildings or where and how to construct a barn or shed , then this is your book. Highly recommended reading for anyone trying to better inform themselves about the art of building.

this gave me some good ideas on what to do and not to do on building a small barn