How to Clearspan a 60’ Wide Monitor Barn Including a Loft
Reader DANIEL in HADLEY writes: “ I am really liking the Monitor style barn. I however find the support posts for the raised portion very in the way for what I want. I am looking to have an open floor on a 60 x 60 Monitor build. Center section of barn 20 ft and each wing on side 20 ft wide as well. I would like to pull a vehicle into the center section of barn and make a 90degrees turn and park 4-5 vehicles in each wing. My problem is the support beams would hinder a lot of this. Is there a plan out there that would give me a 60X60 Monitor with the loft space, without the annoying, in the way supports? Heck I wouldn’t be mad if it had 2 In the middle at the 30 ft mark. But ideally none. I know I’m asking for unreasonableness, but it’s worth the ask, and if you have a solution for me could you link me to the resources I would need? Thank you!”
Nothing unreasonable at all. As I tell clients – your only limitations are imagination, depth of your pocket book and available space. We tend to attract clients who are looking for structural solutions everyone else will not touch. If you desire no interior columns, it can be done, we would utilize a set of parallel chord trusses at each side of your raised center to span from endwall to endwall. Trusses for 20′ wing as well as main (raised) center roof and floor trusses would be carried by these. These will limit your ability to place windows in kneewall above wings. Keep in mind, since loads on beams are a function of square of span, having columns at 30′ will reduce forces needing to be carried by a factor of four (and will similarly reduce your needed investment).
DEAR RORY: 
DEAR JON: Assuming new endwall columns for your addition can be placed directly against your existing endwall – framing will extend 1-1/2″ past these columns (effectively creating an overlap above your existing building). A piece of flashing known as sidewall, will go up your new endwall and lap onto your existing roof. Being as your existing roof has shingles, I would order Emseal expanding closures to use on underside of this flashing to seal against water infiltration. Sticky side of Emseal can be placed on flashing (inside of drip leg) and it will expand after installation to fill any irregularities. Wall steel is then applied to overlap this flashing.
DEAR AMY: Thank you for your kind words. Depending upon width of side sheds, we could probably have your building engineered using rafters at attached to shed eave side columns, main columns and cantilevered over center portion. Same concept could also be done using parallel chord trusses, however they would take up more depth. In either case, you could have a vaulted ceiling to follow roof lines.
DEAR BRANDON: Provided they are vented cupolas, I am finding nothing in Building Codes prohibiting this. You will want to confirm this with your local Building Inspector.
DEAR HEATH: The most economical for heating and cooling will be a square building on a single level. Your challenge with any two-story or lofted building is heat rises – so to cool to a comfortable level upstairs, it is frigid downstairs. I had this problem with our two story home in Washington, so when we built our multi-level shouse, we had individual heat pumps, heating and A/C units for each floor. Your need for venting will depend upon how you are insulating. If you are doing a finished ceiling across bottom of trusses, with blown insulation directly above, then your dead attic space being created will need to be vented (ideally with eave and ridge vents).
DEAR STEVE: When our mountainside home near Spokane, Washington needed a new garage with 14 feet of grade change in 24 feet, we went with post frame – doing a ‘stilt’ house. Unless you are in a flood zone, this is normally far less expensive than excavating your bank to do a footing and foundation, or bringing in a plethora of truckloads of fill in order to get to a level building site. This should work well with your new cabin.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: 
DEAR JIM: Since you are in planning stages, I will throw lots of free advice at you.
