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Building Homes or Extensions/Ceiling in Pole Barn Structure

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Expert: - 4/3/2009


Question
I have a 32' by 40' pole barn with 4/12 trusses spaced 4' oc.  They have a 2x4 bottom cord.  Will these hold drywall and insulation?  If no, will spanning between them hold that load?

Answer
Hi Jared, Without seeing the spec sheet on these trusses it's hard to say what kind of dead load they can handle.  You would need to strip the bottoms of the truss with something to span the four feet.  The strips, generally flat 2x4's, would be spaced two feet apart.  Drywall on a ceiling needs two foot spacing of framing members...You might want to use metal hat channel in lieu of the 2x4's to minimize the weight.  I would think that any assembly weighing 20 pounds a square foot or less would work with these trusses....I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

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Bruce E. Johnson

Expertise

I can answer any construction related question in regards to carpentry, concrete, drywall, masonry, structural elements of any type of building, residential or commercial. Interior or exterior.

Experience

Custom Commercial and residential buildings. Churches, theaters, schools and auditoriums. Most recently I am working with the Catholic Church on several design build committees. I have a website related to scheduling and project supervision. Although my expertise is more related to multimillion dollar commercial, educational and theatrical projects my generous credentials in residential and remodelling construction make me a viable source of information regarding all forms of building questions.

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