Alright, welcome back to MR Post Frame. Is self-building worth it? If you guys want to design a barndominium, we have a design company called Back 40 Buildings Co. or Back Forty Buildings Company. I think we do a really good job designing, so if you're interested, we'll leave a link for that. Also, for you guys that want to self-build, self-GC, not only will our plans help you, but our Patreon group will help you too. It's a group of other self-builders where you get to share your build, ask questions, and gain knowledge on post-frame and the dos and don'ts. So, check that out. Today's post is all about shelter options.
Barndominiums are typically on a slab, and if you are in an area where you have tornadoes or shady weather, you've got to have some options. We live in Iowa, and a lot of you guys considering Barndominiums are in Tornado Alley or other areas of the country prone to tornadoes. So, your storm shelter options expand beyond just a traditional basement. You can go with companies that have FEMA-approved storm shelters that can be bolted to your floor above ground, buried under the ground inside of your structure, or buried in the ground outside like a cellar-type situation. Those are more of the pre-made options. Then, you have the option to design a reinforced room in your home, either by reinforcing it with plywood (though it wouldn't technically be labeled as an official shelter but would be stronger than normal), or pouring concrete walls or using blocks for a room in the house.
The option we went with was actually digging out a basement room underneath our garage. It was built as you would normally build a basement, and you can do post-frame construction over a basement. This room is roughly 20 by 14 feet underground, with two windows, which some argue makes it not entirely enclosed, but it operates as a basement would. We'll go through the video, but this room is going to be roughly about 13 to 14 feet deep.
The way I designed our garage is for it to be 40 feet deep because there were some things I wanted to incorporate in the garage, like a canning kitchen and a utility room. Under that, I thought it would be a perfect place to put a small basement. I learned to make my own forms out of 3/4-inch plywood, which was physically demanding but cost-efficient. If I were to do it again, I would use ICF blocks.
During the excavation process, I encountered challenges due to the weather and lack of shade, but overall, I would do it again this way. It was cost-effective despite the labor-intensive process. We moved into the garage in late 2020, and the room served multiple purposes, including a bedroom for our kids. While it's technically not a certified storm shelter, it's below ground with concrete walls and serves our purposes.
We've been fortunate not to have to use our shelter often, but it came in handy during a tornado in March 2022. However, there's no 100% guarantee of safety during severe weather, so it's essential to have a plan. Self-building saved us significant costs, despite the challenges and labor involved.
Regarding equipment, renting a backhoe for excavation and using a rotary laser for leveling are essential. Additionally, using a keyway in the footing can help reinforce the structure against ground pressure. While we don't incorporate basements into all our builds due to cost and space considerations, it's a viable option for those who prioritize safety and have the means to do so.
Thank you,
MR Post Frame
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