Renovating Barns, Sheds Outbuildings [Paperback]

Preserve history and save money by renovating, rather than replacing, old barns, sheds, and outbuildings. This practical guide shows you how to accurately evaluate a barn’s condition and execute whatever necessary repairs are needed. Offering clear step-by-step instructions for squaring up and strengthening the structure, restoring or replacing the roofing and siding, installing new windows and doors, and even adding electricity and plumbing, Nick Engler will inspire you to give your outbuildings a fabulous and functional new life.

Building is a passion that author Nick Engler pursues fully. He holds several patents on woodworking tools that he developed. He also likes to share his how-to knowledge with other builders. Engler has authored many articles on woodworking, construction, and home improvements. He is the author of Renovating Barns, Sheds & Outbuildings. Engler is also a pilot, and is building his own 1902 Wright Glider replica.

Why renovate?

Every time I start out to renovate a barn or an outbuilding, someone asks me, Why don't you just tear it down and start over? It's a good question. In many cases, it's easier to start from scratch. The building techniques and materials available nowadays enable you to put up a building quicker and more easily than you can do a full-fledged renovation, in many cases. But quicker and easier aren't the only considerations.

When you renovate a building, you can save three things: money, history, and architecture. The money you save, the historical value of the building, and the building's unique architecture often make a renovation much more attractive than building from scratch. So before you call in the wrecking crew, give some thought to what you might gain by letting the structure stand.

Saving history

Whether or not your farm or your home is on the Historic Register, there may be some history to your outbuildings. I've rebuilt log cabins and coverló