Western barn garages used to be present in all four corners of the country but fell out of fashion until recently.
They are making a comeback and are certainly a great addition to your home that will add value and look great if you follow a decent set of plans.
So what exactly is a western barn garage? They are basically large old-style Dutch barns, although with smaller gables.
Generally today we find them with an extra story which can be used for anything from storage to a home office depending on how good your DIY skills are.
Or you could use the western barn as it was originally intended, for livestock.
The story can then be used as a hay barn while the peak roof provides protection from the elements.
You need to decide what you will be using the barn for before starting to build because you can adapt door size and interior space for different uses.
If you are going to be using the barn as a garage, you need to think about access.
You don't want something that looks great but can't be used in the winter! Good plans should help you with this.
Building a Western Barn yourself is a fair DIY project, but well within reach of anyone who wants to give it a go.
Be warned though, unless your project is properly planned out, it can be expensive.
You need to know exactly what quantities of material you will be using before starting.
a material list from the plans will save you time and money here.
In my experience, the most enjoyable way to tackle this sort of project is with a group of friends.
It is amazing how quickly this type of build can go from foundations to roof and it will give you a huge amount of satisfaction when you see the finished construction.