An upgrade to an old Vermont Homestead
This beautiful three bay barn is a replacement for one lost in a fire not too long ago. It’s quite fun building a barn on an old homestead, adding to to something that has already been so painstakingly carved out of the land. This one had a particularly authentic feeling. It lies at the end of a narrow, winding country road lined with ancient maple trees. The trees open up to southern facing rolling hills and two large ponds. On the left sits a classic Vermont cape with an attached el kitchen and a small barn used as a garage. On the right stands the new barn that will slowly, but surely, adopt the hue of the weathered, well-used sugar house it sits next to. Straight ahead you’ll find plenty more maples and forgotten logging roads aplenty. Someone or some family long ago clearly took great care to make this place special. We were lucky to have the opportunity to add to their work.
Juggling the style of yesterday with the convenience of today can prove challenging, but it’s where TimberHomes Vermont’s experience with traditional timber framing, fine home building, and sustainable practices really shine.
This barn sits on an insulated frost wall with interior slab and a walk out basement. The first floor features three large sliding doors that open up all three bays to equipment. The eastern-most bay holds a steel I-beam and engine hoist for working on vehicles and machinery. The second floor is partially enclosed and air-sealed for use as an auxiliary living space. A loft and skylights make this large barn feel both spacious and cozy. This space should be able to heat itself with a small wood stove, large south-facing efficient windows, and a large solar array installed by Tesla solar. The apartment is wrapped in intello plus for the interior vapor barrier and solitex mento 3000 as the exterior weather resistant barrier. These vapor barriers are incredibly efficient and do a great deal to make a living space warm and comfortable. They also help protect the building from unwanted moisture build up in the living space and the insulated wall cavity.
This barn is well suited to keep the farm going whether its working on machinery, storing hay, keeping you warm on a cold winter night, or all three!
