I started this project last summer when I had a spot cleared off to build a new barn with living quarters. With the EFS booming down in South Texas is was very difficult getting guys lined up to do the work. I am not one for anything really fancy so I wanted chose a barn with decent size living quarters in it. I was more worried about having enough wall space for mounts than anything I guess Total slab is 30'x92' with 30'x52' living area. The barn/shed area will be 30'x40'.


After the spot was cleared I realized I was going to have to add some material to level the area for the slab. I started in November and this was the start of many loads of caliche with a tractor with a frontend loader. Watered it for several days and then got some good rains on it so we could do the slab.

Then in finally in Feb. I got the slab done.

Barn materials came in and they put up the steel. All welded and no bolts on this build.



Added windows, I did not want many windows.

They then started to put the skin on it.

Front porch after all the skin is on the building.

Next they got started on the inside with framing.



Outside walls are 12' high and center is 16' high. There will be a 15'x52' living area and then 2 bedrooms with 2 bathes along with an office in the other 15'x52' half of the build. Bedroom ceilings will be 10'.

Looks great so far. Is this a work & get away place on your property, or the final resting place to hang it up at?

Looks great stx

Nice place!

I had them use the spray on foam insulation put in for better insulation with 3.5" on the walls and 5.5" under the roof in the living area and barn.


I also decided to put 1/2" plywood on all the wall under the sheetrock in the living area. This will allow me to put mounts any place without worrying about hitting a stud.



I also decided to drop the ceiling in the kitchen area only. So we decided to put a loft area above part of it so I can use the area for mounts. I am going to finish this loft area with barn wood off an 80 year old chicken house that my grandparents built on their farm. I thought it would add some family history to my new home.

The have installed the AC and duct work last week. Now the sheetrock this week and will be taping and floating.

This will be my home and final resting place if I have anything to say about it.

Very nice STX. Love it, Congrats. Going to shed a lot of water when it rains or hurricanes.

Going to put continuous gutters on it and my parents home at the same time. It has had 12" of rain on it since the roof was put on and ran a lot water like I expected. I am waiting to do it after I put in a road/driveway and yard fence to I can see how the water flows naturally after doing all that.

I always like this type of house/barns. I plan on building one in a few years.

Very nice and I like the idea of plywood behind the sheetrock. I plan on building the same type of home some day. I'm an oilfield gypsy living in a fifth wheel for the time being.

I am living in a 14'x32' Morgan Cabin as I get this built since finding anything to rent is impossible or crazy high in price. So I know the feeling.

Man, that is exactly what I want for my retirement home.

With that much water shed, I'd look into a rainwater collection system.

Very cool and congrats.

Looks good and it should be something that will last a couple of generations.

The option I am looking into is to pipe the gutter runoff to a small pond if I can get one built that will hold water below the house/barn.

Worked in 28 counties, stayed in 13 towns, in 6 different states over the past 6 years and my trailer goes everywhere. It's home and I miss it when I'm away from it for too long now. I haven't had to work in South TX yet, but I have heard the horror stories of finding a place to stay down there.

Looking good. The barn wood will be a nice touch

Very nice. Keep posting as it get completed.

That is looking super! You really thought and planned it well. It's going to be awesome!

Nice STX, keep the pics coming, I'd like to see it when you are done.

Very nice!

Looking good, when is the house warming party??

That's the only way to do it, stx! Looking good!

With drywall over plywood over spray foam you should be very well insulated and very sound proofed!