In order to compare the amount and cost of material in round and
rectangular barns, the following figures have been carefully worked out
by an expert barn builder. Two comparisons, based on wood construction
thruout, are made, in which round barns 60 feet and 90 feet in diameter
are compared with both plank and mortise frame rectangular barns
containing the same number of square feet of floor space, respectively.
Since the most practical width of a rectangular dairy barn is 36 feet,
its length will depend upon the number of square feet required in the
barn.
[Illustration: FIG. 6. SHOWING CONSTRUCTION OF MORTISE FRAME BARN, END
VIEW.]
[Illustration: FIG. 7. SHOWING CONSTRUCTION OF PLANK FRAME BARN, SIDE
VIEW.]
Figures 6 to 9 are side and end views, showing the detail construction
and size of the timbers of the plank frame and mortise frame barns here
figured. The detailed figures of the lumber bills for each of these
barns were carefully worked out, but are too voluminous for publication
here. The total number of feet of each kind of lumber required is given
in Tables 1A and 1B. Since the proportion of the different kinds of
lumber and shingles varied for the different barns, to draw an exact
comparison it was necessary to base it upon the money value, and for
this purpose the total cost of lumber has been figured in each case. The
lumber values used thruout are the best average prices that could be
obtained. As the same prices are used for the material of all the barns,
the comparisons of cost are correct, altho these exact prices will not
hold for all localities and all times.
[Illustration: FIG. 8. SHOWING CONSTRUCTION OF PLANK FRAME BARN, END
VIEW.]
Since a silo cannot be economically built inside of a rectangular barn,
the first comparison is made with the barns simply enclosed, altho one
of the chief advantages of a round barn is the deep silo which it is
possible to build so economically in the center.
[Illustration: FIG. 9. SHOWING CONSTRUCTION OF MORTISE FRAME BARN, SIDE
VIEW.]
Another item of economy in the circular barn is less framing lumber.
This form has the strongest possible construction with the least lumber
in the frame, and the least bracing, not a single timber larger than a
2 x 6 being required above the sill. The arched circular roof requires no
supports, and no scaffolding is needed inside during its construction.
The accompanying tables show the comparative amount and value of lumber
and cubical content in round barns 60 and 90 feet in diameter, and
rectangular barns of equal area and height of posts.
TABLE 1A.--A COMPARISON OF THE COST OF MATERIAL IN ROUND AND RECTANGULAR
BARNS OF THE SAME AREA, _Not Including_ Foundation And Silos.
A: Framing lumber,
B: Sheathing, siding, and flooring,
C: Shingles,
D: Bolts,
E: Total cost of lumber,
F: Content, cubic feet,
==+=====================+===========================================
| | Rectangular barn, 36 x 78-1/2 ft.
| Round barn, +---------------------+---------------------
| 60 feet in diameter | Plank frame | Mortise frame
--+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------
A | 13,976 ft. @ $25 | 19,833 ft. @ $25 | 29,074 ft. @ $25
| = $349.40 | = $495.83 | = $726.85
B | 12,971 ft. @ $22 | 15,355 ft. @ $22 | 15,355 ft. @ $22
| = 285.36 | = 337.81 | = 337.81
C | 44,000 @ $3.75 | 45,000 @ $3.75 | 45,000 @ $3.75
| = 165.00 | = 168.75 | = 168.75
D | | 20.88 |
--+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------
E | =$799.76=| =$1023.27=| =$1233.41=
==+=====================+=====================+=====================
F | =117,669= | =117,138= | =117,138=
==+=====================+=====================+=====================