Swept Roof Folly Barn

This is structure I started planning quite some time ago and it took several years to go from an idea to the chalkboard and then several more to get onto paper. The video starts with the foundation in the spring of 2020 and ends with milling and installing the lower flooring 3-1/2 years later during the weekends of Christmas and New Years of '23/'24.
It has appeared in the background of several videos and since there is still quite a bit of work to do on it I thought I would use up all the photos and footage that I have to create an introduction and do my best to explain it here. At it's very earliest I had considered making it a real barn but that thought disappeared as fast as it began to take shape. The plan now for it is to have it as small workshop for quiet work with some covered space at the front of it for overflow or larger projects. Many of the interior projects will benefit from having some woodworking space downstairs and for the time being the sheet metal tools will remain upstairs until I complete the exterior siding. The downstairs floor measures 12' x 20' with the upstairs a more spacious 16'x20'. In one clip I explained how the drop door window seat will work as both a bench or shelves with a window and a way to move heavy things in and out of the upstairs but I didn't go over the one on the other side of the building. It is just a window seat and will have a cushion in it as a reading or sitting nook The plan is also for a full length sit down workbench in the dormer at the row of windows. I am still mulling over how I want to create the main downstairs doors but I have some ideas and I'm sure one of them will make more sense to me at some point. The stairs also are mostly planned out and the closer I get to wrapping up the outside the more I will need to complete them so I can remove the plank that access's the upstairs. All the stair material is staged and ready for resaw on a small electric sawmill in the covered area. I've sort of been saving the project for one of those times when the area gets snowed in and getting the floor done was a big step towards being ready for that.
I should mention that the metal diamond shingles were made onsite in the upstairs of the barn. I used standard 20-1/8" coil stock that is used for the same 16" mechanical lock standing seam that I used on the dormer roof. The color is 'weathered copper' and it's a dead on match for the copper ridge that I used once the patina set in. The cheek walls on the dormer have corrugated panels in the 4V pattern but i intend on replacing them with something else that will match the building better. Still undecided for siding material but am leaning towards standing seam panels of plain, uncoated weathering steel. I'm probably forgetting something here but I can always add it later.
As always, thanks for watching and if you're new here I hope you stick around.
-Jake

[@paulhammond7489]

The guy who drove by and wanted to take a photo of the 'Folly', tells you all you need to know about this project. It's unique and will double as an advertisement for your skillset. The copper coloured diamond shingles are an amazing touch, the roof vent hoods just make it pop, functional and magnificent at the same time. Like someone already wrote, this is art, not construction, but even art on this scale, art still has to be constructed, even if it's only a workshop. More please Jake, this channel just keeps getting better. :)

[@ShredPile]

You got it Paul, and thanks. You'd love the way the vents are held in there. I went into the task armed with several options none of which I wanted to use because I didnt' want any more exposed fasteners than I needed. On one of the dry fits I had trouble getting the vent back off and I realized that the sharp bototm corner had dug itself in and was hung up. So I took my pliers and bent both bottom corners up and back and stuck it back in there and it locked up so hard I couldn't even really wiggle it. I still look up there after a srong wind but nothings moving🙂

[@paulhammond7489]

@@ShredPile I'm really looking forward to seeing additional work on completing or even using the Folly Barn / Workshop, but I realise it will be a gap filler when you get snowed or rained out from other jobs, but I'm a patient guy and hope it's a while before you get a rain check from your other projects.

[@ShredPile]

@@paulhammond7489 There will be updates as we go, I was out there yesterday and it's pretty easy to film as i go now and just store stuff in albums. When it all adds up to enough clips it's video time:-)

[@paulhammond7489]

@@ShredPile Perfect :)

[@ckm-mkc]

This is not construction, it's art. To say you are talented would be an understatement...... It is insanely hard to build things you imagine that are way out of the norm, most people just fail, including me.

[@ShredPile]

I really appreciate that. I'm just keeping myself amused over here....:-)

[@carlcarlamos9055]

O.K. It’s essentially a Wing tent fly morphed into a permanent structure. Nice. Keep having fun, and thanks for the videos. Take care.

[@ShredPile]

Will do, thanks :-)

[@FloatingVillageLife]

Your craftsmanship in building the Swept Roof Folly Barn is truly remarkable. It reflects your dedication to preserving traditional architecture with a touch of creativity. And I am a floating village life from Vietnam.

[@nancynewlin]

This isn’t just a building-it’s a work of art, and the inside is as amazing as the outside. Beautifully built. Even the air intakes done in a bent piece of metal roof panels are beautiful.

[@ShredPile]

Thanks so much:-)

[@horstszibulski19]

That building looks like it's coming straight from a planet in the StarWars universe...great! 👍👍👍

[@ShredPile]

!! That too is in the bingo list:-)

[@user-gf2km4us2z]

Woah…this is remarkable. Pure architectural art. It also reminds me of me a style typical of Asian high mountain house. Very interesting.

[@aidanlam6607]

This is insane. I love this channel so much.

[@coloradosean2005]

spectacular!

[@paulbadger6336]

Well done 👍. Unfortunately, You are an inspiration. I end up building something to amuse myself and wonder if I couldn’t have made it more challenging, but I’m genuinely pleased with the results and that makes it all worthwhile. Thank you for taking the time to document this.

[@ShredPile]

I don't think you could ask for a better outcome than ones own satisfaction. Even If the task is a has-to-do rather than a want-to-do just getting it done clean with no misteps and all moves forward is pretty darn fufilling.

[@curt-dr4dc]

It's rainy and snowy out but Jake continues to work. Not me I'd be inside nice and dry watching you on KZbin.

[@bobbymac1100]

Dam more than one headache in that build wow some vision and it seams to work. Well done looks great.🇦🇺😎

[@truthymchurtsalot7188]

Jake…Jake….holy hell when you put that auger bit into your grinder we laughed SO HARD. Of course you did. You keep us on our toes! Wiring up some ancient hand-held saw/router/dado to cut a deep groove in one pass - with NO GROUND in the RAIN?! And you’re still alive! Damn.

[@ShredPile]

Lol, You had me scratching my head there for a sec then I got it. Thats a DW124 joist and stud drill, strong enough to turn the world if you could figure out a way to attach it:-) The old timers here might recognize it as the black and decker Timberwolf. more or less the same drill different branding.

[@hlogoma]

Yip ... I agree a work of art. Happy hour. Thanks.

[@Verstore]

Thank you, watching it all is inspiring, I am envious of the availability of your material your sources seem endless. Still at 100° in the LA valley

[@ShredPile]

That's too hot man, it's flirting with it here and it just sort of shuts everything down. The local doug fir is drool worthy, They are pole hunting in a small patch of 100yr stuff across the road and i'm in the process of trying to purchase a few pieces for some upcoming projects. :-)

[@danbreyfogle8486]

I really like the design and the construction techniques. I saw this structure I believe in the bridge video and wondered about it. Now I know what it is about. Thank you for publishing this video.

[@ShredPile]

My pleasure Dan, it was fun to do and it allows me to post footage from the ongoing projects (hopefully) without having to field too many repetitive questions

[@george8873]

Loved the way you did the shingles, especially the vent covers. Turned out amazing. Wouldn't mind living in a house that looked like that.

[@ShredPile]

It's an interesting story of how I ended up doing the roof like that George. Maybe i'll tell it at some point when I'm doing something repetitive for another part of the project.

[@gctyrsdax2591]

It’s nice to have a hobby… 😁 👍

[@stevebonczyk3795]

Jake, This is really good content and so much different from other channels. That building really shows your skills. Metal fab, Timberframe, siding and a really nice tin roof. Your like a swiss army knife of the building trade. You do it all.

[@ShredPile]

Thanks Steve, I'm glad it's all finding a niche here.

[@bilko1949]

Way out, absolutely love the design on the roof!!!!

[@ShredPile]

Thank you! Theres a lot of fun stuff going on with it.

[@letmelooktv]

Amazing craftsmanship! and rocking some rush ;)

[@ShredPile]

Oh man, good ear! I wasn't sure if that was going to get picked up or not:-)

[@paulmeeldijk5502]

Why not make it extraordinary when you build something?❤

[@glenlongstreet7]

I have been seeing this in your shop, patiently waiting for more information.

[@ShredPile]

Hopefully theres enough here to satisfy that Glen:-)

[@jasonbarrett8655]

Bad-a$$ sawhorse with the split posts to hold pieces vertical - just gave me my next project idea. Thanks!

[@ShredPile]

I love it when that happens!

[@jjulyaaugustsseptemberooct2408]

Is the dado saw from Japan or Germany? What is the electrical rating of the tool? Hate to bombard you with questions, but who better than to ask than such a craftsman with such ! Thank you

[@ShredPile]

@@jjulyaaugustsseptemberooct2408 It's from Japan, I've known about them for years as a neighbor has the nicer 220v version but at $150 and free shipping with three blades included I had to give it a try. Believe it or not i ordered it on a tuesday morning at 4am and it showed up that thursday at 7pm from ups as a direct japanese express package. Don't remember the amps but she's a tired girl and i'm not sure It would've blown up even if i had just plugged it straight in. I didn't want to foul the project though so I left it alone:-)

[@bradleyschneider3871]

Sweet jake! Happy 4th of july!

[@ShredPile]

Thanks, You too!!

[@tombrenes2411]

Awesome content Beautiful build. Great craftsmanship I’d build several on nice land with proper gardens 1 as a master suite, 1 as a 4 large sleeper, 1 as a bath house sauna, 1 as kitchen and dinning and 1 as living area entertainment tech center upstairs office

[@ShredPile]

Thanks, We are on the same page, I have considered the possibilty that I could be quite happy living out my days revolving between a collection of small equally unique structures and in fact there are plans for two more at this point :-)

[@president2]

Love it so much keep it up as always 💘

[@temyraverdana6421]

I fully agree with the other comments, you are a great artist. You use iron and wood like a sculptor uses marble. You use nature and your ideas to beautify our daily lives and to shake off the monotony of life. I have a question for you: you laid the floor close to the concrete, why didn't you choose to place a layer of insulation between the wood and concrete and then fill it with concrete-coloured elastic sealant? aren't you afraid that the humidity and expansion of the wood will create problems for the floor? Thanks for sharing your amazing know-how.

[@ShredPile]

Thanks for that and great question. I had given it thought but decided against it for a couple reasons. First, there is a decent gap there and where there's not there soon will be as the floor boards are not completely dry. Second, the building will not be a fully conditioned space it is insulated but more with a target of neutrality than anything else. It will be easy to heat but unlikely that I will for extended periods of time so with no real drastic swings where the outside is fighting with the inside everything just settles to a happy spot. There is a sub season in our winters here that could be described as swamp season where neither the air or the ground can hold another drop of water and everything drips inside and out. It's just easier to keep things a little loose so they can breathe and it all seems to work out. This does remind me tho that I still need to dril in some foundation vents :-) maybe today!

[@temyraverdana6421]

@@ShredPile Thanks a lot for your great explanation. See you next video

[@skitzochik]

It looks like it belongs in a fairy tale

[@ShredPile]

Congrats, This also is on the aforementioned folly barn bingo card:-)

[@user-vr8gd7eq9s]

watched a lot of British follies…nice to see an American one…stay dry and carry on

[@user-ej7vy1rl4t]

What in the dr suess. Id be worried about skaters. Sweet barn man.

[@ShredPile]

Lol and congratualtions, Dr. Seuss is in fact on the folly barn bingo card and you are now entered in the sweepstakes to pick an overall winner at a to-be-determined time for a to-be-determined prize:-)

[@gregorverweyen4198]

as long as the cables are coiled up you will get lower results - the coil also will get warm, eventually hot, when there is enough load

[@ShredPile]

Interesting, so that was best case scenario? or should i have strung it out on the ground for more voltage drop?

[@bigdjn42]

Dear Jake, I love your work and especially your methodology. Your sensible and thoughtful attitude to safety as part of your approach at all times is an inspiration. One technical question on the substructure, how is the base and the foundations fixed down, it appears that the ring beam just sits on the ground, with that sweeping roof and overhangs acting as a lovely sail how is it all not going to fly away in a storm?

[@ShredPile]

I appreciate that:-) There should be plenty of foundation to both hold it up and resist uplift. By ring beam do you mean the foundation footing or the wood at the top of the foundation? The structure is tied to the foundation with tall weld plates that attach to imbeds that I set when I placed the concrete. These are really visible at 0:51 thru to a great place to pause at 1:02. We do get some good wind here but nothing of the sort that would ever have me even considering that it might tip over. It would be an interesting study tho to see how differently this roof would behave in wind vs a steep traditional roof. I would have to expect that the back wouild behave more like a wall than a roof from wind directly at it. Thanks for the thoughts!

[@robertsimmons3556]

Jake do you do anything other then one off or custom? Man this is ART like the poster below said! Great post, can't wait for the next one!! PS Jake, I do Enjoy watching you create!!

[@ShredPile]

Aw Robert, thanks. Strange projects seem to find me and I think just saying yes as much as possible keeps the door open for more. Chuckling here too as i remember that I have an open invite for a builder-client meeting for a two or three part project that should be super fun and unique to work on:-)

[@richardalvisjr3146]

Hi Jake. I started watching your KZbin channel when you built big house. The one with all the concrete pillars and steel beams. I really enjoy watching you build. I admire your ambition for working in the heat, cold, rain, snow and sleet. great work. Do you live in Oregon?

[@ShredPile]

I do, the very northwestern part of it more precisely. I'm glad you found the channel, you've been here almost from the start with there only being a few videos before I starrted the Modern House series.

[@jjulyaaugustsseptemberooct2408]

Jake, love the swept roof! I've never heard of a folly barn. Is it from folls/horses? Is your place farmsteaded? Do you need permits for such structes? Did you fabricate the metal roof pcs? I seen the brake there. I sure enjoy your vast skills range. Last, but not least- I much appreciate the response to questions/ comments! Thank you

[@ShredPile]

Heres a wiki link to Folly buildings; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folly You can also think of it as a recreation of a building that never happened from a period that never existed. I went after an AG permit for it but got turned away because it was under the size that requires one. And yes, I made every single one of those shingles in the upstairs of the barn with a jump shear, a notcher, and a 20" bar folder. Made all the clips as well. The back alone was 20 dozen plus starter halves and rake halves. Lost count of how many on the front but probably a few more than the back. As much work as it was I would probably do it again and if i did i would do the rakes slightly differently.

[@Z-Bart]

A Tony Hawk inspiration. I have a nail gun question for you. I bought a brand new MAX (air) framing nail gun. It won't fire a nail for crap. Lots of dry fires. Any ideas for fixing that?

[@ShredPile]

Just saw this, The first thing I would do would be to try just one rack of nails at a time until you solve the problem. The next thing I would do would be to unhook the gun from the air, take the nails out, hold the trigger down and press the nose safety into a block of wood and plug the air back in. This should trigger the piston and make it dry fire. Sometime when it shoots airballs the problem is the driver not returning all the way back up past the top of the next nail and the hard reset helps re time it and put it in the right place. Extra oil in the air port and some spray lube in the nose area will go a long way as well. If this is sucessful just keep running one pack of nails until you get consistency for a few racks and then go for two again. The last thing i would try is to take the slide off like you need to clear a jamb. there may just be a bit of nail popcorn in the track somewhere or even a nail laying down that is causing the problems. Good luck!

[@EikiMartinson]

If this is folly I don't want to be wise!