I had my brother and his kids up for hunting after Thanksgiving. I made use of their time, and also invited my other two brothers and my dad to help. It was a great time working together. Three generations of Schwarz men working together to raise a barn…it was awesome.
Adding the second layer of pallets.
Everyone had an important part in the whole process. I had lots of minds to bounce ideas off of. The younger men (my nephews) were very useful in doing the things that just needed extra hands to be done, holding this or that, bringing lumber where it needed to be, nailing, screwing etc… One of my brothers was helpful in being a “go-getter” when we needed material I hadn’t gotten already and also as an extra set of hands.
Adding interior support and exterior sheathing.
Another brother did some other jobs I wasn’t able to get done with all the busyness, and he helped build the trusses. And the other brother was able to be a sort of “job foreman”, directing the younger kids what to do, and being able to jump on jobs without much instruction. My Dad was helpful in thinking of different ways to design and build the trusses and where to add extra support of the entire structure.
Taking a break for some laughter and planning.
I thought I would be completely stressed out trying to direct everyone, but it went rather smoothly. Everything seemed to work out. Any hiccups were quickly figured out and never really became a problem. I didn’t get as much done in that day as I had hoped due to some early morning errands that took too long but all in all a lot got accomplished. A big thank you to my family!
Both layers on. Top plate installed. Sheathing and Trusses ready to be installed.
Designing the trusses.
Building the trusses.Lifting trusses in place.Setting the trusses.Fir strip to set trusses and also for nailers for metal roofing.Almost finished the trusses.
Leftover metal roof from my house used.
Daily Hike 
November 30, 2011 at 3:46 pm
I’m enjoying the pallet barn pictures. We get lots of free pallets where I work, and I would like to build a small garden shed out of pallets some time this winter or next spring.
November 30, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Thanks! I will be posting pictures until I have it finished. If you have any questions as to how we did certain things, feel free to ask.
November 30, 2011 at 11:15 pm
looks like it’s turning out really well. i think i might have to try this next year.
October 6, 2012 at 10:42 pm
How big is your barn? And if you don’t mind me asking approximately how much did it cost you to build it?
October 7, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Before I poured the concrete floor (2weeks ago) I was at about $800-900. I paid for lumber for trusses and gravel, plywood for siding, and paint. I paid for only a few pallets. Most were free. The concrete was about $500 for 5 yards. The outside dimensions are 16X20. Im not sure the height to the peak but I can stand in the attic and im over 6′.
May 26, 2020 at 8:28 am
This is so cool! I want to build a few of these on my farm! Can you share a list of supplies used?
May 26, 2020 at 9:24 am
It has been some years back, but we just used pallets, screws, old cinder block, leftover metal roofing, and some new lumber to tie things together.
February 20, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Great inspiration. I’m going to think about bulding a small 3 sided structure up agains the house or the back fence to store my bicycles in the summer.
September 16, 2013 at 4:55 pm
Just wondering exactly how you joined the pallets to one another?
September 17, 2013 at 10:17 pm
I had a top plate (2X4) along the top of each layer of pallets which connected them. Then I also had some wood blocks on the inside spanning the slats of adjoining pallets, then I also have vertical 2X4’s about every 8 feet on the inside keeping the wall from hinging, AND the plywood sheathing on the outside keeps everything tight, AND the trusses tie the walls together too. =)
September 22, 2013 at 2:07 am
how did you fix the pallets to the concrete floor?
September 23, 2013 at 8:40 am
I first poured gravel as a base, then laid block on top of the stone around the perimeter. I just placed the pallets on the block, they are not fastened to the block. However my plan is to stick “7” shaped pieces of rebar into every other block where the hook on the rebar would lay over the base of a pallet, then fill the block with cement.
So far, we have had some pretty bad wind storms (gusts up to 60 mph) and it hasn’t moved a bit.
September 22, 2013 at 8:52 pm
We have built a lot of things out of pallets around our place: dog run, raised beds and a compost bin. We have been wanting to build a shed out of them, too, just didn’t have the design figured out. Thanks for the great pictures of your barn, I think we could scale this down and build a shed that is similar!
September 23, 2013 at 8:40 am
No problem! If you have any questions about any details that my pictures don’t show, feel free to ask.
September 27, 2013 at 3:22 pm
That was an awsome idea ! Is it still holding together good ? I might try this !
September 29, 2013 at 8:25 pm
It’s holding together great. Its been through a number of high wind storms and hasn’t budged or been damaged in any way. I still need to side it with board and batten, but for now the painted plywood is holding out just fine.
March 25, 2014 at 11:37 am
seems the plywood could have went on the inside and then the B & B on the out side?
March 25, 2014 at 11:44 am
Indeed, It could have. There is lots of freedom in how you would want to do it. I wanted a quick sheathing, so I went with putting it on the outside first, then I will cover it later with B & B. I have found it useful though the have the pallet framing exposed in the inside as it provides an easy way to climb the walls to get to the attic. I also allows me to stuff laps of hay in the walls for the goats =)
September 27, 2013 at 8:16 pm
Very interesting idea! Any thoughts on how to do a 3 sided lean-to for horses?
September 29, 2013 at 8:23 pm
I would assume that you could google search it and find some pictures that might show a few designs. That is how I formulated my design, just by looking at different pictures and thinking about how I needed it to work.
September 27, 2013 at 8:54 pm
I love pallets….my dad build many useful things out of.pallets. Please keep.up the good work
September 29, 2013 at 8:22 pm
Thank you!
September 28, 2013 at 6:16 pm
How many Pallets did you use
September 29, 2013 at 8:22 pm
I think it was 42.
September 29, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Would the pallets work to make a garage? Not sure if it would be sturdy enough. But it sure would be less expensive.
September 29, 2013 at 8:22 pm
Yes, they wold. Just look around for a design. The way I did it would work for a garage. Just have to frame out the doors, and pour the cement floor correctly if that’s what you want.
October 29, 2013 at 6:48 pm
Love your pictures. I have built a pallet wood shed and the next project is to do a garage so you pictures have been very helpful. Keep up the great work.
February 2, 2014 at 11:36 pm
How many pallets does it take to build?
February 5, 2014 at 8:09 am
I have three of these already built on my property. They are used as goat barns but do a great job. I really never thought of doing it the size that you guys are doing…
March 24, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Why stop at a barn…let’s do a house! I wish my hubby was more adventurous!
July 4, 2014 at 11:15 pm
actually there are alot of different houses built from pallets. They did it during WW2 to help out the camps that were being set up. They were more permanent than the tents an more sturdy. Thats how I got into building things out of pallets. lol. They have some interesting designs.
March 24, 2014 at 9:36 pm
Its pretty awesome and a fantastic idea, but that being said, it would never fly here as you have to have permits and be up to code, and I truly think that this wouldn’t be up to code. Thank you for sharing this very unique idea, but I would definitely check with your local building office in the county or city in which you live so you aren’t hit with hefty fines.
March 24, 2014 at 9:47 pm
Jay,
I would agree that one should check with their local municipal codes, as I did, before building. Because of the size and its use, I was not subject to strict codes. This is an agricultural structure as opposed to one that would be lived in, or a business. I would assume the closer you are to a city, the more strict the rules. However, if one is building a shed, or barn, I think this would pretty much pass most specs once you really look at the framework and how sturdy it is.
March 25, 2014 at 11:43 am
bet you could do a Chain Bridge with These also
March 28, 2014 at 7:52 pm
Great project !! Thanks for sharing it !
March 31, 2014 at 6:32 am
This is so neat! We started a chicken shed last fall with a bunch we got for free when my husbands building at work moved. I wasn’t quite sure how to “finish it”, but this has given me some great ideas. We actually had several of the full sided ones and since I wanted it to be mobile I used those as the floor. Thank you for posting this!!!!
March 31, 2014 at 10:15 am
This is awesome! I am now inspired to make a chicken coop out of pallets. Last night I made a bridge out of pallets for my horse and it is super sturdy.
April 1, 2014 at 4:20 pm
I have been trying to build me a barn/gurage but can’t figure out how to make them sturdy enough to stand up straight any tips can help me out if u don’t mind.
May 3, 2014 at 8:16 pm
Judy Bryanton I would love to see how you built your shed. I will have to build this myself so some pics would be great.
May 16, 2014 at 6:49 pm
Sharon: I do not know how to put pictures on here… If you could send me an e-mail,then I will send you the photos. Please e-mail me @ j_lbryanton@pei.sympatico.ca
May 4, 2014 at 11:05 am
wow…awesome…could u post a few more close ups for us older ladies that do their projects….great job
(Y)
May 4, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Good idea I may try it
.
May 5, 2014 at 11:07 am
This may be a dumb question, and it may have already been asked, but what is securing the building to the ground? certainly you didn’t just stand a pallet on end and hope for the best, right? Are there some kind of supports going into the ground?
This seems like a really great idea, especially for a work shop, or even a run-in for miniature horses, or what ever else.
May 6, 2014 at 10:27 am
#23…see #6 above…hope this helps
May 6, 2014 at 10:30 am
Sorry Linda Cortez meant reply for commenter #24
May 6, 2014 at 5:22 am
Pallets are often treated with pesticides or used to ship hazardous chemicals. This project is a pretty bad idea unless you know the source of the pallets and make sure they have the “HT” stamp for heat treated. Otherwise you are putting yourself and the animals that will live here at risk.
August 5, 2014 at 10:15 am
You worry too much! The project is a great idea. If you have animals that chew the wood, then make sure the pallets you choose are not infused with deadly chemicals. However, few are.
July 9, 2014 at 10:16 am
I love.your idea. I’ve come up with some adaptations for the deep south. I live in Deep South Florida and I would not sheath the sides. The open effect of the pallets themselves would allow for great air circulation while providing shade and protection from the elements. Heck, this is easier than a pole barn and a lot cheaper. Here’s one more suggestion for Florida. Love your roof, but down here materials for a chicki hut roof are free for the taking in the everglades and made with a renewable natural resource. The only concession being a framework for the chicki roof which would make assembling the pallets together sturdier and easier. I have now asked all my friends with pickups to be on the look out for discarded pallets. I am going to use the one I’m planning to build as an orchid shade house, and put pallets around my existing chicki barn that is mostly open that I would like to afford the horse more rain protection without making it hot as hades. Thanks! Really loved your idea.
November 4, 2014 at 10:56 am
i love pallets, I just wish the city of my town would accept them more. I did a beautiful solid pallet retaining wall. put rebar and concrete in the bottom and attached the whole thing together. everyone loved it, except one person who complained. i had to take some scrap wood and cover in the openings, upset me a lot. oh well i am working on some more projects and hope to have them completed next year. i hope to do a sorta garage/patio area. i have an idea of what i want and hope it all goes well. i am going to do a large post and then anchor some pallets one on top of the other to make a wall so plants can grow up it. then on the other side i am going to have a sliding barn door. i burn wood so i need to be able to put move a trailor or truck in and out. i have access to some really big pallets that are solid and want to use them for a fence and a small shed. can’t wait, i am not going to do too much because i hope to move within the next couple of years, i would like to have some land to have chickens and other animals.
February 22, 2015 at 10:15 am
[…] You’ve probably seen a lot of clever uses for discarded pallets…but an entire barn? Well, theschwarz1 over at dailyhike.wordpress.com is making it happen, and sharing the entire process, along with lots of pictures along the way. To see how he’s doing it (and how you can do it too), just click the link below: Pallet Barn Update […]
October 15, 2015 at 3:07 pm
I’m wondering if you have specific directions and a materials list you could post for all of us amateurs.
October 27, 2015 at 12:32 am
[…] of a lean-to roof out of 2X8 lumber I bought and left over roofing that I STILL had leftover from my other pallet barn project. I had the roof sloping so that the west wind would not have a damaging effect should any storms […]
January 5, 2017 at 10:33 pm
Do you have a completed picture of the pallet barn? We are looking to build one for our mini horses. Thanks.
January 5, 2017 at 11:04 pm
Yes I believe if you look through my posts after that, there should be pictures of it. I’m planning on building a bigger one based on lessons learned.
March 16, 2017 at 8:26 am
Great barn, I am heading to my daughters to assist with a pallet chicken coop. My initial instinct was to stand the pallets the other way (slats would be horizontal) in order to connect each pallet side with nail or screws and then a 2 x 4 across each layer like you have. Did you do yours the other way for a reason. Just trying to see if there are pros and cons of either design. Thanks. Ken Davis
September 9, 2017 at 7:27 pm
[…] https://dailyhike.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/pallet-barn-update-almost-finished/ […]
January 25, 2018 at 9:52 pm
carpenters superstar hd
Pallet Barn update
March 13, 2018 at 5:42 am
Hello from Paris la France , and Thank you man
Do you think such a shed , maybe a different size , could be ok for 2 horses or do you think palette buildings are too fragile?
It is a great job you did.
All your picts and replys are very helpful.
Thanks again.
March 13, 2018 at 8:12 am
I would think it,would be. Just be sure it’s secured to the ground and reinforced so that when animals push on the walls it wont give out.
October 13, 2018 at 2:22 pm
Love this idea. I’m wondering what kind of structural changes would need to happen to make it into say something like a 30×40 pole barn.