Island bunkhouse

Descant · 03-11-2023, 12:52 PM

We have a 12 x 16 bunkhouse, part small bedroom part storage shed. The kids are itching for a newer, larger bunkhouse. Somehow, we have lots more toys (kayaks, tubes, etc) to store, so the old one would just be storage.
All the existing structures were built c. 1960, pre-fab panels with roof trusses. Mostly 4 x 8 sections hand carried up from the barge. This seems more economical than stick built 2 x 4 x 16" on center. Same with trusses 4' on center instead of 2 x10 rafters 16" on center. Roof sheathing is 2 x 6 v-groove which also serves as the exposed ceiling. This all seems to have held up well for the last 60 years, and appears more economical from the perspective of both labor and materials.

Has the code changed significantly that would prevent similar construction now?
Is this type construction still likely to be cheaper than current stick built?
Any suggestions on who might do such building/kit creation?

I talked to Reeds Ferry Sheds and they won't do an island or anything that they can't install themselves. Eased Edges has nice sheds, but limited to 12' wide since they are Amish built and shipped here as a kit for barging.

Thanks for what ever thoughts or advice you might have.

03-11-2023, 12:52 PM	#1
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,036 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 1,518 Times in 985 Posts	Island bunkhouse We have a 12 x 16 bunkhouse, part small bedroom part storage shed. The kids are itching for a newer, larger bunkhouse. Somehow, we have lots more toys (kayaks, tubes, etc) to store, so the old one would just be storage. All the existing structures were built c. 1960, pre-fab panels with roof trusses. Mostly 4 x 8 sections hand carried up from the barge. This seems more economical than stick built 2 x 4 x 16" on center. Same with trusses 4' on center instead of 2 x10 rafters 16" on center. Roof sheathing is 2 x 6 v-groove which also serves as the exposed ceiling. This all seems to have held up well for the last 60 years, and appears more economical from the perspective of both labor and materials. Has the code changed significantly that would prevent similar construction now? Is this type construction still likely to be cheaper than current stick built? Any suggestions on who might do such building/kit creation? I talked to Reeds Ferry Sheds and they won't do an island or anything that they can't install themselves. Eased Edges has nice sheds, but limited to 12' wide since they are Amish built and shipped here as a kit for barging. Thanks for what ever thoughts or advice you might have.