I should start by saying hi. We've just had an offer accepted on a steel portal framed barn. It has full planning (not class Q) for conversion and I'm starting to investigate options for the build. We would like to project manage it ourselves and have done extensions and loft conversions before so have some experience but not on this scale or with the approach needed.
The good thing about the barn is that it was once a grain store. The slab is 250mm or reinforced concrete and the web of the I beam must be 400mm. It was designed to be filled with grain and have some heavy plant on the floor for drying etc.
I am trying to understand the best construction techniques (timber frame, block, SIP, ICF etc) and how to insulate without creating a thermal bridge. With the size of steels I may be able to attach the first floor to the stanchions. Planning specifies cladding in vertical larch boards so I need to figure out the best way of fixing that.
I've read a few posts on here already but any advice would be gratefully received as would recommendations for builders ( in the South Leicestershire)
Thanks
Mark