Housing the horses and barn building

[IthacaJeff 151]

WH'ers:

Okay, this topic probably belongs in the non-WH section, but in a shameless attempt

to have the moderators keep it here for a bit before sending it to another section, I've

put a picture of my shed-kept Horses during a nasty snowstorm. . .

The 310-8 with plow is on the right, the rear fenders of the 416-8 are on the right.

The same shed in the fall during building. The Wheel Horses are housed in the lean-to, the

main part houses my kids toys/bikes and my tools, which are awaiting the building of a proper

workshop.

Okay, so that gets me to my question. I'm thinking of building a barn-like building, about

36 x 48 that will serve as garage, workshop, and indoor play area for our 6 kids. The play

area needs to be open to high ceilings so that basketball and other such activities can take

place. Metal truss barns enable such an open span, like Perka open web metal trusses or

I-beam like Outback buildings (sorry, don't have links set up). Have any of you any

experience with products like these? Can they really be erected by the do-it-yourselfer?

How do they hold up? Any other thoughts?

Thanks,

Jeff in Ithaca