Hi there. I am looking at putting a bar shed/bunkhouse at my place. Does anyone have any experience with a good kit or prefab model? It would need to be about 8 X 16 at largest and able to survive a VT winter or 20. Thanks in advance for any advice.
A decent shed kit should be able to be modified to work. I would think that some insulation, interior paneling and running a line for electrical wouldn't be too difficult. Would you be running heat out there? You'd just have to make sure that it's sealed up above and below to prevent animals and keep heating costs down.
before you get too far, talk to your code enforcement officer. once you start with plumbing and electrical you are no longer building a simple shed.
Thanks. I'm really just considering it as a 2-3 season area, because it would be a hassle keeping the path clear of snow in the winter. Most of the ones I see online are seriously modified or more of a cabana style that really don't look like they are built to last. I've built a bar before, I was just curious if anyone had any success with a particular kit or setup.
It's northern VT, so not much worry about what you do on your own land. But it's going to be a pretty rustic setup anyway, definitely no plumbing. I have electrical running to my garage, but I doubt I would even bother for the amount I plan on using it. I hope to have a couple of bunks for when my kids have friends up, and a bar for when I do!
Do your loved ones a favor, and if people are sleeping in it at least throw a battery operated smoke detector in there. If you plan on having a stove or other heat source in it, make it a combination smoke and CO2 detector. No better use of a few bucks.
I have a tendency to go a bit overboard on things like this, so it's really hard for me to avoid going full on "tiny-house"! At first anyway. The shed really won't be all that far from my house, just further than I would bother to shovel in order to use it in winter. I found a bunkhouse kit from a local VT Co. and I think I'm going to just build the bar inside. I was hoping to find more of a hybrid with an opening in the side so I could set stools outside on the deck, but I think the one I'm looking at is the best compromise. Thanks for all of the suggestions, I'll post pics when I get to the bar stage.
Thanks, but I forgot to mention the one I decided on has a small porch on front that will line up with the deck. I might decide to wrap the existing deck around and open up the side, but first things first!
Are you going to screen in the porch? Also, I like the idea of a serving window cut into the side of the bunkhouse that opens on to the porch. Post some construction photos when you start!
The porch is really just created by the overhang of a loft and supported by a couple of posts, so I am going to put that side up against the deck as it exists now. I won't screen it in. I can order the kit with bunks on either side, so it leaves it pretty open to customizing. I will definitely post pics when it gets going, gotta move a little bit of dirt first.
