Tearing down that old barn or outbuilding and putting up a new structure may be quicker and easier than attempting a renovation, but it may not be the most economical or attractive option. Many farm owners have a personal or professional interest in preserving the historical and architectural character of their buildings and making repairs or modifications can often make the structures useful for another generation.
In "Renovating Barns, Sheds and Outbuildings," woodworker and craftman Nick Engler explains how to renovate or restore rather than replace old farm buildings. He begins with a primer on barn design, then explains how to square and strengthen a structure, expand or modify its layout, repair or replace roofing and siding, install new windows and doors, and add electricity or plumbing.
Engler's book may be the only one currently in print that offers fixes for swaying roofs, splintered timbers, buckled stone foundations and rotting pole-barn posts. He includes practical advice on evaluating old buildings under current building codes and calculating the costs of a renovation project.