Hello, Newbie here…
I’m planning on creating a mezzanine (for light storage) in our barn and will be making joist pockets into a sound stone wall - Firstly has anyone done this, looking for advise or Youtube links - The thought of making holes in the wall does worry me but just need some reassurance ! PS - I know hangers, bolts or vertical supports are an option but thats not for me.
Thanks…
That is a lot easier to do for light storage.
Taking stones out and getting the beams level will be a nightmare without experience.
Pinterest is your best friend for renovation and all that jazz.
Thanks, Much appreciated - Though I will be going for pockets not hangers, I do have building experience just not in creating pockets, I was hoping someone out there has this experience and was willing to share - Thanks again,
If you want to see a Mad Englishman do it check out Dan and his chateau renovation:
https://www.youtube.com/@escapetoruralfrance
Public advisory - he’s not a professional builder!
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Welcome GreenGates.
Your experience in building will be good to share with others. Are you based in France?
You seem set on creating wall pockets for the joist ends but your building experience surely tells you to explore alternative methods such as @Justme has suggested.
There are many pitfalls in your favoured method not least that the joist ends will be surrounded by continual damp from a stone wall.
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Thanks John for your kind message, Okay some background to justify my question, The end of the barn is of a very sunny south facing aspect and remains dry, The walls are also nearly a meter thick. With a good roof and plenty of overhang to shed water away from the walls, Certainly no damp in the wall at this height from the ground. Joists in pockets on other parts of our property are still sound nearly 300 years later. Not so sure that Galvanised hangers will have this longevity.
I am based in SW France.
Ok, I understand what hangers mean now. Lol.
Last week we had a floor redone to replace the beams that had rotted with ipns.
Not a hard job but I would not use wood in the wall iself for the reason already given. Although I doubt it will rot in your life time.
Why not hangers. Just out of interest.
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I had half a dozen ends replaced before I left the UK and the new timbers were covered in heavy-duty plastic where they entered the wall , presumably guarding against any rotting of the bare wood.
They do the same for fence posts called post savers.
Might be a good belt and braces approach.
Using a cross beam as a support with acros will keep them all level.
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You will need quite a few.
The problem is that stones tend not to be homogeneous so each pocket needs cut out individually. Then you have got chaux them in with other stones and tomatoes. Any movement and you have lost it .
That is also assuming that you can find wood plumb straight. And my experience of buying wood in France is that it won’t be.
Hangers (now I no the name) are more forgiving.
That said, It is a more fun and rewarding job to cut them in the wall. But can go horribly wrong quite quickly.
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Other fruits are available. 
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