Pole buildings require fewer overall building components and avoid needing a concrete foundation. This shortens construction time and reduces the cost of materials and labor.
The post-based framing system also allows for larger wall openings and makes adding insulation to meet energy codes and lower utility bills more manageable.
Sturdy Construction
Many people use pole barns as a garage, shed, or workshop. With large door openings, lack of interior load-bearing walls, and scalability, these structures make perfect workspaces. A monitor roof can maximize the upper space for an attic or extra living area.
With a poured concrete foundation or precast concrete pad, a pole building is much more stable than stick-built buildings. In addition, builders can often install uplift anchors for columns to keep the structure from lifting in a high wind.
A solid foundation also reduces maintenance costs. Choosing a builder that uses gravel or crushed rock backfill for column holes adds lateral and uplift resistance to the foundation. It also helps keep moisture from corroding the metal fasteners and prevents shifting of the foundation. This is important in areas with expansive soils where the wooden poles may move within the hole or on top of each other over time. Choosing a builder that uses machine stress-rated lumber for the joists and siding of your new structure is also essential.
Easy to Assemble
Pole buildings use a combination of laminated wood columns, dimensional lumber girts sized to meet the load requirement, and engineered clear-span wood trusses. This simple design offers balance and durability. The on-center spacing of the poles allows for larger wall openings, which are a must for agricultural and implement storage, animal confinement, and commercial structures that require large doors to accommodate equipment and inventory.
Homeowners can select from various floor plans based on the size of the structure and its intended use. The roof can be a gambrel or monitor style that maximizes space and lets in plenty of light.
The posts sunk 4 to 6 feet into the ground of a pole barn transfer wind and snow loads directly into the soil, providing greater strength than stick-built structures that use a crawl space or basement as support. This also makes adding extensions easier compared to traditional construction methods.
Energy Efficient
Pole barns are energy efficient, thanks to their timber frames and insulation. A well-designed building envelope will reduce three types of heat transfer: radiation, conduction, and convection. To reduce heating costs in the winter and cooling bills in the summer, consider opting for light-colored roofs and utilizing fans. Additionally, insulation materials like cellulose and fiberglass come in different thicknesses to accommodate different budgets. Insulation is also available in multiple colors and styles to match any aesthetic.
Metal roofing is an excellent choice for pole buildings because it reflects the sun’s rays and prevents the structure from becoming too hot in warm climates. In addition, it’s highly resistant to heavy rain and snow and can withstand high winds.
Other options for making your pole building more energy-efficient include utilizing natural ventilation, installing a programmable thermostat, and using energy-efficient lighting. These measures will reduce your energy consumption, improve air quality and help you save money in the long run.
Affordable
Pole buildings are the perfect option for people looking to build a garage, shop, barn, or other building on their property that meets their specific needs but also fits their budget. These buildings offer durability, energy efficiency and are highly customizable.
The cost of a pole building is based on many factors, including size, materials used, and construction time. Typically, the most significant factor that drives up building costs is finishing the structure’s interior. This includes things like insulation, rolled batts, and spray-in foam. Pole buildings have more expansive spaces, making insulating easy and saving overall building costs.
Another factor contributing to lower building costs is that pole buildings do not require a concrete foundation or basement. This can save on the building materials and the labor costs that come with this. These savings add up throughout the entire project.
