Example of an old-fashioned pole barn.
Photo by Kathrine Birch from Pexels
A pole barn is a structure with a grid of posts supporting the roof system. These posts also enhance the structural support of the building. While pole barns are popularly used in agricultural structures, there are many uses for pole barns or pole buildings. You can use a pole building as a warehouse, greenhouse, commercial building, or housing for farm animals. You can even use a pole building as a residence or a pole barn home.
Aside from their versatility, pole barns have other benefits that you can take advantage of. Let’s look at the benefits you can reap from owning a pole barn.
Practicality
With the high cost of building materials, practicality is a huge consideration when constructing a structure, and a pole barn is one of the most practical choices available for the following reasons:
- Many uses – A pole barn can be used for almost anything you need, making it easier to repurpose a pole barn if needed. You can build a pole barn warehouse and convert it into a huge garage later on or convert a pole barn previously used as a residence into an office space. Aside from the convenience of easily repurposing the building, you are saving money since there is no need to construct a new building.
Example of a pole barn garage.
Photo by Peter Fleming from Pexels
- Easy to remodel – A pole barn home is easy to remodel if needed. Its interior walls are often made of plasterboards or wood paneling, while traditional concrete houses often have concrete interior walls. A pole barn home’s interior walls are moveable, so you can easily resize a living space. You can move an interior wall to add a new room or remove an existing one.
- Cheaper to build – There’s no need to create a foundation for the entire building, translating into savings since other building types require full concrete foundations, which can be costly. This also makes building a pole barn easier and faster, so expect lower labor costs and cheaper overall construction expenses.
- Many design choices – One misconception about pole barn homes is that they all look alike. This is untrue. You can build a pole barn home that looks like a conventional house. Suppliers of pole barn kits offer a wide range of designs, sizes, and floor plans you can choose from.
Durability
Metal sheets are some of the most popular siding choices for pole barns because of their durability.
Photo by Laura Tancredi from Pexels
With proper maintenance, pole barn buildings can last decades. While the posts and interior walls of pole barns often use wooden materials, you can use different materials for the roofing and cladding to extend your pole barn’s life.
For example, you can use vinyl or metal sheets for the pole barn’s external cladding. This can help protect your pole barn from the effects of the elements. These materials are durable and can enhance the overall aesthetics of your pole barn building. Metal cladding also enhances a pole barn’s ability to resist fire. This can be crucial, especially if you live in a wildfire-prone area.
A pole barn is more effective against earthquakes than concrete buildings. Wood is lighter and more flexible than concrete. Its flexibility allows it to yield to movement so that it won’t crumble or break easily.
Low maintenance
A look at the simple and easy-to-maintain interior of a pole barn.
Pole barns require less maintenance than conventional structures due to their simple construction and design. For example, pole buildings don’t have concrete or brick walls that can crack or crumble. They have fewer nooks and crannies that accumulate dirt and dust that needs cleaning.
However, you still need to do some things to ensure that your pole building will be in top condition. The main area of concern is the poles of the structure. These poles are buried under the ground, making them susceptible to rot. However, most pole barn kit suppliers treat their wooden poles to prevent rotting and increase their strength.
Final Word
Pole barns are excellent alternatives if you want a unique and unconventional building. Aside from looking unique, there are other benefits to pole buildings. They are practical and easy to build. They are cheaper than conventional buildings. You can easily remodel a pole barn. A pole building requires less maintenance but can last as long as traditional buildings. If you are still on the fence about building a pole barn, consider the benefits listed above and contact your builder to start constructing your pole building now!
