Pole Barns: Eco-Friendly And Simplistic
Kathryn Whittaker
Building a pole barn has become a much easier task today. With
tons of available ready-to-use plans and blueprints, a handy
homeowner can build not only a pole barn of two or even six
horse stalls, but also add convenient sheds for tractors, feed
storage or shelters. The plans can be used to build other kinds
of pole buildings, including workshops, storage barns or
garages. Simplicity, cost-cutting and durability are the main
reasons why people still use poles, the oldest construction
technique, to create simple buildings.
Poles have been used for centuries to raise huts and shelters
all over the world. Poles rooted in earth forming a frame for
the covering material, be it animal skin, wood or metal,
provided enough warmth and protection, and could be built very
quickly from whatever material was available. To build pole
barns, people still use this technique, which hasn’t changed
much over the years. The materials have changed though, and
today pole barns are covered with aluminum, steel and other
durable lightweight materials, with insulation and sometimes
wooden or brick facades.
Pole barns are becoming more and more popular because they
allow the building of reliable shelter for animals or storage
without money-consuming earth excavation, concrete foundations
and general site disruption.
The cheapest way to start building a pole barn is with a pole
foundation. Pole foundation is actually a pole that doubles as
a framing member. Posts or poles are inserted deep into ground
so they can bear a lot of pressure, sometimes as deep as 10ft.
But that’s almost all digging for the foundation that a pole
barn builder can expect. The pressure is distributed evenly
around the pole, and the construction becomes very stable and
durable. The builder can dig the holes himself or using a power
auger. The poles are secured by a small amount of concrete
poured into the holes, saving money and labor, as full concrete
foundations can be somewhat expensive.
The pole foundation gives the construction a lot of
flexibility. A pole barn with pole foundation can be raised
virtually anywhere, even in places where a traditional concrete
foundation is not possible, for example, on a steep hillside or
wooded area. Thanks to the pole foundation, a pole barn can be
built very quickly without expensive ground excavation. Even
coastal, earthquake and mountain areas are suitable for
building pole barns and sheds. This way, pole barns leave the
best land for raising crops, preserving the natural environment
and are generally more environmentally friendly with their
minimal construction techniques.
Another advantage to pole barns is that you don’t have to make
them visually perfect and “manicured”. You can use cheap
galvanized steel for the roof and wood sidings, making the
whole project very affordable. The only thing that is not worth
skimping on, according to experienced builders, are storm clips.
These are a valuable investment considering storms and
hurricanes are hitting more and more often. Trusses also need
to be of good quality as these parts of pole building
construction will carry significant weight.
Pole barns and other pole buildings will cost somewhere in the
area of $3,000 and upwards, depending on the size and materials
available in your particular area. With simple instructions and
plans, these buildings can be raised in no time, even if you
don’t have strong building experience.
About The Author: Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number
of different topics. For more information on Barns please visit
http://www.barn-guide.com/ and for additional Barn related
articles please visit
http://www.barn-guide.com/barn-articles/
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