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Today it’s easier to build a pole
barn than it used to be. With a multitude of
ready-to-use plans and blueprints available, a
handy homeowner can build a pole barn of two or
even six horse stalls and a few convenient sheds
for tractors, storage, feed, or shelters as
well.
The plans can be used to build different kinds
of pole buildings, including barns, workshops,
and garages. Simplicity, cost efficiency, and
durability are the main reasons people still use
poles, the oldest construction technique, to
make simple buildings.
For centuries, poles have been used all over the
world to raise shelters. Poles were stuck into
the earth to form a frame for the covering
material, whether animal skin, wood, fabric, or
metal. Pole shelters provided warmth and
protection and could be quickly built from
whatever material was available in the
environment. This building technique hasn’t
changed much since the beginning, and people
still use it to build pole barns, but the
materials have changed. Pole barns today are
covered with aluminum, steel, and durable,
lightweight materials and are insulated.
Sometimes they have wooden or brick facades.
Pole barns are becoming increasingly popular
because they allow sturdy shelters to be built
for animals or storage without expensive
excavation, concrete foundations, or site
disruption.
The cheapest way to build a pole barn is to
start with a pole foundation. A pole foundation
is a pole that doubles as framing. Posts or
poles are inserted deep into the ground,
sometimes as deep as ten feet, to enable them to
bear a lot of pressure. That's almost all the
digging required for the foundation. With the
pressure evenly distributed around the pole, the
construction is stable and durable. A builder
can dig the holes himself or use a power auger.
The poles are secured in place with a small
amount of concrete, which is poured into the
holes. This saves money and labor, as a full
concrete foundation can be expensive.
A pole foundation offers a lot of flexibility in
construction, as a pole barn can be raised
virtually anywhere, even where it’s not possible
to have a concrete foundation, such as on a
steep hillside or in a wooded area. Thanks to
the pole foundation, a pole barn can be built
quickly without expensive ground excavation. All
types of terrain, including coastal, earthquake,
and mountainous areas, are suitable for building
pole barns and sheds. Pole barns leave the best
land for raising crops and consequently help
preserve the natural environment. The minimal
construction techniques are also environmentally
friendly.
Another advantage is that pole barns don't have
to be visually perfect. Inexpensive galvanized
steel can be used for the roof and wood for the
siding, which makes the project very affordable.
Experienced builders say that the only thing you
shouldn’t skimp on is storm clips. Considering
the increasing number of storms and hurricanes,
these are a wise investment. Trusses should also
be of high quality, as they have to carry a
significant amount of weight.
A pole barn or other pole building costs
somewhere in the area of $3,000 and up,
depending on the size of the structure and the
materials available in your area. These
buildings can be raised quickly using simple
instructions and plans, even if a person doesn’t
have much building experience.
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