Pole barns have long been a staple for construction on the American agricultural scene. Quality steel buildings are quickly replacing pole barns across the nation, however, for many reasons. Pole barns became very popular for two reasons–price and state of technology. Pole barns were renowned as the cheapest way to build an agricultural building and were about the only material of choice to construct the building with. Steel buildings have quickly supplanted pole barns in terms of both price and durability.
There are a number of disadvantages inherent with any pole barn structure. The poles of a pole barn are placed directly into the ground. This gives the structure no opportunity to be resistant to the heaving caused by flooding and frost. Pole barns are normally made with pressure treated wood. This wood will shrink and warp with time, which is why pole barns are not a popular choice for a permanent structure. Steel buildings do not warp. Pole barn foundation frame members shift and they must be straightened about every six years for a cost of about $2,000. Pressure treated wood poles using copper sulfate are not sanitary and can be poisonous to livestock. A steel building, however, bolts to a solid concrete foundation and is highly flood and frost resistant. It is much more of a sanitary structure and its materials are not poisonous to livestock.
The combustibility of pole barns can increase insurance premiums by more than 25% higher when compared to similar sized non-combustible steel buildings. Steel building companies usually provide the proper plans and documents for their buildings. Pole barns do not. This can cause problems in obtaining permits and ascertaining just how the structure is to be assembled. Steel buildings have parts that are sorted and numbered. Pole barns do not. Pole barn assembly is rigorous, with many hours devoted to the sorting, cutting, and fitting of construction materials.
The sheeting on pole barns needs to be reattached and re-painted on a regular basis. Pole barns have steel members that are in contact with the wood, making rust a prevalent problem. Steel buildings are coated with a primer that is highly resistant to rust. The re-sheeting of pole barns has to occur about once every eight years and with a 14-year life-span for the building, this can cost over $15,000 in total. Steel buildings do not need re-sheeting or re-painting over the useable life of the structure.
Pole barns are not recommended for occupancy because of their low resistance to fire. Many communities and localities prohibit pole barn installation. Steel buildings abide by even the strictest safety codes that any municipality may enforce. The vast advantages that steel buildings have over pole barns should easily make it the structure of choice for your next construction project.