For centuries, barns have been known to serve a purpose for cultivation, livestock, and storage since they are originally designed as utilitarian buildings.
Regardless of your specific needs, you should build a pole barn that is functional, dependable, and long-lasting. Today’s modern barns are now structured to look aesthetically pleasing, and there is no foundation needed.
If you’re planning to build a new barn or garage, it’s important to consider the differences between pole barns and pre-engineered steel buildings.
Keep reading until the end to find out what pole barns and metal garages are good for as well as some of their disadvantages.
What Is A Pole Barn?
A pole barn or pole building is a type of wood framing that is designed using the pole post frame building. Traditional wood pole barns or pole buildings follow a simplistic main support structure and use wooden beams for roof trusses and exterior walls.
The poles are buried in the concrete foundation to create large pillars for vertical support, while the attached girts provide extra horizontal support. However, heavy snow can pose serious weather damage and natural deterioration to wood structures.
What Is A Metal Garage?
A metal garage or steel building is a structure made of exterior metal panels and is detached from the main home to store equipment. A steel building is ideal for various purposes including commercial purposes and agricultural buildings.
The pre-engineered metal building also offers a flexible, durable, and sturdy construction process that doesn’t require frequent repairs. The steel columns are both termite-proof and leak-proof as well as no fire hazard and no warping, unlike wood building.
Differences Between A Pole Barn And A Steel Building
A pole barn is constructed with a basic building or traditional foundation. Builders put a series of wooden poles into the ground to build an informal pole barn construction. It’s also generally cheaper than a steel building since a wood building only uses wood materials.
On the other hand, metal buildings are obviously more expensive because of the price of steel. In terms of upkeep, it’s easier to maintain steel buildings than pole barns. It’s also more affordable to insure your metal building and save money with a free quote.
Unlike pole barns, a metal barn doesn’t experience pest infestations or rotting. Over time, steel is a good investment and may pay off with its many benefits.
While the concrete floor is common for steel buildings, you can still choose a dirt floor for agricultural purposes and additional advantages.
Pros and Cons of Pole Barns
- Simple, informal construction.
- Low-cost materials.
- Faster to construct.
- Visually aesthetic.
- Lack of stability.
- Maintenance and repairs can be costly.
Pros and Cons of Steel Garages
- Impressive roof durability.
- Modest price.
- Fully customizable.
- Minimal maintenance needs.
- Needs professional installation.
- Might be an eyesore.
Bottom Line
To make an informed decision, you need to consider the benefits, drawbacks, maintenance needs, and differences between pole buildings and steel structures. However, your choice generally depends on your fire requirements, frame size limitations, and personal preferences.
Your budget also makes the decision-making process much easier since you can’t opt for an expensive structure if you have a tight budget. Overall, the metal barn or steel barn is typically a more durable and dependable property due to its industrial style.
The only biggest drawback of the metal barn is that it could be an expensive option because of the higher upfront cost. Pole barns may offer better cost savings, but it can cost you more to maintain wooden structures over time.
