What is a pole barn anyway? What exactly does it mean and what are they good for?
The history of pole barns started as agricultural barns that were a more easily constructed and cost-effective way to build during/after the depression years, when materials were at a premium and farmer's cash flow was at a low. They were often constructed using old telephone poles, hence the name "pole barn."
In more recent history, pole barns have advanced significantly in uses, design, and appeal. The variety of options available with these structures now allows for the open room feel that barndominiums so often have. It allows for flexible storage and garage space.
Many people will add these to their properties as hosting areas - an extra place to hang out when having family and friends over. Car enthusiasts often build these types of structures so they have the perfect space to store their vehicles in all types of weather (any classic car or hot rod lovers here?)
Horse owners and equestrian clubs will use the pole barn/post frame construction building methods for their stalls, horse barns, and riding arenas. Taking care of some of their most prized possessions means only the best for their large equestrian friends.
Detached garages, airplane hangars, storage units, commercial storage, museums, workshops/hobby shops, fire stations, retail, agricultural barns, kennels and animal shelters, equipment sheds, boat and RV storage, party barns, wedding/event spaces, auto centers, churches, community centers, and so many more uses we've built for!
While we can list a hundred uses for these buildings, we don't want to bore you and we want you to be able to see what your dream build would look like in pole barn format! Feel free to use this free online 3d designer to start putting together some design ideas, and if you have questions or want custom plans built, you are welcome to contact our team.
Some of the benefits and pros of post frame construction (the type of construction used for pole barns) include:
1. The quick turnaround time for building. Especially with barns and outbuildings, the turnaround time on pole barn builds are shorter than traditional construction methods. Turn key barndominiums will naturally take longer than a barn build or a barndo shell (just the exterior, framing, etc. for the building), but is still typically a faster turnaround time than the traditional method of home construction. Many buyers will have their builder construct the shell, and then manage the rest of the interior finishing themselves. This is a great option if you or a family member or connection have a lot of experience with interior finishing, but maybe aren't as confident with the exterior/structural build.
2. The ability of professional builders to continue building throughout the whole year. Some people wonder if construction on homes, barns, and outbuildings can continue in the winter. It certainly can! This allows for an off-season build at a time that works best for your schedule.
3. The flexibility of the space. This is a big one! This is one main reason that pole barn owners are so happy with their builds. They get to decide exactly how the space will be setup and the uses they will need it designed for. If working with a good builder too, you'll find that consulting with them throughout the permitting and design process (something that Milmar provides to every customer) and sharing your hopes and plans for the space means you could be getting some great tips on how to make your build even more accommodating for you and the purposes you have in mind! Completely customizable is always a nice perk 😉
4. Costs. This one is not a factor for everyone, but for many, keeping an eye on the budget is really important for their building project. In our "How Much Does a Pole Barn Cost" article, we include some realistic pricing that includes most things that people want in their build, but also goes over ways to save on costs if that's really important for your project. In this article too, we touch on not being taken in by pricing that's far lower than all the other builders - this can be a red flag and you don't want to end up with a stripped down version of what you were wanting, or even worse, a building that is not structurally sound because it's not been constructed by a licensed, insured, and experienced builder.
Some people are led to believe that Amish builders in the Midwest offer much lower construction cost, and some do offer some decent pricing! We even employ high-quality Amish building crews on many of our builds, and our founder was raised in the Amish community and that's where he started his education in construction! You just want to use caution about using unknown crews so that you avoid ending up with a haphazardly constructed build.
Something that Milmar takes seriously is standing behind our work. This is why we provide all of our clients (and you!) with the best warranty.
5. Enduring Value, Built to Last a Lifetime (and beyond!) The technology and development in post frame construction has been progressing for quite some time now, and this means that the structures can now be made to last a lifetime and beyond! Gone are the days where you have to go into the build thinking of when you'll have to replace your barn or home, but instead you can focus on the details that are going to make it perfect for you (and even for your future generations!) With advancements in the metals used, the way they are engineered, the post frame protection that keeps posts from rotting, and the foundation options available, you can rest easy, knowing that your build will last.
As we often do, we'll give one cautionary mention of consulting with your builder on the longevity of the build they are putting together for you. While many advancements have been made, those that try to skirt too many of the advancements to "save on cost," may be jeopardizing your building's lifetime in the long run. Make sure you're aware of the options and upgrades available to lengthen your building's durability over time.
As you begin to plan your build or start looking for a builder, here are some helpful resources for you!