Until recently, farming was generally considered a family affair. Instead of giant agribusiness operations, America was covered coast-to-coast with small, family-owned farms, each of which consisted of some kind of farmhouse, plus appropriate outbuildings. Since then, many small farms have closed their doors and shut down their operations as larger companies took over, but the ubiquitous traditional red barns can still be seen dotting the landscape.
What modern Americans don’t usually realize is that these large structures aren’t just oversized houses. Most of them are constructed using not 2x4s but large poles, which explains why they are called pole barns. This leaves some questions unanswered, though: what is a pole barn? And why are so many of these aging structures still standing today?
What Are Pole Barns?
Pole barns are large agricultural buildings constructed out of posts and beams rather than 2x4s. The posts are set four to six feet into the ground to maximize stability and reduce the risk of frost damage, and the roof beams are attached firmly to those posts. This construction methodology allows the weight of the roof to be transferred directly to the posts and the ground instead of relying on load-bearing walls, which makes it extremely strong and durable.
Some contractors now refer to pole barns as post-and-beam structures in reference to the fact that they are now made from pre-cut, usually square, timbers. Back in the early days of post-frame construction, though, farmers built their barns out of old telephone poles, and many people still use the term “pole barn” in homage to the construction method’s humble beginnings.
Farmers originally started building pole barns to cut back on construction materials and costs during the Great Depression. Today’s farmers may be a little better off than their predecessors, but most understand the value of cutting costs without reducing the quality of their buildings.
Post-frame construction is more affordable because it doesn’t require a full foundation or load-bearing walls, which means both material and labor costs tend to be lower. The cost of erecting new pole barns isn’t the only factor, though. Many of today’s farmers have old outbuildings on their properties that are still in use because of pole barns’ abilities to withstand the elements and the test of time.
What About Other Buildings?
Some landowners may be wondering just about now why post-frame construction is only used to build pole barns. The good news for cost-conscious property owners is that it’s not. These days, specialized contractors use post-frame construction methodologies to build everything from beautiful ranch houses to large-scale commercial buildings.
How to Choose a Pole Barn Contractor
Want to erect a pole barn or another type of building that features post-and-beam construction? It’s important to find the right contractor because many housebuilders are familiar only with stick-frame construction. No matter how large or small a post-frame building will be and what it will be used for when it’s done, landowners should always entrust its design and construction to specialized pole barn contractors who have at least a few years of experience and a portfolio of similar projects.
