Proudly providing the best prices for pole barns.
At Metal Building Shop, we provide a variety of pole barn kits. We provide the option of choosing one of our existing kits or completely design a custom pole barn just for you. Our team is comprised of engineers and builders ready to design/build your pole barn project. Our pole barns are used as garages, shops, commercial buildings, barndominiums, storage buildings, and much more. Our pole barn kits ship directly to you job-site location ready assemble. Contact our sales team today to start your pole barn project.
Pole Barn Garages
36X40 Pole Barn Kit
This 35x40x12 pole barn kit works perfect as a three-car garage. The space has plenty of room for vehicles, boats, and RVs. You even have room for a work shop.
36X48 Pole Barn Kit
This 36x48 pole barn kit works perfect as a two story garage. Not only does it have over 1700 sq. ft. of space down stairs, but it has plenty of room for an apartment up-stairs.
22X30 Pole Barn Garage
This 22x30 pole barn kit has the elegant look for a future garage. Make you neighbors jealous with this beautiful two-car garage. Pole Barns just aren't what they use to be.
24X32 Pole Barn Garage
Another 24x32 Pole Barn kit. Used as a garage or shop, there is plenty of room to store you vehicles, recreational vehicles, and have space to work on your cars.
Upscale Pole Barn Garage
This is bar far one of our favorite pole barn garage builds. This pole barn kits is upscale and provides space for your vehicles as well as a small living quarters or work shop.
30X30 Pole Barn Garage and Carport
This beautiful garage doubles as a carport. We custom design the pole barn kit that you need. This is one of our favorites pole barn kits to build.
20X30 Pole Barn Garage
This 20x30 pole barn garage kit has all the space you need for vehicles, recreational vehicles, and even a work shop. We custom design all of our pole barn garages to meet your needs.
Garage Pole Barn Kits
If you are looking for a garage pole barn kit, you've come to the right place. We provide design build pole barn services. Contact our team today to start your pole barn project.
Wood Carports
30X30 Pole Barn Carport
This 30x30 pole barn carport is not only elegant, it provides the coverage you need to protect your vehicles and recreational vehicle. This is one of our favorite wood carports.
30X30 Pole Barn Covered Carport
This 30x30 traditional wood carport makes the perfect addition to any home. We custom design build wood carports for your home or property.
Pole Barn Carport with Pergola
This elegant carport has two pergolas attached for extra provided cover. This pole barn kit make a beautiful additional to your country home.
15X30 Pole Barn Carport
This 15x30 carport offers the perfect amount of protection for you 66' mustang convertible. In addition is offers plenty of indoor space for a work shop and/or tool shed.
Horse Barns
Pole Barn Horse Stables
This beautiful pole barn kit double as a garage and horse stable. This 45x50 two story horse stable makes the perfect addition to any equestrian residence.
40X50 Pole Barn Horse Stable
This 40x50 Pole Barn has more of a traditional horse stable look. We can customize it to look anyway you wish. Contact our team today to start your horse stable design.
Pole Barn Homes
33x50 Pole Barn Home
This is one of our beautiful pole barn home packages. It is 33' wide and 50' long with an 8' wrap around porch. This post & beam kit can be designed to your specifications for your next dream home.
38X50 Pole Barndominium
This beautiful barndominium is 38' wide by 50' long with an 8'x50' porch. We design/build all types of beautiful pole barn homes. Contact our team to start planning yours today.
Farm Pole Barns
24x48 Farm Pole Barn
We carry and custom design farm pole barn kits. This kit is perfect for housing tractors, hay, and other equipment and tools used around your farm. Contact our team today to get your pole barn kit.
Pole Barn FAQs
This is an important place to start any building project. It is advisable to contact your local building department or planning department. You will provide the physical address and a description of what you are planning to build. This issue is usually settled over a phone call.
Here is some good news. Often times pole structures are less subject to building codes than traditional builds. This is often due to them being separate from residential structures. Also, the nature of the construct, with poles being driven into the ground for support, as opposed to concrete foundations, can lend to more lenient coding.
The process for anchoring a pole construction is focused on the poles themselves. Each is buried in the ground, anywhere between 4 and 8 feet apart, sometimes subject to local code. There is often a disk of concrete placed at the bottom of the hole to give the pole something stable to rest upon. Getting these poles properly placed in terms of spacing and depth is crucial.
There is good news is this as well. The entire covered flooring does not need to be treated, perfectly leveled, or expensively treated. You can go in with concrete or gravel or laminate flooring, or you can leave it as is. You can add those features later as they are not connected to the foundation of the structure or required to establish the grounding of the building.
Firstly, the standard size of a pole barn beam is 6x6. In some cases, like smaller buildings or rural applications, fairly standard treated pieces of lumber can be used. The spacing can be up to eight feet and then horizontal cross beams are used to stabilize. They can be various sizes depending on the structure.
However, many pole building plans call for laminated wood beams. The size is usually the same, but the lamination adds durability over time and internal strength. Often times these pieces are pre-engineered off site and come with slots cut in them for cross pieces to fit inside. There is no cutting on site. The laminated pieces are prefabricated to groove together.
The angle of the roof is significant in that it requires more materials the higher the pitch. A roof is measured in a ratio system. For instance, a 2:5 roof rises by five feet for every two feet of distance. Usually pole structures have a fairly low pitch and the poles placed between them will not have to be an exceptional length, even in the middle. But poles are not limited in that way.
A higher roof angle, which will demand a larger amount of support, is just as doable with a pole structure as a traditional stick structure building (untreated wood stabilized on a concrete foundation). The cost of trusses between the poles increases along with the pitch, so be sure and ask a potential builder about price changes based on central roof elevation.
Laminated poles buried six feet into the ground establish incredibly strong bases, but the durability of the building also depends on the connecting of those poles one to another. As mentioned above, sometimes the poles come with inserts wherein the girts, horizontal pieces, can be slotted in. Other times they can be attached more traditionally with screws or nails.
These girts are often in the 2x6 inch range and can be spaced upwards of 30 inches apart. There would be one at the bottom of the poles, another at the top, and then equal spacing in between. Some variety is available in terms of the size of the beams and the spacing. Be sure to indicate or determine the type of side walls you’d like, as this can often have an effect on the girt size and spacing. For instance, metal sheets might require a different spacing that wooden side walls.
Trusses are wooden structures attached to the poles that run parallel to the ground poles. But they two need to be strengthened by horizontal beams. On the wall of the structure those beams are called girts. Along the roof, or trusses, those pieces are called purlins. Purlins are the connective beams to which the roofing material is attached.
While commonly constructed with 2x4 wooden beams, there are three ways they can be attached to the building. Firstly, they can be laid flat along the trusses, where the roof is affixed to the 4 inch longer portion of the beams. Secondly, they can be stood on edge, where they elevate from the trusses and the roofing is attached to the 2-inch side portion. Finally, they can be nailed in between the trusses so that they are flush with the vertical pieces and the roofing material would then be affixed to both the purlins and the trusses.
This is not dissimilar to any other structure. The leading options for insulation are the fiberglass variety or the foam sprayed into place. Some pole barns require no insulation at all, as they are outside, agricultural, or non-climate controlled areas. But if you do want climate control, pole barns offer exceptional advantages over traditional stick frame buildings.
The primary advantage is the spacing between the beams. Stick frame buildings, usually employing untreated wood spaced out and attached to concrete, are much closer together. More vertical wood beams simply mean less insulation. Because laminated and larger wood beams buried in the ground are stronger, they can be spaced out much farther apart. This creates more space for insulation and better insulated buildings.
While a full concrete foundation is not required to stabilize or even construct a pole barn, there are crucial elements to the site that must be addressed. Primarily, the ground beneath and around the structure needs to be level. It will be difficult to do that after the poles are buried. There also needs to be a good amount of cleared and level space around the build for the workers to do what they need to do and to get their equipment set up.
The poles must be spaced properly, on level graded and measured ground, and be buried to the exact specification with relation to one another. Some form of surveying work is usually required to shoot the gaps and make sure everything is aligned. If you are not comfortable with preparing the area for this process, inquire about a professional crew to do needed excavation, preparation and measuring.
Certainly, a wide variety of sizes are available when it comes to pole buildings. Some might assume there are limitations, since the spacing of the beams is quite wide. But this is where the magic happens: the laminated, engineered beams have incredible durability under a load and can span large areas with ease. Naturally, the size will differ based on the application. Pole buildings can be used for simple sheds to garages to large storage buildings, to a variety of agricultural applications, and even to commercial store fronts. It seems the majority of inquiries fit in the 40 to 60 feet length range and 30 to 40 feet in width. But options are nearly endless.
A helpful guide might be to think in 8 feet increments. Since pole barns are often spaced in that way and girts and purlins and trusses are constructed for that margin, multiples of 8 fit nicely into the engineered design plan. Getting off from that could require additional materials.
Obviously, the costs vary based on prep work, size of the building, materials used and foundation requirements. The key component is how those costs compare to alternative building concepts. The cost is similar to that of a traditional stick build, but with some tangible advantages. Mainly, for the money you get better grounded products with the laminated wood beams. This can make more space for insulation, withstand elements better and lead to a much longer lasting building. Considering price relative to longevity makes pole barns a great option for new construction in a wide variety of usages and applications.
Pole Barn Information
Discover The Benefits of Pole Barn Construction
Pole buildings, also known as barns, have a wide variety of construction and design, but traditionally were used in the agricultural industry. In recent years they have been expanded to usage in an incredible variety of applications. The reasons will be discussed in this article, but are mainly due to their post-frame construction. As we look at pole barn structures in comparison to stick frame buildings, the value of the pole design will become evident. But let’s first make sure we are clear on terms, specifically an exact definition of a pole barn.
Details for the Pole Barn
Pole buildings are historically described as larger structures used in agriculture. They typically have no rooms beneath them, like basements, extend high into the air with the trusses, and cover lots of spacing. Most use wood posts that have been laminated as the main framing. Therefore, the term “post frame building” has become the most common term today.
The importance of the laminate post design is that they are prefabricated pieces. Engineers design them specifically for the project at hand. This includes the truss for the roof as well as the side wall posts. Because they are built for durability and more economical, pole buildings are great for a wide variety of residential and commercial needs: garages, work areas, sheds for special projects, animal housing, or even as a home to live in.
A Clearer Picture of the Difference between Pole-Barn Framing and Stick-Frame
Stick framing is very common in residential projects. Most homes, traditionally, have a structure that is made of untreated lumber, often affixed with screws or nails. Also, they are typically constructed at the build site. Post barn frames are designed on a computer and come to the site pre-cut and ready to be assembled. These laminated pieces can carry immense weight and ultimately cost less than a stick build home or barn.
Often when people think of residential homes, they think of untreated wood constructions. And when they think of simple, non-residential barns, they think of a laminated construction. But the post-frame construction can be pre-designed to hold any form of exterior and accommodate nearly any need. In fact, many of the stick frame buildings in existence today could have been designed to last longer and stand up to more effects using this system.
A Look at the Construction Differences between Pole-Barn and Stick-Frame
Pole Buildings involve pre-designed, specifically engineered, and prefabricated wooden pieces, laminated for durability, and brought on site to be easily fitted together. They are able to be spaced apart upwards of eight feet on the center. Vertical pieces are driven into the ground around 5 feet in depth. Since the product is laminated, there is no risk of decay. Horizontal structural members of the same material are used to connect the vertical poles.
Stick built framing begins with stacks of untreated lumber being delivered on site. Each piece must be cut and fitted along the way. Effectively all engineering is done on site. Wall studs represent the primary framing and extend to as much as twenty-four inch centers.
Since the lumber cannot be buried for support, these buildings are often built on a cement foundation. The need for such anchoring is a big part of the extra cost for this approach.
A List of Reasons to explore Pole Building options before and above Stick Framing
Options with Foundations
In a post framing setup, the beams are in the ground up to six feet deep. There is no other material required, like concrete slabs. Certainly cement flooring can be added for the base of the interior, but it not required and does not have to be established as a base for the poles.
Concrete costs can add between 10 and 20% to the cost of a building project. All stick frame constructions will require it as a base for constructions. When comparing costs between the two builds, don’t forget to figure in the cost of the foundation. Note that saving money here can fund a larger structure and opens up options for much less expensive flooring.
Preparing the Site
For concrete based stick frame projects, site preparation is extensive. The area must be leveled to a degree than an even pour can be accomplished. There are install costs associated with site preparation for cement flooring as well.
With pole buildings there are no requirements or limitations for the flooring. You could leave it as is for the initial part of the process. You could instill rock or complex flooring at a later date that does not have to be attached to the structure, and can be done at any time later.
Evaluating Site Conditions
In a traditional stick build, site conditions require a lot of upfront work. What kind of equipment will be needed for proper excavation of dirt? Is it sand or dirt or clay? How deep will it need to be moved to establish a proper base? Will dirt need to be brought in (often the case)?
Again, with laminated, engineered pole beams, they can be buried in nearly any soil condition and fitted together without the required foundation evaluations, plans and preparation costs.
Adding on Later
Most of us get interested at add-ons as time passes. Often times concrete foundations are limitations. With the pole design, extended overhangs, additional buried beams, and general expansion are much more simple and cost effective.
With stick forms you’ll once again have to start with a foundation cost and design before changing the covered area. This up-front cost is often prohibitive.
Building More Quickly
Pole barns have incredible advantages when it comes to speed of construction. There are fewer on-site preparation steps and costs. The materials come precut and perfectly adapted to one another. As soon as the main beams are buried connection between them can begin.
Additionally, with tightened construction time comes lower labor costs, as well as fewer crews. You won’t need a concrete crew and an assembly crew. Things go faster and more simply.
Enjoying Larger Openings
This one is easy to visualize. If the horizontal beams on a structure are eight feet wide, that allows for a great many options in between, from windows to double doors. If you wanted an eight foot opening in a stick frame building, extensive overhead work would be needed to support the weight of the structure. This would add to costs significantly.
If you are looking to construct something that needs wheeled equipment to go in and out, the choice is clear: pole building wider centers make almost all options possible. This applies most definitely to commercial sites, farming needs and places that store larger items.
Air flow is also a valid consideration. Cooling a facility is a big money task in most cases. Larger opening for wider and taller doors, and more extensive window options create better air flow throughout the building.
Achieving Greater Stability
Forces upon a structure transfer to its grounding. In other words, the nature of the foundation determines the strength of the building. When forces are leveled against a stick framed building, the integrity depends on the relationship of the untreated wood with the concrete base. But all of that is on the surface of the ground.
Because pole barn grounding is buried under the earth, the load of the elements transfers into the ground, which of course is nearly absolute stability. Fewer weaker links build dependability.
Greater Interior Space
Engineered laminated beams make them stronger than traditional lumber. This not only means wider horizontal beams, but also longer vertical runs without required lateral beams. The truss system can be more expansive meaning much wider open spaces within the building itself. This services larger interior spaces for equipment, storage and work.
This translates to fewer interior walls and supports. Often times walls are constructed in stick framed homes because some form of support is needed to keep the roof up. This problem is remedied by a much more durable truss construction that doesn’t have such needs. Again, all of this translates to lower costs, both in the labor and material departments.
Investing Longer Term
Any building you invest in has upfront costs. Ultimately , we want those costs to lead to longer lasting, more durable and dependable products that last for many years. With traditional untreated wooden structures, the boards are thinner and susceptible to the elements.
Post frame buildings are not only protected by lamination, but are thicker pieces of wood. They are weightier, stronger, and will last longer based on those simple differences.
Creating Better Insulation
Insulating against the elements is important in most applications, regardless of the region. Some areas have extreme heat, while others have seasonally low temperatures. At first glance, the wide open possibilities by the pole barn approach may seem less likely to be insulated well. But the opposite is true. Because there are fewer wooden beams, there can be more insulation! Imagine a 30 foot wall with only 5 horizontal beams, and insulation filling all of the open space.
Compare that to a stick build design which would have 15 or more pieces of wood. Much less insulation can be placed in the provided spaces. This can make it more difficult to meet minimal energy requirements in terms of local codes. Also, energy costs will certainly be higher.
Enjoying Limitless Options
Ultimately, the idea is for our team to construct a building that perfectly fits your needs. This could require extremely lofty ceilings. Post frame construction makes this more possible than ever. Whether you need to go higher or wider, a personally and perfectly engineered solution can be planned out, observed, and approved, before anything happens on site!
If you are interested in lower cost, longer lasting, better customized spaces, reach out and let’s see if we can put together exactly what you have in mind.
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