Pole barns are growing in prominence throughout the United States – particularly in the Intermountain West – thanks to their affordability, customizability and quick build times. While pole barns can vary greatly in terms of use, size and design, one of the most popular pole barn designs is a pole barn with a lean-to.
What is a lean-to?
A lean-to is an extension from a building that “leans” on the building for support. Often called a lean-to roof, lean-tos provide for a virtually unlimited number of uses when added to pole buildings and barndominiums. What’s more, at an average cost of $25 – $30 per square foot, lean-tos are a cost-effective way to add style and function to any pole building. Whether you only need a single lean-to, want to build a pole barn with lean-tos on both sides or want to create a full wrap-around porch, adding a lean-to to a pole barn can make your pole barn design both unique and functional.
Lean-to Carport
One of the simplest and most common uses for lean-tos, carports are a great solution for extra vehicle storage. Adding a lean-to to a pole barn garage frees up interior space for storing bikes, gear and other valuables, while still proving a layer of protection for one or more cars.
Common in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho, RV carports with lean-tos provide a safe space for farming equipment, RVs, boats, ATVs, and other outdoor adventure toys.
Lean-to Shed
Lean-to sheds are perfect for providing both interior and exterior storage that is protected from the elements. Depending on what you need to store, an open or enclosed lean-to may be preferable. If you chose to have an enclosed or partially enclosed lean-to, its wall(s) can be built to match the rest of your pole building.
Lean-to Patio
Commonly requested for pole barn homes (also called barndominiums), lean-to patios provide shade and protection from the elements while adding an outdoor area in which to relax and watch the world go by.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a rocking chair, porch swing or hammock-loving person, adding one or more lean-tos to your pole barn house can give you a quiet place to appreciate the outdoors by yourself or enjoy with your family. For a decidedly Southern touch, you can even add lean-tos to all four sides of your home to create an iconic wrap-around porch.
Outdoor Kitchen
When the weather is nice and friend and family are around, there is nothing better than enjoying each other’s company in the fresh mountain air. That’s why outdoor kitchens are the perfect home accessory for spring get-togethers, summer barbeques and fall dinner parties.
If you’re looking into building an outdoor kitchen for your existing home, adding a lean-to is a great first step. If you’re planning to build your own home, you should work your outdoor kitchen design into your building plans before construction. Whether you’re building a pole barn home or traditional stick frame home, you can’t go wrong with a lean-to addition for an outdoor kitchen.
Outdoor Living Room
A step up from your everyday patio, creating an outdoor living room under your barndominium lean-to is the perfect way to extend your family’s living space during the warmer spring, summer and fall months. Don’t have a barndominium? While it’s not advisable to add a post frame constructed building or lean-to to a conventionally built home, you can build a small pole barn garage or shed with a lean-to right next to your traditional build to create more outdoor living space.
If you’re looking to really maximize your lean-to living space, there are numerous porch enclosure systems at various price ranges that can be installed to help make your lean-to outdoor living room comfortable year round.
Lean-to Greenhouse
If you’re one of the many people who helped home gardening increase by 43% in 2020, or if you’ve been an avid gardener for years, you may have contemplated building a greenhouse to help extend your growing season or weather unexpected drops in temperatures.
While there are hundreds of DIY lean-to greenhouse plans online, a pole barn with a lean-to is the best of both worlds. No matter if you’re building a pole barn garage, shed, workshop, horse barn or barndominium, adding a lean-to can give you the structural bones you need to easily create a temporary greenhouse. During the winter months when it’s too cold to keep plants in your lean-to greenhouse, and throughout the late spring, summer and early fall, your space can be repurposed into a lean-to shed, patio or even outdoor living room!