While pole barns have become an increasingly popular option for affordable, low-maintenance and faster builds for residential storage, garages, workshops, horse barns, farm buildings and even homes, most people don’t think of post-frame construction for commercial buildings.
The nature of pole barns, however, lends itself perfectly to commercial building requirements.
Commercial Building Design
One large advantage of using pole barns for commercial buildings is their adaptability. The flexibility of pole barn design – from nearly unlimited pole building size configurations and siding options to numerous door styles, truss structures and color options – allows companies to build their commercial pole buildings to precisely meet their businesses’ needs.
Additionally, post-frame construction (how pole buildings are built), allows for virtually unlimited building lengths and clear spans of up to 90 ft – which creates wide interior areas free of posts and beams.
Pole Building Accessories
While some pole barn accessories are purely aesthetic – such as flying gables, wainscoting, dog ears and cupolas – others offer functionality that can greatly enhance commercial operations.
Commercial Doors
Large overhead doors and sliding doors aid in truck, machine and vehicular access, as well as storage and shipping operations. Additional man doors provide easy access for employees, customers and other visitors.
Lean-tos
Lean-tos on commercial buildings can create exterior areas for both storage and business operations that are protected from the elements. Processes that involve chemicals or require open-air ventilation can be conducted under a lean-to.
Concrete Floors
While they’re not automatically included in most standard builds, concrete floors are almost always a must in commercial pole buildings.
Insulation
Depending on location, climate and use, commercial pole barns may or may not require insulation. If insulation is needed, standard wall insulation and/or roof insulation, or radiant barrier insulation are options.
Windows & Eave Lights
For commercial buildings used primarily as warehouses, windows may seem like an unnecessary additional cost. Natural light, however, can help reduce energy costs in the long term (not to mention boost warehouse workers’ spirits). Eave lights – translucent panels installed in the top of the walls beneath the eaves – can provide additional natural light to a commercial building.
Comparing Costs to Build Commercial Buildings
Commercial metal buildings cost (in general) more than your typical residential pole barn garage or workshop, mainly due to the size differential. In terms of timelines and overall costs, though, pole buildings are faster to build and more affordable than stick framing buildings and steel buildings.
Conventional stick framing buildings (how most homes are built) are extremely labor-intensive, as they are built entirely on-site and require traditional excavation for the footing and foundation. These buildings are typically the most expensive to build.
Steel buildings, on the other hand, are much simpler to build than stick framing buildings, yet they still require intensive excavation for their foundation. While steel buildings are less expensive than stick framing buildings, they’re still more costly to build than most pole buildings. However, steel buildings can be more economical when it comes to extremely large structures.
Pole buildings are typically the least expensive option for commercial metal buildings. As pole barns do not require a traditional foundation and need less labor than steel and stick framing buildings, the savings in time and labor are reflected in their lower price point.
While pole barns are the most affordable option for commercial buildings, the additional cost of pole building accessories can also affect how much it costs to build a commercial building.
Commercial Storage Buildings
Even though pole barns make great commercial buildings that suit all sorts of businesses, pole buildings really shine in the commercial storage arena.
Whether your business needs to store parts, products ready to ship, company vehicles – or if your business itself is in the storage industry – pole buildings are the best low-maintenance, affordable and secure option for most commercial storage needs.
If you’re looking to build a commercial building for your business or would like to talk to one of our commercial building contractors about specs and cost, please contact us today.