The short answer: A pole barn eyebrow is a decorative overhang above a door or window, or below a roofline.
Pole Barn Eyebrow vs. Eyebrow Dormer
When most people think of eyebrows – other than the ones on their face – they typically envision eyebrow dormers on the roof of a conventional stick-frame building. These small protrusions in the roof of a home can be sloped, arched, square or peaked and have either fixed or functional windows to let in natural light. First used in Queen Anne-style home design, eyebrow roofs are also prevalent in Adirondack, Shingle Style, Tudor Revival and post-modern homes and cottages.
Pole barn eyebrows, on the other hand, are stylistic overhangs built above doors and windows or – less commonly – below the roofline of a pole building. Eyebrows on a pole barn home, garage, workshop or farm building are mostly decorative, however, they can provide some protection from snow and rain in front of a man door or garage door.
Man Door Eyebrows
A pole barn man door is exactly what it sounds like: a door designed for a man (or person) to use. In a barndominium, the front door, side door and back door are typically a man door. There is usually at least one man door in every pole barn garage, storage building, workshop, etc.
Adding an eyebrow over a man door can add a little flair to your pole barn while keeping your doorstep lightly protected from falling snow.
Garage Door Eyebrows
An eyebrow roof over a garage door works the same as a man door eyebrow, in that it provides a lot of aesthetic value and a bit of functionality, and it can help tie the design of your pole barn garage together.
Window Eyebrows
Window eyebrows are a simple and easy way to add some drama to your barndominium, pole barn garage or workshop façade. While window eyebrows are typically a purely aesthetic choice, they can provide some interior shade from the midday sun.
Horse Stall Eyebrows
Adding an eyebrow above a horse stall door can add to the design of your pole barn horse barn and provide your horse(s) a bit of protection from the elements. This is particularly true if you opt for a shed row pole barn or a fully enclosed barn like Liz’s. An eyebrow roof above a Dutch door or stall gate can offer a bit of shade and cover from rain and snow.
Eyebrow Roof Overhang
Less common than other pole barn eyebrows, an eyebrow roof overhang can be both stylish and functional for horse barns and farm buildings with stalls. Instead of building an individual eyebrow above each stall door or opening, an eyebrow roof overhang can span the length of the pole barn.
If you have further questions about pole barn eyebrows or would like to talk to one of our experienced pole barn designers, please contact us or leave a comment below.