Can I Live in A Pole Building?

3 Main Factors to Think About if You’re Considering A Pole Barn House

10 years ago, you had probably never heard the terms “shouse” or “barndominium,” but today these living spaces are bringing more and more people the comfort of home combined with affordable versatility of pole buildings. 

The short answer to the question, “Can I live in a pole building?” is yes, but there are a few things to think about before you commit to one of these residences. 

3 Things to Consider If You’re Dreaming of A Barndominium

The trend of pole barn homes is a relatively inexpensive option that allows for tons of customization, but that doesn’t mean that this type of residence will work for everyone. Before you set your heart on living in a pole building, make sure to take note of these three points. 

1. The Frost Level Will Take A Bite Out of Your Savings

In areas where colder temperatures are at all a factor, building codes will require that a residential structure’s foundation extends below the frost line. Otherwise, something called frost heaving can occur and cause damage to a building. 

The fact that residential pole buildings need to account for the frost level isn’t a deal-breaker, but it does chip away at some of the savings you can ordinarily enjoy with this type of building. 

The buried posts and sturdy frames of pole buildings mean that a traditional foundation isn’t required from a structural standpoint; this normally spells major savings, but some of that is eaten away when you factor in the need to satisfy building code requirements for residential buildings as they relate to the frost level. 

One way to meet frost level regulations is to use trench footing around the perimeter of the living space. The cost of trench footing is less than a traditional foundation, so the price of a pole building home is usually still more affordable than a conventional stick built house, but it’s not quite as cost-effective as if you were simply constructing a pole building for a workshop or a horse barn. 

2. You Probably Can’t Double Up on Living Spaces with A Single Lot

Another issue you might run into in terms of building codes is that many localities limit the number of residential buildings that can be placed on a single lot. 

This means that if there’s already a house on your property, you may have a hard time getting approval to construct a pole building for the expressed purpose of living in it (or renting it out for someone else to live in), even though you’d have no problem constructing storage buildings, livestock shelters, or other non-residential structures. 

3. Pole Buildings Are Different from Ordinary Residences 

Pole building construction is simpler and more efficient than many other types of buildings, so there’s no need for internal weight-bearing walls, which means that pole barn homes can have extremely open floor plans.

It’s no secret that open floor plans are a long-standing trend for modern homes, but this look doesn’t match everyone’s lifestyle or aesthetic preferences. If you want a home with a very traditional look, then a pole building house may not be right for you. 

While these are the three things that may give you pause in the process of building your own barndominium, there are also many benefits to living in a pole building. 

Because of the simple nature of pole buildings, the construction process is significantly faster than other methods, so you can move into your new home quicker than you ever dreamed possible. The adaptability of pole building homes also means that you can customize them to your exact preferences, and the long-term maintenance needs are minimal. 

Once you’ve had a chance to weigh every factor of living in a pole building, contact Beehive Buildings to discuss any other questions you may have about building your dream home!