The Pole Building Basics You Need to Know
Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably seen hundreds, or even thousands of pole buildings in your lifetime, but you still may not know exactly what they entail.
We’ve created this simple guide to provide some direction as you explore the topic of pole buildings—we’ll cover what exactly they are, why they rose to popularity, and which advantages keep these buildings relevant today.
What Is A Pole Building?
A pole building is a wood framed structure that features large posts buried 4-6 feet in the ground. These posts (or poles) create vertical structural support, and they are reinforced with horizontal girts.
How Did Pole Buildings Get Started?
During the Great Depression, farmers used recycled telephone poles to build their barns and storage buildings because they were inexpensive yet sturdy.
Because pole buildings were almost exclusively used for agricultural purposes in those early days, they were often called “telephone pole barns.” That mouthful was eventually shortened to “pole barns,” and since these structures can serve any number of purposes today, we prefer “pole buildings.”
Which Name Is Actually Correct?
When you start digging into the topic of pole buildings, you’re liable to find that the terms pole building, pole barn, and post frame building are used nearly interchangeably, which leads to the question: are they all the same thing?
The answer is yes and no. Pole barns are pole buildings (but not all pole buildings are barns), and pole buildings are technically post frame buildings (but not all post frame buildings are pole buildings).
Post frame is a building method, and pole buildings are just one possible product of that method. Likewise, pole barns are just one possible application for modern pole buildings.
Why Are Pole Buildings Still So Popular?
Most of the advantages of pole buildings have remained static for the last 90 years or so. Building a pole barn has always been simpler and less expensive, which means that these projects can be completed faster and more efficiently.
The nature of pole buildings also leaves an incredible amount of room for customization in terms of both look and application. Whether you want your very own she shed, man cave, workshop, riding arena, or something else entirely, a pole building is the most cost effective option for bringing your vision to life.
To learn more details about what pole buildings are, or how they could benefit your lifestyle, contact Beehive Buildings today!