Comparing the pros and cons of saddle footings vs poured in concrete
If you’ve read our post discussing why pole buildings are cheaper to build, then you know that a big chunk of the savings is due to the fact that pole barns do not require traditional excavation.
However, one vital part of pole building construction is ensuring posts are sturdy. There are two options for achieving this: saddle footings and poured in concrete—we’ve explored the advantages of each below.
Poured In Concrete
This is the generally preferred method for setting poles. Once a pad has been prepared, holes are augered 4-6 feet deep, poles are placed, and then the space around the posts is filled with concrete to ensure the poles remain set.
As we mentioned in our post on pressure-treated wood, there’s no need to worry about posts rotting with this method because they are rated as UC4B by the American Wood Preservation Association, meaning they are intended for ground contact and can be exposed to all weather patterns.
The only drawback to using poured in concrete is that it’s simply not possible in certain situations. For example, if a property contains many large boulders below the surface that prevent augering, then it’s not possible to dig holes for posts at all, so pouring in concrete isn’t an option.
Saddle Footings
Saddle footings eliminate the disadvantages you’ll find with poured in concrete, but they come with drawbacks of their own. Rather than burying posts, with saddle footings posts are placed in a piece of hardware that connects to the bottom edge. Poles can then be connected to traditional foundations.
The main benefit to saddle footings is that they make building a pole barn possible in areas where augering isn’t possible, or where a foundation already exists. Depending on what type of saddle footing is used, they can either be placed in wet concrete or on dried slabs.
One reason that saddle footings may not be as appealing to some builders is that they create a hinge point in the structure. This essentially just means the point where the posts and the ground meet could be considered an area of relative weakness in the building.
Which Is Better?
Like we mentioned above, using poured in concrete is a relatively standard method for post frame construction, but it’s not always possible. In cases where augering isn’t feasible, or where a foundation already exists, then saddle footings will certainly do the job.
Now that you have a better idea of what saddle footings and poured in concrete are, we hope you feel more prepared to get started on planning your pole building—contact us today to chat about your vision for your dream building!