Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Pole Barn vs Steel Bldg

I know this is somewhat off the topic of this forum, but I figured that there may be many with relevent experience here.

I have a need for about 30'x40' "barn", to store hay and feed, park my tractor(when I get one), four wheeler, tools etc.

I was sure that I was going to buy one of the Metal Depot pre-fab buildings, but the price went from $6200 with all bells and whistles at the beginning of the year, to $8000 now for the bare bones model. I would end up paying more than I can spend, and have something I am not happy with.

What are the pros and cons of wooden poll barns? I am worried about termites, flamability, wind resistance, and durability in general. Any ideas about cost/sq ft?

I appreciate any feedback.

ER

steel went through the roof. just nails almost doubled. you can get some real nice pole barn packages. termites won't mess with treated posts. fire thats diff story. i doubt you'll have to worry about out lasting it , unless you get a hurricane

Ed

Both structures are covered with the same amount of steel (tin)and with a pole barn you may have to factor in more labor, so it might be a wash as far as price is concerned.

Don Stuart

I went with the pole building because I could have it completely built without lifting a finger for about the same price of buying the kit for a steel building and doing it myself. This was a couple years ago when steel was cheap so the pole building may be a lot cheaper than steel framing now. Just get quotes both ways. My building is 40x60 13 feet tall and it cost about $22,000 3 years or so ago with a 5" concrete slab and floor drain. All I had to do was the landscaping around it.

There's a company here in the Shreveport area that will erect a 40' x 60' pole barn on a 4" slab for $23K...includes a regular door and one roll up garage style with an outside apron...if you're interested I'll send you the company name...don't know if they work outside the local area though...

Torchy

For what it is worth - I'll toss in my vote.

I built a 9000 square foot pole barn 9 years ago. Back when it was not the thing to do in the minds of most city folk - unless you were "stacking cattle" on your farm. The building is still like new and it has ridden out a hurricane and many stronger local storms. Bugs are no problem with the new coatings and the floating slab construction is a plus when pouring large areas.

In the current day events - I just had the foundation pad put in for a new pole building that will have an apartment attached to it. With the porches (pole builders call them sheds for some reason) the apartment is 70'W 60'L - 10' walls and then there is a 20' breezeway behind the apartment and then the horse barn / super bar and night club - continues on another 190'.... We kicked the barn walls up to 16' but narrowed the width to 50'.

Now for the part that I like - it comes with 4 large slider doors - man doors - all metal wrapped eves and soffits - scissor trusses - wall and roof insulation - 5000 square feet+ of poured concrete - plumbing for wash bays extra showers in the tack rooms etc..... for less than 85 grand.... The apartment is blacked in only but wall to wall windows and upgraded wood entry doors are in the deal....

Poles are not the same treated crap like years past - and the building goes up quick enough. And to repeat myself a bit - the floating slab is a plus in my book. You pour it after the building is up - and the bottom boards used to attach the metal are capped to become the form boards for the pour.

Maybe the steel guys are right when they say that the wood structure won't last as long compared to steel - but with a 75 year warranty on rot???....

I won't care too much about the structure - hell the metal color will probably fade to a puke color way before I worry about wood problems....

ps = my Dad has a barn on his ranch - all wood and no chemical treatment - old fashioned creosote poles - and a hundred mind killing paint jobs....

It is still a strong building - but it has only been up since 1934

good luck - and sorry if it sounds like preaching.... still have a hangover but heading out to the cool day here in Texas to prepare for the next happy hour....

kemts

Just last week had a 40X64X14 pole barn built. With three overhead doors and alot of windows, I paid 25K. Steel is out of site and still going. I would go with a pole building. If you are in central Ohio, I would go with Ohio Pole Barn. A great small company with very good craftmen.

Pole barn it is. Y'all put my mind at ease. Thanks again. Rancho, sounds like you are having a blast!