Metal Building vs Pole Barn: What’s The Difference Between a Metal Building and a Pole Barn?
/ May 16, 2024/ Steel Building FAQs
In a few words, a frame of Pole Barn is made completely from wood with exterior metal panels, while a Metal Building is made from steel framing and metal exterior panels. There are several factors to consider when deciding what option to choose for your residential, commercial, industrial, or farm property.
People who opt for a pole barn often do so to save on budget. Pole Barn construction needs low rib lighter gauge exterior meal panels, flat trims and poles that go into the ground. That makes materials for that type of construction typically cheaper to purchase compared to a Steel Building that has concrete piles or a foundation.
However, you get what you pay for. It’s a fact that a Pole Barn wears, tears and breaks down much quicker than a Steel Building. Not to mention, wood also expands and contracts while metal does not.
Steel Building gives you a longer lifespan, higher quality heavy gauge metal panels, an open interior below the roof, and better structural support. A Metal Barn also provides more interior clearance and adds a feeling of openness. Plus, you have more options to customize your Steel Building, according to your taste and requirements. See below a few more things to consider:
Steel Building gives you a longer lifespan, higher quality heavy gauge metal panels, an open interior below the roof, and better structural support. A Metal Barn also provides more interior clearance and adds a feeling of openness. Plus, you have more options to customize your Steel Building, according to your taste and requirements. See below a few more things to consider:
Roofing
What’s the purpose of your Steel Building? Are you planning to store a large RV, boat, or tall equipment? Do you need extra space on the second floor? Metal Buildings have several roofing options. You can determine the height based on your specific needs. Whereas Pole Barns don’t give you as much control over roofing design. Usually, you may have a 4:12 Roof Pitch. The structural support only allows for a specific height with headroom limited to the bottom of the wood rafter.
Materials
When choosing a Steel Building, you can decide what type of support and siding best fits your requirements. Depending on the geographic location, you may need to account for weather conditions, such as high winds, heavy snow, or large hail. In case of Pole Barns, to be safe with unpredicted weather or harsh climates, you would have to increase the truss spacing, which limits you to a certain width. Pole Barn cannot span to adjust for wider widths. They can only withstand so much when it comes to environmental conditions.
Construction
The construction process is also very different. Steel Buildings are usually much easier to erect. Our pre-welded or pre-fabricated metal kits are ready for quick and easy-to-understand construction. These metal building kits eliminate all of the difficulties of defining the required materials and long construction times.
Whereas Pole Barns require a lot of wood to build supports, siding, roofing, and interior features. Plus, you will need lots of screws, anchors, and other parts and pieces for assembly.
Are you considering purchasing a pre-engineered metal building for residential, agricultural, commercial, or industrial use? Contact us!