The difference is in the poles, believe it or not. Steel pole barns are made from metal. Wood pole is made from logs.
A barn made with steel pole supports.
A pole barn relies on all the strength of the poles is built on. A pole barn relies less on the strength of its walls. A regular barn relies less on the strength of its poles and more on the strength of its walls.
Steel pole barns provide a strong, versatile storage or workplace. You will need a flat concrete foundation to support your pole barn.
First, let's start with a definition. What is a steel pole barn? It's a barn building that is built using steel poles. The difference between building a barn with steel poles and the traditional wooden poles are simple: cost effective, superior quality, and long-lasting. Steel pole barns don't rot as quickly as steel is non organic. Steel poles don't warp, crack, split, expand in wet weather or contract in dry weather, so they are dimensionally stable, giving the barn's structure more stability over time. Steel is also stronger, which allows larger open spaces without the structural risks of pole barns. Before you build a steel pole barn, you'll need to decide a few things: What is your steel pole barn's purpose? If your barn is for storage, or for livestock, or for a maintenance shed, you'll need the features and layout that fit the barn's intended purpose. Where will it be located and how big will it be? While the available space may determine the size of your steel pole barn, if you have relatively unlimited space, you'll want to be sure your barn can withstand the weather where you construct it and avoid steep grades. Who will build the foundation? If your barn needs a flat concrete foundation, that foundation may have to be dug out, sanded, poured and leveled, and you'll want to work with a general contractor who is known to be reliable to ensure that your barn's foundation can last as long as the barn itself. Steel pole barns are also quick and easy to construct. A wide number of steel pole barn plans are available on the Internet and while many of them look like they were drawn by architects, they really aren't confusing once you spend a little time with them. Look for a plan that includes the supply list, so you have a better idea of what supplies and materials to buy and you can budget and track your expenses. Some steel pole barns are sold as kits, which include the supplies to build it, the instructions and often online support for the do-it-yourselfer.
One of the most popular manufacturers of steel bulding and steel pole barns is Morton Buildings, website www.mortonbuildings.com. They have a large variety of styles, features and prices. www.mortonbuildings.com has them
Materials on a steel pole barn usually run along the price range of $5.00 per square foot without concrete. Since steel poles eventually rot, you will have to spend some money to get them replaced regularly. If you do consider concrete, the prices can range from $9.00 to $33.00 per square foot. Apply this to the dimensions of your barn and you can estimate the cost.
There are many places that offer prefab pole barn and home designs. You can try plans.com, or a good person that I have used a number of times for plans of sheds, homes, and greenhouses can be reached at ASRDesigns2000@yahoo.com.
You can find complete pole barn, kits, instructions, and advise @ abcopolebarns.com.
A great place to learn about what you should or shouldnt spend on steel pole barns is Buyerzone.com. They also have an option to get free quotes from many different suppliers. The address for the pole barn section is http://www.buyerzone.com/industrial/steel_buildings/kws-pole-barns.html
A pole barn is a house built primarily using poles as its frame and structure.
Bcibarns.com sells pole barns in Texas. If you get a pole barn kit, you'll have a lot of options to choose from.
A pole barn has a very basic structure. Poles (or posts) usually of wood are sunk into the ground and made level. Essentially, a roof is then affixed to the top. Walls are optional.They are common on farms to store livestock, food and machinery.A regular barn will not usually have posts throughout the middle, but will rely on the strength of the walls to keep it upright.