Pole building framing

{{short description|Construction method}} {{redirect-distinguish|Pole barn|Barn-pole paradox}} [[File:Post–frame building.webp|thumb|Post–frame building]] [[File:Barndominium 2.jpg|thumb|Post frame [[barndominium]] with [[Metal roof#Corrugated metal roof|corrugated metal roof]]]]

'''Pole framing''', '''pole building framing''', or '''post-frame construction'''<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |author=United States Department of Agriculture |title=The Encyclopedia of Wood |location=New York |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. |year=2011 |id=16-4 to 16-6 |isbn=978-163561032-1 }}</ref> is a simplified building technique that is an alternative to the labor-intensive traditional [[timber framing]] technique. It uses large poles or [[post (structural)|posts]] to provide the vertical structural support, along with [[girt]]s to provide the horizontal support.

The posts are secured in a variety of ways. They can be [[Post in ground|buried directly in the ground]], embedded in [[concrete]] footings, attached to metal brackets or precast concrete [[pier (architecture)|pier]]s set in the ground, or attached with wet-set anchors to a continuous poured concrete [[foundation (engineering)|foundation]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2 April 2026 |title=Pole Barn Foundations: Footings, Floors, and Foundation Options Explained |url=https://www.steelstructuresamerica.com/pole-barn-foundations/ |website=Steel Structures America |publisher= Steel Structures America Inc. |access-date=21 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Post Frame vs. Stick Frame Construction |url=https://wolfbarns.com/post-frame-vs-stick-frame/ |website=Wolf Barns & Supply |publisher= Wolf Barns & Supply, LLC |access-date=21 May 2026}}</ref> The structures thus built are sometimes called '''pole barns''' or '''pole buildings'''.

The method was developed and matured during the 1930s as [[agriculture|agricultural practices]] changed, including the shift toward engine-powered farm equipment and the demand for cheaper, larger barns and storage areas.

==History== Pole building design was pioneered in the 1930s in the United States originally using [[utility pole]]s for horse [[barn]]s and agricultural buildings. The depressed value of agricultural products in the 1920s, and 1930s and the emergence of large, [[corporate farming]] in the 1930s, created a demand for larger, cheaper agricultural buildings.<ref>{{cite book |last=Vlach |first=John Michael |title=Barns |location=New York |publisher=[[W. W. Norton & Company]] |year=2003 |pages=21–22 |isbn=978-039373086-9 }}</ref> As the practice took hold, rather than using utility poles, materials such as pole barn nails were developed specifically for this type of construction, making the process more affordable and reliable. Today, almost any low-rise structure can be quickly built using the post-frame construction method.<ref>[http://www.nfba.org National Frame Builders Association]</ref>

Pole barn construction was a quick and economical method of adding outbuildings on a farm as agriculture shifted to equipment-dependent and capital-intensive agriculture—necessitating shelter for tractors, harvesters, wagons and the like in much greater quantities and sizes. Around North America, many pole-built structures are still readily seen in rural and industrial areas.

==Construction== {{multiple image | align = right

| image2 = Post frame sheathing.webp|thumb|Post frame sheathing runs vertically compared to horizontally on stick framing | width2 = 150 | alt2 = Post frame sheathing runs vertically compared to horizontally on stick framing | link2 = https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Post_frame_sheathing.webp#/media/File:Post_frame_sheathing.webp | caption2 = Post frame sheathing runs vertically compared to horizontally on stick framing

| image3 = Post frame finished.webp | width3 = 150 | alt3 = Post frame with thin film solar on standing seam metal roof | caption3 = Post frame with [[metal roof#Thin-film solar on metal roofs|thin film solar on standing seam metal roof]]

| footer = }}

Poles, from which these buildings get their name, are natural shaped or round wooden timbers {{convert|4|to|12|in|abbr=out}} in diameter.<ref>"Pole." def. 3. Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pole>.</ref> The structural frame of a pole building is made of [[tree trunk]]s, [[utility pole]]s, [[engineered lumber]] or [[Wood preservation|chemically pressure-treated]] squared timbers which may be buried in the ground or anchored to a [[concrete slab]]. Generally the posts are evenly spaced {{convert|8|to|12|ft}} apart except to allow for doors. Buried posts have the benefit of providing lateral stability<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stalnaker |first1=Judith J. |first2=Ernest C. |last2=Harris |title=Structural design in wood |location=New York |publisher=[[Wiley_(publisher)#History|Van Nostrand Reinhold]] |year=1989 |page=319 |isbn=978-041210631-6 }}</ref> so no braces are needed. Buried posts may be [[Deep foundation#Driven foundations|driven]] into the ground or set in holes then filled with soil, crushed stone, or concrete.

Pole buildings do not require walls but may be open [[Shelter (building)|shelters]], such as for farm animals or equipment or for use as picnic shelters.

Enclosed pole buildings have exterior [[curtain wall (architecture)|curtain walls]] formed by girts fastened to the exterior of the posts at intervals about {{convert|2|ft}} on center that carry the [[siding (construction)|siding]] and any interior load. The walls may be designed as a [[shear wall]] to provide structural stability. Other girt systems include framing in between the posts rather than on the outer side of the posts.<ref>[http://www.qsbinc.com/what.is.a.pole.building.php Quality Steel Buildings, Inc. – What is a pole building?]</ref> Siding materials for a pole building are most commonly rolled-rib [[Sheet metal#Gauge|29-gauge]] [[enamel paint|enameled]] steel cut to length in {{convert|32|or|36|in|mm|0|adj=on}} widths attached using color-matched [[screw]]s with [[rubber]] [[washer (hardware)|washers]] to seal the holes. However, any standard siding can be used, including [[T1-11]], [[Vinyl siding|vinyl]], lap siding, cedar and even [[brick]]. Using sidings other than metal may require first installing sheathing, such as [[plywood]], [[oriented strand board]] or boards.

On two walls, usually the long walls, the [[dimensional lumber]] girts at the top of the walls are doubled, one on the inside and one on the outside of the posts, and usually through-bolted with large [[carriage bolt]]s to support the [[roof]] [[Structural load|load]]. The roof structure is frequently a [[truss roof]] supporting [[purlin]]s or [[lath]]s, or built using common [[rafter]]s. Wide buildings with common rafters need interior rows of posts. Sometimes rafters may be attached directly to the poles. The [[roof pitch]] of pole buildings is usually low and the roof form is usually [[gable]] or [[lean-to]]. [[Metal roof]]ing is commonly used as the roofing and siding material on pole buildings.

The floor may be soil, gravel, [[concrete slab]], or framed of wood.

==Modern developments== In modern developments the pole barns of the 1930s have become ''pole buildings'' for use as housing, commercial use, churches, picnic shelters or storage buildings. In the process more often than not, the poles have become posts of squared-off, pressure-treated timbers. These structures have the potential to replicate the functionality of other buildings, but they may be more affordable and require less time to construct. The most common use for pole buildings is storage buildings as it was on the farms, but today they may be for the storage of automobiles, boats, and RVs along with many other household items that would normally be found in a residential garage, or commercially as the surroundings for a light industry or small corporate offices with attached shops.<ref name=cbstructures>Pole Building Glossary. [http://www.cbstructuresinc.com/snippets/glossary/#P Terminology – Pole buildings] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327085755/http://www.cbstructuresinc.com/snippets/glossary/ |date=2010-03-27 }}, Retrieved 28 April 2010.</ref>

===Gallery of modern uses=== <gallery mode=packed> File:Farmers_Market_Building.jpg|Post-frame construction building File:Post frame garage connected to traditional frame house-3.jpg|Post frame garage connected to [[Framing (construction)|traditional frame]] house File:Post-frame shop-1.jpg|Post-frame shop File:Post-frame building.jpg|Post-frame building under construction </gallery>

==Further reading== * Kern, Barbara, and [[Ken Kern]]. ''The owner-built pole frame house''. New York: Scribner, 1981. Print. {{ISBN|978-0684167671}} * Merrilees, Doug, and Ralph Wolfe. ''Low-cost pole building construction''. paperback ed. Pownal, VT: Storey Communications, 1991. Print. * Seddon, Leigh W.. ''Practical pole building construction''. Charlotte, VT: Williamson, 1985. Print. * Burch, Monte. ''Monte Burch's Pole building projects: over 25 low-cost plans''. Pownal, Vt.: Storey Communications, 1993. Print.

==See also== * [[Barndominium]] * [[Shed]] * [[Metal building]] * [[Self-framing metal buildings]]

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons|Pole barns}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pole Buildings}} [[Category:Vernacular architecture]] [[Category:Timber framing]] [[Category:Barns]] [[Category:Building engineering]] [[Category:Structural system]]