Home and Family Author: Marc Buldger - Featured Editorial

One of the many styles of prefabricated kits available are pole barn kits. This style of of construction is popular because it is probably the cheapest enclosed building one can construct on a per square foot basis. A quick check on the prices of pole barn kits online reveals that a complete kits are available for under $10 per square foot.

In addition to the low initial cost of the kit, the actual cost to erect the structure is significantly less than than other building types such as prefab metal buildings of a similar size. Pre-engineered structures such as prefab steel buildings require extensive reinforced concrete foundation systems, whereas pole structures require no conventional foundations; all that is needed is drilled holes at the pier locations.

It has become popular in recent decades to convert agricultural buildings such as barns into housing. While the pole barn can be converted into living space, there are a number of factors that need to be considered. If the barn is existing, it will need to be heavily modified. The first step in the process would be to hire a building designer or architect to plan the actual spaces within the building footprint, as well as document the necessary structural changes needed to meet the local building codes.

One of the biggest challenges in utilizing pole construction for finished conditioned is providing adequate insulation. Because pole barn buildings are not initially not designed to be a draft-free building, and often these buildings are constructed with just a dirt or gravel floor. Ensuring that the building is adequately insulated and protected from air infiltration is one of the larger challenges of converting a pole barn. The preferred insulation method is sprayed polyurethane foam insulation.

Although pricey, spray foam insulation has many desirable attributes. The R-value or the insulating property per inch is much greater that of either fiberglass blanket (bats). The primary advantage, however is that in addition to the insulating properties of expanded polyurethane, spray foam does a great job of sealing off air leaks or infiltration. The cost of spray foam is pricey, but the payback is good both in terms of fuel savings and increased comfort.

If you are building a pole barn from scratch, a pole barn kit can be a good starting-off point. By hiring a knowledgeable building designer at the beginning of the process, the kit design and plans can be modified so that they meet all building codes. In addition to designing the overall room layout and visual features of the home, the revised building plans should address the adequacy of the structure and foundation. This will include analyzing the building for loads such as roof snow loads, and lateral loads such as wind and seismic that are specific to the proposed building location.

Building a pole barn house can be a good choice providing adequate research is performed prior to making a final decision. Before purchasing a pole barn kit with the intent on later converting the structure into a living area, make sure a building designer or architect is involved in the process from the beginning. Lastly, compare the cost of pole barn construction to that of timber frame for the same rustic look.

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