The Materials You Need Before You Start Building a Pole Barn

Building a pole barn is both a rewarding and, at times, stressful investment. It’s a big project and investment for most homeowners that can’t be easily undone, so you want to make sure that you’re getting exactly what you want out of it before construction begins, whether that be a cozy portable home for your animals or a shelter to protect your machines against harsh weather conditions.

Bestway Portable Buildings makes sure that your pole barn makes life easier by building with the best materials to suit your personal goals.

What Is a Pole Barn?

A pole barn is a farm building with an interior wood frame and exterior metal panels. Instead of a traditional foundation, a pole barn has drilled posts or poles that go into the ground for support. These can work even if the ground isn’t exactly level. You can still pour a foundation into the building to guarantee additional support and avoid uplift, but unlike other buildings, it can also stand without one.

If you want a cost-effective building plan with high ceilings and wide-open spaces for your next construction project, a pole barn is an optimal choice to consider.

What Materials Are Used to Build a Pole Barn?

When building a pole barn, you can choose from a diverse array of materials, many of which possess specific properties that make them ideal for different use cases. It’s best to consider your options ahead of time so your choice enhances the function you want your building to serve.

Posts

A fundamental first step in planning your pole barn is deciding the type of post you want to hold up your pole building framing. Posts can either be buried in the ground or into a concrete foundation. You can usually choose between three kinds of materials: wood, laminated columns or concrete.

Wood is at risk of rotting and warping. Going laminated would be a good choice if you want to stick to something akin to wooden posts with greater durability and longevity. Laminated columns are two layers of wood laminated mechanically with nails. Since it’s been permeated with wood preservatives, they’re protected against rotting, bending and termites.

However, concrete is generally the best choice for a frame foundation that is durable and long-lasting. They will never rot and are longer lasting compared to other materials. It can handle the worst weather Florida can throw at it without worry. 

Flooring

Constructing your pole barn with the appropriate type of flooring will ensure it excels at its intended function.

Dirt

The most cost-friendly option, sticking with dirt doesn’t require any extra flooring cost. Some people start with a dirt floor and then install a different type of flooring later. Just keep in mind dirt is weak against Florida weather since wind, rain and moisture can erode dirt. It can also harbor pests and may make cleaning inside your pole barn more difficult.

Concrete

Concrete flooring is ideal for those looking to use their pole barn for either storage, agricultural barns, vehicle storage or in-between livestock stalls. It will give your building a level and durable floor that minimizes moisture, dust and debris, making it a good flooring choice for southern weather. It’s also extremely easy to clean and maintain.

Mat

Livestock mat flooring is, as the name implies, the best choice to guarantee your animals feel warm, comfortable and productive. If you’re having a pole barn built specifically for animals, mat is often a great way to go.

Stone

If you want to house and move heavy-duty equipment, stone flooring will give your pole barn the strength and resilience required.

Gravel

Gravel is a more cost-effective option for storage if stone flooring is not in your budget. While it isn’t as durable as stone, gravel flooring reduces moisture and mitigates dirt erosion. It will, however, require future reapplications to maintain a level floor.

Insulation

Fiberglass is a popular insulation material for a reason. It's lightweight and affordable, traps and slows the spread of heat throughout the space and is better at sustaining the pole barn’s temperature for longer. Whether insulation matters for your pole barn is highly dependent on how you use it. If it’s just a place to store heavy equipment and isn’t used as a workshop or animal storage, insulation likely doesn’t matter.

An alternative to fiberglass is to use foam, either spray foam or foam boards, which are more durable and water-resistant than fiberglass. They are, however, more expensive. Foam boards in particular don’t insulate as well comparatively.

Roof

Finally, there’s broad consensus that corrugated metal roofing is the optimal roofing material for pole barns. It can withstand high heat without metal expansion and stands up well to rain, hail and wind, which is especially important in Florida. Corrugated metal roofing can also prevent pests and rotting, ensuring your pole barn stays in pristine condition for decades.

Build a Pole Barn with Bestway Portable Buildings Inc.

At Bestway Portable Buildings, we will go above and beyond to deliver a pole barn of the highest caliber with the best materials and craftsmen around. Learn why thousands of past customers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama have used our services for pole barn construction. Request a free quote on your building plan online or call (850) 747-8974.