Posted on October 4, 2017 by Heritage
Steel pole barns and steel barns are often confused for the same type of building. However, there are differences that you need to be aware of prior to making a purchase.
A steel pole barn building is erected with wood beam framing buried into the ground with a small amount of concrete cast around them. The wood beam poles act as the main vertical support and structure for the walls and roof. The walls and roof of pole barns are made of wood or metal/tin. Typical steel pole barns are built with dirt floors and not on a concrete slab.
A steel barn building uses structural steel. A steel barn is comprised of steel columns that attach to steel beams. These frames are connected by girts and purlins. Metal panels are attached with self-drilling screws to complete the steel barn building. Steel columns of a steel barn are secured to a concrete foundation.
Steel buildings have stronger weather resistant properties and can withstand harsh conditions such as strong winds, thunderstorms, heavy snow and extreme temperatures as opposed to wood that succumbs to similar conditions. Steel buildings are also mold and termite resistant whereas wood is easily damaged by rain and can be destroyed by pests such as carpenter ants and termites. Lastly, a steel building will last significantly longer requiring little to no maintenance over the life of the building while wood decays, rots, breaks and needs replacing. Overall steel barn buildings save you money on energy, insurance, replacement and maintenance costs
Heritage can help you with your next steel barn project, however we do not work with steel pole barns. Let Heritage provide you with a durable steel barn building for all your agricultural needs. Learn more about steel barn buildings by contacting a project consultant.