Building a pole barn home might be the right solution for those looking for a versatile home construction method that is both fast and affordable. Available in various sizes and fully customizable on the interior, pole barn homes are quickly growing in popularity.
Who Are You?
Originating in the 1930s, a pole barn became an essential part of a farmer’s equipment. The pole barn offered a solution to repurpose telephone poles to make a large and sturdy space relatively quickly and affordably. Today, pole barn kits are still used to store farm equipment safely but can also be used to house livestock or even transformed into residential homes. Pole barn homes are for anyone living in any part of the country. Whether you are a single person who needs a small dwelling, or a large family with multiple children, a pole barn home could be right for you.
What Materials to Use?
Pole barn houses are extremely popular because they can be custom created to suit a range of styles, shapes, and sizes. Typically, builders can select between three types of pole barn houses.
Metal Pole Barn House
For those looking to build a pole barn home made with solid and durable materials, a metal pole barn house might be the right solution. This house uses a metal frame connected to a concrete slab base. Trusses, walls, and roofs are also usually made of metal. Because so much material in a metal pole barn house is fabricated off site, these houses are faster to build than wooden pole barns and usually cost less. You might see metal pole barn homes referred to as Barndominiums.
Post and Beam Pole Barn House
The main construction uses large wooden beams that lock together in a post and beam style pole barn house. The structural beams work to transfer the weight of the structure to the home’s foundation. Because most of the weight is shifted to the outside beams, there really isn’t a need for supportive interior walls, allowing for ample and open space. The trusses and beams are usually left open, which displays the beautiful wood as part of the home’s decor.
Combination Pole Barn House
Building a pole barn home with natural wood and metal is also possible. Usually, the house’s main structure utilizes the wood post and beam building technique. Then, the exterior surfaces, like the walls and roof, are finished with durable and weather-resistant metal. The benefit of this style is that homeowners can enjoy the beautiful look of wood inside the home while using inexpensive prefabricated materials on the exterior that help speed up the building process.
Get A Free Quote!How Long Does It Take to Build?
A pole barn home can vary drastically in the time it takes to build. Small pole barn homes with limited interior space can be built in as little as three days. More elaborate homes with detailed interior spaces and upgraded materials could take up to three months to complete. Still, the construction process is much shorter than building a traditional home.
Home Building Cost Savings
Many people are attracted to a pole barn home because of the huge cost savings. While you can undoubtedly build a simple pole barn home for a fraction of the cost of a traditional home, the total cost is unbounded with a pole barn home. Upgrades and changes to the final plan can quickly raise the price, so it’s essential to keep your final scope in check.
Usually, a traditional stick-built home would cost between $150 and $200 per square foot for construction. Comparatively, a pole barn home will run around $30 per square foot. Consider, too, that individual aspects of pole barn construction are cheaper. Not only are materials prefabricated off site, but the total construction time is shorter, reducing labor costs.
Required Permits
Although pole barn homes are relatively easy to construct, you’ll still need the required permits to begin the process. First, ensure your land is zoned correctly to begin construction. The permits required will vary depending on where you live. Some parts of the country will always require a permit for any new structure. Other areas of the country only require a permit if the final structure is over a certain set square footage maximum. At the very least, be ready to provide answers to the municipality if they should come up with questions. You’ll want to be able to provide:
- Your address and deed to the land
- A blueprint or accurate description of your project
- A detailed description of where you would like to build the pole barn home
- Possible drawing of what the final home will look like
Remember that while a pole barn home may only need minimal permitting, you’ll need plenty of permitting for additional services like electrical power, gas lines, and a possible driveway to your new home.
Hansen Pole Barn Building Options
Pole barn homes, especially homes that are sold as part of a kit, usually have pre-determined sizing. Choosing the right size for your pole barn home is a crucial part of the building and design process. It’s challenging to picture exactly how much space a pole barn home provides, especially when you only have dimensions to consider. Below, let’s look at some standard pole barn home sizes.
- 30′ x 30′ – Building this size home is typically the smallest option, giving you 900 square feet. This size is perfect for a couple sharing the space and usually has enough room for one bedroom and bathroom. Many owners have enough room to add a small home office or dining area.
- 30′ x 40′ – Slightly larger, this size pole barn home can accommodate a small family. There is enough room in this 1,200-square-foot home to have two bedrooms and a bathroom. Adding a second story to this size home is also possible, providing even more space to spread out.
- 40′ x 60′ – Producing 2,400 square feet of living space, this size pole barn is the most popular. A 40′ x 60′ pole barn home leaves enough room for three bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as a kitchen, living area, dining room, and potential hobby room.
- 40′ x 100′ – One of the biggest options for a pole barn home, this size gives the most room to spread out. A pole barn home of this size can easily accommodate four or five bedrooms, plenty of bathrooms, a garage space, and even a multi-purpose room that can be used as a craft room or game room.
A pole barn home is a beautiful option for families because of its fast, affordable, and durable construction techniques. Pole barn homes come in various sizes and can be fully customized to suit individual tastes and styles.
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