Pole buildings

Pole framing, commonly known as post-frame construction, is a simplistic building design that is based around structural members known as posts. The posts provide a strong frame for the shell of the building and replace the studs commonly used in traditional framing construction. The exterior walls are directly attached to the outer edge of the posts and the roof is attached via a truss system.

History

The pole building design was pioneered in the 1930's originally using rounded utility poles for horse barns and agricultural buildings. Modern advancement has taken pole construction to post-frame construction using laminated columns or square posts. This led to strikingly more advanced design and efficiency compared to the original utility pole design. Today almost any low-rise structure can be quickly built using the post-frame construction. [ [http://www.nfba.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3608 National Frame Builders Association] ]

Walls

The walls of a pole building are normally built with 6×8 or 6×6 pressure treated posts. For a standard snow load of 40 to 50 pounds the posts are spaced evenly from 8' to 12' apart down both sidewalls. Posts on the endwalls are normally spaced to allow for doors and provide framing for the walls. The walls are connected together using a girt system of 2×6 dimensional lumber normally spaced 24" apart up the outside of the posts connecting them together. Other girt systems include framing in between the posts rather than on the outer side of the posts. [ [http://www.qsbinc.com/what.is.a.pole.building.php Quality Steel Buildings, Inc. - What is a pole building?] ]

Siding materials for a pole building are most commonly rolled rib 29 gauge colored metal cut to length in 32" or 36" widths attached using color matched screws with rubber washers to seal the holes. However, any standard siding can be used, including T1-11, vinyl, lap siding, cedar, and even brick. Using sidings other than metal will require first installing sheeting like CDX, OSB or Plywood.

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