Pole building or metal building

[Mattyboy93]

Looking to spend this stimulus check pole building or metal building is what’s holding me up..

I’ve noticed metal buildings are a bit cheaper than a traditional pole building..

What are perks of one over the other?

Is one better than the other?

Are these metal buildings advertised sturdy?

 

[nybirdman]

I would think a pole barn would be longer lasting.The metal buildings I have seen just sit on top of the ground.Both will have some condensation problems,depending on your climate.I have about $13,000 in a 24x32x12 ft.pole barn.Single 12x10 over head door with opener,four windows and man door;no concrete.

 

[BoylermanCT]

Metal buildings usually require more foundation work. The metal posts have to be bolted down to concrete block poured / buried in the ground. Pole barns have wooden posts in a hole back filled with dirt. I looked at both and am building a 30x40x12 pole barn this Spring. Dug the holes in December before the ground froze and now am waiting for the holes to dry out. They have 1-2 feet of water in them from Spring rain and snow (5 inches last night). Paid $13K for all materials including metal siding and roofing with 2 9x10 overhead doors.

 

[MickeyDBC]

It really depends what you are going to use the building for. If it is just for storage and your ground is pretty stable a pole building is fine. With a metal building the slab is part of the strength of the building (all of the uprights are bolted on) so it really needs to be done right. I am in the middle of building a 40x100x16 with a 4/12 pitch roof and 4 roll up doors. Slab took 12K pounds of rebar and 130 yards of concrete and cost right at 40K, the building kit was $25,500 plus tax and then I added an additional 12x12 roll up door for another $700. Foam board insulation and some windows is going to add another $4500. Then add electrical and a little plumbing down the road. I think a good metal building on a good slab should last indefinitely, pole barns around here all seem to suffer from rot/termites sooner than you would expect.

 

[redheelerdog]

I built a Chief Steel Building a year and a half ago: Chief Buildings | Trusted. Tested. True.

30x60x16 4/12 pitch like Mickey

It's awesome and I love it.

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Steel is strong as steel.

 

[bridge4]

Metal buildings usually require more foundation work. The metal posts have to be bolted down to concrete block poured / buried in the ground. Pole barns have wooden posts in a hole back filled with dirt. I looked at both and am building a 30x40x12 pole barn this Spring. Dug the holes in December before the ground froze and now am waiting for the holes to dry out. They have 1-2 feet of water in them from Spring rain and snow (5 inches last night). Paid $13K for all materials including metal siding and roofing with 2 9x10 overhead doors.

I am in MA and thinking about this process, what company did you use if you don't mind me asking.

 

[Buppies]

We chose a Morton building in 2007 30 by 40 still happy with our choice

 

[fried1765]

I am in MA and thinking about this process, what company did you use if you don't mind me asking.

There is a Morton Buildings office close to you, in Westfield, Ma. (413-562-7028)
I have a 36x48x14 Morton (on Cape Cod) that is now 39 years old.
I love it!
Morton ain't the cheapest, but is VERY high quality.
Wonderful people to deal with!

 

[bridge4]

There is a Morton Buildings office close to you, in Westfield, Ma. (413-562-7028)
I have a 36x48x14 Morton (on Cape Cod) that is now 39 years old.
I love it!
Morton ain't the cheapest, but is VERY high quality.
Wonderful people to deal with!

Thank you!

 

[BoylermanCT]

I am in MA and thinking about this process, what company did you use if you don't mind me asking.

I am building it myself. I bought the plans and materials kit from DIYPoleBarns.com out of Ohio. They ship you everything you need, all wood, posts, metal, trusses, nails, screws, concrete pads, doors, tracks etc.

 

[bridge4]

I am building it myself. I bought the plans and materials kit from DIYPoleBarns.com out of Ohio. They ship you everything you need, all wood, posts, metal, trusses, nails, screws, concrete pads, doors, tracks etc.

Besides regular tools, I'm guessing a lift and a post hole digger are needed? Trying to thing if this is something I could do, or at least do most of myself.

 

[fried1765]

Besides regular tools, I'm guessing a lift and a post hole digger are needed? Trying to thing if this is something I could do, or at least do most of myself.

If you do order a materials kit for a do it yourself job, be very careful about the material thickness.
I believe that Morton Buildings uses 19ga. sheet steel, which I doubt that any others do.
A cost item for sure, but most importantly, a VALUE item.

 

[sequoyah101]

Build it with steel, build it to last.

I have both. The pole building has a warmer feel to it.

Pole: Good: Warmer feel, if it burns it all goes which is good, easy to add things, does not sweat as much in damp climates Less good: just not as durable as steel, less airy you don't get the big cathedral effect, eventual rot, a tornado will pull the poles out of the ground unless you put a footer on them, set 5' deep and concrete then the barn will blow down but not pull out

Steel: Good: Clear span and lots of loft space possible, durable Less good: Require an expensive foundation at the start unless you build like I do with pipe columns, sweat, not as warm feeling, harder to make additions unless you weld

Whatever you do INSULATE THE ROOF even if it is an open side building and even if you just use foil and thin foam. Unless you live in a desert it the tin will sweat and it may even rain in your building.

I build with steel. When I'm done it is going to stay there. I just like it better though I do like post and beam for the aesthetics.

It will take more than your stimulus check to build a decent building.

 

[bridge4]

I have a rep from Morton coming out tomorrow morning. I want to hear what they have to say and get a solid figure on what I am looking for. Then I can shop around a little and decide if the premium they offer is worth it. .

 

[fried1765]

I have a rep from Morton coming out tomorrow morning. I want to hear what they have to say and get a solid figure on what I am looking for. Then I can shop around a little and decide if the premium they offer is worth it. .

You may not agree, but for ME, the Morton price/value most certainly has been worth it.
39 years and counting, without a single issue, and I am a perfectionist!
You can likely buy a cheaper building than a Morton, but you cannot buy a better building!
If you haven't done so already: Check out the Morton website.

 

[bridge4]

You may not agree, but for ME, the Morton price/value most certainly has been worth it.
39 years and counting, without a single issue, and I am a perfectionist!
You can likely buy a cheaper building than a Morton, but you cannot buy a better building!
If you haven't done so already: Check out the Morton website.

That's what I keep hearing and seeing. I like what I see on their website and their rep has been very responsive. They are my number 1, I just want to get some better figures so I can make sure I'm 100% prepared and aware of what they are delivering and what I need to do.

 

[747driver]

I am a happy Morton building customer as well. Built 18 months ago, 30x50x16. 1 14x14 rollup and 1 12x12 rollup and 1 36" service door. No windows, 3 roof skylights, 32" osb protective interior wall liner, 12" vented eave overhangs and vented roof ridge. Just the building and doors was $38,000. Concrete was $4,000 and underground electric was $4,000. You have to compare apples to apples in regards to what materials are being used when getting estimates. Morton uses 19 gauge steel for roof and siding. 50 year transferable warranty, all lumber is #1 SYP. They make all their own laminated post and trusses. They don't put wood post in the ground anymore. They have there own 'Perma column' concrete footings that the post attach to. They provide a construction material dumpster, porta potty, all there workers are employed by Morton . It took them 6 days ( 2 guys ) to build the barn. I would inspect each day after they left and then if i had issues they would fix the next day. They are a first class builder. Good Luck !

 

[BoylermanCT]

Besides regular tools, I'm guessing a lift and a post hole digger are needed? Trying to thing if this is something I could do, or at least do most of myself.

I don't think you could do it by yourself as a one man operation, but with 2 or 3 yes. Holes can be dug with a skid steer with hydraulic auger or excavator. I don't think a tractor with 3 point auger is going to dig 20" holes 4' deep, not in New England soil. I had mine dug with a 70,000 excavator. One scoop per hole. I have a friend at church who has a telehandler and we will use it to put the trusses in place. I have seen Youtube videos of it being done with manpower only, but my trusses are 34' long and the walls are 12' high. I would rent a lift to get the job done in a couple of hours. I do plan on having a work party with 10-12 people on truss day as many hands make light work. Guys at the firehouse and at church have all asked if they can help.

 

[BoylermanCT]

I have a rep from Morton coming out tomorrow morning. I want to hear what they have to say and get a solid figure on what I am looking for. Then I can shop around a little and decide if the premium they offer is worth it. .

I'd be interested in your quote. I had a Hansen builder quote me $35K for my 30x40x12 barn.

 

[BoylermanCT]

Double Post.