How Sturdy Is a Metal Barn Compared to a Pole Barn?

metal barn

In 2021 it was reported that the structural steel market was worth roughly $206.8 billion. One popular building within the steel market is a metal barn, but one question that many people have is how sturdy is a metal barn compared to a pole barn.

If you are considering getting a barn, then it’s important to know what materials to use. After all, the last thing you want to do is have a barn built and then realize that it isn’t sturdy enough.

Two common types of barns are steel barns and pole barns, but many people aren’t sure which one is better to use.

At the Steel Building Zone, we have covered what you need to know about both a steel frame barn and a pole barn.

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So if you would like to learn about metal barns and pole barns, as well as which one is more sturdy, then keep reading.

What Is a Metal Barn?

Before we get into the key differences between metal barns and pole barns, let’s first go over what you can expect when building a metal barn. We have covered more on this below.

A metal barn is a barn made of steel that is used to provide internal structural support and external cladding. This type of barn is made from steel columns that are attached to steel rafter beams to create a single frame.

The steel frames then attach to the foundation around every 20 feet; however, the distance can vary depending on the size of the barn. Metal barns are also flexible in size, and they can cover a large surface area.

Of course, metal barns are also incredibly sturdy, and they can provide great support and shelter from weather conditions.

Benefits of Metal Barns:

Strong
Durable
Quick to assemble
Flexibility
Sustainable

What Is a Pole Barn?

Pole barns are seen as a more traditional type of barn which is why they a lot of barns that were built over the years were pole barns. A pole barn is simple in design; it uses wooden poles to support the exterior walls and roofing.

These poles are built into the ground and provide vertical support. The materials to build a pole barn are very easily accessible, which is one of the reasons why they have been so popular over the years.

The wooden poles also provide a lot of strength, and they are durable. Just like metal barns, pole barns can be built to different heights and sizes depending on how big the barn needs to be.

Benefits of Pole Barns:

Sturdy
Cost-effective
Easy and quick to assemble
Foundation is simple
Good insulation

Metal Barns vs Pole Barns

It is worth knowing that there are quite a few differences between both these barns. Each of these barns has its own advantages and disadvantages, and people choose each barn for different reasons depending on what their needs are.

We have broken compared the main differences and similarities between each of these barns below.

1. Sturdiness

One of the biggest factors to look at is the sturdiness of these barns. While pole barns do require a lot of strength and durability, metal barns are more sturdy.

This is because steel is simply a sturdier, more adaptable material, and metal barns are built into the ground with a stronger foundation. They are also not very likely to become damaged or fall over in strong weather conditions, unlike pole barns.

2. Cost

While both of these barns are fairly inexpensive, pole barns are less expensive than metal barns. This is because pole barns only require wooden beams, which are typically quite inexpensive to purchase.

On the other hand, metal barns require steel beams and steel roofing which is typically more expensive to buy.

Insuring a metal barn is also cheaper than insuring a pole barn because it is less likely to get damaged or need replacing.

3. Materials

Both of these barns can be assembled within a reasonably short period of time; however, a pole barn is easier to assemble. This is because the materials that are used to build a pole barn can be gotten quite quickly, and they are easy to put together.

Also, metal barns usually have a concrete foundation which makes them more sturdy, but it takes time to create the foundation.

4. Lifespan

Pole barns are prone to termites and wood rotting, which makes them less sturdy than metal barns and shortens their lifespan. Pole barns are also a potential fire hazard which means that if there was ever an unexpected fire, the barn can be set alight very quickly.

With the overall wear and tear of a pole barn, they can last roughly 40-60 years. Whereas a metal barn can last anywhere from 50-100 years.

It is also worth noting that pole barns generally need a lot of maintenance just to last up to 40-60 years. This means that you can expect to pay a lot and have a lot of issues with them as they are beginning to decay.

Where to Get a Metal Barn?

Are you in need of a metal barn? If you are, then there are lots of options available for you to choose from, and getting a metal barn can be quick and inexpensive.

However, when getting a metal barn, it’s important that you use a service that is reputable and that you can trust. At the Steel Building Zone, we ensure that we only offer the best metal barns to our customers.

We also compare prices to ensure that you get the best deal. To learn more about the metal barns we have, simply get a quote today.