Which is Better Among Metal Buildings and Pole Barns

Are you looking to buy a new pole barn for your farm? Wait… have you considered a steel pole barn. Don’t be alarmed; it is like a regular pole barn except for the fact that it is made up of steel. Metal barns cost less than wooden ones.

Now you may be thinking, “Should I go for steel instead of wood…but I like the texture & look of it?” Well, you would be surprised to know that a metal barn can be customized as per your need. So you can get a color resembling wood. Besides, there are a lot of disadvantages to a wooden pole barn; we have listed some of them for you.

The Pain Points Of Pole Barns That Have Plagued Farmers & Ranchers For Decades:

No Clear Span

• You can’t have a wood pole barn without a column, not at least for an oversized building.
• More posts indoors mean less square footage available to work with.

Demands More Maintenance

• This one is a brainer; wood requires a lot of upkeep for proper functioning.
• Even with top-notch care, you can’t prevent the decaying of wood. It is a natural process.
• Regular realignment & straightening of poles take away hundreds of dollars out of your pocket.

Rotting Columns, Posts & Panels

• Columns & posts which are made out of wood will degrade with time.
• These posts are buried in the ground hence, tend to absorb a lot of moisture.
• Regular replacement of panels & posts again will cost a lot.

Termites & Molds Love Wood

• Animals like termites make their home in the wood. They do that by eating it through.
• Part of the post near the ground or around the roof may soak in moisture after rain. Molds & mildew infestation are pretty common in moist places like these.
• Furthermore, wood destroying insects like bees, wasps, beetles, etc., can damage your pole barns.

Shifting Nails & Staples

• Over time, due to the absorption of water, wood tends to expand. This will loosen the nails that are meant to keep the frame intact.
• Staples for wood, too, will be loosened with constant expansion & contraction of wood.
• Overall, the whole structure will shift from its designated place. That does not sound good, right?

Structural Integrity is Debatable

• Wood comes in different pieces with varying inner strengths. No two wooden panels can be the same, as no two trees can be the same.
• For a large building like a barn, having a difference in raw materials is not a good sign.
• It may hurt the structural strength of the entire barn.

If You Are Wondering What The Advantages Of Buying A Steel Pole Barn Are, See For Yourself

Lower Maintenance Charges

Metal is not prone to a lot of issues like rotting or decaying. Hence, once installed, they will barely require any replacement.

The yearly upkeep cost is lower than a wooden pole barn. Waterproofing wood barns will be your yearly job; bear in mind that barns are larger structures. Steel Barn will need to repaint the coat once in a while every decade.

Longevity of the Barn

No compromise here; steel is the clear winner. Steel buildings can last for almost a century with just a little touch. Steel is known for its resilience & durability – an extremely robust material in our plant.

Non-combustible Raw Materials

A plus point of steel is – it has a very high melting point. So, they burn slower. Adding insulators will even stop a fire from spreading from one area to another.

Pest Proof Steel

Steel posts do not get affected by termites, fungi, insects, or molds. You can rest assured your steel pole barn is also safe from intruders. Animals can’t cut through a metal sheet to reach your livestock.

No Design Limitation

You will never see a huge wooden barn towering over multistoried buildings. The reason is simple. Wood has a lower strength-to-weight ratio than steel. On the other hand, you can get a prefabricated steel building with desired height, width & length.

Steel Pole Barns vs. Wood Pole Barns

*Due to metal structures having high melting points, you can get insurance premiums up to 40% less than wooden structures.

Do You Need To Get A Permit Or Follow Building Codes With A Metal Barn?

The short answer is – yes. Whether you are installing a wooden pole barn or a metal pole barn, you must get a permit pre-installation. Not doing so can lead to severe fines. You might be asked to remove the whole structure if it does not comply with the local building codes.

A metal barn has an edge over a traditional pole barn. The extra cost will pay for itself in the long run.

So, What Are You Waiting For?

Whether you want a complete column-free structure or you would like to customize your exterior color, Viking Steel Structures is here for you. We offer our services in every state of America. You can write to us or call us for a free quote. Don’t forget to mention your zip code.

We promise high-quality steel at Viking Steel Structures for long-lasting durability. So, what are you waiting for – call at 877-801-3263 & get your very own prefabricated steel building today. Our friendly customer support will be pleased to guide you.