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Archive for January 10th, 2011

Prefabricated Steel Buildings, Worthwhile Replacements for Pole Barns

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Pole barns have previously dominated the American agricultural scene. Today, however, farmers have shifted their attention to prefabricated steel buildings because of the many benefits they offer that are unmatched by pole barns.

The popularity of pole barns was mainly due to their low cost and availability. During their heyday, pole barns were the cheapest way to build an agricultural building, aside from the fact that they were the only material available.

Aside from their durability, steel buildings offer economical solutions, which can accommodate any farmer’s construction needs, like barns and other storage buildings. The onset of prefabricated steel buildings made farmers realize that they have a better choice and that their days of putting up with the many disadvantages of pole barns, have ended.

Firstly, since pole barns are typically made with pressure treated wood, they are not resistant to molding, shrinking, warping, and rotting. In addition, the poles of a pole barn are directly planted on the ground, making the whole structure highly susceptible to heaving during floods and heavy snow. For these reasons, pole barns are not recommended for use as permanent structures.

On the other hand, the high quality steel used in prefabricated steel buildings is the strongest construction material. Steel is highly resistant to warping, molding, shrinking and rotting. During construction, the steel framing of steel buildings are bolted to a concrete foundation, making these structures sturdier and more resistant to flooding and frost than pole barns.

Steel buildings will remain straight and true despite the onslaught of extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, heavy snow, high winds, tornados, and even earthquakes.
These metal structures are certified to meet local climactic conditions and building codes.

(to be continued)