Not All Buildings Are The Same
By Doug Hemm

To the casual passerby many equine buildings look the same. Granted some buildings are more decorative than others, but from the outside can you tell a pole barn from a steel building? It can be difficult. Last month we compared the differences of three distinctly different buildings, pole barns, K Buildings (www.kbuildings.com) and all-steel buildings. The article touched on the need to find a quality contractor to build a post frame or pole barn. So much of what the contractor decides during the build determines the quality of the final product. Choices on how to build the structure along with grades of lumber, fasteners and steel coverings are but a few of the decisions a contractor considers when bidding your project. Conversely, the quality of the K Building and all-steel buildings are determined in the factory during the design stage in the planning process. During manufacturing many of the decisions a pole barn builder must make are eliminated. There becomes only one way these buildings can be erected. In addition to the structural components and steel coverings material lists often include fasteners, overhead or sliding doors as well as windows and walk doors. The erection process is very precise and the quality is very consistent.

While many times it’s difficult to tell the difference between these buildings from the outside, step inside and the differences are obvious. The foundation, arguably the most critical element in any structure, is where the differences begin. Pole barn builders have many foundation options to consider. Do they concrete the posts in the ground? Do they use concrete piers and metal strapping? If treated posts are chosen, the builder must then consider how to protect the portion of the post buried in the ground from moisture. Countless products are on the market today to address this issue. Treated lumber by itself can withstand moisture damage for a period of time, however it’s not uncommon to have a costly repair to this critical component if moisture related issues are not addressed early.

K Buildings have three concrete foundation options concrete piers, monolithic slab or foundation walls. The intended use of the building often determines the type of foundation to use. Anchor bolts imbedded in the concrete foundation will secure the steel main frames to the foundation. Typically, concrete piers range from 18” to 24” wide and are poured in a cone like shape to the frost line.

Like the K Building, all steel buildings also utilize concrete pier, monolithic slab and poured wall foundations to anchor the structures. Due to the increased size of the bay spacing and the heavier point loads created the foundation can be quite complex. Always check with the building manufacturer for specific foundation requirements.

Other major differences include framing and bay spacing.

The framework or diaphragm of a pole building includes the roof trusses, sidewall poles and wind bracing. All of these elements must work in harmony to provide the necessary resistance to wind and snow. How these elements work together is ultimately up to the builder. Cross bracing, corner bracing and the steel covering itself often complete the diaphragm that can successfully withstand these elements. Metal fasteners connecting these components are another critical link to this system. Failure to achieve this diaphragm can result in structure whose parts work independent of one another rendering the structure unsound.

As is the case the K Building and many all steel buildings there is only one way the structures can be erected. These buildings will perform as designed because they are built as designed. Predetermined bolt connections in the mainframe and metal cross bracing in the K Building transfer the load successfully to the foundation. Steel buildings incorporate much the same techniques to achieve these desired results.

Bay spacing on a typical pole barn ranges from eight to ten feet. The standard K Building spacing is 15 feet while many steel structures offer bay spacing of 20, 25 or even 30 feet wide! Increased bay spacing provides large openings economically, greatly reduces the sidewall obstructions in riding arenas and provides endless design opportunities.

On the topic of wind bracing many pole barn builders will rely on the steel covering to help withstand the forces of wind on the structure. K Buildings and most steel buildings incorporate a completely different method to transfer the wind load. Bracing within the structure itself transfer the wind load removing the need for the siding to help carry the load. The end result is less fatigue to the steel siding thereby reducing the likelihood that leaks or loosening of the covering will develop.