Pole Building FAQs | Parker Buildings

It is a construction method that allows the structural posts to be placed vertically, with the wall framing to be installed horizontally. These posts can be installed in the ground or placed in a steel bracket in concrete and attach the post to the steel bracket. For the application of installing the posts in the ground, these posts must be pressure treated for in-ground use.

The pole building concept allows large clear span floor plans that allows entrance of wide machinery and equipment layout that are not hampered by interior building support.

The Pole Building design allows buildings to have taller height clearance which gives an advantage for off road and on the road vehicles, inside movement of tall products, stacking of large hay bales that are stacked several sections high, taller door ways to allow large hay bales access when entering the storage building, the use of tall pallet racking, and other products that require access and product placement.

When starting your building projects you should contact the city or county building department where the building will be located for required specifications.

Zoning will address the building in relation to the property lines, setbacks from the house, outbuildings, easements, septic system, the secondary septic area(s), well, wet and flood plain items.

Structural will address the roof, ground snow load, wind speed, and wind exposures (B, C, D).

Permit approval timetable varies by jurisdiction.

Depending on the type of plans your Building Department requires, Parker Buildings can provide standard plans or engineered-stamped plans with the building/kit materials.

It will vary depending on the size and the complexity of the project, keeping in mind the construction experience, and the allotted time of the person building the project.

Other factors to consider would be the amount of help to build the shell, equipment availability, weather, subcontractor’s schedule, and the interior work that is required to complete the building.

Yes. With the amount of pole barns that have been built since the 1970’s and provided construction plans from Parker Buildings, it is easier for the DIY person to build their own building. This allows individuals the opportunity to obtain the building they want by using the funds that are available.

Parker Buildings has pole barn experienced staff that can answer questions while you are building your project.

Customers are provided construction plans, a material list that labels the placement of each item in the building, and the building kit materials. This will make it easier to understand how to build your building’s structure.

Depending upon the design of the building, a large majority of the materials will be pre-cut, while you will need tools available to cut lumber, metal snips and metal shears to cut the metal trim and wall siding.

Pole barns do not require the traditional concrete foundation. The post can be pressure-treated and placed in the ground.

A second option is a concrete pier footing with a steel bracket to be used for the
wood post. This method will keep the bottom of the post above the ground.

Without the requirement of the concrete foundation, this will help to make the project more affordable and give flexibility for uneven ground conditions.

A concrete slab can be poured if desired.

Yes, you can start with our 3D Design Builder tool to help design your building structure’s appearance. By placing the drive-through door, walk-through door, windows, overhangs, and more. Once the design is created, your colors of choice can be added using the 3D Design Builder.

If you prefer, a Parker Buildings representative can personally walk you through your design choices and assist with defining your selections.

Pole buildings use vertical posts spaced apart to support the roof structure, which can create large openings in the walls of the structure.

Stick-built structures will require either a concrete slab or a concrete stem wall foundation to support the stud wall framing. All wide doorways will require GLB for headers. The wall framing will allow trusses at 24” o.c. (this may vary) and wood type sheathing is placed on the trusses to support the roofing material.

There is an economic benefit when using the pole barn method, whether you use pressure-treated posts or non-pressure-treated posts that would be placed on a concrete pier pad with a steel bracket, because a concrete slab is not required. Or the concrete slab can be placed later.

Pole buildings have a very long lifespan. Since the time they were recognized as a durable, economic structure in the 1920s and 1930s, pole buildings have been used. In the Oregon area, the Peter French Round Barn, built in approximately 1884, is a great example of a pole building lasting the elements of time.

Along with the durability of the sub structure, these buildings can have metal siding, house type siding, several windows and doors, metal roofing, composition roofing, allowing these buildings to look like a house. Our customers design the exterior appearance of their building.

The majority of pole building uses are residential purposes. Any building that is built on your personal property is recognized as a residential building. Parker Buildings will use your information to meet the local building department’s requirements, and the customer will design the exterior appearance of their building.

These versatile buildings can be used as a garage, hobby shop, workshop for creating wood working projects, RV storage, living quarters with a large garage encompassed in the building structure, in-home business, and more.

Pole barns add value to your property, like any other accessory building. Living in the Pacific Northwest these buildings will keep your personal belongings, recreational vehicles, outdoor living possessions, tools, and more out of the weather. When arriving to view the home and seeing a building on the property, it always grabs the attention of extra storage space for your personal belongings.

Many customers use a home improvement loan, specialty loans, credit cards, or other personal funding options.

Pole buildings require very little maintenance. The basic maintenance tasks include washing the metal with a soft bristle brush and soap, cleaning gutters, ensuring proper drainage of underground water flow, and regular applications of paint/stain for protecting the exterior type siding.