Pole Building Techniques
Pole buildings may serve as barns, carports, and woodpile shelters, for example. Selecting the right location and building materials, and paying attention to design and landscaping, can make the difference between an eyesore and a structure that enhances property values. Does this Spark an idea?
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Location
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Because most pole structures don't have a floor, choose a location that has excellent drainage and will not remain soaked after a downpour. Avoid, if possible, locating a structure near a natural water channel. It should also be protected from high winds and blowing and drifting snow.
Learn what regulations, if any, your community or residential association has about where a pole structure can be located on your property.
If your structure will store valuable property, such as a snowmobile or lawn equipment, place it where it can be seen from the house or road to minimize theft danger.
Materials
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If your building will be in the direct sunlight, avoid aluminum siding -- the metal will get hot, and any materials stacked along the inside of the structure could be damaged or even ignite. Corrugated aluminum or steel are excellent and durable roofing materials, but the folds in the metal make great homes for nesting insects -- pest removal may be more difficult, which could be an issue for structures located near fields and forests. Consider some form of facing to reduce the bug threat.
To improve durability, drill holes through supporting posts and use heavy-duty bolts instead of nailing posts together. A bolt has greater load-bearing ability, and a bolted construction makes future renovation easier.
Make sure any lumber that is used near the ground level is properly pressure-treated to resist moisture decay.
When building a barn or shed that will protect expensive equipment, consider laying railroad ties along the outer edge of the building to reduce the possibility that burglars or animals will bypass the door and simply dig a crawl space under a wall.
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Aesthetics
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Make the extra effort to blend your pole building into the rest of your property. Use colors that match the house or other structures, and select complementary building materials. For example, using the same shingles on a pole building that are used on a house or existing barn will tie these structures together and be more visually appealing.
Consider some form of landscaping around your pole building to soften its utilitarian feel.
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