Post Frame Construction

Pole Buildings are buildings based on the post frame construction model. This type of construction has a long history. However up until the 1930's it was used for temporary structures only because the posts were in contact with the ground and would rot after few years. Technological advances in the 1930s made post frame construction much more viable for the long term and its use became much more wide spread. Today post frame construction is used for all types of buildings, traditional pole barns, commercial buildings, churches and residential structures.

History

Pre-historic man used post frame construction to build sturdy structures. For centuries buildings along waterways were built on poles to keep them above the water level. In colonial America post frame construction was used for sheds and other temporary buildings.

Post frame construction before the twentieth century was temporary because the posts would only last a couple of years. Contact with the ground resulted in the posts eventually rotting away.

Technological Advances

In the twentieth century the availability of pressure treated materials and light weight steel sheeting transformed the post frame model into a viable long term construction system. First the pressure treated poles, originally developed for the electrical industry became available for construction. Second. Large lightweight metal sheeting was manufactured that could span supports spaced several feet apart. Also, light weight metal roofing allowed for trusses to be spaced much further apart. These innovations allowed builders to design much more elaborate and useful buildings at much less cost.

Economy and Efficiency

Post frame construction is economical and efficient. The cost is much less than a conventional stick built building, because much less building material is used, which means much larger structures and or elaborate structures can be afforded. Also these type buildings can be constructed in much less time than conventional stick built buildings so the labor costs for building these type structures is much less.

Modern Day Usage

In the 1960s the post frame concept spread beyond farm use into commercial and other applications. This shift into commercial buildings necessitated compliance with building codes. Construction on farms was usually exempt from building codes at that time. With no approved and recognized design procedures the suitability of the post frame structure was unknown to building inspectors. They had to be educated on the concept, but eventually the concept was accepted. Although post frame construction is still used for agricultural buildings non-farm commercial buildings now make up most of the market for post frame builders.

Future Potential

Now that the potential of post frame has been realized, modern building materials make any design possible for both the interior and exterior. Residential construction maybe the next big trend with post frame construction. Homes constructed using a post frame system will be much less costly when compared to conventional stick built homes making it possible for much more to be done in terms of interior and exterior design.

The future is bright for the pole building, now known as the post frame building.