Your Ultimate Guide to Pole Barn Alternatives

Building a home looks a lot different now than it did 50 or even 20 years ago. What was once a strict, single-solution project has quickly become something that almost anyone can do in many different ways. A pole barn home is a great way to get the home of your dreams without spending an egregious amount of money. However, it is also a good idea to know about some pole barn alternatives so you can have options for yourself. 

Before you decide on the type of building to use for your home, it can be helpful to know what choices you have. There are many different types of structures and all of them have their own sets of pros and cons. With a good understanding of some pole barn alternatives, you can find the perfect style for your home project. That way, you can be sure you have gone through all the options and chosen wisely. 

What is a Pole Barn? 

A pole barn is a structure built using steel poles that are driven into the ground and a concrete slab foundation with a wooden frame. These buildings are usually reserved for things like warehouses, barns, stables, and other agricultural applications. However, with a little bit of modification, they can also be turned into amazing custom homes. Nowadays, they are generally used for things like barndominiums, shouses, and other alternative home types that are becoming more and more popular. 

While pole barns are one of the go-to solutions for people looking for an alternative home, they also have their downsides. For example, you may find yourself spending more on insulation than you would with a traditional home. If you live in an area with a lot of humidity, you may also end up dealing with rot in the wooden frame, which can be an issue. Knowing some pole barn alternatives will help you choose wisely when the time comes to build your home. 

5 Pole Barn Alternatives

Steel Barn 

One of the most popular pole barn alternatives is the steel barn. Steel barns are similar to buildings that use a traditional stick frame, but they have an all-steel construction. This makes them especially durable for your home and ensures that you won’t have to deal with things like mold, rot, and mildew. Depending on where you live, this can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run on maintenance and repair. 

One of the biggest downsides to a steel barn is the fact that it may be difficult to get a loan for them. Steel barns are still not as popular for home building as perhaps they should be, which can cause financing issues. Many lenders will not understand the project, which can cause issues with funding. Be sure to know what your chances are like for getting a construction loan before you decide this is the right road to go down. 

Shipping Container Building

Shipping container buildings are one of the other more popular pole barn alternatives and many people are using them for their homes. Shipping container buildings are homes built using steel shipping containers as the main structure. These buildings are eco-friendly, relatively inexpensive, and incredibly easy to build. If you are looking for something that can make the whole process incredibly simple, this could be a great option for you. 

One of the main downsides of a shipping container building as one of the pole barn alternatives is sourcing. Finding shipping containers that are in good shape and will be suitable for your project may not be so easy. You also have to keep in mind that you will have to adhere to the size and shape of the containers. This can reduce your options when it comes to designs and layouts you can implement. 

Stick Frame Building

One of the most common pole barn alternatives that you can use is a traditional stick frame building. This is by far the most popular method for building any home and most houses you see will have this structure. If you are looking to simply build a traditional home, this is going to be your best bet. You can be certain that there won’t be any issues with financing or building codes in your area, which can be a big help. 

Stick frame buildings are fantastic pole barn alternatives but they are not without their own disadvantages. One of the main downsides is their price. You can expect to pay quite a bit more to build a stick frame home and for the construction to take a lot longer. If you are willing to put in the extra time and money, though, it could be well worth it in the long run. 

Manufactured Home

Many people use manufactured homes as pole barn alternatives when trying to build a home for less money. Manufactured homes come in pre-manufactured kits that are built off-site and then delivered to your build site. This is one of the easiest ways to get a home built and can also be incredibly inexpensive. This makes them a great choice if you are new to the home-building world and want one of the simplest pole barn alternatives. 

One of the big downsides of a manufactured home, though, is the fact that they aren’t as durable as other pole barn alternatives. They are generally made to be as easy to build as possible. While this can be an upside, it can also create longevity issues. Knowing what you can expect from each model will help you make the right choice. 

Quonset Hut 

A quonset hut is one of the most unique pole barn alternatives on the market. Quonset huts are rounded buildings usually used for things like storage or workshops. However, depending on your needs, they can also make great homes. They are easy to build and fairly durable, especially in rainy climates. 

One of the downsides of quonset huts, though, is their size. While you can build some larger examples, they may not be big enough for your needs. Knowing what kind of space you are looking for and what you need from your home will help you decide. If you are a single person, though, they will most likely have enough room.

Conclusion

Choosing the right building for your alternative home is essential. While pole barns are incredibly popular, they won’t be right for everyone. Knowing some pole barn alternatives will help you make the right choice for your custom home-building project. 

If you would like more guides like this one, check out the rest of BarndominiumLife.com. There, you will find more helpful tips and tricks from the pros. You will also find featured barndominiums, barndominium floor plans, and information on financing and insurance. Knowing as much as you can will help you get the best results for your dream home.