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Understanding Pole Barn vs. Stick-Built Construction
Why pole barns offer advantages in efficiency, cost, and usable space.
When planning your next construction project, there are several factors to consider, including the choice of building method: pole barn or stick built. Each type of building offers a distinct construction experience and methodology. The primary differences lie in the structural support systems, foundation requirements, and the materials used to carry loads throughout the building. Including these considerations early helps ensure your building performs the way you need it to for decades to come.
What Is Post-Frame Construction?Post-frame construction uses an engineered system of laminated posts spaced 8–10 feet apart and buried 4–6 feet in the ground, eliminating the need for a concrete foundation. Often referred to as pole barns, modern post-frame buildings use engineered columns rather than round poles once used in early agricultural structures. Over time, post-frame buildings have evolved far beyond simple farm sheds and are now used for homes, shops, commercial spaces, equestrian facilities, municipal buildings, and more. Cleary Building Corp. uses 3-ply non-spliced laminated columns embedded deep in the ground, designed to transfer snow and wind loads directly into the soil for long-term structural strength. This structural approach is one of the main reasons post-frame buildings are known for their durability and cost efficiency. |
What Is Stick-Built Construction?Stick-built construction is the traditional framing method using 2×4 or 2×6 lumber spaced 16–24 inches apart on top of a concrete slab or continuous foundation. This system relies on load-bearing walls, interior partition walls, and numerous framing components to distribute structural loads. Stick-built structures offer architectural flexibility, but the dependency on a concrete foundation, extensive labor, and longer construction schedules all contribute to higher costs. These added materials and steps often result in longer project timelines compared to post-frame alternatives. |
Advantages of Pole Barn Construction
While both construction methods result in a finished building, there are key differences that can affect the final outcome. Understanding these differences can help you choose the building type that aligns best with your priorities.
Cost Savings
Typically, pole barns use widely spaced embedded posts for support, whereas stick-built structures require closely spaced studs on a concrete foundation. The need for a continuous concrete foundation in stick-built construction can significantly change site preparation, increase project costs, and extend overall build time.
One of the largest advantages of pole barn construction is the ability to eliminate the need for a concrete slab or foundation, reducing both material and labor costs. Cleary’s Energy Miser Insulation package can also deliver substantial energy savings—up to $5,709 annually depending on heating method—compared to conventional steel buildings.
Construction Time
Pole barn construction is generally quicker to complete and requires fewer materials, while stick-built construction involves more extensive assembly on-site. Cleary’s streamlined post frame system, and elimination of a concrete foundation, allows your build to start quicker compared to other construction methods. Our prefabricated elements and efficient assembly allow our post frame buildings to be weather tight and useable in a fraction of the time a stick built would be. Cleary manufactures and constructs all our buildings making the entire process more efficient from start to finish. Choosing will result in less on-site labor to construct your building, no wait times for concrete to cure, and will reduce construction time and costs.
Structural Durability
It’s important to ensure your building is structurally sound and can last generations. In post frame construction the embedded posts transfer wind and snow loads directly into the soil creating an exceptional resilience against the outside elements. Post frame design also allows for extra-large wall openings of eight plus feet without needing expensive reinforcement. Instead these buildings feature saddled truss to column connections and high-grade lumber saving you money without sacrificing the structural integrity. Having fewer joint to column connection points can reduce the leak potential and maintenance issues of your building while the structural system creates an energy efficient build with fewer thermal breaks. Cleary’s embedded post-system and high-grade materials ensure long-lasting performance. Our buildings are engineered to handle high snow and wind loads, and our saddle truss to column connection is among the strongest in the industry.
Design Flexibility
Stick-built buildings require more interior supports and load-bearing walls compared to pole barns. Without load bearing walls you can create an expansive open area using clear span trusses that can extend over 81+ feet. Pole barn construction also accommodates high ceilings and sidewalls which increases the amount of useable space inside compared to stick-built alternatives. Pole barn buildings are also easily adaptable if you want to make any additions or changes over the years. his flexibility makes post-frame ideal for workshops, storage buildings, event spaces, and custom residential layouts.
When considering whether to have a pole barn or stick-built building constructed, it’s important to factor in your budget, timeline, site conditions, and your long-term space needs. These considerations will ultimately shape which building method aligns with your goals.
While Cleary does not offer stick-built construction, our Building Specialists are here to provide expert guidance to assess whether a custom-engineered post-frame building meets your needs.
Compared to stick-built construction, pole barn construction offers immediate benefits like cost and construction time, along with long-term advantages like building strength, flexibility, and efficiency. Take the time to consult with multiple builders who can help determine if pole barn construction’s advantages align with your project requirements and goals.
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