If you’re looking to build a pole barn, the foundation is one of the most important aspects of the design process. It’s what underpins your structure, affects how long it lasts and determines how well it will stand up to the elements.
Pole barn foundations are generally straightforward: the posts do the heavy lifting. You place them in the ground, below the frost line, and they do the job with a little help from concrete. That’s what makes them pole barns!
But there are some pole barn foundation options you can consider. Depending on where you live and the type of ground you’re building on, it’s good to have this information handy.
Read on to learn some these common options for pole barn foundations and when they help.
1. Post-In-Ground
Looking for the traditional way to build a pole barn? Here it is! It’s also the most cost-effective method. You bury your wooden or treated posts directly into the ground, typically set in concrete to keep them stable. Simple and straightforward!
Why It’s Used
- Simplicity – No need for a full concrete foundation.
- Affordability – You can lower material and labor costs.
- Flexibility – It works well on uneven terrain.
This method is a go-to choice for agricultural buildings, storage sheds, and small workshops. This option is a fast and budget-friendly choice and doesn’t require a lot of specialized tools or knowledge for DIYers.
Best for These Situations
- Areas with good soil drainage
- Budget-friendly builds that don’t require a slab.
- When a quick construction process is a priority.
2. Concrete Footer
A concrete footer is a wide base of poured concrete that supports the pole barn posts. The posts are typically set in deep holes with concrete poured around them, reinforcing the structure’s stability.
In addition to all the great benefits of a DIY Pole Barn kit, we include precast concrete footers for most barns at no extra cost. If you’re building a large barn, we replace those footers with concrete mix to help you get the sturdy foundation you need.
Why It’s Used
- Prevents sinking by distributing weight over a larger area.
- Ideal for freeze-thaw regions, preventing heaving.
- Adds longevity to the structure by reducing wood-to-soil contact.
This method is commonly used in residential, commercial, and agricultural builds where soil shifting is a concern.
If you’re in an area with frost heave potential, concrete footers could provide the reinforcement needed to get some extra mileage out of your barn.
Best for These Situations
- Frost-prone climates where soil movement occurs.
- Heavier pole barns that need extra stability.
- If you want a longer-lasting foundation without a full concrete slab.
3. Concrete Pier
A concrete pier foundation uses individual concrete columns poured below the frost line. The posts are then anchored to these concrete piers with rebar, rather than being buried directly in the ground. It’s a bit more work than having the post in the ground, but carries some benefits.
Why It’s Used
- Eliminates wood contact with soil, preventing rot.
- Provides high load-bearing capacity for larger buildings.
- Exceptional resilience against frost movement.
This option is helpful for commercial, equestrian, and high-traffic pole barns. If you’re planning on using your barn for heavy equipment storage or workshops, this is a foundation option you could choose.
Best for These Situations
- High-load buildings, such as garages or barns with a second story.
- Areas with unstable or clay-heavy soil.
- When long-term durability is a priority.
How DIY Pole Barns Protects Your Pole Barn
Keeping your posts in good shape is the best way to enjoy your barn for decades to come. When you’re building your custom barn with our Instant Quote tool, you can take advantage of some options that help you do just that!
With Structural Post Protection, we include a Grade Guard and Post Protector with your kit. These are a 20” tough plastic sleeve and a special “boot”. The sleeve goes just above grade to eliminate contact between the wood and both soil and concrete. Post protector’s boot then goes on the last 5’ of the posts to do the same – giving you premium protection where it matters most.
You can also choose skirt-board protection to:
- Protect against contact with soil
- Reduce UV light degradation
- Give your building a “neat” look
With these options combined, you can add a whole new layer of protection to the most critical part of your pole barn.
What About a Monolithic Slab?
If you’re doing research on pole barn foundation options, you may be wondering about monolithic slabs. They’re more like the foundations used on stick frame buildings, and require a large, leveled prep to pour concrete. The posts for your pole barn won’t go into the ground, but instead are connected to the concrete with special drill-set or wet-set brackets.
These are definitely an option for pole barns! In fact, they’re popular especially for commercial pole barns or barndominiums.
The first thing is to determine if it’s necessary. A slab like this comes into play mostly when your building site is going to be on rocky soil. Rocky soil is tough to excavate, which can be a huge headache that requires drilling or backbreaking rock removal. If that’s what your property looks like, a slab might be the right option for you.
Consider what you’ll be using the barn for too. These slabs inherently provide a smooth, flat floor. Not all barns need this, but some can take advantage of it. Think workshops, recreational barns, or a garage for mechanic work that all might want a smooth surface for working or furniture. If you’re just storing ag equipment? It may not be worth the detour.
Lastly, keep in mind that the structure changes a bit with a concrete slab foundation. You lose some of the lateral load resistance that posts deep in the ground can provide. For really windy areas (or tall pole barns,) that makes a difference! Likewise, concrete slabs can suffer cracks that are more costly to repair to keep your barn safe.
Continuous slabs are a fine option for many pole barns – they just aren’t always necessary. So don’t get worried thinking your barn project needs a mountain of concrete and hours prepping for a perfectly level pour. It’s just one of the many options to consider.
FAQs
1. What is the most affordable pole barn foundation?
A post-in-ground foundation is the most cost-effective option for most builds.
2. Do pole barns need a concrete slab?
Nope. One of the main advantages of pole barns versus other types of construction is the ability to skip the massive, poured concrete slab. That’s a big savings on time and money. You can do them if you’d like, and for certain uses they can make sense!
3. How deep should pole barn posts be set?
For most builds, about 4’ deep is standard. Posts should go below the frost line if your region has that to worry about.
If you have questions for your build or the instructions it came with, you can always give us a call for more clarity!
4. Can I build a pole barn on a gravel pad?
Yes! However, you’ll need proper compaction and possibly concrete runners or blocks to support the structure. These can give you a big boost when it comes to drainage, but will be more work and planning to get set up the right way.
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