It’s said that the three biggest things to consider when purchasing real estate are location, location, location. Once you’ve cleared that hurdle in your pole barn building process, the next step is planning the site for your pole barn. When considering pole barn siting, aside from zoning, the top things to consider are: drainage, appearance, climate, and access. Take these tips to heart when choosing the site for your pole barn to avoid troubles down the road.
The Main Considerations for Pole Barn Siting
Local Zoning Laws
While the majority of choices are up to you when it comes to determining the location of your pole barn, local zoning laws must be followed. This means that not all of the pole barn siting decisions will be yours to make.
Because there is often a long list of requirements when it comes to local zoning laws, reviewing them early on in the planning process will help eliminate issues that could arise when working on your pole barn siting. To ensure you can site your barn where you want it, you’ll need to provide information regarding the size of your barn, and any other information necessary to comply with all the local laws that may apply to your construction.
Water Drainage
No matter what type of structure you are siting, drainage is a major consideration. Pole barns are no exception, so take time when planning your site. While heavy rainfall may not be a major concern for you, be sure to stay away from areas at the bottom of large slopes or inclines when working on your pole barn siting. Avoiding these low-lying sites for your barn will make a big difference in the long-term health of your structure.
While flooding is the risk that is most commonly considered, keep in mind that the main posts of a pole barn are the cornerstone of its structure and are set in the ground. This is one of the biggest reasons to avoid pole barn siting where moisture will collect. While DIY Pole Barn posts are treated and can be protected against rot or other issues, no wood is invulnerable from long-term damage if constantly exposed to heavy moisture.
Appearance
When planning your pole barn siting, remember the impact that the location of your pole barn will create. The final look of your property from the site you choose to build your pole barn will make a difference in the usage of your barn as well as the resale value.
It isn’t simply the placement of your pole barn. Pole barn siting also includes planning the direction your barn faces. Depending on the siting of your barn and the area around it, your choice of color and other optional additions could be impacted. What view you have from your location is as important as what it looks like from where it is visible.
Whether you are building a pole barn for equipment storage, livestock, a hobby shop, or even as a residence, the overall appearance of your completed structure is affected by the site you choose.
Local Climate & Direction
What’s perfect for pole barn siting in a warm southern state may be a site disaster for a colder northern state and vice versa. The heating and cooling of a pole barn are important. Warmer climates that boast plenty of sunshine for the better part of the year may be more suited to a site that offers shade. At the very least, choose a site that has windows pointed away from direct sunlight to keep those powerful summertime rays from raising the temperature inside your pole barn to unbearable levels.
Conversely, sunshine streaming through your windows is exactly what you want when you’re in colder climates. So when planning pole barn siting for the cooler northern states, you’ll want to incorporate the least amount of shade and add ample windows that will capture the most of every daylight hour during long, cold winters to aid in keeping the barn warm.
Wind direction is another factor. Your pole barn siting will want to incorporate enough breeze for warm weather ventilation but avoid the brunt of frigid winter winds.
Ease of Access
How easy will your barn be to access? It may be the final tip, but it is certainly an important part of choosing your pole barn siting. How you plan to use your barn is a fact to consider. If you’re building a workshop or man cave you want it to be easy to access each time you use it. Building a garage? Don’t put it so far away that you add unnecessary miles to your vehicle just to park it there! You’ll also want to confirm the location and orientation provide ease of access to materials, equipment as well as moving vehicles in and out of the structure.
However, some equipment storage barns that may not be used as frequently may not need to be located adjacent to your home. Likewise, those used for livestock or agricultural purposes may be placed farther from your home to give you space – or to make sure you aren’t downwind from “fresh country air.”
Whatever the case, take time to think about your personal preferences and what is convenient for you and your barn’s intended use. When you consider location, location, location as well as drainage, appearance, climate, and access before you confirm the final site, your pole barn siting process will be a success!
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