Pole barns are a great option for anyone who needs to put up an affordable, versatile structure. These barns usually consist of a simple frame and either steel or aluminum panels, plus a metal roof. Pole barn companies generally have a few pre-arranged models you can choose from. However, they also tend to allow customers to customize their pole barns if they so desire. If you do plan on customizing your pole barn, there are a few features you may want to include to make the building more durable.

Garage-style doors

Many pole barns are built with sliding doors by default. Indeed, sliding doors do tend to be the most affordable to install. However, they have a tendency to get caught by the wind, which puts strain on the hinges and leads to wear. Having a garage-style door installed on your pole barn will often cost more, but these doors are durable and longer-lived. A garage door is much less likely to blow off in a storm because it's attached overhead and rides inside tracks.

Poured concrete feet

Sometimes pole barn builders will set the framing posts in stone. This works well enough, but the stones can sometimes become dislodged, causing the framing posts to bend over a bit. This can allow your pole barn to distort over time. Having concrete feet poured for the framing posts will make them more stable. The concrete is less prone to shifting than stones are.

Hurricane Straps

Typically, the roof to a pole barn is attached to the posts with screws or nails. While this does work, it does mean the roof is at risk of blowing off or detaching in a storm. Upgrading to hurricane straps is a good idea. The straps are meant for use in hurricane zones, so they are super strong. They anchor the roof down more effectively than simple screws or nails.

A Steeper Roof

Talk to your builder about the pitch of your roof. If you live in an area where there's snowfall in the winter, you will want to choose a steeper roof pitch for your pole barn. Doing so will encourage the snow to slide off. This will reduce strain on the roof over time, which will allow it to last longer.

Keep the advice above in mind as you design your pole barn. The company designing and building the barn for you will likely have some tips, too. Reach out to a custom pole building service to learn more.