Familiarize Yourself With The Difference Between Pole Barn & Metal Carport

If you are looking to install a new structure on your property, you will broadly come across two main materials – timber and metal. Where one boosts traditional, the other one is fairly modern, more robust, and comes with high durability. But what is the core difference between a pole barn and a metal carport? It might be of crucial interest, especially if you are undecided between the two.

What Is Pole Barn?

Pole barns are totally enclosed from all sides, often accompanied by large carriage-style doors. It is generally used in farm settings to park vehicles and store hay and feed for livestock. It offers a traditional appeal and has a farm barn charm to it.

You can insulate the walls of the pole barn to create a comfortable space for long hours of working. However, you must insulate the roof as well for maximum retention of heat. You have to install light fixtures to increase lighting inside or skylights as it is closed from all sides.

With wood comes high maintenance like staining, painting, fireproofing (every 5 years), termite check (every year), and control and pest management (annually), and the list is endless. All this will take away a lot of money and time from your life.

What Is Metal Carport?

Usually, a steel carport is one of the simplest metal structures with a base, leg posts, a frame, and a roof. There are various roof styles that you can opt for, such as – corrugated vertical metal roof, horizontal or box eave style roof, regular roof with curved trim to resemble an old barn look, and flat metal roof with a specific angle.

Prefab carports can be temporary and permanent structures. Since the sides are open, you can easily park vehicles in and out. The basic design is open from all sides, but you can close it fully or partly with metal sidewalls from at most two sides.

Let’s See Some Of The Basic Differences Between Pole Barn And Metal Carport

Construction Material & Process

However, a pole barn will need all processes of cutting & drilling on site. This will consume a lot of time and will be labor intensive. Therefore, the project will take longer to finish and cost more. Traditional pole barns are made of wood. This type of structure has been used for generations. But this type of building is not up to date with the modern time material strength.

On the other hand, metal prefab carports are made entirely out of metal already designed, drilled, and cut in the factory itself. Hence, at the installation site, less time is required for assembling. The entire process is seamless and requires less effort and manpower. You can start using metal structures early.

Roof

Pole barns have mechanically fastened roof that uses screws to hold panels together. Over time and with changes in weather and climate, these screw starts to get loose. This is also due to the fact that wood tends to absorb moisture, which can lead to expansion, shrinking, bending, or twisting of timber. Over time, the waterproof and fireproof coating starts to release toxic chemicals inside, which can be dangerous for livestock and humans.

On the flip side, a steel carport roof is a standing seam metal roof that comes in various designs and styles. You can pick corrugated (ridges and valleys) or flat metal panels. The metal roof can be regular (which resembles traditional barn style), horizontal or box eave (which gives aesthetic looks), or vertical (that’s the most durable one).

You can also opt for structural trim and choose a separate paint for it. Some metal builder even offers screws of the same color as that of the building for a seamless appeal.

Structural Durability & Maintenance

A Pole barn is a high-maintenance structure. But even with that, the structural strength will reduce with time as wood is organic and tends to rot & decay. Regular inspection, repair, and replacement of damaged timber with new timber can give a headache as they are time-consuming, hinder the workflow, and demand money.

A metal carport is easier and more affordable to maintain than a pole barn. They are non-porous, dense, and do not absorb humidity from air or rainwater. You do not need to call for a termite check every month. Steel carports are stable and long-lasting. It can be used for many purposes, such as a patio, canopy, or as a parking space.

Pole Barn Vs Metal Carport: A Quick Recap

Which One Is Right For You?

We can’t put a finger on one and say you should go for it. The requirements and other factors are vital in the final selection. So, we have summarized them for you below.

Prefab carports can have custom exteriors to match the existing building and give a seamless appeal. You can also select the color of legs, roof, trim, and even screws for a finished look. Personalizing your steel carport for purposes other than parking vehicles and storing outdoor tools is easy.

You can make it a shed by adding side metal panels to it, convert it into a greenhouse, hay & feed storage, or loafing shed for animals. For residential purposes, it is a multitasking structure. You can use it as a shaded patio, BBQ area, outdoor seating, event venue for personal parties, etc.

To Bring Things To A Close

Both pole barn and metal carport have their own charm. You can opt for one that suits your needs the best. However, you can confidently opt for a steel carport for a structure that demands little care and lasts long without a repaint.

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