Even though I’ve been a handyman, I’ve never built anything from scratch. However, when my parents bought their lot in the country and wanted a pole barn instead of a traditional garage, I knew it was time to get my hands dirty.
If you want to build a pole barn, it’s not as difficult as you might think. It can be done on a budget and doesn’t require an enormous amount of time and effort. A pole barn is a great way to store your belongings and equipment without paying rent for a storage unit.
If you want some easier DIY projects, check out our free list!
What Is A Pole Barn?
A pole barn is a structure that shelters livestock from inclement weather and predators. A pole barn provides shelter from the elements, but the structure isn’t easy to build. It requires a lot of planning, a lot of work, and a lot of materials.
The traditional term for large agricultural structures without basements, high ceilings, wide open spaces, and no basement is a pole barn or pole building. Frames are made of laminated wooden posts. Builders prefer to use the term frame building.
These prefabricated, highly engineered components include roof trusses and laminated posts. They are durable and economically constructed, which can be used for everything from a garage, workshop or hobby shed to a storefront or event center, horse stable or primary residence (Source).
Check out some of the best DIY pole barn plans you can use to erect your own- whether you’re looking to store your vintage cars or protect your farming equipment:
17 DIY Pole Barn Plans & Ideas
#1. Simple DIY Barn Pole Shed
Do you need a place to stockpile your lawnmower and snowblower? Or maybe a workshop for dad’s tools or a playroom for the kids. Whatever you need a pole barn for, this list of 10 DIY pole barn plans will get you started on building your own DIY style.
#2. Pole Barn Studio
This simple Pole Barn studio is a straightforward design that does not require too many materials or labor. Convertable sliding doors allow for versatile use.
A small porch can be easily added to the front. Also, stairs can be modified to fit your need.
#3. Skylight Window with Ladder Pole Barn
This design has large skylight windows to let in lots of natural light for either studio apartment or living space. An enormous loft with stairs provides more storage space for your kinds of stuff. Large sliding doors are made with telescopic door tracks to accommodate large equipment.
#4. $600 DIY Pole Barn Shed
This design has a low cost and low labor requirement. It is easy to build but still provides ample storage space for your junks. A small porch can be added in the front of the pole barn if you like. The required materials are simple 2×4 studs and wooden sheets.
#5. Diamond Hobby Room Pole Barn
Thanks to its spacious layout, large equipment such as a boat, a car, or an RV can be stored in this DIY pole barn design. A large sliding door is placed in the center front to make bringing your things inside easier. The windows are also made big to have more natural light to brighten up the space.
#6. Large Pole Barn Plans for Workshop
If you need a large workshop where your entire family can work on projects together, then this design will be ideal for you. It has enough working area so that everyone will have their own place to do his materials. Large windows are made to bring in more natural lights.
#7. Large Pole Barn House
This DIY barn design is excellent for storing your motorbikes or cars. A strong steel frame provides strong support for the entire building. Two large sliding doors are made with telescopic hydraulic door tracks to accommodate your two-wheel vehicles easily. Simple studs and wooden sheets are the materials used here.
#8. Large Pole Barn for Sale
This DIY pole barn design is perfect to be sold as a package deal to your customers. It can store wide size vehicles such as boats, RVs, and large trucks. The sliding doors are made with hydraulic door tracks to provide easy access to the building. Large windows provide good natural lighting to brighten up the space.
#9. Large Horse Barn Pole Buildings
This stable is made for horses and other large animals such as cows, pigs, and more. It has a wide area for your livestock. The attached shed can be used as a feed room where you can swiftly fill up their food ration daily. Other than that, it can also be used as a barn for horses.
#10. DIY Pole Barn House T1
This pole barn design is a combination of a house and a workshop. The spacious area can be used by everyone in the family to store their messes. A small broom closet provides additional storage space above it if needed. Two windows facing south lets in cool natural light to brighten up the slack.
#11. DIY Garage Barn
This pole barn design is a great structure to use as the garage of your car or RV. The hydraulic door can be folded down so that you can quickly bring in or out your vehicle from inside. You can add a porch column on both ends if needed for extra support.
#12. Big Pole Barns With Living Quarters
The roof area of this design can be used as a living space if you like. A small porch provides additional storage, the same as the attic where more stuff can be stored. More oversized windows are made to provide natural light inside, and a chimney is also attached for cooking purposes.
#13. Four Minute DIY Pole Barn: How To
It is perfect for those people who are limited on time. This design does not require many building materials, just some 2 by 4 studs, wooden sheets, and several nails. Simple instructions are provided here to quickly finish this project within the said time frame without any problem.
#14. Three Bay DIY Pole Barn Shops
This pole barn has a small porch attached to the front. This platform can be used as an extra place to store your stuff with its expansive space. A large sliding door is made in front, which also offers another storage area if needed. Two windows are placed on both sides for natural lighting inside the building.
#15. Open Horse DIY Barn Step By Step
This pole barn design is perfect to be used as a stable for your horses. The sliding door can be folded down to provide easy access in and out of the building. It also has two huge windows facing south for natural lighting to brighten up the area.
#16. Cheap Pole Barn Kit
#17. Pole Barn
Building Tips
It is tough to find decent information about the construction of pole barns. Therefore, we decided to provide you with simple, easy-to-understand DIY plans for building a pole barn.
As you already know, if you want to build a pole barn, you’ll first need to acquire some land where it will be situated. You should also know that if you live in a warm and sunny state (specifically Florida, Texas, or California), your pole barn can be used as a greenhouse.
Try to find the cheapest possible land near your home if you want to minimize construction costs.
After you’ve found the impeccable location for your workshop, it’ll be time to set up poles. To make sure that the process goes slickly, we suggest you purchase a soil auger – it’ll help you drill holes where the rods will be inserted.
The construction of your pole barn can now begin! You should know that building such an outbuilding has never been so easy! All you prerequisite is to survey our instructions and use readily available materials in most home improvement stores.
As you should know, the first step of building a pole barn is constructing the flooring. The entire thing should be covered with asphalt or concrete (the cheapest possible combination).
Afterward, it’ll be time to install poles into holes that were dug earlier. You should use bolts and screws to fix the bars.
Now, you need to attach some panels to the structure of your future pole barn. We suggest that you use T1-11 boards (they are very cheap). You’ll also need lots of screws and nails. Don’t forget about insulation!
The walls inside your pole barn should be really insulated if you want to hold outdoor temperatures at bay.
Don’t stop now – you still have lots of work to do! If your pole barn is meant for a greenhouse, then you’ll need to build flooring inside the structure. On this floor, you should install two 2x4s – use them as a base for 4-foot wide shelves filled with soil and plants.
It’ll be very convenient to use metal grates if you want your floors to be waterproof.
Now, we suggest that you cover the roof of your pole barn with something that will protect it from bad climate and extreme heat. Keep in mind that a greenhouse is not only about the flooring and walls- it should offer protection for all sides of the structure.
Ensure that your pole barn is equipped with a few windows and doors to make it conceivable for the sunlight to enter the greenhouse at all times of day! The more light, the better!
If you want to add some charisma and style to your pole barn, try to find beautiful siding for the walls. There are many exciting options offered on the market right now – most of them are easy to mount and made of recycled materials!
The last step in the process will be painting the outside of your pole barn with some high-quality paint that is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Try to choose a color scheme that will fit your home’s architecture or current décor!
The DIY barn plans are ready for you to get started. These barns are easy to make, don’t take much time, and will keep your animals snug as a bug in a rug all midwinter long!
Keep the following tips in mind if you decide to build one of these pole barns:
If you want to install a light in the barn, it will be helpful to use a pole barn kit. Pole barn kits have all the parts and pieces pre-cut so that putting everything together is easy peasy!
You can also install a garage door to make getting your animals inside a breeze! With a pole barn kit, you can easily add an automatic opener to the door.
Keep an eye out for local building codes before you begin your project. Sometimes they require you to get a permit or provide plans for your construction. You can always hire a certified carpenter or architect to draw up the plans if you are not confident in your own abilities!
Finally, make sure that you have a sturdy foundation for your barn. The floor needs to hold the weight of the animals inside and their food and equipment!
Conclusion
There are many different types of pole barn plans that can be used for your building needs. We hope you’ll use these 10 DIY pole barn plan ideas to get started on the planning phase of your next construction project. Do you have any inquiries or remarks about our article? Leave a comment below, and we will respond as soon as possible!
FAQs
1. What should you expect from a pole barn kit?
A kit is a pre-cut package containing all the materials needed to build your new barn so that everything arrives at your home or job site together and is ready for assembly.
This kit includes the trusses, roofing, siding, doors, hardware, and other components you need to build your new pole barn.
The foundation kit for a barn, which includes the footing piers and footing forms, may also be included in this package.
Additionally, you will receive a manufacturer’s technical drawing showing exactly how to assemble and install all of these pieces together.
Also included is a product and installation manual that equips you with all the information and tools needed to build and install your new barn, as well as a list of other materials you may need during construction.
Pole barn kits should be accompanied by an installation guide
2. Why would I want a pole barn?
A barn is an excellent structure for storing or processing a variety of goods, from farm equipment and supplies to wood, hay, or any other kind of material.
What’s more, a pole barn can also be used as a workshop for working on cars or other projects or even houses an additional agricultural structure such as an oblong cattle feeding pen.
3. How long do they last?
Metal buildings are typically built to last, regardless of the type of material used.
By following the manufacturer’s guidelines for construction and care, these buildings can be expected to remain sturdy for 20 years or more.
4. How much do they cost?
Prices vary depending on several factors, including size, location, and materials used.
In general, a pole barn can be had for as little as $20 per square foot.
5. How do I install them?
Installation is pretty simple and can easily be carried out by two people working together.
The best method is to begin from the center of the building and work toward the edges.
A nail gun or hammer and nails will be needed to secure the trusses in place, and it may help to have a partner hold them upright as you finish nailing them into place.
This process should take just a few hours to complete.
Hi, my name’s Elena Coolidge. I’m a DIY enthusiast who loves building fun woodworking plans. These DIY plans are fun hobby projects for enthusiasts or even more advanced builders that want to build things like bunk beds, end tables or even a duck box!
