| Pole buildings are old and proven structures. Ancient | | | | working. These types of buildings also require more |
| civilizations discovered the ease of pole building | | | | effort and care in placing the heavier supports. |
| construction centuries ago and now it's catching on | | | | Pole buildings are actually constructed using a |
| again. A basic pole structure consists of vertical | | | | combination of post-and-beam/timber framing and |
| supports, horizontal members, rafters or trusses, and | | | | stud framing, using the best of these types of |
| supports. Pole buildings are very simple and sturdily | | | | approaches. The upright poles are used as the building |
| constructed. | | | | supports to which the lighter, more easily handled, |
| The poles are embedded deep in the ground and | | | | horizontal framing lumber is fastened. |
| extend to the top of the building to support the roof. | | | | Pole buildings are particularly suited for barns, sheds, |
| Skyscrapers are engineered and constructed | | | | shops, warehouses, waterfront piers, roadside |
| following a similar philosophy albeit on a much larger | | | | stands, aircraft hangars, and other simple shelters or |
| scale using different building materials. | | | | structures. Many pole buildings are uninsulated and/or |
| Stud-frame structures must have a poured concrete | | | | have one or more sides left open. Pole buildings |
| slab or foundation. The frame structure is then | | | | construction can also be used to build vacation cabins |
| constructed on top of an and anchored to the | | | | and homes. |
| foundation or slab. The additional cost, time, labor, | | | | The practice of using pole construction for building |
| and skill needed for the concrete portion of the | | | | vacation homes was started on the West Coast in |
| building is the major disadvantage with using these | | | | the 1950s and had become increasingly popular |
| building techniques. | | | | although the cost of certain pole vacation homes can |
| Stud frame construction uses light-weight wooden | | | | run as high as that of a similar conventional |
| supports spaced at regular intervals to provide nailing | | | | stud-frame house on a concrete foundation. It mostly |
| supports for the wall coverings and to provide roof | | | | depends on the building design. |
| framing. The popularity of stud-frame construction in | | | | Pole construction has become popular for several |
| residential homes is primarily due to the availability of | | | | reasons. The biggest reason is the ready availability |
| materials and the rigidity of the building code | | | | of new materials particularly suited to pole building. |
| regulations. | | | | The creation of pressure-treated poles and posts is |
| Traditional timber-frame construction and | | | | the most important of these new materials. Because |
| contemporary post-and-beam construction are very | | | | the embedded poles are potentially in constant |
| strong and have a pleasing appearance, but the | | | | contact with moisture and insects, pole construction |
| require large beams or timbers for the horizontal and | | | | is very dependent on long-lasting, decay-resistant, |
| vertical members, which are usually not available | | | | and insect-resistant wood products. |
| these days without great expense and skill in | | | | |