Pole Barn vs: Foundation & Framed Walls, Which to Use?

[lakeroadster]

Mine is a hybrid post frame/stick built. I started off putting up a post frame pavilion. Then I poured the concrete slab. Then I put in 2x6 PT sill plates in between the posts on the concrete.

Where do you live Earl? Someplace where the climate is warm?

Everything I have read recommends against this^^^. And in my life I have seen slabs heave during winter months.

Let me explain further...

On a pole building there is no foundation. Therefore the slab you pour (above the frost line) floats and moves with the movement of the soil. The posts (That are installed below the frost line) do not move.

This means there is relative movement between the posts and the slab.

By placing the sill plate on the slab, and attaching the walls to the sill plate and to the posts, there is now a battle between the slab movement and the poles.

Of course if you live in a warm climate where freezing isn't a concern, then the above is not an issue..... unless the sub-grade compaction was done improperly... and the slab settles.

 

[rnscustom]

I like a pole barn mainly because you can put it up and do a floor later , even in sections as you can afford . If you have the money and can complete the project ( just trying to do it as cheap as possible ) I wouldn't bother , just do the stick built and enjoy . I do like the hybrid and unless someone chimes in , I'd do the concrete posts . For me it would be nice to get a structure up spending money as I go . To pop off 20gs before anything is out of the ground would probably not happen

 

[earlthegoat2]

Where do you live Earl? Someplace where the climate is warm?

Everything I have read recommends against this^^^. And in my life I have seen slabs heave during winter months.

Let me explain further...

On a pole building there is no foundation. Therefore the slab you pour (above the frost line) floats and moves with the movement of the soil. The posts (That are installed below the frost line) do not move.

This means there is relative movement between the posts and the slab.

By placing the sill plate on the slab, and attaching the walls to the sill plate and to the posts, there is now a battle between the slab movement and the poles.

Of course if you live in a warm climate where freezing isn't a concern, then the above is not an issue..... unless the sub-grade compaction was done improperly... and the slab settles.

I do live someplace warm. I did ponder exactly what you describe before I did mine. And I misspoke for sake of simplicity earlier. My studs do not actually touch the header. They are a few inches shy of it. I guess this means there is not a true double foundation like I said earlier. The OSB however, does bridge this gap. Still because of my climate, I don't think it will ever be an issue.

However, I do know of folks up in MI who have constructed buildings this very way. I guess it has not been an issue but your thoughts are still valid and I would consider it quite a risk to go against them.

 

[n20junkie]

Personally in WNY I went with a full foundation and 6" floor for my 30x50.

Sure it was expensive, but it will probably outlast my kids, and I won't have much in the way of foundation concerns.

 

[Rhyno]

Mine is a hybrid post frame/stick built. I started off putting up a post frame pavilion. Then I poured the concrete slab. Then I put in 2x6 PT sill plates in between the posts on the concrete. Put in 2x6 studs cut to length from the sill plate to the post frame header. Framed in Windows and doors the way you do when you stick frame.

The advantages I see to this are many. Everything is flush. You can insulate between the studs. You can put on horizontal siding. There is a dual foundation with the post footers and the concrete slab the studs rest on. Framing in studs allows you to sheath with plywood which adds a tremendous amount of strength to the building.

This style has to be costly though to hire out. It is full custom. No one generally makes plans for structures like this. I designed and built it myself and I have several years of home framing experience so I was confident in my theory and it turned out great. It cost me $20,000 even doing all the work but the concrete myself. It is 24x40 with 10' eaves. I also have a vaulted ceiling which is a fantastic option to have. It is 13' at its highest point.

This sounds like a good idea. Do you have a thread, links or Pics?

thanks....