What is the modern version of a pole barn?

[HipGnosis]

What is the modern version of a pole barn?
What materials and methods are used?

[Bartlebooth]

Plenty of people still call them pole barns, and they are still state-of-the-art for cheap shops/garages.  When people are thinking more "value" than "cheap" (same thing, but sounds nicer), then you might call it post-frame building.  Poles or lumber for the posts, lumber to span between posts, sheet metal on outside.  Lumber trusses and metal sheeting for roof generally.

Timber-frame would be a similar but different thing.

I could type more on the subject if you are interested in one for a specific purpose.  Residential for example you might find inspiration in terms like shopdos (shop-condo) or shouse (shop-house).

Check out RR Buildings channel on YouTube for high-end builds, for shops or residential.

[uniwelder]

As just mentioned, I’ve typically seen 4x6 posts with 2x4’s spanning across. Then metal roofing panels screwed to the sides. Roof trusses over the top.

[Rural]

Ours is a standard pole barn. We even had a barn raising with friends and family. As uniwelder noted, purchased trusses for the roof support, but plain OSB sheets for the sides, old tin from a family barn for the roof.


Expected to have to replace that OSB, but it's been in place 13 years now with no deterioration (doesn't touch the ground).

[HipGnosis]

I'm thinking of getting used billboard vinyl to wrap the sides.

[uniwelder]

I'm thinking of getting used billboard vinyl to wrap the sides.

So do you already have an existing structure?  What's on the exterior now or what do you plan to attach the vinyl to?

[HipGnosis]

I'm thinking of getting used billboard vinyl to wrap the sides.

So do you already have an existing structure?  What's on the exterior now or what do you plan to attach the vinyl to?

TBD

[lthenderson]

I'm thinking of getting used billboard vinyl to wrap the sides.

Billboard vinyl doesn’t have a long longevity compared to any typical siding material. Maybe around five years or less. I have seen them used as cheap disposable tarps.

[HipGnosis]

Billboard vinyl doesn’t have a long longevity compared to any typical siding material. Maybe around five years or less. I have seen them used as cheap disposable tarps.

Oh... good to know.   I might try it with UV blocker and armor-all.

[sonofsven]

The modern equivalent of a pole barn is, a pole barn.
You can't really "out cheap" the country style of building.
More info is needed, but don't try to re-invent the wheel.

[Bartlebooth]

Maybe you want to look into "tarp buildings" since you apparently have some fabric-type material that you want to use.  Basically a bent tubing frame that you then cover with a tarp.  Should be dirt cheap.

[Just Joe]

NorthernTool has these tarp buildings. They have a website.

We have a "barn" the previous owner had built. 2x4 and 2x6 construction with 4x4 posts. Barn metal screwed to that. It keeps the rain out, is ~20 years old, and has two roll up garage doors.

It is not "framed heavy" i.e. there is not enough structure to load the rafters with alot of weight which is fine. We have not had any winds strong enough to cause problems. 

Ken's Carpentry on YouTube shows how to do it right. Don't go so cheap that you are constantly patching and rebuilding. A guy a couple of miles along my commute put up used chain link fencing, laid 2x4s across it and then followed up with layers of tarps. You can get away with anything in the county here apparently. I think someone was living in it last winter. There is s wood stove pipe poking out one side. Bet his neighbors aren't pleased with his mess. He may have a problem.

https://www.youtube.com/@kenskarpentry