This is an introduction for the Do-it-yourselfer who may be considering building a post-frame construction. Although military post and timbre architecture has been around for centuries, post frame systems were beginning developed in the 1930 ’ second and refined in the 1970 ’ randomness and 80 ’ s. Post-frame buildings use load charge mail to support the roof arrangement, rather than the traditional 2x stud framing like you may find used on a theater. There are many, many ways of designing and constructing a post-frame building so this guidebook will lone show a few examples of common post-frame construction. Please check with your local build codes before using any of this information .

The term “Pole Barn” is often used in place of “Post Frame” however there is a distinction between the two. Pole Buildings use round poles whereas Post Frame Buildings use square or rectangular post, commonly 4×4, 4×6, 5×5, 6×6 or larger treated lumber or laminated columns. Post Frame buildings may often be built where “Pole Barns” are not permitted or zoned for.
pressure Treated Lumber :Treated lumber is primarily used for skirt boards and post. Generally, any lumber within 18” from the ground should be treated. Common preservatives are Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ), Copper Azole (CA) and Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA). CCA treatment may be used on lumber 5”x5” and larger posts in Post-Frame building use, but may not be permitted for residential decks, gazebos or playground equipment. ACQ or CCA post should have a minimum preservative retention level of .60, CA a 0.23. 2”x_ skirt board or any board in contact with the ground should have a min. of .40 for ACQ and .15 for CA-C. Treated lumber installed higher than 18” above ground may be a lower retention.
Fasteners :Fasteners used with treated lumber should be corrosive resistant. Stainless steel or hot-dipped zinc-coated galvanized steel are often used with treated lumber. For best results, use the same type of metal for fasters as the metal siding and trim: Hot Dipped Galvanized fasteners for Galvanized and Aluminum-Zinc Alloy metal, Copper fasteners for copper metal, and stainless steel for all metals including those at or below ground level. Aluminum fasteners should not be used with copper based treated lumber. The exception: bolts in contact with treated lumber need not be hot-dipped galvanized, but must be at least 1/2” thick. Your building, however, may require 5/8”, 3/4” or larger bolts to attach the truss to the post. “Galvanized Pole Barn Nails” are hardened spiral or ring shank nails for load-bearing wooden structures where superior holding power is necessary.
Posts :Treated solid-sawn post or glue or nail-laminated columns. Post sizes are often 4×6, 6×6, 6×8, 8×8 or as required by design. These are set in the ground a minimum of 1/4 its’ length, and at least 4’. Post may use 2×4 treated wood cleats nailed at the bottom of the post, concrete collars, rebar rods, or other anchors to provide uplift resistance. Embedded precast concrete piers or specially designed wood-to-concrete steel brackets are an alternate to installing the wood post below grade.
station footing :Concrete footer pads, usually 18”-24”, are placed at the bottom of the hole below the wood post. All concrete footers should be mixed with clean water outside of the hole, and set before the post is placed. Building size, height and other load factors will determine the pad size required, but generally the depth of the pad is 1/2 the diameter of the pad.
Skirt Board :
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(also Splash Board or Grade Board) The bottom wall girt, may be one or more rows of treated 2×6, 2×8, center-match (T&G 2x_) or composition lumber rated for ground contact. The bottom of any siding or wall sheathing will be attached to this. If steel siding is fastened directly to the treated skirt board, a barrier of: building felt, house wrap, window wrap or other non-metal flashing is recommended between the two.
girdle : 2×4 or 2×6 horizontal framing member nailed from post to post. Girts are perpendicular to post and may be installed upright on the face of the post, or turned flat (bookshelf) between the post. Spacing is usually no further than 2’ on-center.
top Girt/Truss Carrier : Highest girt from ground level. In weight bearing cases (where a truss is not attached directly to a post) the girt acts as a beam and often labeled as a “truss carrier”.
Trusses : often spaced 4’ to 10’ on-center, trusses may spaced the same as and attached directly to the post, or spaced differently than the post and attached to a truss carrier beam that spans between the post. For shorter roof spans, 2x_ rafters are typically spaced 18”-30” on center.
Purlins :
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roof purlins are 2×4, 2×6 or 2×8 lumber that spans between the trusses to provide framing for metal roofing or roof sheathing. May be attached above the trusses on-edge or flat, or between the trusses using post frame anchors or joist hangers. Spacing will vary be design and roof load, but usually 24” on-center or less.
siding :29 gauge painted ribbed steel siding is one of the most common siding options for post-frame buildings. Offered in a variety of colors and ribbed patterns, it may be applied directly to the wall girts. Corrugated galvanized steel (unpainted) is an economical choice, but does not have the durability of the painted metals. Metal siding should not touch ground. Sheathing (OSB or plywood) may be applied over the girts and other sidings such as: vinyl, stucco, stone veneer, lap, panel, wood, etc. may be applied.
roofing : As with siding, 29 ga. Painted ribbed steel is the most common roof covering. Purlins may also be covered with a sheathing and shingles and other roofing products may be used.
Most metal companies require support for metal roofing or siding at a maximum of 2’, therefore wall girts and roof purlins should also be spaced no farther than 2’ o.c. or as required by design.
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The condition “ Pole Barn ” is frequently used in topographic point of “ Post Frame ” however there is a distinction between the two. Pole Buildings use rung poles whereas Post Frame Buildings use squarely or rectangular military post, normally 4×4, 4×6, 5×5, 6×6 or larger tempered log or laminated columns. Post Frame buildings may much be built where “ Pole Barns ” are not permitted or zoned for.Treated lumber is primarily used for annulus boards and post. broadly, any lumber within 18 ” from the grind should be treated. common preservatives are Alkaline Copper Quaternary ( ACQ ), Copper Azole ( CA ) and Chromated Copper Arsenate ( CCA ). CCA treatment may be used on baseball bat 5 ” x5 ” and larger posts in Post-Frame building habit, but may not be permitted for residential decks, gazebos or resort area equipment. ACQ or CCA post should have a minimum preservative retentiveness degree of .60, CA a 0.23. 2 ” x_ skirt board or any board in contact with the labor should have a minute. of .40 for ACQ and .15 for CA-C. Treated lumber installed higher than 18 ” above footing may be a lower retention.Fasteners used with cover baseball bat should be caustic tolerant. Stainless steel or hot-dipped zinc-coated galvanized steel are much used with regale lumber. For best results, use the same character of metallic element for fasters as the metal siding and snip : Hot Dipped Galvanized fasteners for Galvanized and Aluminum-Zinc Alloy alloy, Copper fasteners for copper alloy, and stainless steel for all metals including those at or below ground grade. Aluminum fasteners should not be used with copper based regale lumber. The exception : bolts in contact with treat lumber need not be hot-dipped galvanize, but must be at least 1/2 ” thick. Your build, however, may require 5/8 ”, 3/4 ” or larger bolts to attach the truss to the position. “ Galvanized Pole Barn Nails ” are hardened helix or ring shank nails for load-bearing wooden structures where superior holding power is necessary.Treated solid-sawn post or glue or nail-laminated column. post sizes are often 4×6, 6×6, 6×8, 8×8 or a required by design. These are set in the ground a minimum of 1/4 its ’ length, and at least 4 ’. post may use 2×4 tempered forest cleats nailed at the bottom of the post, concrete collars, rebar rods, or early anchors to provide elate electric resistance. Embedded precast concrete piers or particularly designed wood-to-concrete steel brackets are an alternate to installing the woodwind post below grade.Concrete pedestrian pads, normally 18 ” -24 ”, are placed at the bottom of the fix below the forest post. All concrete footers should be assorted with clean water outside of the hole, and set before the station is placed. Building size, height and other load factors will determine the launching pad size required, but broadly the depth of the pad is 1/2 the diameter of the embroider. ( besides Splash Board or Grade Board ) The bottom wall girdle, may be one or more rows of process 2×6, 2×8, center-match ( T & G 2x_ ) or typography lumber rated for grate contact. The bottom of any siding or wall sheathe will be attached to this. If steel siding is fastened directly to the treated skirt board, a barrier of : building felt, theater wrapping, window wrap or other non-metal flash is recommended between the two.2×4 or 2×6 horizontal framing member nailed from post to post. Girts are plumb line to post and may be installed good on the face of the stake, or turned flatcar ( bookshelf ) between the station. Spacing is normally no further than 2 ’ on-center.Highest arm from ground level. In weight bearing cases ( where a truss is not attached directly to a post ) the arm acts as a beam and frequently labeled as a “ truss aircraft carrier ” .often spaced 4 ’ to 10 ’ on-center, trusses may spaced the lapp as and attached immediately to the station, or spaced differently than the post and attached to a truss carrier shine that spans between the post. For shorter roof spans, 2x_ rafters are typically separated 18 ” -30 ” on center.roof purlins are 2×4, 2×6 or 2×8 lumber that spans between the trusses to provide framing for metallic element roofing or roof sheathe. May be attached above the trusses on-edge or flat, or between the trusses using post frame anchors or joist hangers. Spacing will vary be design and ceiling cargo, but normally 24 ” on-center or less.29 gauge painted costate steel siding is one of the most common side options for post-frame buildings. Offered in a variety of colors and costate patterns, it may be applied directly to the wall girts. Corrugated galvanize steel ( unpainted ) is an economical choice, but does not have the lastingness of the paint metals. Metal siding should not touch grate. Sheathing ( OSB or plywood ) may be applied over the girts and other sidings such as : vinyl, stucco, stone veneer, lap, dialog box, wood, etc. may be applied.As with siding, 29 georgia. Painted ridicule steel is the most common roof covering. Purlins may besides be covered with a sheathing and shingles and early roofing products may be used.Most metal companies require support for metallic element roofing or siding at a maximum of 2 ’, consequently wall girts and roof purlins should besides be spaced no farther than 2 ’ o.c. or as required by invention .