Home and Cabin
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About Polebarns
Bradford Buildings provides many types of “Post-Frame Buildings” also known as Pole Barns and Pole Buildings. These have a variety of different uses, from garages to horse barns, to riding arenas, to hay barns, and even low-cost upscale homes. At Bradford Buildings, it is our profession to provide you with a full-service experience from design to construction. We take the headaches out of the building experience; we are with you every step of the way. Each pole barn or horse barn is designed to meet your specific needs and desires.
We use only the top quality construction materials and professional building crews to ensure that you will get a building that you can be proud of for years to come. Every customer is important to us and Bradford Buildings strives to provide the best pole barn building solutions along with an excellent customer experience.
Give us a call to discuss your next building project and get a free no-hassle quote today. Please look through the FAQ section to familiarize yourself with many of the often-asked questions about Post Frame Construction. If you still have questions please feel free to ask. We have found that a well-educated customer is a happy customer.
Why post frame construction is better:
Post frame construction is easier, stronger, and more affordable. What more could you ask for? Here are some facts to help you convince naysayers that pole barns and other pole buildings are constructed using the best method of construction hands down.
FOUNDATION SAVINGS
- Foundation costs usually exceeds 15% of the total cost of construction for typical single story construction. Pole buildings use posts as the framing member. The strength of posts buried 3 to 4 feet deep provides excellent lateral and vertical bearing strength.
- Rather than pouring huge amounts of concrete accompanied by a large excavation project, the foundation for pole buildings are simply the holes that are drilled using a power auger.
SITE ADAPTABILITY
- For areas that are not flat, a conventional foundation would require earth moving and grading to level the site. Pole buildings require less site preparation than other forms of construction.
- Rather than waste a prime location for your new building because of excavation issues, instead build a pole building in a less desirable area since site contours are in some cases acceptable for certain pole barn uses.
FRAMING
- Pole barns can be fully framed to look just like conventional construction or be an open air barn with minimal finishing costs. Walls are non load bearing using pole construction methods. The poles support the weight of the building. Non load bearing walls also lower framing costs too.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
- Post frame buildings have fewer thermal breaks than conventional construction. Posts on 8′ or greater centers can be insulated better than a stick frame building with studs 16″ or 24″ on center.
STRUCTURAL STABILITY
- A properly designed and constructed pole building can handle weather that would destroy conventional structures. A post embedded in the earth transmits lateral forces (wind loading) on the walls directly into the ground.
- During earthquakes and wind load events, this allows the buildings to flex and not shear at the foundation or top plates.
VERSATILITY
Post frame construction is ideal for dozens of building types including:
- Barns
- Garages
- Homes
- Utility buildings
- Office buildings
- Vacation Homes
- Cabins
- Open face building
- Horse stalls
- Retail Stores
- Aircraft Hangars
Always check into zoning and get a building permit prior to planning your construction project.
Why poles are so strong
- Shipbuilders used poles as masts for sailing ships. They removed very little wood other than bark to maintain max bending strength.
- As a tree grows, it pre-stresses its fibers. Wood on the outside of a tree trunk can achieve 2000 psi of tension. The inner wood is actually in compression. The outer tension of the exterior wood is what allows a tree to bend substantially before it actually goes into compression.
- Modern concrete structures use this same technique to strengthen them against breaking under tension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maybe. We are able to install doors in most cases depending on location. You can also contact a local overhead door company to install a door. Most overhead doors will require approximately 24″ of clearance height for overhead track. Example: If you order a 10′ tall building, then the maximum door height that you can use is 8′. If you do not purchase the Overhead doors through us, you will need to check with the overhead door company and verify the size of the opening that they will require. This information must be given to Bradford Buildings before construction begins. If you are going to pour a concrete slab inside the building it is important to remember that the thickness of the slab will affect the door clearance.
Yes. We need to be aware of your local building requirements and we can modify our standard construction to adapt to your local building codes. Factory engineered trusses are used on all buildings (unless it is a rafter application; porch, shed, lien-to). Changes to our standard construction must be reviewed by our engineer and priced by our sales staff.
Most of the time. Ask a sales representative for specifics. This depends largely on the location of the building site.
Yes. We use a 2 x 6 CCA .60 treated bottom plate around the bottom of the building. This board can be used as a form for pouring a concrete slab. Concrete can normally be poured through the large door opening. If the concrete contractor requires additional access to pour the concrete then some wall metal could be left off and installed by the customer after the concrete is poured. In some instances, we can set the posts for the building and pull off the job until the concrete is complete. This may require additional cost for travel expenses for the crew.
Yes. We can provide material kits for any size building. Factory built trusses are available to eliminate the task of constructing the trusses on site. We have insulation, walk doors, windows, vents, cupolas, horse stalls and all the hardware and accessories that you will need to construct your building.
Yes and No. Most states do not allow agricultural exemptions for buildings or improvements to real property. We allow Oklahoma Farm Tax exemptions. Please check with your local state tax authority to see if you can use your farm tax exemption. We do recognize 100% Disabled Veteran tax exemption cards.
Yes. You will need to make us aware of this, so we can figure the costs and material correctly. Also keep in mind that your slab must have a substantial footing to bear the weight load of the building. We are not responsible for damage to the floor that may occur from insufficient footing.
Maybe. Some counties or cities will require a building permit. The building requirements and restrictions are very different in every area. It is the customer’s responsibility to check with the local building inspection office to identify any building restrictions that may be enforced. The customer is responsible for the cost of a building permit, if one is required. We can provide detailed truss drawings to assist in the process of obtaining a permit, which in most cases is all that is needed from us. Occasionally, a municipality will require site specific Engineered Drawings for your building. We can provide engineered drawings and modify the construction of the building, if required. The engineer requires a payment for this service, which is an additional cost that must be paid when the drawings are contracted for. Also keep in mind that if any inspections are required during the construction this may require our builders to stop and wait on the inspector. If this occurs there is a small fee for the down time.
Yes. The customer is responsible for having electricity at the job site or they must have a generator available for the builders to use during construction. We can provide a generator for a modest cost if needed.
Yes. You should have the building pad as level as possible. We will level the building with the highest part of the ground. If the ground is not level there will be a gap under the building where the ground slopes, you can always back fill if needed. The ground needs to be within 2”-4” of being perfectly level in order to use our standard pole lengths. This may require hiring an excavator or using a builder’s level to determine if the ground is level.
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Wainscoting
Wainscoting is a great way to add style to your building exterior. By using Z-channel and an extra nailer, a second colored sheet of metal can be easily installed at preferred heights.
Vapor Barrier Insulation
As changes in temperature occur outside, condensation will likely form on the inside of your building. A vapor barrier provides protection against unwanted moisture. Options are R-4 & R-10. Easy application over purlins and under metal.
Porches / Leans
We offer many different styles of portable buildings with porches. If you decide on a model that has a porch determine its location left or right if we are building it on the side. And the width and length of the porch is changeable from what you see in the pictures.
Windows
Standard Aluminum Windows: White
Special Order: Bronze and SandstoneFeatures:
- Single Screen
- Double Pane
- 5/8″ Insulated Glass
- Grilles Between the Glass
Overhangs
12″ Overhangs can be added on the gable ends or eaves of your building.
Laminated Posts
Laminated Posts consist of 2×6’s or 2×8’s glued together with treated bottom. Studies have shown that this combination of multiple wood grains provides 30% more strength than a stanard 6×6 post.
Liner Panel
Easy and affordable way to finish off the interior of your building. Made out of 29 Gauge white metal.
Benefits:
- Easy installation
- Washable interior
- Great drywall alternative (no need to spackle, sand or paint)
- Durable and tough
Wall & Roof Lights
Corrugated Polycarbonate Sheets installed on your wall or roof provides natural lighting.
Benefits include:
- High Impact Resistance
- Impressive Durability
- Weather Resistance
- Versatility
- Excellent Fire Performance
- Cuts Out 98% of Ultraviolet Light
Perma Posts
Perma-Column pre-cast piers and heavy brackets keep posts out of the ground to avoid rot, or may be used to fix rotten posts.
Dutch Doors
- Door Panel Perimeters are Cut and Formed from a Single Piece of 16 gauge steel
- Paint System is Quality Powder Coat Urethane over a Six Stage Pre-Wash
- Heavy Duty Hinges are Extra Strong and Bolt into the Door Panel
Ridge Vents
Gambrel And Attic Trusses
The Gambrel and Attic trusses are 2′ on center versus the standard 4′ on center truss. This enables the trusses to sustain weight suitable for an attic or loft for post frame buildings (attic/loft sizes vary).
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Bradford Buildings General Building Specifications
“Standard Duty”
(Similar to Competition)“Heavy Duty”
(Award Winning NFBA Building )Post Holes: 36″ to 48″ Deep No Footers 10″ Composite Footers Posts: Standard Style 5×5’s
Heavy Duty 6×6’s or Full Treated LaminatesUplift Cleats / 1 Year Warranty
5×5’s CCALmtd. Lifetime Warranty & Uplift Cleats
6×6’s or Full Treated LaminatesGrade Board: 2×6 60% CCA Treated Lifetime Rated x Lmtd. Lifetime Warranty Wall Girts: 2×6 Evenly Spaced or 36″ Centers 24″ Centers Top Plates: 2×8 30′ Wide / 2×10 40′ Wide 2×8 Min 30′ W=2×10’s / 40′ & 50’W=2×12’s Trusses: 3/12 Pitch / 115 MPH (TDI 2012 Rated) x x Roof Purlins / Girts: 2×4 24″Centers x x 40 Yr. Baked On Exterior Coating / Metal x Transferable Warranty Steel 36″x80″ Walk Door Series “99” Plyco (Alum. Frame) Series “20” Plyco (Steel Frame) Warranty: (Workmanship and Materials) 1 Year 5 Year Post to Truss Connection 40D Ring Shank Nail 40D Ring Shank & 4″ Lag Screws Full Trim Package Rat Guard, Fascia, Doors & OHD Trim x x Color Matched, Neoprene Seal, Metal Sunshade Screws 1 1/2″ 1 1/2″ Insulation / Installed Direction (Option) Vertical Horizontal Eve Sealant Strips (Non Insulated or Spray Foam Only) None Yes Bottom Cord Truss Bracing Minimal Yes / 10′ On Center Min. Ridge Cap 18″ Wide / 2″ Screws 18″ Wide / 2″ Screws Corner Bracing / Secondary Wind Reinforcements Long Wall Long and Short Wall Gutter Ready (Optional all Buildings) Optional Optional Windows Aluminum (Dbl Pane Glass) Vinyl (DbL Pane / Low E Glass) Concrete / 3500 PSI / Rebar x x Building has a 5 year warranty for warkmanship. We are not responsible for misuse and acts of God.
Get A Detailed Quote
You are invited to contact us or any of our sales dealers for a detailed quote, free of charge, with no high-pressure tactics and no obligation to buy. Click the link below to get started!