How Pole Buildings Are Framed: Step-by-Step from Dirt to Dried-In
If you’ve ever wondered how a post-frame (pole) building actually comes together, the process is simpler, (and smarter) than most people expect.
At Boon Buildings, we build structures designed to handle tough northern conditions while staying efficient and cost-effective. From bare ground to a weather-tight shell, every step plays a role in the building’s long-term strength.
Here’s a clear, step-by-step look at how a pole building is framed from start to finish.
1. Site Prep: Building Starts with the Ground
Before any materials show up, the site needs to be properly prepared.
This includes:
Stripping topsoil and organic material
Establishing a level building pad
Bringing in and compacting structural fill (if needed)
Ensuring proper drainage away from the building
A solid, well-drained base prevents settling, shifting, and moisture issues down the road.
2. Layout: Squaring and Positioning the Building
Next comes layout—one of the most important (and most overlooked) steps.
The crew will:
Mark building corners
Square the structure using diagonal measurements
Set post locations based on engineered spacing (typically 8–12 ft)
If the layout is off, everything that follows becomes harder—and less accurate.
3. Setting Posts: The Structural Backbone
Posts are the foundation of a post-frame building. Instead of continuous footings, loads are transferred directly into the ground through these vertical members.
This step includes:
Drilling or augering holes below frost depth
Setting posts plumb and to proper height
Backfilling and compacting around posts (or setting on concrete piers)
Proper post placement is critical—it determines how well the building handles loads from the roof, wind, and snow.
4. Skirt Board Installation
A treated skirt board (grade board) is installed around the base of the building.
It serves several purposes:
Ties the bottoms of posts together
Provides a straight edge for siding installation
Helps protect the base of the wall system
It also helps establish the finished height of the building.
5. Girts: Framing the Walls
Horizontal framing members called girts are attached to the posts to create the wall system.
Depending on design, girts may be:
Installed flat (barn style)
Installed between posts (bookshelf style, stronger and more modern)
Girts provide:
Structural support for siding
Resistance to wind loads
Overall wall rigidity
This is where the building starts to take shape visually.
6. Trusses: Setting the Roof Structure
Roof trusses are then set on top of the posts.
In post-frame construction:
Trusses are typically spaced wider (often 8–12 feet apart)
They are engineered to handle snow and wind loads
They transfer loads directly down through the posts into the ground
This system allows for large, open interior spaces without load-bearing walls.
7. Purlins: Connecting the Roof System
Purlins are installed horizontally across the top of the trusses.
They:
Tie the trusses together
Provide a surface for roof steel or sheathing
Help distribute loads across the roof system
Proper spacing and installation are key for long-term roof performance.
8. Bracing: Locking the Structure Together
Bracing is what turns a framed structure into a solid system.
This includes:
Truss bracing
Diagonal bracing in walls and roof
Permanent bracing as required by engineering
Without proper bracing, even a well-built structure can shift or fail under load. This step is critical—especially in areas with heavy snow and wind.
9. Roof Steel Installation
Once the roof structure is complete and braced, metal roofing is installed.
This step:
Protects the building from weather
Locks the roof system together
Allows interior work to continue regardless of weather
At this point, the building is close to being “dried in.”
10. Wall Steel & Dried-In Stage
Finally, wall steel (siding) and trim are installed.
Once complete:
The building is fully enclosed
Protected from rain, snow, and wind
Ready for doors, concrete, and interior finishes
This is what builders call the “dried-in” stage, a major milestone in the project.
Why This System Works
Post-frame construction is efficient because it simplifies the load path:
Roof → Trusses → Posts → Ground
Compared to traditional framing, it uses fewer materials while maintaining excellent strength, especially in climates like Minnesota and Wisconsin where snow load and frost are major factors.
Built from the Ground Up
Every step in the process builds on the one before it. When done right, the result is a structure that is:
Strong and stable
Resistant to weather and movement
Efficient to build and maintain
Designed to last for decades
At Boon Buildings, careful attention to each phase, from site prep to final steel, is what ensures every building performs the way it should.