When you are building a pole barn in Colorado Springs, there are many issues to consider. Where will you locate the barn? What colors should you choose for the structure? Do you want a porch? We share everything you need to know about building a pole barn.
3 advantages of building a pole barn
Are you buying horses and need a brand-new horse barn built? Are you adding to your classic car collection, need a place for your ATVs, or getting new agriculture equipment? A pole barn building might be just what you need. There are three advantages to building a pole barn. It is affordable, construction is quick, and pole barns are versatile.
Affordable. Pole barn construction uses less materials than standard building construction, less labor is required to do the construction, and installation is quicker, saving both time and money. The insurance costs will not necessarily be more since the metal roofing and metal siding of pole barns have a UL 2219 Class 4 hail impact resistance and UL 790 Class A fire-resistance rating. Affordability does not mean less comfort, as pole barns can be fitted with services such as electricity, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
Construction is quick. Enquire with your local authority before building a pole barn, as you might require a permit. One of the main reasons pole barn construction is so quick, is that it does not need a foundation. Despite this, the post-frame construction technique results in reliable and sturdy buildings. Poles are used for the building’s structural framing then metal sheeting is placed around the structure. The windows, doors and roof are installed, as well as services such as electricity.
Versatile. Pole barn structures are often used as barns, but are very versatile and have many other uses. Some people use the structural technique to build a garage or workshop. It is also a good option for storing all-purpose household goods or commercial storage. You can even use a pole barn as a helicopter or small plane hangar. If horses are your passion, it is ideal for an indoor riding arena.

Tips for picking the best color for your pole barn
When we think of a typical barn color, we think red. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, barns were originally red because paint was not readily available, and farmers had to be resourceful to protect their wood barns. Today there are many colors to choose from, and when your pole barn is designed and built by Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing, you can select from twenty-one colors.
The color groupings are greens, blues, browns, grays, reds, whites, and black. Then there is copper metallic and the original spangled silver color of Galvalume. Use the pole barn color visualizer to see how your preferred color combination for the roof, top siding, wainscoting, and trim will look. Tips for picking the best pole barn colors are, considering its location and use, what is your personal taste, and how many colors do you want to use?
What is the location of the building? Will it be close to existing buildings or in a distant field? Paint colors are more relevant when a pole barn structure stands close to other buildings, such as your primary home or other barns, as it must either match styling in or look different, depending on your taste. If the barn is used as a garage next to your home, maybe you want its color to create a unified effect.
Are you building a pole barn in Colorado Springs and deciding on the colors to choose? Remember, there are also multiple pattern options available in the standing seam and exposed fastener roofing categories showcased in the pole barn color visualizer. Are you building a pole barn house or indoor riding arena? Your personal taste is very relevant, as clients and visitors will connect the color scheme with you.
The Best Way to Maintain your Pole Barn
Building a pole barn in Colorado Springs means you understand the importance of pole barn maintenance for protection against harsh weather conditions. The post-frame construction technique uses high-quality materials, and creates a sturdy building, but requires regular maintenance to ensure decades of use. One of the best ways to maintain your pole barn is to make building maintenance a habit. Draw up a fixed schedule, whether monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly, and keep with the program.
When you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, doing a quick monthly review will save you money in the long term. Building maintenance includes closing barn doors and windows when heavy winds are expected and removing snow from roofs before the maximum snow load is reached. The painted metal used by Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing has a 40-year limited warranty, so touch-ups are needed only under extreme circumstances.
Those that know how to maintain a pole barn recognize the importance of attending to leaks and drafts as soon as possible. In post barn design, posts are widely spaced for less thermal breaks in the finished structure, resulting in better insulation. So, as soon as you feel a draft possibly caused by structural damage, repair it. Leaks can start in the roof or on sidings and wainscoting. As soon as a leak is identified, repair it to prevent water damage, mold growth, and air quality problems.
Pests such as rats and mice are especially prevalent in barns that store feed or house animals. They can dig under barn sidings, causing leaks and drafts, and if the barn cat cannot control the population, get a professional exterminator. The barn poles are treated to discourage pests but include checking for termite damage in your regular schedule.

How to Decide on the Best Barn Placement on your Property
What is your purpose for building a pole barn in Colorado Springs? Do you need extra space for agricultural machinery, or a loafing shed for cattle? Before deciding where the best barn placement is on your property, consider climate, location, level, and drainage.
Climate. Farmers know the weather. They understand how rain, snow, wind, and the sun impact their property and will easily find the best place for a barn. As a pilot, you will also be familiar with the wind directions around your hangar, when you want to expand. However, if you are new to an area and want to build a pole barn home, take the climate into consideration when planning the placement of your house. Get to know the general wind patterns, snow drifts, and best orientation to maximize sun exposure in the winter time.
Location. Will your pole barn structure need to tap into existing water, sewer, and electrical lines? The services should be easily accessible for your location, or it could become very costly. Ask the construction company you appointed to design and build your pole barn for advice on your preferred locations, as they are knowledgeable about most location limitations.
Level. Pole barns can be built on unlevel ground, gravel, or dirt without any need to prepare a level bed or pour concrete foundations. With post-frame construction, poles form the structural framing instead of bricks or wood, and are set a few feet into the ground, then cemented. When Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing designs a building, the structure leveling and preferred site layout are considered.
Drainage. Drainage is important because standing water can become a health and safety risk to the structure, as well as the goods or animals kept inside. Choose a site where melted snow and rainwater will flow away from the barn.
Understanding The Permits Required for Pole Barns
Generally, building a pole barn in Colorado Springs does require a barn permit. Depending on where you live, you can contact the El Paso County Planning and Community Development Department, as they review building plans for Land Use and zoning requirements. The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) issues permits and collects the fees. We look at three permit aspects you need to understand before committing to pole barn construction. Even if you live in other areas, Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing can assist with the permit process.
Zoning regulations. Zoning divides a municipality into residential, commercial, and industrial districts (zones). Within each zone, there are regulations that state what can and cannot be done and are often very detailed. Examples of this are:
- Specific requirements on the type of buildings allowed.
- Location of utility lines
- Restrictions on accessory buildings, building setbacks from the streets and other boundaries
- Size and height of buildings
- Number of rooms in a building.
In areas of historic or cultural significance, zoning regulations might require certain features to be preserved.
Building codes. Building codes are regulations that determine the design, construction, and materials used in a building, based on agreed safety standards within a specific area, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In the State of Colorado, local towns adopted the following building codes:
- 2012 International Building Code (IBC)
- 2015 International Plumbing Code (IPC)
- 2014 National Electric Code (NEC)
- 2015 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC).
Covenants. A covenant is a written agreement between two or more parties for the performance of some action, and these are additional rules to zoning regulations. Many developments have restrictive covenants that aim to “preserve, protect and enhance property values”. Restrictive covenants include architectural and maintenance restrictions, as well as use restrictions controlling parking, pets etc.

How to choose accessories for your pole barn
Building a pole barn means you must decide on the accessories you want to add, as they can enhance the barn exterior and increase its value. Barn accessories could be practical like doors and windows, or architectural features such as cupolas and artwork. The right accessories can complement and uplift even the simplest pole barn design.
One of the roof accessories often used at indoor riding arenas are cupolas, that small tower or dome-like feature projecting from the barn roof. Not only are they architecturally pleasing, but practical, as it creates additional ventilation. Peak Pole Barn and Manufacturing does custom steelwork and can design, construct, and install the cupola and weathervane of your dreams.
The doors chosen as accessories for a pole barn is definitely dependent on the building’s purpose. Will it be used as a horse barn? Then Dutch doors are a good fit. With the top half of the door open, the horses get an opportunity to socialize while fresh air and sunshine flows in.
Windows fulfill a dual purpose. They let light and fresh air in, but also allow people to see outside and enjoy nature at its most beautiful, whether snow or sunshine. If you are building a pole barn house, choosing the right windows is vital. Composite or fiberglass windows prevent frost from forming around the window edges in a cold climate. Aluminum windows are sturdy and a good choice for horse barns.
Adding a porch to your pole barn is an architectural accessory and enhances the building’s design. If you enjoy sitting on a porch there are many types to choose from, including a wraparound standard, wraparound Dutch, inset porch, or step-down porch.
Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing, Colorado Springs, is a full-service business. We design the custom building with our clients, source all the pole barn materials, and do the construction. Our experience includes designing and constructing agricultural buildings, equine indoor arenas, horse barns, barn-style garages, and more. Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing are also experts at customized steelwork such as cupolas, handrails, Dutch doors, entry gates, and artwork. Are you wondering what building a pole barn in Colorado Springs involves? Contact Peak Pole Barns and Manufacturing today.