Foundations are essential to any structure. Without them buildings would not have any stability or be able to stay square and true. Water causes erosion, while freezing temps and thawing causes the soil level to shift which in turn can cause foundation issues if not laid out professionally.
There are several options from basic to advanced that will provide a more sturdy foundation for your pole barn. When working with Milmar, you can choose from these foundation types to fit your building goals and budget.
6×6 set with concrete cookie pad
This foundation system is the most affordable option and is commonly used by many builders and home owners to keep costs down while still offering good stability to the building. It is best used for storage buildings and utility buildings. A 6×6 treated post is placed on top of a concrete cookie base. This pre-formed base should be at least 6 inches thick and 12-16 inches in diameter. It is then packed with crushed rock or drainable soil to ensure proper drainage away from the post to prevent rotting. When installed properly, this option works for a very long time, but not as permanent as options below with no wood in the ground.
6×6 post set in poured concrete
A treated 6×6 post is anchored by concrete poured around it once it is placed in the post hole. This must be done carefully or moisture can be trapped between the concrete and wood which will lead to decomposing. When using treated posts set in ground, this method is sometimes required in central to north Michigan depending on local codes.
Wet-set bracket
The term ‘wet-set’ is named so because the post bracket system is set while the concrete is still curing with welded rebar on the bottom of the bracket. Steel Sturdi-Wall brackets are the anchor system that connects the frame structure to the concrete foundation. Wet-set systems have one of the highest strength connection to the foundation. The wood post is kept off the ground which prevents rotting and gives the foundation longer life.
Perma-column
The first piece in the Perma-Column is the pre-cast concrete column. By keeping the wood off the ground, prevents the post from rotting. The next piece is the uplift anchors that are bolted to the pre-cast post at the base of the Perma-Column. Perma-Column uses 100% American made high quality steel alloy. The Perma-Column systems combines the traditional post-frame construction with the strength of a concrete foundation and the concrete is a much higher strength and density due to the pre-casting process.