Pole building blueprint transitioning into a finished structure

BUILDING FEATURES

The highest quality building that meets your specific wants, needs, budget, and style.

50 Years of Expert Craftsmanship

Our goal at Sherman Pole Buildings is to provide you with the highest quality pole building available that meets your specific wants, needs, budget, and style. With our in-house custom design system and 50 years of post-frame experience, we can quickly and accurately give you all the information you need to make the best-informed decisions.

Each Sherman Pole Building is specifically designed for the geographical location of construction and is backed by our 30-year limited structural warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty. We take pride in each and every building we construct — not only because we want you to tell your friends and family, but because each building is a place where stories begin.

Features & Options

Design Features+

Agricultural use buildings, unclassified buildings, and buildings in areas without enforced codes are all designed and erected by Sherman Pole Buildings using the State Structural Code Guidelines as our minimum design criteria. We follow Residential Code (35 lb snow load) even for agricultural buildings — because the snow weighs the same regardless of intended use.

Footing Systems

Engineered footing systems range from pre-cast concrete pad footings to custom poured concrete footings, set 48" to 60" below grade for frost protection.

Posts & Columns

Post types range from solid sawn timbers to multi-ply engineered laminated columns. All posts are treated to a minimum retention of .60 lbs of CCA-C preservative per cubic foot.

Post Spacing

Common bearing wall post spacing ranges from 6' to 8' on center. Spacing flexibility allows us to combine your needs with the most economical and structurally sound design.

Wall Systems

Wall systems start with a 9" non-arsenic treated baseboard system and continue with 2"×4" or wider lumber with #2 and better MSR (Machine Stress Rated) wall girts. MSR lumber is mechanically tested for strength.

Roof System

Engineered roof systems include 1650# MSR purlins and engineered trusses set on notched columns. Notching transfers roof weight directly to columns and footings. Standard trusses include a 7 lb ceiling load for safe steel ceiling installation.

Steel Roofing & Siding

29-gauge, G60 panel with a 45-year siliconized polyester paint warranty. Upgrade options include G90, G100, 26-gauge, and Kynar paint finish. Steel is fastened with gasket-mounted screws. G40 panels available as a more economical option.

Ventilation

Continuous ridge venting mesh at peak and unobstructed ribs at both eaves with a 6" roof steel overhang. This unique design creates maximum free air movement — fresh air in at eaves, warm humid air out at ridge — while restricting rain and snow.

Doors & Windows

Windows are commercial grade, horizontal sliding, maintenance-free, and pre-finished in aluminum or vinyl frames. Walk-in doors are commercial grade, steel-frame, steel-panel service doors. Custom colors, glass, and hardware upgrades available.

Building Options & Upgrades+

Boxed Overhangs

Upgrade from standard 6" roof overhang to boxed overhangs typically extending 12" to 24" out from building walls, enclosed with color-matched metal soffits and fascia. Can be added to one or more walls.

Wainscoting

An aesthetic upgrade that allows the lower portion of building walls to be a different accent color. Can be applied to one or more walls and helps reduce repair costs from damaged wall steel.

Custom Sliding Doors

Custom designed to the exact dimensions you need. When installed on the gable end, sliding door height can equal the full ceiling height — enabling taller openings than overhead doors allow. (Overhead doors require 16" of headroom clearance above the door.)

Dutch Doors

Factory built pre-assembled Dutch doors are a two-piece (upper and lower) door system most commonly used in equestrian buildings. 29-gauge steel door panels and 16-gauge steel frames in 15 popular colors.

Cupolas

Roof cupolas with color-matched steel walls and roof are available in 24", 36", and 48" sizes. Includes your choice of 10 different weather vanes to personalize your building's look.

Interior Finish Package

Complete interior finish package includes wall and ceiling insulation, vapor barrier, and liner steel — everything needed to turn a cold storage building into a comfortable, finished space.

Residential Garage Door Products+

From contemporary to traditional designs, Sherman’s garage door product line has a garage door and opener that is the perfect complement to any pole building. Building a new garage, outbuilding, or barn? Replacing an existing garage door? Here’s what you need to know about our garage door options.

Non-Insulated Doors

Nominal 24-gauge raised short panel steel door with torsion springs and 12" radius track system. Options include custom colors, windows, and panel designs.

Insulated Doors

R-6.7 rated polystyrene insulation bonded between 26-gauge substrate with torsion springs and 12" radius track. Higher insulation value upgrades available. Ideal for heated buildings.

Product Literature

Download product brochures for Midland, North Central, and Haas Door lines. Compare door styles, insulation values, color options, and panel designs.

View Brochures →

Note: In Minnesota, garage doors are installed on the eave side (the long wall) to comply with snow load code requirements. Our crews know this and ensure every installation meets local code from the start.

Permit Procedures+

Basic Requirements

If your building requires an accessory structure building permit, certain information about your property will be required by your permitting agency (township, county, etc.). Below are the typical requirements. If you have questions or concerns, contact Sherman Pole Buildings and we will be happy to help.

•Site plan showing property lines and building location
•Building dimensions (width, length, height)
•Intended use of the structure
•Contractor information and license number
•Engineered building drawings (provided by Sherman)
•Application fee (varies by jurisdiction)

Zoning Requirements

Setbacks

The distance your building must be built from your property lines, house, well, septic, and/or other buildings on your property. Setback requirements vary by township and county.

Snow Load

Exposure level, elevation, and your property’s exposure to wind determine your required snow load. Sherman designs all buildings to a minimum of 35 lb residential code — even for agricultural use — because the snow weighs the same on any roof.

Footing Sizes

Some counties require different footing sizes. With 50 years of experience across Minnesota counties and cities, we know the local requirements and can advise on the correct footing size — or provide custom poured footings when required.

Warranty+

Sherman Pole Buildings and Sherman Lumber, Inc. are proud to offer a 30-Year Structural Integrity and a 10-Year Workmanship Warranty on every building we construct. This warranty covers a period 3 times the Minnesota State requirements for structure and 10 times the requirements for workmanship.

30 Years

Structural Integrity

Covers building design, snow loads, wind loads, steel siding, roofing, and any leaks.

10 Years

Workmanship

Covers all labor and installation work — 10 times the Minnesota State requirement.

60 Yr–Lifetime

Treated Lumber

The treated lumber and columns carry a 60-year to lifetime warranty against rot, decay, and insect attack.

Lifetime

Truss System

The truss and rafter systems carry a LIFETIME WARRANTY for building design loads.

Warranty Notes: This warranty is extended to the original building owner, is not transferable, and is limited to the building withstanding the natural forces and uses for which it was designed. Non-structural components such as windows, service doors, and overhead doors carry warranties from 5 years to lifetime based on manufacturer specifications. Contact us for full warranty details.

Our Design Criteria

Agricultural use buildings, unclassified buildings, exempt buildings, and buildings erected in areas where codes are not enforced are all designed and erected by Sherman Pole Buildings using the State Structural Code Guidelines as our minimum design criteria.

For example: The Agricultural Code allows for a 20 lb snow load, but the Residential Code calls for a 35 lb snow load. We follow the Residential Code of 35 lbs even if the building is intended for agricultural use.

The two main reasons our minimum design criteria matters: (1) The snow weighs the same on the roof of a residential building as it does on an agricultural building. (2) The items kept inside an agricultural building are just as important as those kept inside a residential building. We build every Sherman building to outlast the investment.

Ready to Build Your Sherman Pole Building?

With 50 years of post-frame experience, our team is ready to design and build the highest quality pole building that meets your exact wants, needs, budget, and style.

Get a Free Quote Design Your Building