Laying the Groundwork: Choosing the Right Foundation for Your Build Building your dream barndominium or shop in Missouri or Kansas starts with the right foundation—an essential part of ensuring your structure is stable, durable, and resilient. A well-chosen foundation supports your entire build, affecting everything from stability and longevity to energy efficiency. At Barnhouse Structures, we’re committed to guiding you through this critical decision with the knowledge and expertise needed for your unique property. In this guide, we’ll dive into the different foundation types, breaking down the specs, sizes, and options available. Whether you’re constructing a barndominium or a shop, this information will help you make an informed decision that suits both your budget and the local conditions in Missouri and Kansas. Barndominium Foundations: Why Footings Are the Gold Standard Footings are one of the most important components of a foundation, as they distribute the load of the structure evenly across the soil, preventing settling or shifting. In Missouri and Kansas, footings are the gold standard for barndominium foundations, ensuring long-term stability, especially in areas with variable soil conditions. What Are Footings? : Footings are wide concrete pads placed beneath the foundation walls or columns, designed to spread the weight of the structure over a large area. This helps prevent settling or cracking as the weight of the building is distributed evenly. Standard Sizes : A common size for footings is 12 inches wide by 36 inches to 48 inches deep . This size ensures the weight of the building is adequately spread out and can support the structure for decades to come. The depth of footings varies based on soil type and local building codes, with deeper footings providing added protection against shifting soils. Why Footings Are Crucial : Properly designed and sized footings help ensure that your building’s foundation remains stable through fluctuating weather conditions, such as freeze-thaw cycles and heavy rainfall, which are common in Missouri and Kansas. Without a strong footing, the structure may suffer from uneven settling or cracking, leading to costly repairs. Footing/wall foundation using concrete forms for a custom build Pole Barn Foundations: Comparing the Options For those building pole barns, the foundation plays a crucial role in maintaining structural integrity. Below, we’ll break down the most common pole barn foundation options, detailing their specifications, benefits, and best uses in Missouri and Kansas. Basic Hole-and-Post Method (Minimal Approach) What It Is : This method involves digging a hole, placing the post directly into the ground, and backfilling with soil. It’s the simplest and most cost-effective approach for setting up a pole barn. Risks : While it’s affordable, this approach can lead to issues like rotting and instability, especially in areas with high moisture content or shifting soils. In Missouri’s wetter regions, moisture can seep into the wood posts, causing decay over time. The lack of a concrete base also means there's no protection from soil movement, which can cause posts to shift and the structure to lean or settle unevenly. Post Protectors with Concrete Cookies What They Are : Post protectors are sleeves that encase wooden posts, preventing direct soil contact and reducing the risk of rot. Concrete cookies, or flat concrete disks, are placed at the bottom of the post hole to provide a solid base for the posts. How They Work : In regions like Missouri and Kansas, post protectors help safeguard against moisture damage, while concrete cookies offer extra support. Typically, a hole is dug to a depth of 4 feet, and the posts are set into the hole. Concrete cookies help elevate the posts slightly off the soil, reducing the chance of settling.. Benefits : This system offers better protection against moisture compared to the basic method, but it's still more cost-effective than concrete piers or Perma-Columns. It’s suitable for areas with moderate moisture levels but is still less durable than fully elevated options like Perma-Columns. Post protector with concrete cookie Perma-Columns What They Are : Perma-Columns are precast concrete columns designed to elevate wooden posts above the ground, completely eliminating wood-to-soil contact. How They Work : These columns are set into the ground, and the wooden posts are attached to them using steel brackets. Because the wood never touches the soil, there’s no risk of rotting, even in areas with high moisture. Benefits : This is one of the most durable options for pole barns, offering long-term protection against shifting soils, water damage, and rot. It’s particularly well-suited for areas with expansive soils, which are common in Kansas and parts of Missouri. Perma-Columns can be paired with other foundation options, like a concrete slab, to provide superior stability. Perma-Column with concrete slab Concrete Piers with Sturdi-Wall Brackets What They Are : Concrete piers are poured into the ground at specified intervals, with Sturdi-Wall brackets used to attach the wooden posts to the piers. How They Work : The piers are designed to resist shifting, ensuring stability even in areas with expansive or shifting clay soils. The Sturdi-Wall brackets add extra reinforcement by securing the posts tightly to the piers. Benefits : This system provides excellent resistance against soil movement, particularly in areas like the Kansas City metro area, where clay soils can cause significant shifting. The concrete piers create a solid foundation, reducing the risk of settling and helping to keep your pole barn level for years to come. Sturdi-Wall bracket on foundation wall Concrete Slab Foundations: Thickness and Considerations A concrete slab is often the foundation of choice for shop builds or garages, and it can also be paired with other foundation options for barndominiums or pole barns. The concrete slab serves both as the foundation and the floor of the building, providing a flat, durable surface for workspaces, storage, and living areas. Slab Thickness Options : 4-Inch Slab : A standard 4-inch thick slab is commonly used for garages, workshops, or lighter-duty structures. It provides a solid base but may not be suitable for heavy equipment or high-traffic areas. The slab is poured directly onto a prepared surface, typically with a layer of gravel or compacted soil underneath for added drainage. 6-Inch Slab : For heavier-duty structures or areas that will bear significant weight (e.g., machinery or vehicles), a 6-inch thick slab is often recommended. The added thickness ensures better durability and resistance to cracking. Wire Mesh vs. Rebar : Wire Mesh : Wire mesh is often used in 4-inch slabs to add tensile strength and prevent cracking over time. It is a cost-effective solution and helps to keep the slab intact under typical load-bearing conditions. Rebar : For a stronger, more reinforced foundation, rebar can be placed in the slab to resist cracking and improve its structural integrity. Rebar is especially recommended for 6-inch slabs or areas where heavy loads or machinery will be placed on the slab. How Slabs Are Poured : With Footings or Piers : When a concrete slab is paired with footings or concrete piers, the slab is often poured at the same time or on top of the footings/piers to create a continuous, solid foundation. This ensures that the slab and footings/pier system work together as one cohesive piece of concrete, providing maximum stability and resistance to shifting. As Standalone Slab : If a slab is not paired with footings or piers, it’s typically poured inside the building after the structure has been erected. This is common in pole barns and some shop builds where the slab serves as the finished floor. Once the building framework is in place, the slab is poured inside, often after the building is fully framed and protected from moisture. Why Quality Foundations Matter in Missouri and Kansas The fluctuating temperatures, shifting soils, and heavy rains in Missouri and Kansas make choosing the right foundation especially important. A solid foundation ensures: Longevity : Protects your structure from the shifting, heaving, and moisture infiltration caused by soil conditions, which are common in this region. Energy Efficiency : Helps regulate the temperature inside your structure, keeping it more comfortable and energy-efficient throughout the year. Structural Stability : Reduces the risk of long-term settlement, cracks, and shifts that could affect your building’s overall integrity. Building a Strong Future: Ensuring Long-Term Stability with the Right Foundation Choosing the right foundation is a crucial step in building your barndominium or shop in Missouri or Kansas. By understanding the various options, specifications, and benefits, you can make an informed decision that will support your building for years to come. Ready to discuss your foundation options? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward building your dream barndominium, hobby shop, or equestrian barn.

Your Go-To Resource for Barndominiums and Hobby Shops: Inspiration and Guidance from Barnhouse Structures Welcome to the Barnhouse Structures Blog! If you’re here, chances are you’re dreaming of building something special—a space that reflects your personality, supports your lifestyle, and stands the test of time. Whether you’re considering a turnkey barndominium, a custom hobby shop, or a multi-purpose barn, this blog is designed to be your ultimate resource. Why We Started This Blog At Barnhouse Structures, we don’t just build structures; we build dreams. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of helping countless homeowners turn their visions into reality. As we expand into turnkey barndominium builds in 2025, we want to share our knowledge, expertise, and passion for construction with a broader audience. This blog is our way of connecting with you—whether you’re a future client, a curious enthusiast, or someone seeking inspiration for your next project. Here, you’ll find a wealth of information, tips, and insights to guide you through every step of the building process. What You’ll Find on the Barnhouse Structures Blog We’ve crafted a year-long strategy filled with diverse, high-value content to ensure there’s something for everyone. Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect: 1. Educational Guides Our educational posts will demystify the construction process, covering topics like: How to choose the right land for your barndominium Understanding construction materials and their benefits Financing options for turnkey builds Whether you’re new to building or looking to deepen your understanding, these guides will provide the clarity you need. 2. Design Trends and Inspiration Stay ahead of the curve with our posts on the latest design trends for barndominiums and hobby shops. From modern minimalist styles to rustic-industrial blends, we’ll explore ideas to help you craft a space that’s both functional and beautiful. 3. Customer Spotlights and Success Stories There’s nothing more inspiring than real-life stories. We’ll showcase projects we’ve completed, share customer experiences, and provide insights into how we’ve helped clients achieve their dream spaces. 4. Maintenance and Longevity Tips Building a structure is just the beginning. Learn how to care for your investment with seasonal maintenance tips, energy-efficient upgrades, and long-term care strategies to keep your barndominium or hobby shop in top shape. 5. Localized Content Every region has its own unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to construction. We’ll address local regulations, land preparation tips, and location-specific trends to ensure your project goes smoothly no matter where you are. How We Can Help You As you explore the possibilities, you may have questions like: What’s the right size for my project? How can I maximize my budget? What design options work best for my needs? That’s where we come in. At Barnhouse Structures, we pride ourselves on offering a personalized, stress-free experience. From the initial consultation to the final walkthrough, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s Build Your Dream Together We believe that great projects start with great partnerships. Whether you’re ready to break ground or just beginning to explore your options, the Barnhouse Structures Blog is here to inspire and inform you. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on the latest posts, trends, and tips. And if you’re ready to take the next step, contact us today for a free consultation. Together, we’ll create a space that’s uniquely yours. Thank you for visiting the Barnhouse Structures Blog. Let’s make 2025 the year your dream becomes a reality!