If you're an Oklahoma homeowner planning a new workshop, storage space, or agricultural building, chances are you've weighed two options: a steel shop building or a wood-post pole barn. Both have their fans, and both will get a structure on your property. But when you factor in Oklahoma's unique climate challenges — high winds, termites, extreme temperature swings, and intense storms — the choice becomes clearer than you might expect.
At Indaco Metals, we've been manufacturing steel building kits right here in Oklahoma since 1995. We've seen firsthand how our state's weather and pests put structures to the test. Here's a straightforward comparison to help you decide which option is right for your property.
A pole barn (sometimes called a post-frame building) uses large wooden posts or poles buried in the ground or set on concrete piers as its primary structural support. Horizontal wooden girts are attached to the poles, and metal or wood siding is fastened to those girts. The roof is typically supported by wooden trusses.
Pole barns gained popularity because they're relatively quick to build and have lower upfront material costs. For many rural applications across the country, they've been a go-to option for decades.
A steel shop building uses an all-metal frame — either truss-frame or rigid-frame construction — as its structural backbone. Every load-bearing component is steel, from the columns and rafters to the purlins and girts. The result is a building engineered to handle significant loads and extreme weather.
Indaco Metals offers both truss-frame and rigid-frame building kits in standard and custom sizes, complete with everything you or your contractor needs to build.
This is where the conversation starts and ends for many Oklahoma property owners. Our state regularly experiences severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes. Wood-post pole barns rely on the integrity of buried posts and nailed or bolted connections between wood members. Over time, wood can split at connection points, and buried posts are vulnerable to moisture and rot — weakening the very foundation of the structure.
Steel shop buildings use bolted steel-to-steel connections throughout. Every Indaco building kit is engineered for wind speeds up to 90 mph when properly assembled. Steel doesn't split, warp, or weaken at connection points the way wood can, which means your building maintains its engineered strength year after year.
Oklahoma ranks among the highest-risk states in the country for termite activity. Subterranean termites are active across the entire state, and they can silently compromise the structural posts of a pole barn long before the damage becomes visible. Treating and replacing damaged wood posts is expensive and disruptive.
Steel doesn't attract termites. Period. A steel shop building eliminates this risk entirely, saving you the ongoing cost of pest treatments and the worry of hidden structural damage.
Wood-post pole barns require regular attention. Posts need to be inspected for rot, especially at ground level. Wood girts and trusses can warp, crack, or sag over time. Painted wood surfaces need recoating every few years to prevent weather damage.
Steel shop buildings from Indaco Metals feature panels finished with a high-performance, two-coat Valspar® modified siliconized polyester coating. This finish is baked onto the metal, forming a molecular bond that resists UV damage and won't flake — backed by a 40-year manufacturer's limited warranty. Maintenance is minimal: an occasional inspection and cleaning is typically all that's needed.
Pole barns often win on initial price. The materials are generally less expensive, and construction can be faster. For a homeowner on a tight budget who needs a basic covered structure quickly, a pole barn can make sense.
However, when you calculate the total cost of ownership over 20 or 30 years — factoring in pest treatment, wood replacement, repainting, storm repairs, and a shorter overall lifespan — a steel shop building frequently comes out ahead. Many Oklahoma homeowners also find that steel buildings can result in better insurance rates due to their superior wind and fire resistance.
Modern steel shop buildings are far more versatile than many people realize. With Indaco's 17 color options and flexible sizing — from compact 20x20 truss-frame kits up to large rigid-frame commercial buildings — you can design a shop that fits your property and your needs.
Use our 3D Builder tool to visualize your project before you commit. Whether you need a two-bay workshop, an equipment barn, or a full commercial shop, steel construction accommodates it all.
Pole barns offer customization too, but the structural limitations of wood framing can restrict clear-span widths and ceiling heights. If you need a wide-open interior without support columns — common for equipment storage, vehicle lifts, or large workspaces — rigid-frame steel construction is the stronger choice.
Oklahoma's dry summers and grass fires are a real concern for rural property owners. Wood-frame pole barns are combustible structures. Steel shop buildings offer significantly better fire resistance, which can protect not just the building itself but the equipment, vehicles, and materials stored inside.
We believe in helping you make the right decision, not just selling you a building. A pole barn might be a reasonable choice if you need a temporary or short-term structure, your budget is extremely limited and long-term costs are a secondary concern, or the building will be used in a low-wind-risk area (though that's rare in Oklahoma).
For most Oklahoma homeowners looking for a durable, low-maintenance, long-lasting shop or barn, steel construction is the smarter investment.
As a family-owned Oklahoma company since 1995, Indaco Metals understands what it takes to build structures that last in this state. Our building kits are manufactured right here — at our facilities in Shawnee and Sand Springs — and every kit is designed to meet Oklahoma building codes and weather demands.
When you buy from Indaco, you get locally manufactured building materials from a team that knows Oklahoma conditions, fully engineered kits with everything needed to build, direct access to experienced staff who can answer your questions, and the reliability of a company that's served Oklahoma builders for nearly 30 years.
Whether you're replacing an aging pole barn or starting from scratch, we're here to help you plan your project. Contact our sales team to discuss your needs, or stop by one of our Oklahoma showrooms to see our materials in person.
Shawnee: 3 American Way, Shawnee, OK 74804 — (405) 273-9200
Sand Springs: 17427 W 9th St, Sand Springs, OK 74063 — (918) 419-6053
Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Give us a call, visit a showroom, or request a quote online — we'll help you find the right building kit for your property and your budget.
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