Most people agree that adding a large wrap-around porch provides a space to relax in your rocking chair and adds curb appeal to your pole barn.

While designing your post-frame project, you might have seen some projects listed as having a lean-to when you thought it was just a side porch. 

This blog will discuss the differences between a porch and a lean-to, the design options each provides, and the cost of adding one to your project.

What is Pole Barn Porch?

Typically, post-frame buildings add a porch to provide an extended outdoor living space. Depending on the design, porches can be fully enclosed, partially enclosed, or open. Some options are inset, entry, wrap-around, or screened-in porches.

Porches are commonly used as entryways to pole buildings, sheltered outdoor spaces, or decorative features. They are also often used for relaxation, entertaining, or storing outdoor items like bikes or tools.

Porches are fully customizable in terms of roofing, walls, flooring, columns, and finishes. They typically have standard widths of 6’, 8’, 10’, and 12’. Porches can integrate with the building's overall aesthetics.

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What is a Pole Barn Lean-to?

A lean-to is a structure with a roof that slopes against the side of a pole barn, typically supported by posts or beams. Unlike a porch, a lean-to is generally used for utilitarian purposes rather than aesthetics.

It is commonly used for additional storage space for equipment, hay, firewood, or vehicles and is often used as a covered shelter on one side of a building. It may be an area to keep machinery or agricultural equipment safe from the elements.

The lean-to's common wall can either be open to the main building or closed off with framing and steel. The roofline can be the same as the main portion of the building or slope separately. 

Lean-tos are typically enclosed, but side walls can be open or partially enclosed (see photos). They also usually run the entire side length of horse barns, commercial buildings, and agriculture cold storage barns.

Lean-tos are a great option if you want a wider storage area. Most are larger than porches, which span 6' - 12' wide. With rafters, lean-tos can be up to 24' wide, but anything wider than 24' will most likely be a mono truss. 

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What Different Design Options Are There?

Each post-frame project uniquely suits the customer's design style and building use needs. Let's examine some decisions that can elevate a building's aesthetic appearance. 

You can choose these different options for both porches and lean-tos, but porches typically include more of them. If you want to experiment with various porches, lean-to lengths, and widths, check out our FREE Design Online tool!

Roof Styles

There are five main pole barn roof styles. A lean-to roof will continue the existing roof or be a simple angled one. 

However, a porch or a lean-to can include a hip roof system. A hip or hipped roof is a design where all four sides slope downward to the walls, eliminating gable ends.

Pole Barn Porch Columns

Most lean-tos use the simple wooden columns already in place. For porches, many customers choose to upgrade to cedar or steel-wrapped columns. Another option is to include mitered columns for an elevated look.

Ceiling

Typically, customers will leave the ceiling in a lean-to-open or add steel for a more finished look.

Porches can have ceilings made of cedar, soffit, or steel. Consider wrapping your header to match your cedar—or steel-wrapped columns. Also, consider whether you want can lights or ceiling fans for your outdoor oasis.

Which is cheaper: a pole barn porch or a lean-to?

Now that you understand the differences between a pole barn lean-to and a porch, you may wonder which is cheaper. 

Typically, a lean-to is cheaper simply because it does not include the porch features, such as headers, mitered corners, cedar columns, etc.  

However, if they are priced the same, feature to feature, they should be a similar price.

Which Will You Pick: Porch or Lean-to?

When deciding between a Pole Barn Porch and a Lean-To for your post-frame construction project, the main differences come down to building design and functionality:

Porch: Typically open-sided, porches offer aesthetic appeal and protection for entryways. Features often include mitered columns, cedar or steel column wraps, soffit ceilings, and decorative headers. They're the choice if you're looking for an attractive space or shelter from the elements.

Lean-To: Often enclosed (but can be open), primarily designed for functional storage. It's generally more cost-effective due to the lack of decorative features and can be as wide as 24 feet with rafters or wider with a mono truss. Lean-tos can also be built at any length.

Both can feature hip roofs, but a porch is chosen for its aesthetic value, while a lean-to is preferred for practical uses like extra storage. Porches typically come in 6', 8', 10', and 12' widths, with anything larger favored for a lean-to.

Ready to get started? Please contact FBi Buildings to request a quote today!

Have more questions about pole barn porches or lean-tos not covered in this article? Please contact FBi Buildings at 1.800.552.2981 or click here to email us. If you are ready to get a price, click here to request a quote and a member of our sales team will call you.