---
title: "Pole Barn Porch vs. Mansard: Which One Is Best for You?"
description: Is a pole barn porch or mansard best for you? Read to learn the five factors to consider.
---

[The FBi Blog ](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog)

# [Pole Barn Porch vs. Mansard: Which One Is Best for You?](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/porchvsmansard)

 Written by [Nettie Grubb](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/author/nettie-grubb) | May 30, 2023 2:00:00 PM

When designing the finishing touches for the outside of your pole barn, you probably considered adding a [**porch**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/pole-barn-porches), whether a wrap-around, lean-to, or standard entry porch. 

But have you ever heard of a mansard? It is often referred to as a mansard roof, eyebrow, overhang, or awning.

Whether you’re looking to add aesthetics to your [**farm shop**](https://www.fbibuildings.com/farm-buildings) or [**hobby barn**](https://www.fbibuildings.com/residential-buildings/hobby-shops/), or maybe a sleek look to your [**commercial building**](https://www.fbibuildings.com/commercial-buildings), a porch or mansard might just be for you. 

Pole barn porches and mansards are both appealing options for adding that finishing touch to the outside of your pole barn. While similar in nature, they can be quite different.

Here are five key differences to help you decide if a pole barn porch or a mansard would be best suited for your building’s needs.

## **What Is a Pole Barn Mansard?**** **

A [**mansard**](http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=mansard) is a roof that has “two slopes on all sides with the lower slope steeper than the upper.”

The difference between a [**porch**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/pole-barn-porches) and a mansard on a pole barn is that the porch has columns that come down from the roof and support it. 

If you look at the pole barn, the left entry of the building has a wrap-around porch, and the right entry has a wrap-around mansard.

### **#1 Cost Difference **

**Pole barn mansards can run around $290 per linear foot, and porches cost around $350 per linear foot. **

If you want to add a front porch to your post-frame building, a mansard is a more affordable option. **  
**

However, if you desire more shade and prefer the look of a porch with columns, that would be a good option for you.

### **#2 Specs and Materials**

 

#### **Pole Barn Awning Size**

Our standard mansards are fairly similar. Some have standard 6” fascia, others have 24” deep fascia, and others wrap around the corner for a wrap-around look. 

Mansards are typically 3’ wide (3’ out from the face of the wall) and 3’-6” tall. 

They attach to the building wall and are supported by the wall itself. That is why the maximum width is 3’ due to the [load](https://info.fbibuildings.com/structural-integrity) of the mansard awning. 

 

#### **Roof Materials **

Mansards are almost always [**steel-clad**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/pole-barn-steel-gauge)** **unless the building has a [**shingle roof**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/metal-roofing-vs-shingles); then, we typically include the shingle roofing on the mansard as well.

## **    ****    **

#### **High-Quality Paint**

They are available in all of our standard** **[**FBi Buildings colors**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/pole-barn-color-combination-tips). You can have them match your designer wall to add a splash of color.

### [**Kynar 500**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/pole-barn-paint-systems)** resin-based paint systems outperform SMPs in the fading and chalking category.** Kynar 500 is virtually unaffected by incidental contact with most chemicals and air pollution. This trait is convenient for [**farmers**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/farm-shop-machine-storage) or [**commercial businesses**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/commercial-post-frame-building-types) that handle fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, and other compounds. ****#3 When to Choose a Porch or Mansard?** **

The mansard provides two functions. First, it adds to the overall aesthetics of your post-frame building. The second is to protect the [**door**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/pole-barn-walk-door)**s** or [**window**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/pole-barn-windows)**s **from rain, sun, and [**snow**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/pole-barn-snow-load). 

It is good to consider going with a mansard if they want some protection from the elements but want to avoid columns. 

The disadvantage of mansards is that they are a maximum of 3’ in width. If you want to go larger, consider adding a [**porch**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/pole-barn-porches).

A pole building with an eyebrow roof is a unique feature. It adds flair and something to talk about. 

To use it creatively, think of it as the design to stand out from everyone else. To see what a mansard could look like on your building, use our [**design online tool**](http://design.fbibuildings.com/) to customize your own post-frame building.

 

 

### **#4 Customization**

If you want to go beyond the basic mansard, consider installing [**can lights**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/pole-barn-lighting) in the soffit ceiling of your mansard(s).

[**Cross Roads Foundations**](https://www.fbibuildings.com/buildings/warehouses/cross-roads-foundation-repair) incorporated both their designer wall and wall color into their wrap-around mansard. They also added can lights under their mansard. 

For porches, you can also install can lights in the soffit ceiling. 

**The soffit can be made from the following materials:**

- Aluminum
- Steel
- Vinyl
- Wood

**Furthermore, post frame owners can wrap their porch columns with unique façade options, such as:**

- Brick
- Steel
- Stone
- Stucco
- And various siding products (e.g., aluminum and vinyl)

### **#5 Placement on Your Pole Barn**

#### **Wrap-around Mansard**

We typically see eyebrows added to[** commercial buildings**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/post-frame-commercial-building-benefits) in place of a porch. They can be over windows, doors, and even wrap around the building.

#### **Garage Door Eyebrow **

Our [**residential customers**](https://www.fbibuildings.com/residential-buildings) tend to add them to entry doors. They can also be added above garage doors for a little more protection and added aesthetics.

 

#### **Dutch Door Overhang**

Our equine customers add them to entry doors, or they even can be added above the Dutch door from a [**horse stall**](https://info.fbibuildings.com/blog/horse-stalls)** **to add more protection for the horse when they stick their head outside. Adding a pole barn overhang/mansard is a great addition to horse barns!

 

#### **Walk Door Awning**

[**Farm shop**](https://www.fbibuildings.com/farm-buildings) pole barns often include the mansard overhang above the entry walk door and window.

 

#### **Front Porch**

First, a front porch is a covered entrance to your post frame structure.

 

 

#### **Back Porch**

On the opposite side of your pole barn, you can add a porch for your back door (if applicable).

 

 

#### **Inset Porch**

Third, an inset (or recessed) porch is carved into the corner of your pole barn. 

 

 

#### **Wrap-Around Porch**

## ****

### Fourth, a pole barn with a wrap-around porch oozes southern charm. This porch type helps make the most of your property view and adds much-desired curb appeal.

#### **Screen Porch**

Fifth, a screen porch is pretty self-explanatory. **It’s a porch that has been covered with window screens.**

 

 

## **Will You Choose a Porch or Mansard?**

If you're looking for something to make your pole barn stand out, a mansard on pole barn could be the right choice for you. You'll have a unique style over your entryway and a beautiful addition to your new building. 

**Plus, a mansard is a more affordable option compared to a porch.**

If you need more shade and want something wider than 3’, a porch would be a better choice.

Why not browse through our [**pole barn gallery**](https://www.fbibuildings.com/getting-started/gallery)? Here you will find hundreds of recent FBi Buildings projects. We showcase the various features, sizes, and color combinations. 

Try our free [**design online**](https://www.fbibuildings.com/getting-started/design-your-own/) tool to bring your ideas to life. Plus, you can add it to Google Earth and see what your project would be like in real life!

If you are ready to take the next step with building a pole barn with a mansard, [**request a quote**](https://www.fbibuildings.com/request-a-quote). We are here to help you build with confidence!

 

 

*Have more questions about pole barn trusses not covered in this article? Please contact FBi Buildings at ***1.800.552.2981** *or* [click here to email us](mailto:info@fbibuildings.com)*.* *If you are ready to get a price, *[click here to request a quote](https://www.fbibuildings.com/request-a-quote?__hstc=45788219.3e3daea54dc9ab417be6e578bc4daa8a.1668443361091.1668443361091.1668443361091.1&__hssc=45788219.1.1668443361092&__hsfp=2442824485)* and a member of our sales team will call you.*

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