At BG Supply, we understand that most customers explore their options and obtain multiple quotes for their pole barn projects before settling on a decision.
Whether you're looking to build a garage or hobby shop, we’re here to highlight seven important factors to consider when comparing post-frame building material suppliers.
Our aim is to provide clear, factual information and emphasize each company's unique strengths so you can confidently choose the right solution for your pole barn needs.
Their services include thorough pre-construction planning, accurate estimating, custom design solutions, and in-house structural engineering to ensure clients' visions are realized efficiently and effectively.
Once a post-frame building is underway, BG Supply’s support continues with dedicated project assistance.
With a strong focus on communication and collaboration, BG Supply is dedicated to helping customers every step of the way, making the construction process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Menards
If you're interested in purchasing a pole barn kit online, Menards offers a straightforward process. With more than 100 pre-priced post-frame buildings available, it’s an ideal choice for those who prefer to avoid the hassle of interacting with sales representatives.
Like BG Supply, Menards provides a building design service for customers seeking a custom floor plan. Their team collaborates with you to tailor the pole barn to your specific needs.
With over 350 locations, Menards makes it convenient to ask questions or pick up additional building materials.
Who Has the Best Customer Service?
While Menards is convenient and user-friendly, BG Supply excels in the personalized customer service category and offers comprehensive project management. For customers seeking in-depth assistance and collaboration throughout their pole barn project, BG Supply likely provides superior customer service.
BG Supply
Based in Linton and Remington, Indiana, BG Supply has established a strong presence in the pole barn market and is dedicated to providing high-quality building materials.
Currently, BG Supply's service area covers 19 states and continues to expand its reach.
This growth reflects their commitment to providing efficient and reliable construction solutions throughout the Midwest.
Menards
Also founded in 1958, Menards is another family-owned business headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It's recognized as one of the leading home improvement stores in the United States.
Again, Menards operates 350+ locations in the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Who Has the Best Service Area?
Ultimately, Menards has a more extensive service area compared to BG Supply. This broader footprint enables Menards to reach a larger audience, making it more accessible for those seeking home improvement products and services.
BG Supply
This type of post is known for its strength, stress ratings, and pressure treatment. Each layer of lumber is infused with wood preservatives and kiln-dried to prevent rot.
BG Supply's in-house truss plant manufactures 3-ply 2x6 laminated columns as part of their post-frame building material packages.
They also offer solid 6x6 posts as a cost-effective option. Perma-Column and Green Post upgrades are available.
Menards
Menards provides two distinct types of columns for their pole barns: laminated columns and treated posts.
Laminated columns come pre-notched to enhance the truss-to-column connection. The lower section is treated for in-ground use with steel reinforcement plates at splice locations. This type of column is recommended for post-frame buildings exceeding 12' in height.
Treated posts are available in 4x6 and 6x6 sizes with a lifetime warranty against decay and rot. However, these posts require notching for the truss-to-column connection. They're best suited for pole barns 12' tall and under.
Who Has the Best Columns?
BG Supply's laminated columns may have the edge due to their thorough treatment process and manufacturing oversight. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on specific project needs and requirements.
BG Supply
This fastener features a 304 stainless steel capped hex washer head that resists red rust. The high hex design provides stability during driving, while the Type 17 milled point allows for quick installation. Each screw comes with an EPDM sealing washer for added weatherproofing.
With a lifetime warranty, the #10-15 WoodMAC™ HiLo Metal to Wood Fastener guarantees a lasting performance.
Menards
Menards provides stainless steel and galvanized screws with their pole barn kits.
Proper lapping of the metal panels is essential for preventing leaks. Moreover, maintaining the right fastener tightness is crucial for their durability and structural integrity. Over-torquing screws weaken their withdrawal capacity, regardless of the building materials used.
Who Has the Best Fasteners?
Overall, BG Supply’s fasteners appear to provide superior design features and warranty support, making them the better choice for customers seeking reliable screws for their pole barn kits.
BG Supply
This metal panel is a 29-gauge, heat-treated, full-hard, and high-tensile with a minimum yield point of 80,000 pounds per square inch (psi).
Galvalume steel is glazed with aluminum and zinc coating using a continuous hot dip process.
The alloy mixture comprises 45% zinc and 55% aluminum for a stronger substrate. Galvalume outranks galvanized steel in terms of protection against corrosion.
Menards
Menards' pole barn kits feature two types of metal panels: Pro-Rib and Premium Pro-Rib.
Pro-Rib is a 29-gauge galvanized panel suitable for residential metal roofing, outbuildings, and various post-frame applications.
MeanwhilePremium Pro-Rib is a 28-gauge galvanized panel that offers greater versatility for commercial, industrial, and residential construction projects.
Who Has the Best Steel?
When comparing the metal panel offerings, BG Supply's partnership with McElroy Metal provides a distinct advantage. Their Max-Rib II metal panel features a 29-gauge Galvalume substrate with a durable SMP paint system.
This heat-treated and high-tensile steel boasts a minimum yield point of 80,000 psi. The Galvalume substrate coating offers superior corrosion protection compared to standard galvanized steel.
In contrast, Menards offers Pro-Rib and Premium Pro-Rib panels, both of which are galvanized. They may not match the corrosion resistance and strength provided by BG Supply's Galvalume substrate.
Overall, BG Supply's steel may be considered superior due to its advanced coating, structural integrity, and unmatched product warranty.
McElroy Metal offers a 30-year and 50-year warranty for its SMP paint system and Galvalume substrate, respectively.
BG Supply
The building material supplier utilizes computer-aided design and simulation software to ensure that the roof system is robust and structurally sound while adhering to ASCE 7 standards.
BG Supply's pole barn trusses are crafted from Southern Yellow Pine, a durable and dense lumber species ideal for agricultural, commercial, and residential post-frame buildings. This type of lumber allows for excellent fastening with nails and screws.
Typically, BG Supply uses SYP #1 for truss webs and SYP MSR2400 for door headers and truss chords.
BG Supply's in-house truss manufacturing plant is regularly certified by a third-party inspection service to guarantee quality fabrication.
Menards
Menards collaborates with Midwest Manufacturing, a division of Menard, Inc., to design and produce their trusses, a partnership that has been in place since 1969. This relationship allows Menards to accommodate custom design requests from customers.
The trusses are meticulously crafted in a controlled factory setting, utilizing galvanized steel plates for assembly. To guarantee quality, every truss features a stamp from the Truss Plate Institute, signifying adherence to industry standards.
Who Has the Best Trusses?
BG Supply takes pride in having its trusses designed, engineered, and manufactured by an in-house team in Remington, Indiana. They utilize advanced computer-aided design software to ensure the roof systems meet ASCE 7 Standards for structural integrity.
BG Supply’s choice of Southern Yellow Pine for their trusses contributes to durability and excellent fastening capabilities. Their facility undergoes regular third-party inspections for quality assurance.
Menards, on the other hand, has partnered with Midwest Manufacturing, leveraging their expertise since 1969. This collaboration enables them to offer custom-designed trusses crafted in a controlled factory environment with galvanized steel plates. Each Menards truss is stamped in compliance with industry standards.
Ultimately, BG Supply’s commitment to local manufacturing and rigorous quality control makes it a strong contender for those seeking reliable and well-engineered trusses for their pole barn kits.
BG Supply
For optimal performance, BG Supply recommends installing thermally broken walk doors. These doors feature a built-in thermal barrier that reduces heat gain during the summer and heat loss in the winter.
With the combination of a thermal break and effective weather sealing, the advertised R-value of the walk door becomes significantly more meaningful.
Unfortunately, their post-frame building material packages do not include garage doors. However, their sales team can recommend a local overhead door company.
When using their sliding door system, aluminum components engage with slick polymer parts, ensuring an effortless glide and quiet operation. Standard sliding door designs have metal-to-metal or metal-to-wood contact, causing excessive friction and wear.
Furthermore, BG Supply's weatherproof sliding door system guarantees smooth operation all year long. A unique low-friction polymer roller is protected behind and underneath the track, keeping the sliding door snug to the post-frame building.
Additionally, the powder-coated aluminum door track matches your pole barn color and is rust-resitant.
Menards
Menards offers pole barn kits that include overhead and service doors available in various styles and colors.
If you opt for a kit featuring a sliding door, assembly will be required on your part. Detailed instructions are provided to assist you throughout the process.
Who Has the Best Doors?
When comparing the two, Menards excels in offering overhead doors. They provide a variety of options that are stocked and sold directly, which streamlines the purchasing process. This convenience saves customers time and reduces hassle by eliminating the need to coordinate with a separate vendor.
In contrast, BG Supply specializes in steel walk doors designed to withstand the elements. Their walk doors emphasize energy efficiency, as these doors minimize heat gain and heat loss. BG Supply also offers the best sliding door options available among building material suppliers.
BG Supply
BG Supply collaborates with vendors to offer a variety of window styles and sizes, including horizontal sliders and single-hung options (with or without grids).
They recommend using Low-E glass with Argon gas, which effectively regulates temperature throughout the summer and winter.
By installing quality windows, customers can add architectural detail and reap the positive benefits associated with their new pole barn.
Menards
As a home improvement store, Menards sources windows from multiple vendors.
Their selection of colors, options, and styles closely resembles what is available elsewhere. One advantage of buying windows for a pole barn from Menards is the cost savings, particularly for standard double-hung windows.
However, if you are seeking specialty windows, such as trapezoid, gothic, or eyebrow shapes, Menards may not offer those options.
Who Has the Best Windows?
Menards is the ideal destination for window shopping, offering a wide range of styles at competitive prices across its many home improvement stores.
Who Has the Best Materials Overall?
BG Supply ranked in five out of six sections, including columns, fasteners, steel, trusses, and doors.
BG Supply
For customers located farther away, BG Supply still provides reliable delivery services, with freight charges calculated based on the pole barn location.
Customers near the retail locations can also save on freight costs by opting to pick up their post-frame building material packages themselves.
BG Supply aims to make the building experience as efficient and affordable as possible, whether customers choose delivery or in-store pickup.
Menards
Menards provides professional delivery services seven days a week for all in-stock items. Standard delivery options include home, business, or job site locations. Customers must coordinate with a delivery coordinator to receive accurate pricing and scheduling.
For those needing a substantial supply of building materials, such as trusses or shingles, job site delivery is an excellent choice, as items can be shipped directly from the manufacturer.
Menards utilizes specialized delivery equipment, including semis and shingle loaders, to ensure that materials are easily accessible for customers who cannot pick them up themselves.
Who Has the Best Delivery?
In comparison, BG Supply offers a distinct advantage with its free delivery for pole barn kits within 100 miles, making it an excellent choice for cost-conscious customers. While Menards provides reliable delivery options, BG Supply's focus on customer savings and convenience gives it the edge in delivery services.
BG Supply
BG Supply does not provide construction services directly but can recommend trusted general contractors to assist with your post-frame building project.
For customers who need help with installation, BG Supply connects you with experienced professionals to ensure your pole barn is constructed safely and efficiently.
Menards
As a home improvement retailer, Menards does not offer building services. When you purchase a post-frame building material package from Menards, assembly is your responsibility. However, their Installer Center allows general contractors to advertise their services to customers.
Who Has the Best Construction?
When it comes to construction support, BG Supply and Menards both bring value to the table. While neither building material supply company offers direct construction services, they connect customers with a network of trusted general contractors for professional installation.
BG Supply
BG Supply provides added peace of mind with warranties through McElroy Metal, ensuring quality and durability for customers.
McElroy Metal offers industry-leading warranties on its metal roofing and siding panels, covering everything from structural integrity to paint performance.
A notable aspect of McElroy's business is their focus on durability and longevity, which is emphasized in the warranty coverage. They advocate for using high-performance coatings paired with a Galvalume substrate, to achieve optimal resistance to weathering.
Menards
Here's what Menards warranties cover:
Who Has the Best Warranty?
While Menards offers lifetime warranties on specific treated wood components, McElroy’s warranties through BG Supply cover both performance and appearance, making it a strong choice for customers who prioritize long-lasting aesthetics as well as structural integrity.
BG Supply
Each pole barn kit includes a detailed floor plan and building material list for easy ordering and assembly.
For example, a 24' x 24' x 10' is costs $7,822.10, and a 40' x 56' x 16' is priced at $21,650.00.
They also offer customized building dimensions. Delivery and tax are additional, but orders within 100 miles receive free delivery with a pole barn kit purchase.
Menards
Menards offers competitive pricing on post-frame building material packages, though prices vary by size and features, and delivery.
For example, recent listings show that a 30' x 60' agricultural or multi-purpose building might range from $18,000 to $54,000, depending on customizations like doors and windows.
Delivery fees, when applicable, depend on location and can increase the total cost, so it's worth comparing pickup versus delivery if cost savings are a priority.
Who Has the Best Cost?
For cost-effectiveness, BG Supply offers straightforward pricing with popular pole barn kits. Free delivery within 100 miles can further reduce expenses.
Menards also provides a range of pole barn kits that vary widely in price due to customizations, with delivery fees dependent on location.
While Menards has broad price ranges, BG Supply’s free local delivery and the option for customized post-frame building material packages at a set price make it an attractive option for affordability.
When deciding on the best building material supplier for your pole barn project, BG Supply and Menards both have unique strengths to consider.
For additional guidance, explore BG Supply’s free resources to learn more about post-frame construction.
Do you have questions that weren't addressed in this article? Please contact BG Supply at (812) 798-1178 or click here to email us. If you're ready to purchase pole barn kits or wholesale building materials, please click here to request a quote, and a sales team member will help you determine the next steps.