Landscaping > Koppers Building Poles

What is a Pole House?

Basically there are two types of pole houses.

(a) Pole Platform

In which the poles are used to support a level platform, on which a conventional frame is placed and anchored. The typical high-set house on stumps is a prime example of this type of construction.

(b) Pole Frame

In which the poles are extended throughout the house to roof level and are used to support the entire structure.

Every pole house is an individual and should be designed for its specific site. Whether types (a), (b) or a combination of both are used depends on the steepness of the block and on your own personal taste.  

Why build a pole house?

Most people who want to build a pole house do so to improve their view, take in prevailing winds and add to their privacy. It also solves the problems of building on steeply sloping sites. Other reasons are:

(a) Economics

The steeper the site the more costly the earth works neccessary to build a conventional slab-on-ground house. With pole houses, however, all that is neccessary is to use longer poles on a very steep site because the embedment of poles into the ground is exactly the same no matter how steep the site. It is probably true to say that the more difficult your block is to build on the more money you can save by building a pole house rather than a conventional dwelling.

(b) Flexibility

A pole house is extremely flexible in that additions and extensions to the original structure are relativily simple. All that is required is the installation of a few more poles to support extensions to the framework. Only carpentry involving the use of hand and small power tools is needed so there is no need to provide access for major machinery.  

Why use timber?

(a) Aesthetics

Timber blends in well with its surroundings and the green colour of treated timber, if anything, enhances this effect. No major earth moving machinery is required to build a pole house so most of the natural vegetation can be left on the block if required, creating an attractive bushland setting.

(b) Economics

A timber pole house is the best alternative economically for many of the same reasons listed above. It is not neccessary to have access to a high voltage electricity supply that would be need to run welding machines needed to erect steel framing so a timber pole home can be erected more simply and quickly than any alternative.