Pole Barn Plans With Clerestory Roofs Reader BRENT in HUNTSVILLE writes: “Do you have any plans for pole barns with a Celestial Shed Roof? It seems like a great way to allow natural light into the building while being an aesthetic design.” By coincidence, I have a son named Brent! In architecture, a clerestory is […]

This Wednesday readers “Ask the Guru” about Hansen having a builder in the area of Minot, ND, if an existing pole barn with 8′ column spacing can be converted into a residential space by “beefing up” rafters, and use of a vapor barrier in a residential post frame structure. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am […]

Attic Trusses for Post Frame Construction Reader RICK in LEWISTON writes: “I’m researching post frame construction as I’d like to build a 28×40 shop this summer. We really need storage and I’d like to use attic trusses for the area it offers. I’m a little confused as to how the full length header is attached […]

How to Properly Insulate Between Roof Purlins Efficient climate control is becoming the buzz term for post frame construction. A challenge occurs when clients look to insulate between their roof purlins. Reader JOHN in COVINGTON writes: “I am building an all wood pole building. The purlins are 2x8s. I want to insulate the walls and […]

This week the Pole barn Guru answers reader questions regarding a 6ft attic space over a 30×44 pole barn, the most “cost effective” method to build, and the point at which a post increased from a 6×6 to a 6×8. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We want a decent-height (a bit over 6ft) attic space in […]

Disclaimer – this and subsequent articles on this subject are not intended to be legal advice, merely an example for discussions between you and your legal advisor. Please keep in mind, many of these terms are applicable towards post frame building kits and would require edits for cases where a builder is providing erection services […]

Heave Ho Reader TIM in HUNTER writes: “I have a pole building, dirt floor no concrete that has heaved up in one corner about 12 inches. I think the builder put Quick Crete in the hole of each posts. I realize it is caused by frost. The frost free hydrant located near the corner has […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the possibility of adding a stick built 2nd floor to a post frame structure, the what profile and gauge steel is available for metal roofing and siding, and if an old metal garage can be moderately heated. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My 20×24 will have […]

Effects of High Temperature on Glulaminated Columns Long time readers have gotten accustomed to all sorts of interesting questions posed by Hansen Pole Buildings’ clients. Building Designer Rachel had a brand new one come up just this week: ”But what you don’t address, and what would be needed to convince me, are glue statistics. Humans […]

HELP I Didn’t Do Enough Research Reader JORDAN writes: “Unfortunately I didn’t do enough research before building a post frame building. I’m running into a lot of deflection on the gable end of a 48x72x16’ high building. I made my own laminated columns out of 4 ply 2×6 southern yellow pine and liquid nails. Unfortunately […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the value of Perma-Columns, setting of posts, trusses and purlins, and the proper way to vent a mono-truss lean-to roof. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Are perma columns worth it? JOHN in TRUMANSBURG DEAR JOHN: When I built my own 8000 square foot finished post-frame barndominium, […]

Understanding How to Size Rafters Reader ANDY in SHELBYVILLE writes: “I’m looking for an explanation on how to size a rafter on the side of an existing pole barn. The lean-to will be 12′ wide, 80′ long, ~10 height on the inside, pole barn post are 8′ spacing. I was planning on using 2×4 on […]

Pouring Wet Set Bracket Piers Reader SEAN in ANACORTES writes: “Hello, I am getting ready to pour concrete columns and set Perma-column brackets, and want to then set my posts so as to build first, then set the wire mesh, run my radiant tubing and then pour the slab for the home after I set […]

This week readers “Ask the Guru” to answer questions about setting columns on clay soil that has been saturated, a quote request for a maintenance facility, and protecting posts from rot. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, I am building a pole barn for cattle in the north TX area ( primarily clay soil). I have […]

Can’t Afford a Backyard Guesthouse?  Who wouldn’t want a backyard guesthouse and the endless possibilities it offers? You could use your guesthouse to host friends from out of town or house parents or in-laws. You could earn some extra income by renting out your guesthouse on Homeaway or Airbnb, or you could use it as […]

What is Wrong With this Picture? Stairs, they seem to confound and befuddle just about everyone. In my early years as Sales Manager at Coeur d’Alene Truss, I used to volunteer to go measure houses up to confirm plan dimensions would match up with what was actually being built. Usually yes, but on occasion – […]

This week readers “ask the Guru” about loft storage above a garage, condensation control, and home insurance. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I like the idea of a 2-stall garage with second level for storage. Is a second level storage area more economical than increasing the square footage of the building? Lot less concrete. JOEL in […]

Loyal reader GREG in KENTWOOD writes: “We plan to build a house next summer with basically (2) – 40’x60’ units connected at 90°, wife is still in the planning stage, 2 story.  I feel that me and my sons should be able to erect a kit with directions from the supplier and tips.   I like […]

Please Let Me Engineer Your Post Frame Building For Free Because I am not a Registered Design Professional, I can’t engineer your new post frame building for you. And, if I was, I most certainly would not be doing it for free. Typically an engineer should be compensated somewhere in the area of 8 to […]

This Wednesday readers “ask the Guru” about the loads a 60ft three-ply truss could hold sitting on the ground, a quote on a new building kit, and to “float” posts when installing columns for a post frame building. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: By laminating 3 trusses together how much weight would it hold 60 ft […]

My Facebook friend RICK in MALDEN messaged me: “I have never built a building like this. I have seen many bad experiences with concrete, poor quality metal work and many more issues. I would just like to know if there is a list of things to make sure I get a quality home. I saw […]

Overhead Door Opening Dimensions I have probably been involved directly with somewhere around 50,000 sectional steel overhead doors in my career. One thing in common about all of these doors, they all require an opening. In my (and most door installers) ideal dream world, every overhead door opening is perfectly plumb on each side as […]

This week readers “Ask the Guru” about the typical amount of compacted gravel in a pole barn, humidity in a metal shed with spray foam, and a wall to ceiling gap recommendation. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: How much is the typical amount of compacted gravel in a pole barn structure? My objective is to park […]

Help, I am Going Crazy! Reader DIRK in SPANISH FORK writes: “I am planning to build a pole barn house. I get so confused with the different methods of doing things and the pros and cons of each. I plan to pour concrete piers with a post bracket. Not sure if a 6×6 post or […]

The Dual Splash Plank Dilemma I’ve never been a fan of stacking splash planks. Even when they are center matched (think tongue and grooved) the two boards never seem to want to bend, twist, warp and/or cup the same direction leading to gaps. Gaps which lead to water getting through and spoiling an otherwise fun place […]