Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays. With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday or Saturday segment. If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” email address.
Email all questions to: PoleBarnGuru@HansenPoleBuildings.com
DEAR POLE BARN GURU:I am wanting to replace the frp skylights on an older metal building but don’t know the brand or where to find some that will fit. the ribs are 10″ o.c. 1/2″ tall 1 1/2″ wide flat tops. any ideas? thanks. HAULING IN HEYWORTH
DEAR HAULING: FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) panels used in steel covered buildings can be problematic (as you have found out).
More information on FRP can be found at: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2012/01/skylights/
Depending upon the age of your building and the manufacturer of the steel panels, a replacement polycarbonate panel may be available. Over the years, many steel roll formers, who had unique panel profiles, have either closed their doors, or have been bought out. As such, you may have a profile which is impossible to match.
With some photos and perhaps more dimensions, chances are good if it is a currently produced profile, we can find a solution for you.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello,
Do you have any “garage plus living area” pre-made plans? I own some vacant land and I want to put a pole building/garage on my property that would be approximately 32×32 for the garage part. In addition I want some living space on the garage that I can put some living quarters. I do not want an entire house, rather simply space for a living room and a bedroom.
Do you have any plans that are close to what I am looking for? THOUGHTFUL TREVOR
DEAR THOUGHTFUL: Thank you for your interest. As everything we do is custom designed to best meet the needs of our clients, we do not have any ready made plans – however any of our Building Designers would be happy to work with you to create your ideal dream building.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I emailed and got a quote from you back in March on a 36’ x 56’ pole building, I liked your numbers but I have enclosed my material list & drawing of the way I will do it. I have been a carpenter for 30 years so I will be doing it myself. We will be starting building on August 4th so we will be starting construction pretty soon. Can you break down the metal price separate from the lumber price? We are building in Powell WY. PONDERING IN POWELL
DEAR PONDERING: We can certainly appreciate the skills of a qualified carpenter, they are many. The Building Codes have become so complex, over the past decade, we typically shy away from providing structural materials from a pre-prepared list. In order to assure your (or any) post frame building kit package we prepare is indeed Code conforming and capable of withstanding the climactic conditions, our normal procedure is to work from your needs and to design a building which we are assured we last for not only your lifetime, but those of future generations. If you have particular preferences for column or truss spacings, as well as girt or purlin spacing preferences, we can most usually work with those – again as long as they meet structural requirements. We will never under-design a building, but if you want it “beefed up” so you “sleep better” – it’s ok by us.
