Cost to Set Up Land for a Barndominium MIKAELA in MINNESOTA writes: “Hi Mike, my name is Mikaela and I’ve been working with Lucas about possibly purchasing two kits from your company to build on some land in Minnesota. My mom and I are hoping we can make it happen, but I had some questions […]

This week’s ask the Guru answers reader questions about the costs accrued to finish a home after investing in a kit, performing an extensive remodel on an existing barn or tear down and build a new structure, and a building size recommendation for a grow facility. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: After purchasing large kit for […]

Don’t Mold My Furniture Loyal reader RICHARD in MOBILE writes: “Hey Guru, love your site but I can’t seem to find the answer to my question. First off I am in Mobile Al right on the gulf coast where it is hot and very humid most of the year. I recently bought a 60 x […]

Barn Screws Rotting Wood Reader (and Contractor) JOHN in BIG RAPIDS writes: “In a pole building constructed with trusses 2′ o.c 1/2″ OSB synthetic underlayment. We are finding out that the screw is riding the OSB around the screw. I have seen the same problem in standard pole barn construction with 2 x 4. Purlins. […]

This week’s Ask The Guru addresses reader questions about the cause and possible solution to excessive dripping, the dimensions of an RV garage Hansen designed, and advice regarding putting a vapor barrier bubble blanket on the underside of the purlins before blowing insulation in attic. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I live in Pennsylvania – we […]

Board & Batten Steel Siding Board & Batten siding has seen a resurgence in residential and agricultural design in recent years, and rightfully so as many building and builders crave classical aesthetics of rural farmhouse design. A challenge, though, is wooden board & batten is still susceptible to rot, insect damage, cracking, and various other […]

Why Post Frame Construction is So Efficient vs. Stick-Built I recently had this comment from a client, “In normal construction projects I would order at least 5% overage and it looks like closer to 1% here, I have like 20 extra screws total, a foot of extra eave trim, two whole extra pieces of vinyl soffit.” […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru addresses a reader question regarding whether erecting a complete pole barn that has been sitting bundled for eight years might be okay, how easy might it be to convert a stick built floor plan in to a post frame design, and a quote for an indoor soccer field. DEAR […]

Scissors Trusses in Post Frame Buildings I’ve written previously about Henry Getz, of Morton Buildings (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2016/06/origins-colored-steel/), however there are reasons other than pre-painted steel roofing and siding which the post frame industry should thank Henry for. Beyond color, Henry also introduced the raised-chord (scissors) truss to the post frame industry, which allowed a taller end […]

Exploring the New Component Warning Notice Originally Published by: SBCA Magazine by Kent Pagel — November 12, 2024 SBCA appreciates your input; please email us if you have any comments or corrections to this article. Editor’s Note: Kent Pagel is SBCA’s Legal Counsel and is a partner with the Houston, Texas firm of Pagel, Davis […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about best time to fill in uneven grade, best method to insulate walls with no housewrap, and addition of gable vents to help with condensation. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Maybe you can give some advice on our pole barn build. Our rat board is 6ft above […]

A Christmas Message This was just too heart warming to not share. Mike, Merry Christmas to you and to all your family and co-workers. THANK YOU for all the wise words (not just about buildings) you publish as the Guru. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t check your blog after 8 am. even […]

We took a look at some of America’s most wide open spaces and thought hard about how climate, severe weather, wind, and seasonal changes affect the ability of a sturdy pole building to provide housing, commercial office space, and industrial warehouse storage. It may come as no surprise that the majority of the locations we […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about adding wool bat insulation between purlins against an R-7 vapor barrier, and the Guru’s thoughts on Knee Braces in post frame construction. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello We have an existing pole barn that has an R-7 vapor barrier. The vapor barrier is between the […]

I Don’t Know Much Yet About Pole Construction Reader BOBBY in MILTON writes: “Prices have sent me here. I have a parcel in Farmington Maine that I’d like to put a good size garage and later a house on. I don’t know much, yet, about pole construction. I’m 72, healthy but not very strong anymore, […]

Building Material Prices Increase in November, Led by Lumber Among lumber and wood products, commodities with highest importance to new residential construction were general millwork, prefabricated structural members, softwood veneer/plywood, softwood lumber and hardwood veneer/plywood. Highest year-over-year percent change (across all input goods) in November was softwood lumber, at 13.7% higher than November 2023. This […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the chance shelves in a storage space could hurt the integrity of the building, his opinion on the effects of spray foam on steel panels, and placement of glulams on endwalls for load transfer. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m creating storage space in post framed […]

The Advantages of Post Frame Construction My friend Randy Chaffee wrote this and it is deserving of being shared. Let’s dive into post frame (Pole Barn) construction. It’s a game-changer when it comes to durability, cost-effectiveness and speed. Forget the old days of just housing livestock or farm equipment. Today’s post frame structures are the […]

Easier to Ask Permission, Than Beg for Forgiveness Our actual client writes: “I need you to please help me. I need a letter from engineering that states that the ceiling can withstand tongue and groove plywood being hung on it. We decided to keep part of the ceiling vaulted and open and are going to […]

Today’s Ask the Guru answers reader questions about insulating a shed used for vehicle storage and a “workshop to piddle in,” the addition of eave light panels to a structure, and if it is possible to build a small building to house a well. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Thank you in advance for your time […]

Effects of Snow and Wind Loading on Building Cost My premise, with clients, has always been I wanted their building (in an event of a catastrophic event) to be last one standing. This resulted in my clients often ordering above minimum code requirements for snow and wind loading. My curiosity taking advantage of my available […]

Minimizing post frame ice dams November 1996 in Northern Idaho will probably forever be known as “Ice Storm”.  About six weeks prior to this event, my construction company had completed a post frame building just south of Sandpoint. When massive snow and ice storms hit, our client kept his new building warm by use of […]

Let’s Not Uplift I learn new things every single day, much in part to loyal readers, the Hansen Pole Buildings’ Building Designers and our clients. Column uplift seems to be a repeating point of contention for me, as it is (in my humble opinion) poorly addressed, if not totally ignored. Reader Dan has some uplift […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about options for insulation of an existing steel building, financing options for a post frame home, and adding a ceiling to an existing barn. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a preexisting steel building with no insulation. I am looking for affordable methods to insulate the […]

Unless someone reincarnates Nikola Tesla (and he is sane) chances are good energy costs are not going to decrease. Air sealing your post frame barndominium or shouse increases your comfort by reducing drafts and cycle time your heating and cooling systems are running. Air sealing your barndominium reduces humidity increasing comfort levels. A drafty barndominium […]