Category Archives: Constructing a Pole Building

The “Best Price,” Increase Height? and the Hansen Buildings Way

Today’s Pole barn Guru answers questions about price and value, increasing ceiling height of a building, and if Hansen “builds” these structures. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What is the best price I can get for a riding arena 60 by 130 ft? MICHELLE in FREDERICK DEAR MICHELLE: Free. Just place four immovable items at each […]

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The Case of the Leaking Post Frame Building Window

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/28/2019
The Case of the Leaking Post Frame Building Window

The Case of The Leaking Post Frame Building Window Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s hero – renowned sleuth Sherlock Holmes, was forever solving mysteries entitled “The Case of Something or Other”. To solve this particular mystery neither Holmes, nor Dr. John Watson’s skills will be required. Nor shall we need a call to Scotland Yard. Reader […]

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Do Vapor Barriers Trap Moisture?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/27/2019
Do Vapor Barriers Trap Moisture?

Vapor Barriers Trap Moisture? Do vapor barriers trap moisture in walls of post frame buildings? They can, but only if they are installed on both sides of a wall insulation cavity. Regular readers of this column will recognize a prevailing trend towards climate controlling both new and existing post frame buildings. An ability to control […]

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Dress for Winter Post Frame Success

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/26/2019
Dress for Winter Post Frame Success

Dress for Winter Post Frame Building Success My most recent winter-time post frame building experience was a few years ago when my lovely bride and I assisted her brother Mark with construction of his 36’ x 48’ shop. Temperatures hovered around zero as we shivered our way towards getting a roof installed. Given frigid temperatures […]

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Free Post Frame Foundation Building Calculator

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/22/2019
Free Post Frame Foundation Building Calculator

Free Post-Frame Building Foundation Engineering Calculator No, such a thing as a free post-frame building foundation engineering calculator does not exist. However there always seems to be someone out there who is in search of “engineering for free”. Reader KELLY writes: “Guru, Do you have a link to a pole foundation engineering calculator? Looking for […]

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Safety Information for Post Frame Truss Installation

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/21/2019
Safety Information for Post Frame Truss Installation

Safety Information for Post-Frame Truss Installation The following article, written by Frank Woeste, P.E., appeared in the February 2018 edition of The Component Manufacturing Advertiser, and is reprinted here, in its entirety. The BCSI-B10 document referenced is included within the Hansen Pole Buildings’ Construction Manual as part of every building kit package provided by Hansen […]

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LP Siding, Ceilings, and an Inspector’s questions!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/18/2019
LP Siding, Ceilings, and an Inspector’s questions!

This Monday, the Pole Barn Guru discussed attaching LP siding on a post frame home, installing ceiling panels, and an Inspector’s questions. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am looking at the possibly of installing standard LP lap siding on a post frame home, in that case it would seem like I would need to go […]

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Roof Loads for Solar Panels, A “Square” Building, and Post Rot

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about installing solar panels on the roof, the “squaring” of a building, and rotting of posts. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Will a Pole Barn roof be able to hold solar panels? CARMEN in ORANGEVALE DEAR CARMEN: We can have your new post frame building engineered to support […]

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Moving a Building, Moisture Issues, and Siding Options

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/28/2019
Moving a Building, Moisture Issues, and Siding Options

This week, the Pole Barn Guru discusses moving a building, a building with moisture issues, and siding options other than wainscot. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We have a 50 year old Morton machine shed 45X90X12. The posts and trusses are in excellent condition. The roof steel needs to be re-screwed and painted . The side […]

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Build Safe in Winter Weather

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/25/2019
Build Safe in Winter Weather

Build Safe in Winter Weather Post frame building construction lends itself well to winter weather building, as concrete pours are minimized to just a minimal amount around building columns. Once columns are poured, time for full speed ahead – or as much full speed ahead as can be garnered in frigid weather. Prior to my […]

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North Carolina Students Learn Post Frame Construction

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/22/2019
North Carolina Students Learn Post Frame Construction

North Carolina College Students Learn Post Frame Construction The following article by Dan Grubb appeared first in the December 5, 2018 Sampson Independent “Sometimes the building blocks to success look more like beams than blocks. Students at Sampson Community College’s Building and Construction program know this first hand as work continues on a facility the […]

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Some Pole Barns Deserve a Proper Burial

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/11/2019
Some Pole Barns Deserve a Proper Burial

Some Pole Barns Deserve a Proper Burial Reader STEPHAN in OGDENSBURG writes: “Dear Pole Barn Guru, I have a 30ish year old 32 by 54 feet horse pole barn where half the poles heaved some for more than 1 foot over the years. I need to fix it this year because I am afraid that […]

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Foundations

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/09/2018
Foundations

Foundations – Post Frame Keeps It Simple Post frame (pole building) construction affords a plethora of savings for a new building owner, chief amongst these are foundation simplicity. I’ve previously expounded upon foundation savings in post frame construction as compared to stick frame buildings: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2011/10/buildings-why-not-stick-frame-construction/. Today I will add some graphics to reinforce (pun intended) […]

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Installing Buildings, Additions, and Custom Designs

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/15/2018
Installing Buildings, Additions, and Custom Designs

Today the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about installing buildings, adding on to an existing structure, and custom designs. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: If we purchased from your company do have does it come with installing in Hedgesville WV. Thank you. BRENDA in HEDGESVILLE DEAR BRENDA: Our buildings are designed to be able to be […]

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DIY Savings, Moving an Existing Building, and the Ideal Building Size

Today the Pole Barn Guru discusses potential DIY savings, moving an existing building, and the ideal building size. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am out of the area of which I can order a premade kit and have it shipped to me. If I wanted to still build it myself and buy the parts local […]

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Why Build Roof Before Walls?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/02/2018
Why Build Roof Before Walls?

Why Build the Roof Before Walls? Sometimes I can get so deep into a forest I cannot see trees – I miss things which should be otherwise obvious. For whatever reason a client contacted his Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer, rather than first contacting Technical Support. Building Designer Gregg aptly forwarded client’s request directly to our […]

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Poor Pole Barn Plans Lead to Poor Results

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/27/2018
Poor Pole Barn Plans Lead to Poor Results

Poor Pole Barn Plans Lead to Poor Results There are a plethora of places people can go to buy a pole barn kit package with plans – Hansen Pole Buildings (I’d like to believe there is a reason we are the industry’s leader), a few online resellers, nearly every lumberyard in America, as well as […]

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Rebuilding, Post Spacing, as well as a Frost Wall

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/23/2018
Rebuilding, Post Spacing, as well as a Frost Wall

I this weeks blog, the Pole Barn Guru talks about, rebuilding a pole barn, ideal post spacing and a frost wall. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, I recently disassembled a 36 x 100 pole barn and am rebuilding it at my house. It was covered with 2″ reinforced paper faced roll pole barn insulation with […]

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A Real Life Case for Pole Barn Bollards

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/11/2018
A Real Life Case for Pole Barn Bollards

A Real Life Case for Pole Barn Bollards My long-time readers will remember my expounding upon why bollards should be strategically placed around post frame (pole barn) buildings where big things might hit them and go boom. In the event my earlier article did not thoroughly sink in, here is a real life example of […]

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Why it is Essential to Supervise Professional Installers

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/06/2018
Why it is Essential to Supervise Professional Installers

Why It Is Essential to Supervise Professional Installers In an ideal dream world, one would be able to hire a professional installer and know the job would be done right, without the need for hands on supervision. RYAN in ELLENSBURG recently contracted out the roof steel installation of his new Hansen Pole Building kit package […]

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Fear of Concrete Slab Cracking at Post Corners

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/04/2018
Fear of Concrete Slab Cracking at Post Corners

Fear of Concrete Slab Cracking at Post Corners Nothing appears to add to the self-importance of a contractor more than instilling fear into the hearts and minds of their clients. If I had a dollar for every fear mongering story I have heard over the years, I would be a wealthy man! Hansen Pole Buildings’ […]

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Garage Idea, Barn Doors, and Another Eave Height Question

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/02/2018
Garage Idea, Barn Doors, and Another Eave Height Question

Today’s blog discusses a Garage Idea, Barn Doors, and Another Eave Height Question. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: 30’ wide x32’ deep garage 6×6 posts spaced 10’ apart except one side 16’ span. 2×8 headers doubled 2×6 side walls supporters on slab. 2×6 rafters with on 2’ centers with 2×6 connectors between rafters also on 2’ […]

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Installing Joist Hangers

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/29/2018
Installing Joist Hangers

Installing Joist Hangers on Opposite Sides of a Double Truss My friend and loyal reader LONNIE in COLORADO SPRINGS is one Hansen Pole Buildings’ client who truly puts thought into the assembly of his new post frame building. Lonnie writes: “I’ve been pondering and pondering this and I may have a solution that I want […]

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Adding a Lean-to on a Pole Barn Part II

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/26/2018
Adding a Lean-to on a Pole Barn Part II

To continue from last Friday’s blog on adding a lean-to onto an existing pole building… Moving onto the design of the lean-to itself: The lean-to can be placed to either begin at the same height of the existing building eave, or the high side can be placed lower along the original building wall. If the […]

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When Subdivision Covenants Meet Your New Pole Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/20/2018
When Subdivision Covenants Meet Your New Pole Building

Tread Softly When Subdivision Covenants Meet Your New Pole Building I’m on the Libertarian side with my beliefs people should have the right to do with their own property as they best see fit. However in the situation below, the new pole building owner invested in a piece of property fully aware of the restrictions […]

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Cool New Steel Cutting Tool

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/06/2018
Cool New Steel Cutting Tool

Cool New Tool? In the world of tools, there is rarely a better mousetrap. However this steel cutting tool may or may not be an actual Cool New Tool: https://coolnewtools.com/products/nibble-metal-cutting (Author’s disclaimer: I have never used this product and this is not an endorsement. I do not receive a kick back in the event you […]

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My Cousin Did Not Buy a Pole Building From Me

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/31/2018
My Cousin Did Not Buy a Pole Building From Me

My Cousin Did Not Buy a Building From Me I truly love my cousin Randy. In the past few years he and his lovely bride have had a home and a post frame shop constructed on their farm southwest of Spokane, WA. Through a set of unfortunate circumstances Randy did not get a Hansen Pole […]

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Construction Marketing Ideas

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/22/2018
Construction Marketing Ideas

Construction Marketing Ideas Reviews This Column Construction Marketing Ideas holds an annual competition for the best blog in the construction industry, world-wide. This column happens to be one of only 17 selected to compete – win or lose, it affirms the message is being shared effectively. My thanks to Mark Buckshon for his review, which […]

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Glu-Lam Solution, Building Hawaii? and Riding Arenas

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/12/2018
Glu-Lam Solution, Building Hawaii? and Riding Arenas

A Glu-Lam Solution? Buildings in Hawaii? and Riding Arenas DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi, I’ve come across your site many times in search for what I’m looking for in a building. One of the things I’m finding difficult is higher pitch, even just 6/12, that is wood based, without web (open), with a fairly wide […]

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PVC Pipe for Post Sleeves

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/31/2018
PVC Pipe for Post Sleeves

Reader TOM in PURVIS shares a concept I had neither seen before nor had I even contemplated – using PVC pipe to protect post frame (pole building) columns from decay. TOM writes: “ I know your posts are treated, but I live in the damp state of MS. In recent years 3 of my friends […]

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DIY Kits? Fiberglass Insulation, and Free Quotes

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/15/2018
DIY Kits? Fiberglass Insulation, and Free Quotes

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Are these DIY kits or do you guys do labor too? PATRICK in LOCKPORT DEAR PATRICK: Hansen Pole Buildings provides complete custom designed and engineered post frame building kit packages which are aimed towards the average individual who can and will read instructions in English to successfully erect themselves. In the […]

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Building on Existing Concrete

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/11/2018
Building on Existing Concrete

Building on Existing Concrete Which is Below Grade Trying to utilize existing concrete slabs on grade in new post frame building can bring with it some unique challenges. Reader DARREN has one of these situations which most people do not face. Please read on: “I want to build a pole building on an existing cement […]

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Temporary Bracing to Avoid Under Construction Mishaps

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/09/2018
Temporary Bracing to Avoid Under Construction Mishaps

Temporary bracing in post frame buildings come without a prescription – there is nowhere which spells out “do it this way and all will be good”. There are some things which can be done to minimize the potential of mishaps similar to the one in the photo. Buildings in their framing stages are the ones […]

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Crossed Gable Dormers

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/03/2018
Crossed Gable Dormers

Reader JOY in PHILADELPHIA writes: “Can I build my pole house with crossed gable dormers? I want the center section of my house to have a second floor, but with the gable ends facing front and back, rather than running the length of the building as with the monitor roof design. (In case that isn’t […]

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“My Guy Says… Materials… Design…”

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/21/2017
“My Guy Says… Materials… Design…”

“My Guy Says….. Materials… Design…” Title inspired by our Wizardress of all things materials – Justine! I’ve now been in the post frame industry for nearly 38 years, the majority of them spent providing complete building kit packages, most often to do-it-yourselfers. Some new building owners happen to hire contractors to erect some or all […]

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Building Instructions, Gutters and Spouts, and Crinkle!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/20/2017
Building Instructions, Gutters and Spouts, and Crinkle!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I love your site and have used your detailed instructions to start my pole building. I wish I had found your site before I started.  I was wondering if you sell partial pole building kits? I have been going back and forth to the lumber store several times a week and […]

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Properly Pressure Treated Lumber

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/27/2017
Properly Pressure Treated Lumber

Trying to Buy Properly Pressure Preservative Treated Lumber Reader ZACH in BLACK CREEK has been challenged trying to buy properly pressure preservative treated lumber. He writes: “Hello, I would like to get your opinion on 2×6 grade board. I read the article you wrote about lumber pressure treatment. I have been looking around for .20pcf […]

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International Residential Code and Tension Ties

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/20/2017
International Residential Code and Tension Ties

International Residential Code and Tension Ties Reader DENNIS in TRAVERSE CITY writes: “ICC R602.10 is written to work with continuous foundations and vertical studs, not posts in holes and horizontal girts. How does a person translate bracing into post-frame language? An answer addressing tension ties would be helpful.” From the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC): […]

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Raising Sections of Pole Barn Roofs

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/19/2017
Raising Sections of Pole Barn Roofs

Raising Sections of Pole Barn Roofs Reader LONNIE in COLORADO SPRINGS has some ideas about how to raise sections of his new post frame (pole barn) building roof. For your reading pleasure, I will share: “My question is concerning the assembly of my Hansen kit. I’ve read your article about using winch boxes to raise […]

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Building a Pole Building Style Home

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/18/2017
Building a Pole Building Style Home

Building a Pole Barn Style Home Reader DAVID from NINE MILE FALLS writes: “I am building a pole barn style home. I am having a difficult time in finding what the requirements would be for post setting and post distance spacing in regards to a pole barn used for living spaces. I plan on using […]

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Post Frame Satisfaction

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/17/2017
Post Frame Satisfaction

I personally have a great deal of fun working with the majority of our clients, most of whom are truly wonderful. The most rewarding part is when those who have done the work themselves share with us what I refer to as “post frame satisfaction”. This satisfaction is in part due to the new building […]

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Extreme Efforts to Add Post Frame to House

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/13/2017
Extreme Efforts to Add Post Frame to House

Extreme Efforts to Match Post Frame to House Reader JOSH from POST FALLS and I have previously communicated. He is doing what I refer to a piecemealing – putting together his own building by making repeated trips to the local lumber yard (learn more about piecemealing here: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2014/03/diy-pole-building/. Josh’s new post frame garage is adjacent […]

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Rehashing Eave Height

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/05/2017
Rehashing Eave Height

Rehashing Eave Height Eave height on post frame buildings seems to be a challenge for some folks. At Hansen Pole Buildings, we do make some efforts to see to it our clients (or more often the builders some of them hire), actually build to the correct height. How important is it to get this correct? […]

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Can Wall Girts Be Installed Before Trusses?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/29/2017
Can Wall Girts Be Installed Before Trusses?

Can Wall Girts Be Installed Before The Trusses? In my travels over the years I have seen more than a few post frame buildings under construction. When I find one being constructed by a building contractor, if the wall girts are installed before the roof, it is an immediate giveaway to the builder having been […]

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Post Frame Apartment Buildings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/19/2017
Post Frame Apartment Buildings

Post Frame Apartment Buildings I have thought about the possibilities of constructing apartments using post frame construction for years, however a recent query from reader DERRICK in CINCINNATI brought it to the forefront of my thoughts. Dave writes: “Can you build apartment buildings out of your products? Nothing fancy. Just affordable living in a rural […]

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Don’t Sink the Pole Barn Floor

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/22/2017
Don’t Sink the Pole Barn Floor

Don’t Sink the Pole Barn Floor Reader Clay has contributed the beginnings of this article, with a concern his pole barn floor might sink. Thank you Clay. “I am about to construct a 24’x32′ building to be used as a woodworking shop. I am strongly considering a pole barn.  Now I do not want a […]

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So You Want to Become a Post Frame Building Installer?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/10/2017
So You Want to Become a Post Frame Building Installer?
So You Want to Become a Post Frame Building Installer? I’ve dealt with a broad variety of post frame building installers over the years. Just like our clients, they come in all shapes and sizes, as well as all levels of price and quality. One of the better pole builders I have encountered was a […] Read more

Miracle Truss Concerns

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/03/2017
Miracle Truss Concerns

One of the great things about being the Pole Barn Guru is helping people who have construction challenges of all sorts – even those who do not have post frame buildings. Here is a recent one: Hi Pole Barn Guru, and thanks for your informative website and blog. I’m using email rather than the website […]

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Progress in Technology: Easy Build Pole Barn Buildings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/20/2017
Progress in Technology: Easy Build Pole Barn Buildings

Progress in Technology: Dirt Late Model Auto Racing I am not as mechanically challenged as my lovely bride would have people believe. Modern technology has taken some things to the point where the average person just cannot do the work. Personal case in point, here is the story: I have been riding motorcycles since not […]

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Barn Doors, Freight, and Barndomonium!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/17/2017
Barn Doors, Freight, and Barndomonium!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I would like to see if there is a product out there for the back of my barn. My barn is set up with two stall doors. The back door allows the horses to go into their pastures 24/7. I currently have tin on wooden doors and this cuts them up […]

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Looking for a Contractor to Build a Post Frame Home

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/13/2017
Looking for a Contractor to Build a Post Frame Home

More and more consumers are seeing the practicality, unique architectural and energy savings advantages as well as cost savings from a post frame home. This includes loyal reader Brian who writes: Hello, my wife and I are considering building a post frame home. We contacted a designer who actually had plans for a home that […]

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When Columns Get Put in the Wrong Place

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/11/2017
When Columns Get Put in the Wrong Place

This is construction, things happen. The true mark of how any particular project goes is not everything going perfectly without a hitch, it is the ability to solve challenges when they arise. The scenario below is one which I have never had a DIY person do (shout out to all of you who are putting […]

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Thoughts on a Floor

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/05/2017
Thoughts on a Floor

Thoughts on a Floor:   Brought to you by reader ANDREW in LEBANON: “Hi! I am looking at purchasing a post frame building to use as a new home. We are well on our way with being under contract for the land and one of your recommended builders is meeting me at the site this […]

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Purlin Questions for the Engineering Department: Building Disaster Part IV

Purlin Questions for the Engineering Department For those readers just joining us, go back to Tuesday through Friday’s blogs to catch up to the following story… Our client (after discussing possible corrections with one or more builders) poses this: “I have two questions I’d like to ask of the engineering dept. 1.) Is there an […]

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The Straight and Narrow of Fascia: Hansen Building Disaster Part III

The Straight and Narrow of Fascia:  Building Disaster Part III Look at the board on the far right. The one which resembles the coastline of New Jersey. It is what is known as a fascia board and it is pretty important it be straight. Why? Because not only do vinyl soffit panels attach to the underside […]

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There ARE some truly excellent builders: Hansen Building Disaster Part II

There ARE some truly excellent builders… This just isn’t one of them. In our last episode, the ‘builder’ had botched the shearwalls. A minor issue compared to what comes next. This building was designed to have enclosed overhangs on all four sides.  On the endwalls the roof purlins project over the top of the end […]

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Sometimes There Are Just Not Words: Hansen Building Disaster

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/27/2017
Sometimes There Are Just Not Words: Hansen Building Disaster

Sometimes There Are Just Not Words to Express…  Building Disaster How horrifically a build can be botched.   In a scene from 2013’s box office flop The Lone Ranger – Tonto (played by Johnny Depp) and the Lone Ranger (played by Armie Hammer) the heroes get themselves buried in the sand up to their necks. […]

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Screwed Up! A Poor Installation.

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/23/2017
Screwed Up! A Poor Installation.

The photo you are witnessing happens to be an example of a poor installation job done by a “professional” builder. I use the term professional here in quotes, because anyone who is being paid a sum of money (or perhaps receiving a horse in trade) in exchange for providing a service could be deemed as […]

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Post Frame Building Clients Can Be So Fun

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/16/2017
Post Frame Building Clients Can Be So Fun

Post Frame Building Clients Can Be So Fun! In providing “The Ultimate Post Frame Building Experience”™ Hansen Pole Buildings is not selling buildings to anyone – we are providing a service. If there is such a thing as a past life or lives, I must have been some sort of instructor in a past life. […]

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Why We Do Not Recommend Any Builders

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/14/2017
Why We Do Not Recommend Any Builders

Hansen Pole Buildings receives numerous requests every day from potential new post frame building owners, who are looking for a builder (in my terms technician) who can assemble their building kit. I am going to do both of us a favor and explain why we do not recommend any builders. Hansen Pole Buildings is a […]

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BIBS or Cellulose Insulation?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/07/2017
BIBS or Cellulose Insulation?

BIBS or Cellulose Insulation? Loyal reader and Hansen Pole Buildings’ client Lonnie from Colorado Springs writes: “ I’ve purchased one of your kits as my new residence and am waiting on plans and materials. I’m looking into insulation and as I am planning on dry-walling the interior, I am primarily interested in wall insulation. I know […]

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Spot the Post Frame Problem

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/06/2017
Spot the Post Frame Problem

Spot The Post Frame Problem – Reprised In our last episode, I left you all with a cliff hanger. I did clue you into it being a structural issue, which rules out our builder in the air with his safety harness hooked to an invisible sky hook. While you all ponder the photo and look […]

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80 Foot Span Wood Trusses

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/24/2017
80 Foot Span Wood Trusses

Setting 80 Foot Span Wood Trusses Here is the question asked by CHAD in EVANSVILLE: “What is the best way to hang an 80′ wooden truss? The company I work for is building 80×120 pole barn for one of our customers. The trusses are kicking our butt.” Before you even think about getting started, you […]

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Ladder Safety

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/09/2017
Ladder Safety

Helping you to NOT be like this guy on a ladder… As my father died from a construction fall, I am always a bit sensitive towards safety on jobsites when it comes to possible falls. While Hansen Pole Buildings does not construct anything, we want all of our clients, or their contractors, to live to […]

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Find Me a Contractor to Erect My Building!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/28/2017
Find Me a Contractor to Erect My Building!
Fewer and fewer of our clients seem to have the inclination to erect their own post frame building kits. Here is one and my response ended up being quite lengthy. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you have about 3 names of companies/contractors that can erect my 40x40x14 hanger kit, once I buy it from you […] Read more

Why Not Use T Girts?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/21/2017
Why Not Use T Girts?

Last August one of our clients in Colorado invested in a new Hansen Pole Buildings Monitor style building. One of the features of the building was for it to be drywall ready. The typical method we use for this is what we refer to as “commercial” girts – basically they are bookshelf style girts, set […]

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Door Facing North, Optimizing Space, and Remodel?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/30/2017
Door Facing North, Optimizing Space, and Remodel?

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a (about) 40×24 pole building that faces north. I have a regular door that faces west. The wind and any accompanying rain typically blows directly against that west facing door. The building was built in 1996 by the original owner of the house. I’ve only lived in the house […]

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Taking the Air Out of Inflation

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/20/2017
Taking the Air Out of Inflation

Welcome back, loyal readers. The first timers amongst you will want to jump back and read yesterday’s article, so today will make sense. Or as much as any day can make sense! First, as promised, the difference in buildings over 26 years of time (not just the price). Method of Pressure Preservative Treating Wood – […]

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Making Your Own Glulam Columns

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/18/2017
Making Your Own Glulam Columns

Should I Make my Own Glulam Columns? I’ve been internet chattering back and forth with a gentleman named Chris, who is probably never going to order a Hansen Pole Building, but it is okay – we have thousands of clients a year who are knocking at our doors (figuratively) ready to place their orders. Total […]

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Consider Post Frame for New Home!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/16/2017
Consider Post Frame for New Home!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Good morning. My name is Thomas and I am with xxxxxx; we manufacture metal roofing and siding and based out of Tennessee. I wanted to ask you a few questions to gain some information. First, my wife and I are starting to look at metal building for our new home, is […]

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Barn Doors? Houses? Materials!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/09/2017
Barn Doors? Houses? Materials!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Where can I find barn doors, sliding steel style? They have no internet presence, or else there is a secret name for them. Thank you! BONNY in FRANKFORT DEAR BONNY: If you are in search of a steel covered, metal framed sliding door (which is what the huge majority of sliding […]

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Calling for the Wall Steel Stretcher

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/05/2017
Calling for the Wall Steel Stretcher

Calling For The Wall Steel Stretcher In our last episode, the dilemma of how to get a smooth roof plane was solved, to the apparent joy of all involved. However up cropped a new challenge, contributed to by us however pretty much on the builder and this is why. You may recall the eave height […]

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When the Truss People Do the Dog

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/04/2017
When the Truss People Do the Dog

Yes, it happens. My long time readers will recall I owned two prefabricated light gauge metal plate connected wood truss plants in a not too distant past. And yes – this may come as a surprise – truss people are not perfect. In this particular case, we had set out what we needed explicitly as […]

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Builder Shaming

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/30/2016
Builder Shaming

The Builder Knows More Than We do…. After Hansen 18k Plus Buildings Very few things in life frighten me. Among them are heights (growing up in a family of framing contractors and having vertigo issues were not a good mix) and builders who tell me, “I can build anything”. This last one usually sets off […]

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Pole Building Poor Workmanship

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/21/2016
Pole Building Poor Workmanship

They Say a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words There are not a thousand words invented to describe the true awfulness of this building. To my loyal readers, I know I have occasionally ranked on pole building poor workmanship done by builders, however this one may very well rate close to the top of the […]

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New in the Hammer World

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/20/2016
New in the Hammer World

New in the Hammering World     Estwing AL-Pro When the latest and greatest comes around, I try to be on top of providing information to my valued readers, many of whom have become trusted friends. Here is a new one for your reading enjoyment! Best known for its single-piece steel hammers Estwing is about to […]

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Buying a Used Pole Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on
Buying a Used Pole Building

40’ x 60’ Used Pole Building – $14000 (Silverton)  SERIOUSLY? The following ad appeared in the Salem, Oregon Craigslist December 6, 2016 in for sale > farm & garden – by owner: “I have a nice fully enclosed 14 foot tall pole building. It is fully disassembled and ready for transport. All the metal is […]

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BUILD Magazine-Engineering Leadership Award

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/15/2016
BUILD Magazine-Engineering Leadership Award

BUILD magazine Just announced – Hansen Pole Buildings, LLC has been selected by BUILD magazine in their Engineering Leadership awards. According to Dominic Lloyd, Feature Executive at BUILD (www.build-review.com/build-rewards/), “Hansen Pole Buildings LLC has stood out from the thousands of potential contenders due to your creative movements, dedicated team and brilliant quality of production and […]

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Attacking Pole Barn Rocks in Holes

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/14/2016
Attacking Pole Barn Rocks in Holes

Breaking Through Rock in Holes Post frame (pole) buildings are maybe the easiest to construct and most affordable permanent structures known to human kind. Once the holes are dug and the columns are set, it is pretty well nothing but go-go-go. The intangible is what is happening below the surface of the ground. When I […]

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Design Review is Important Component!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/08/2016
Design Review is Important Component!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am building a pole barn 50 foot clear span wide, and 70 foot long, 16 foot to the eve. I am using 4×4 metal uprights on 20 foot spans, red iron purlins and stringers, and 4×4 metal welded all around the top. I am using conventional wood trusses engineered for […]

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Pole Building Gone Wrong

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/01/2016
Pole Building Gone Wrong

There is Something Wrong with This Picture My disclaimer, this is NOT a Hansen Pole Building. It was advertised on Craigslist by a builder in Kentucky. There are some odd things about this pole building – one of them which is crucial and the building owner is going to hate probably forever. Maybe longer. The […]

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A Pole Barn Fit for the Olympics

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/11/2016
A Pole Barn Fit for the Olympics

Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register Truthfully, I am not one of those people who sits mesmerized in front of the television watching every last minute of the Olympic Games. Some of it is probably from my general refusal to watch network television in general. I could not tell you who won any events […]

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One More Reason to Love DIYers

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/04/2016
One More Reason to Love DIYers

DIY – Do It Yourself. Frankly, 99+ % of you DIYers are absolutely the greatest people on the planet. You are fun to work with, you follow directions and take pride in your own job very well done. I have serious man-crushes on many of you (I love you for your brains, not your bodies)! […]

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What Does It Mean When a Pole Building is ‘Engineer-Sealed’?

If you’ve been shopping around for a pole building kit, you may have heard the phrase ‘engineer-sealed’ and wondered what it meant—and whether it matters for your planned building. ‘Engineer-sealed’ simply means that a licensed engineer has reviewed a set of building plans and put their stamp of approval on it. Engineer-sealed plans are also […]

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Let’s Count Screws

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/21/2016
Let’s Count Screws

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 16 of the Hansen Pole Buildings’ Construction Manual: Use sheeting screws ONLY on one side of each high rib (See Figure 16-2) with the following exception: Roof – each high rib side at Eave Girt and Ridge Purlin (as well as at any end over end splices). Figure 16-2 […]

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How Important is Technical Support?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/19/2016
How Important is Technical Support?

At least here at Hansen Pole Buildings, we feel it is pretty dayem importantish!! And just how important, enough so the information on how to get unlimited free technical support is found on the second page of our over 500 page illustrated Construction Manual. Here is the language from the manual: “Technical Support: No technical […]

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Not a building Under Construction

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/14/2016
Not a building Under Construction

No This is NOT a Building Under Construction Here is the story from the building owner….. “When we pulled up here, about a quarter to 12 last night, is when I noticed I could see some insulation and then I got out and took a walk around and that’s when I saw that we had […]

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Horse Barn on a Budget

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/27/2016
Horse Barn on a Budget

Any sort of construction project can feel overwhelming. From design to budget to execution, the process can cause strain and stress on even the best contractor. If regular projects weren’t difficult enough, consider horse barn construction and the process of putting together something that is supposed to house multiple 1,000 pound animals. For a construction […]

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How to Prep Your Site for a Pole Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/22/2016
How to Prep Your Site for a Pole Barn

Deciding to add a pole barn to your property can be exciting, and you may already be envisioning how you’ll use this new space. However, before you get too carried away planning your pole barn’s layout and features, you’ll need to choose a building site and prep the site for your pole barn. While pole […]

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How Energy Efficient Are Pole Buildings? Key Insulation Tips

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/13/2016
How Energy Efficient Are Pole Buildings? Key Insulation Tips

If you’re thinking about building a pole barn home (or ‘barndominium’), you no doubt already know that construction and labor costs for this type of residence can be significantly lower than the cost of building a traditional house. However, you may be wondering what your monthly utility bills will look like once you move in. […]

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Just Say No!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/26/2016
Just Say No!

You Want It When? A week from Tuesday is going to find a life milestone has been passed – it will be after Labor Day. Or as we know it in the pole barn industry, the Panic Point. When I was a post frame (pole) building contractor in the 1990’s based in Northeast Washington state, […]

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Just Another Reason to Love Builders

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/23/2016
Just Another Reason to Love Builders

Please keep in mind, I was a post frame (pole) building contractor in a past life. With as many as 35 crews erecting buildings in six states – if something could possibly go awry, one of my crews would find a way to achieve it! Seriously. Some of them were creative in methods which I […]

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When Everything Doesn’t Go Perfect Part I

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/10/2016
When Everything Doesn’t Go Perfect Part I

When Everything Doesn’t Go Perfect (and the sky falls) The key to any successful construction project is not necessarily how everything went perfect, but instead it is how the things which did not go perfect were resolved. When one considers the average post frame building kit package materials have been touched by in excess of […]

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Will 4×6 Columns Carry the Load?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/09/2016
Will 4×6 Columns Carry the Load?

Another excellent question from a soon to be new post frame (pole building) owner. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: The materials just arrived for my pole barn and construction is to start on Monday. The building will be 30×40 with attic trusses with an 8/12 pitch, 24 inches on center with a 1ft overhang (there is […]

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Let’s Dig a Big Hole

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/21/2016
Let’s Dig a Big Hole

Let’s dig a Big Hole … and plant a post-frame building in it! Part I of two parts. This article (written by yours truly) appeared in this month’s Rural Builder magazine. If you prefer to read it online, here is the link: https://www.constructionmagnet.com/rural-builder/lets-dig-a-big-hole-and-plant-a-post-frame-building-in-it: I’ve now surprisingly (especially to me) spent my entire adult life in […]

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Hansen Buildings Tech Support

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/06/2016
Hansen Buildings Tech Support

What Real Life Technical Support Sounds Like Many of us have had situations where we needed to contact a company we have purchased a product from for some technical assistance. I know when I have done so, every once in a while I am thankfully surprised to have the person I am dealing with actually […]

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Hammer Handles

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/03/2016
Hammer Handles

For some reason, I have always liked framing hammers with wooden handles. Always felt far more comfortable in my hand than composites or steel handles. Hickory handles beat synthetic materials for strength, and also have the benefit of less vibration. Wood transfers less vibration than metal. Some hammers have a fiberglass shaft core or a glass […]

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Titanium Hammers

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/02/2016
Titanium Hammers

I appreciate long time reader Vincent Phelps – Vincent, I know you are reading this and thank you! Vincent appears to be always on the lookout for technology and new and better ways to build bigger mousetraps (buildings). Here was a recent question he sent to me on Facebook (yes, we are Facebook friends): “Titanium […]

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Cool Solar Stuff

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/31/2016
Cool Solar Stuff

I’ve been doing some of my own research on solar power lately, and have found some interesting stuff. The real interesting part of this article is not in the cool solar product – it is on how to solve the problem they do not know they have with the pole barn (post frame) building in […]

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Dear Pole Barn Guru: Assembly Instructions

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/09/2016
Dear Pole Barn Guru: Assembly Instructions

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do your pole barn garage kits come with assembly instructions? CORY IN NORTH LAS VEGAS DEAR CORY: Thank you for your interest in a new Hansen Pole Building. Besides full sized 24″ x 36″ blueprints (usually seven pages or more worth) which are totally specific to exactly your building and show […]

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