Category Archives: Constructing a Pole Building
Consider Post Frame for New Home!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/16/2017
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 […]
Read moreBarn Doors? Houses? Materials!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/09/2017
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 […]
Read moreCalling for the Wall Steel Stretcher
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/05/2017
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 […]
Read moreWhen the Truss People Do the Dog
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/04/2017
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 […]
Read moreBuilder Shaming
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/30/2016
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 […]
Read morePole Building Poor Workmanship
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/21/2016
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 […]
Read moreNew in the Hammer World
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/20/2016
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 introduce the […]
Read moreBuying a Used Pole Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, Pole Building Comparisons, Building Department, Constructing a Pole Building, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure, Professional Engineer
- Tags: Truss Plywood Gussets, Flat Wind Girts, Building Code, Galvanized Steel, Lateral Truss Bracing, Oregon Agricultural Exemption
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BUILD Magazine-Engineering Leadership Award
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/15/2016
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 […]
Read moreAttacking Pole Barn Rocks in Holes
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/14/2016
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 […]
Read moreDesign Review is Important Component!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/08/2016
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 […]
Read morePole Building Gone Wrong
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/01/2016
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 […]
Read moreA Pole Barn Fit for the Olympics
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/11/2016
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 […]
Read moreOne More Reason to Love DIYers
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/04/2016
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)! […]
Read moreWhat Does It Mean When a Pole Building is ‘Engineer-Sealed’?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/26/2016
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 […]
Read moreLet’s Count Screws
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/21/2016
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 […]
Read moreHow Important is Technical Support?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/19/2016
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 […]
Read moreNot a building Under Construction
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/14/2016
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 […]
Read moreHorse Barn on a Budget
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/27/2016
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 […]
Read moreHow to Prep Your Site for a Pole Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/22/2016
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 […]
Read moreHow Energy Efficient Are Pole Buildings? Key Insulation Tips
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/13/2016
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. […]
Read moreJust Say No!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/26/2016
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, […]
Read moreJust Another Reason to Love Builders
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/23/2016
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 […]
Read moreWhen Everything Doesn’t Go Perfect Part I
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/10/2016
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 […]
Read moreWill 4×6 Columns Carry the Load?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/09/2016
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 […]
Read moreLet’s Dig a Big Hole
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/21/2016
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
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 […]
Read moreHammer Handles
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/03/2016
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 […]
Read moreTitanium Hammers
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/02/2016
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building, tools
- Tags: Steel Hammer, Titanium, Marvel Comics, Iron Man, Ergonomic
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Cool Solar Stuff
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/31/2016
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 […]
Read moreDear Pole Barn Guru: Assembly Instructions
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/09/2016
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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Lean Construction
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/29/2016
The word “lean” explains a great deal about the goals of Lean Construction. It implies something has been trimmed of excess fat, or, in the case of construction, of waste and inefficiency. Lean takes the “different moving parts” of a project — including concept, design, construction and occupancy — and works to coordinate all those processes together at the beginning of the project […]
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Yes This is Actually One of Our Building Kits
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/23/2016
However it did not quite get assembled the way we had planned for! We would not even have known about it, other than Ritchie Wallace of Wallace Brothers Construction (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/find-a-builder/oregon-contractors/portland-or-contractor/) was contacted by the client, who is now interested in adding onto the length of the building. According to a July 2015 article in Time […]
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Hang ’em; Those Joist Hangers That Is
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/25/2016
This was the tag line for some PSA commercial on the telly when I was a child. Always figured I could spin it into an article at some point in time. Here is the dilemma: From our client: “Got all the trusses & purlins up & it’s really starting to look like a building. That’s […]
Read more- Categories: Trusses, Fasteners, Constructing a Pole Building
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Straight Roof Steel Overhangs
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/18/2016
In 1980 I was working for Lucas Plywood and Lumber in Salem, Oregon. Besides managing their prefabricated metal connector plated roof truss manufacturing facility, I also sold kit packages for pole buildings. The same summer, one of my clients was a gentleman from Portland named Tony Storm, who ordered a garage which he and his […]
Read more- Categories: Roofing Materials, Constructing a Pole Building, Steel Roofing & Siding
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High School Vo-Ed Classes
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/22/2016
Many high schools offer to their students Vocational Education classes. In the case of Logan Elm High School of Circleville, Ohio – instructor Gary Mitchel’s vocational industrial maintenance class builds pole barns. Mitchel’s students have now completed ten pole buildings for local residents over the past five and a half years. You can read more […]
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Another closure strip story
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/29/2015
This is a real life message from one of our clients: “So I went to put in my foam closures today and I don’t have enough. There is a gap on both the top and bottom of the wainscoting. The building dimensions are 24’x24′. So 4 sides at 24′ is 96′ – 12′ garage door […]
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Some Building Mistakes are Universal
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/25/2015
My friend Domenick Buonamici is an American expat who lives in Ecuador. He also writes about his experiences in Ecuador. When this one passed by me, I couldn’t help but relate it to common similar mistakes we see here in the United States. I see it all the time here on the coast of Ecuador. […]
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Beating a Dead Horse – An uplifting story
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/01/2015
A Wind Uplift Story This idiom is most usually associated with trying to revive interest in a hopeless issue. Those of you gentle readers with former spouses in your lives may very well have some understanding of this issue. Well, sometimes there actually IS a dead horse….. Many years ago, my future ex-wife and I […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, Constructing a Pole Building
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The Things One Finds on Craigslist
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/10/2015
“Wanted – Pole Barn Builder, Carpenter, and skilled handyman to help me rebuild this 20+ year old pole barn that was recently taken down. It is 65′ x 100′. I need to lay it out, put in the holes, pour the concrete pole piers, and erect all the superstructure (including 65′ wide trusses), and the […]
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Aligning Endwall Purlins
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/25/2015
When the Stars are Out of Alignment In post frame (pole) building construction, the stars do not have to align in order for all things to work out happily (and easily). Some things DO have to align, and an important one – at least when it comes to getting through screwed steel roofing to work […]
Read morePole Building Wall Girts
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/07/2015
Movin’ On Up! Well Leroy will never be confused with Sherman Hemsley of the iconic TV series “The Jeffersons” but his crew was certainly movin’ on up! Leroy mentioned the man he works for provides neither plans nor a materials list for his crew to build from. They just make the building “work” from the […]
Read moreNail Guns vs. Hand Nailing
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/03/2015
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 segment. If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]
Read moreWood Construction in High Wind Areas
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/30/2015
New Guides to Wood Construction in High Wind Areas My long time readers will probably recognize the name Dr. Frank Woeste, as he has appeared in a plethora of my articles. When it comes to wood design, and especially post frame buildings, Frank is at the top of the game. For the curious, here is […]
Read moreVertical Flush Walls
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/01/2015
There is a builder in my neck of the woods who advertises as “the only company around that offers…Vertical Flush Walls, for your pole building, shop or garage, which allows you to sheetrock inside your building without having to re-frame the inside!” In the photo with this article, wall girts have been placed “barn” style […]
Read moreMeasuring Eave Height
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/24/2015
A Tape Measure Idea The design upon which most modern spring tape measures are built was patented by Alvin J. Fellows in 1868. But even a better mousetrap doesn’t always catch on immediately. In 1922 Hiram Farrand received another patent and within a few years the Farrand Rapid Rule was being mass produced and was […]
Read moreVarge Trim on 4 & 8 Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/06/2015
Thin Hair and a Flat Forehead In my most recent past life (a.k.a the 1990’s) I was a post frame (pole) building contractor based in Spokane, Washington. At one time we had as many as 35 crews constructing buildings in six states. Even though I jokingly tell people this is why my hair is thin […]
Read moreLet’s Talk Building Diaphragms
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/14/2015
When it comes to pole buildings, a diaphragm is a structural assembly – including the timber framing (truss chords and purlins), structural sheathing (e.g. plywood, metal cladding), fasteners and fastening patterns – capable of transferring in-plane shear forces through the cladding and framing members. Diaphragm action is the lateral resistance to racking of the building […]
Read moreHow to Repair a Sagging Pole Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/08/2015
My bride tells me I spend an inordinate amount of time surfing the ‘net. She is probably right, but I surf with a goal in mind – researching topics so there are more satisfied pole building owners! I stumbled across an interesting video on “How to Fix a Sagging Pole Building” today at: https://wn.com/how_to_fix_a_sagging_pole_building Now, […]
Read morePole Building Screws
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/16/2014
Screwing a Pole Building Together In 2001 I was working for a Northern Idaho pole building construction company. One of my clients was a building contractor from Moscow, Idaho. It seems he had a client he was building a home for in California, and needed a 5000 square foot pole building erected on the site, […]
Read moreAmish Speed Barn Raising
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/18/2014
Amish Speed Barn Raising All of us seem to be captivated by “speed building” videos. Heck, I even got into it back in 1996, when my company set a world record for the fastest site built two-car garage: (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2011/06/fastest-pole-building-ever-constructed/)!The Mother Nature Network has an Amish barn raising video up, which has become somewhat of an […]
Read moreSheet Metal Cutting Tools
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/10/2014
There is absolutely nothing finer than a recommendation from one of our clients on a tool, process or procedure which they have used to make construction of their new Hansen Pole Building kit package easier. A challenge, for many, is having to cut steel panels and trims with various sheet metal cutting tools often being […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building, Steel Roofing & Siding, tools
- Tags: Steel Cutting Tool, Tools, Steel Cutting Saws
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Stick Built vs Pole Barn Construction
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/23/2014
Why are the stick-built and pole-barn businesses so different? This question was posed to me recently, along with the following commentary: “Forgive me if this strikes you as a dumb question, but I’m having trouble figuring out why the pole-barn and residential construction businesses are so divided. From what I can tell, companies that do […]
Read moreTwilight Zone Contractor
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/10/2014
50 shades of The Twilight Zone, is The Ghost of Rod Serling Somewhere Nearby? From 1951 to 1955, more than 70 of Rod Serling’s television scripts were produced, garnering both critical and public acclaim. Full-scale success came on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 1955, with the live airing of his Kraft Television Theatre script “Patterns.” Deemed a “creative […]
Read moreDear Guru: Altering Roof Trusses
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/01/2014
DEAR POLE BARN GURU:Currently constructing building and the roof trusses are not built according to engineered plans. Plans call for 2*10 and these trusses are 2*6. Builder has purchased additional materials to reinforce the trusses. Now the steel is going up today and found that the 2 11’10” clay endwall pieces are missing. Builder also […]
Read morePole Building Construction Errors
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/29/2014
What’s Wrong With This Picture? When I was a kid, my mom would buy us educational geared books which had various puzzles in them, designed to challenge our minds. One of my favorites was the one where two drawings are shown which are nearly identical, and it is up to the reader to spot the […]
Read moreInstalling Eave Lights
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/19/2014
Tips for Installing Eave Light Panels For those who are not insulating the sidewalls of their pole buildings and are looking for a low cost alternative to windows for getting daylighting into their buildings – polycarbonate eave lights might very well be the answer. I’ve written about them in the past (see: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2011/09/polycarbonate-eavelights-light-up-my-life/), so I […]
Read moreMost Read Pole Building Blogs
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/15/2014
A Baker’s Dozen – The Most Read Articles of 2013 Sometimes, in order to know where to go, it is helpful to see where we’ve been. These are the most read blogs from 2013. #13 Board and Batten Siding https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2013/03/board-and-batten-siding/ While popular, board and batten siding should be installed considering shear values. Advice on installing […]
Read moreMy VersaTube Pole Building Collapsed!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/12/2014
I’ve previously expressed concerns about light gauge “carport” type buildings (read more at: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2013/05/carports/). (My advance apologies for the misleading title, it was used by the complainee below – VersaTube® buildings are NOT pole buildings!!) Whilst doing some ‘net surfing, I recently came across this posting at www.pissedcustomer.com: “I purchased a metal frame building from […]
Read moreMind the Purlin Gap
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/24/2014
Simpson Strong-Tie® has a blog dedicated to Structural Engineering. A recent post written by David Finkenbinder addressed gaps where a member is attached to another by use of a structural hanger. Here is an excerpt from the blog: “Have you ever seen this famous sign? You may have seen it while riding the London Underground, to […]
Read moreJapanese Framing Part I
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/18/2014
ON SITE IN JAPAN: OBSERVATIONS OF A U.S. FRAMER My cousin Amy was recently visiting Japan and happened to share on her Facebook page an article written by her Dad, my Uncle Neil Momb, written about his adventures in building in Japan. Although my Uncle Neil was the only one of my Father’s siblings who […]
Read moreeHow.com and Pole Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/11/2014
eHow.com: Discover the expert in you Or at least how eHow.com promotes itself on the ‘net. From the eHow.com website: “What do you want to do today? No matter what’s on your list, eHow can help. With more than 30 categories that cover just about everything, eHow is your one-stop online resource for life’s challenges. […]
Read moreWane
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/03/2014
In the construction of Eric’s new self-storage pole building, my son got to experience first-hand the effects of wane! What exactly is wane? When a log enters a sawmill, it is first cut into boards. Before further processing, most boards cut from the outside edges of the log exhibit wither residual bark or jagged edges […]
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Foam Closure Strips
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/02/2014
Inside Foam Closure Strips to be exact. There are lots of little pieces involved when it comes to the assembly of a pole building, which the average lay person would have little or no knowledge of. Some of them don’t make a difference until the lack of them (or their failure to perform) becomes apparent. […]
Read moreNot Burger King Crowns
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/25/2014
My readers will recognize my 19-year-old son Brent’s name from recent articles on the construction of a pole building storage building here in Browns Valley. After two weeks of working together, I have learned something important (yes, 56 year old Dads can learn new things). Growing up, my brother Mark and I worked for Dad […]
Read more- Categories: About The Pole Barn Guru, Constructing a Pole Building, Lumber
- Tags: Lumber Defects, Burger King, Lumber Crowns
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The Flying Gable Crash Lands
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/20/2014
Over the years I’ve experienced many various clients who have constructed pole building kits as “bonding” experiences. These have included a couple in their early 80’s, five brothers who built a new shop for their Dad for Father’s Day, and a man and his 14 year old daughter. We’ve built two pole buildings with our […]
Read more- Categories: About The Pole Barn Guru, Constructing a Pole Building
- Tags: Pole Building, Purlins Crown Up
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Hansen Self Storage Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/19/2014
Self Storage & Twas the Week Before Brent Landed….. For regular readers – you read yesterday about my son joining our volunteer construction crew on the 5040 square foot self storage building. In the week before Brent’s arrival, we experienced some of the fun things which will endear anyone who has ever constructed their own […]
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Box Beam Barns
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/30/2014
A prospect client in Michigan wrote to tell me pole buildings were, “too expensive, going with a box beam barn instead.” Two thoughts leaped into my head, first – pole buildings are so efficient it is hard to believe there could be a more economical choice, and secondly – what the heck is a “box […]
Read moreThe Most Asked Question by Post Frame Builders
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/22/2014
My regular “day job” is as Technical Director for Hansen Pole Buildings. This is a fancy title for, “the guy who solves problems when things go astray”. DIYers are frankly hilarious, as they come holding hat-in-hand saying things like, “You wouldn’t believe what I’ve done wrong, it has to be the worst mistake ever!” In […]
Read moreThe Theory of Adequate Building Connectors
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/20/2014
I was blessed to have been a member of the then American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) Structural Committee back in the latter half of the 1980s. Blessed because there were many brilliant engineers on the committee who were very focused on moving what had been “pole barns” into the Code conforming “post frame” buildings. […]
Read moreRamada – More than Just an Inn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/16/2014
Much of the year I am a “road warrior” – spending two weeks out of every month on planes, trains and automobiles, the next two back at home. Our youngest daughter (now a college sophomore) has threatened more than once to stop by the house when I am away and paste my photo on a […]
Read moreWeyerhaeuser SturdiStep
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/13/2014
I’ve been buying products from Weyerhaeuser since I got out of college in 1977. Weyerhaeuser has always been cutting edge – coming up with unique ideas and products. I know I freaked out the owner of the lumber yard where I managed a prefabricated metal connector plated truss plant for, when in 1980 I ordered […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building, Pole Barn Structure
- Tags: Steps, Wayerhaeuser, Wood Stairs
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Nationwide®Insurance on Pole Building Failures Part 2
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/03/2014
As my loyal readers know, I recently attended the NFBA (National Frame Building Association) 2014 Expo in Nashville, TN. The NFBA (https://www.nfba.org) is the only national trade association which represents post-frame industry professionals. The association is the country’s primary source of post-frame building resources, research, networking, news and education. This is Part II on a […]
Read moreNationwide®Top Three Reasons Pole Buildings Fail
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/02/2014
Nationwide® Insurance and Common Pole Building Failures As my loyal readers know, I recently attended the NFBA (National Frame Building Association) 2014 Expo in Nashville, TN. The NFBA (https://www.nfba.org) is the only national trade association which represents post-frame industry professionals. The association is the country’s primary source of post-frame building resources, research, networking, news and […]
Read moreCatastrophic Building Collapse
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/18/2014
When I was a freshman in Architecture school at the University of Idaho, we watched video footage of the November 7, 1940 collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (also known as “Gallopin Gertie”). If you have never seen this amazing footage before, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw Luckily, most of you will never watch […]
Read moreHard Rock Clause
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/11/2014
When I was first constructing pole buildings, I found out the hard way why it is essential to have a clause in my agreements which covered the unknown – also known as “what you can’t see below the surface”. In my case, we had contracted to build a 36 foot wide by 60 foot long […]
Read moreDear Pole Barn Guru: How Do I Keep My Pole Barn Roof Square?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/24/2014
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 segment. If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]
Read moreBlueprint Reading
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/14/2014
When I was a boy, I used to love it when my Dad would bring home fresh blueprints….I could smell the ammonia before I could see the roll of pages. The smell alone would trigger my senses to alert me to “something was going to get built”! Yes, back in the day, plans graduated from […]
Read moreWaste Farmland or Pole Barn Variance?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/12/2013
Let’s Waste More Good Farmland It has been awhile since I got off on a good rant. My belief is a person should be able to do whatever they want with their property, as long as the value of your neighbor’s property is not degraded by it. The less government interference, the better. I live […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Building Variance, Building Department, Zoning Laws
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On the Road with Post Frame Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/16/2013
On The Road Author’s Note: This is part 2 of a series of blogs written from a 6500+ motorcycle trip from WA to Ohio and back. See Blog from Oct. 15th for the beginning…and hang on for the ride! In yesterday’s post, I had mentioned all of the old barns I saw falling down. Not […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building
- Tags: Crane To Lift Trusses, Truss Lifting, Winch Boxes
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A New Pole Building: What is the Price per Square Foot?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/02/2013
What Is The Price Per Square Foot? If one thinks about this question for very long, they might recognize the absurdity of this question. It would be about as practical as going to buy a new car….and asking the price per pound. Or shopping for a new computer….and asking the price per gigabyte of memory. […]
Read moreDear Guru: Housewrap, Concrete Brackets & Wobbly Trusses
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/09/2013
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 segment. If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]
Read moreConstruction Tape, Instead of Nails to Build Pole Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/03/2013
I’m always on board (pun intended) for new, interesting and different ideas. This one certainly qualifies! German researchers are working on a quick-setting construction tape which can bond lumber members together. They’ve developed an adhesive tape, which sets in under a minute to reliably and durably bond together individual components. The construction tape doesn’t dry […]
Read more- Categories: Lumber, Constructing a Pole Building, Pole Barn Structure
- Tags: 10d Nails, Adhesive Tape, Construction Adhesive, Nails
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Dear Pole Barn Guru: Can I Lay Purlins Flat?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/05/2013
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: With trusses spaced 6 feet on center can you lay 2×4 purlins flat? Curious in Columbus DEAR CURIOUS: In order to answer your question properly, I will have to make a whole bunch of assumptions. I will assume this is a single truss, code minimum snow load, 4/12 roof slope […]
Read moreBarn Collapse!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/02/2013
This story appeared in the Windsor, Ontario, Canada Star June 27, 2013: “Firefighters had to use a metal cutter and giant airbags Wednesday to rescue a man trapped under a barn collapse. “Upon our arrival, there was one person that was trapped underneath the trusses,” said Essex Fire Chief Ed Pillon.”He was conscious, alert, […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building, Trusses
- Tags: Truss Bracing, Truss Installation, Jobsite Safety, Truss Erection
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Dear Pole Barn Guru: Better Pole Barn Screws?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/29/2013
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 segment. If you want a quick answer, please be sure to send from a “reply-able” […]
Read moreWhy Men Don’t Build Their Own Pole Buildings; Why not?!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/23/2013
Andy Hinds has been pounding nails into wood ever since he was a kid and gives his father the credit for passing along the carpentry skills. In a recent Atlantic article, Hinds reminisces about helping to build the family cabin in Montana: Dad built walls and sidewalks, installed woodstoves, laid tile, added electrical circuits and plumbing […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building
- Tags: Do It Yourself Pole Barn, DIY Pole Buildings
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Dear Pole Barn Guru: Will Poles Rot?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/22/2013
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 segment. Email all questions to: PoleBarnGuru@HansenPoleBuildings.com DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Will the poles y’all use […]
Read morePole Building Pictures: Say Cheese!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/17/2013
Taking frequent pictures of a new pole building under construction on is something which just does not happen on a routine basis. These pictures could easily save a world of grief. I personally believe building owners and contractors should be taking pictures more often than what I usually find is being done. A picture does […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building
- Tags: Pole Barn Construction, Pole Barn Photos, Pole Barn Pictrures
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Steel Wrapped Poles & Sprinkler System
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/27/2013
Steel wrapped poles Hansen Pole Buildings Designer Alan came up with a new client concern recently. His client lost his last barn to a fire, so the client’s idea for his new pole barn is to wrap the poles with light gauge steel, in order to keep them from burning. Of course Alan and I […]
Read morePole Barn Mistakes: Taking the Blame
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/25/2013
I was once at a get together at a friend’s house. It was crowded, with about twice as many people as the space comfortably fit (must have been a good party). Being as it was a casual event the kitchen became the hub of activity, with food and drink preparation, cooking, chattering and of course, […]
Read moreA Dual Zap: Call 811
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/13/2013
I bet they wished they’d followed the Call 811 rule! I live on lake, in the mountains. My lot, much like those of my neighbors, is narrow and deep, with lots of grade change from lake to back of the lots. Nearly two decades ago, I wanted to construct a pole building on the back […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building, Footings
- Tags: Electric Lines, Telephone Lines, Utility Lines
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Marketing Basics: DIY Pole Building Kits
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/23/2013
The basics of marketing teach us (as suppliers of pole building kit packages) to focus our efforts on those most likely to be a customer. If implemented (which most do) the problem becomes the focus is on direct competitors rather than enlarging the pool of potential clients. Everyone becomes more worried about losing a sale […]
Read morePole Building Construction: Off to the Races
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/23/2013
Pole Building Construction We’ve spent the last few days in the capitol city of Quito, Ecuador. If it wasn’t for our daughter having spent her sophomore year of high school here as a Rotary Exchange Student, we probably never would have visited Ecuador. Once we were here, we were hooked however. The scenery is breathtaking and amazingly […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building
- Tags: Construction Speed, Pole Barn Construction, DIY Pole Buildings
- 3 comments
Dear Pole Barn Guru: Galvanized Nails or Not?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/15/2013
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m using 6″ x 6″ treated posts, do I need to use galvanized nails to attach my girts to the posts, do you recommend 20d galv ringshanks driven w a palm-nailer vs 3-1/4″ 16d non galv ringshanks I can shoot with gun? James in Golden, CO DEAR GOLDEN: Any time nails […]
Read morePrepare Your Pole Building for a Hurricane
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/12/2013
March 3-9 was National Severe Weather Preparedness week, which inspired me to outline some ways to prepare your existing pole building to withstand hurricanes. The ASHRAE Guide for Buildings in Hot and Humid Climates recommends designing and constructing buildings in hurricane-prone areas using the following steps in order of priority: keep the building from blowing […]
Read moreEave Height Snafu #2: My Building is Too Tall!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/11/2013
I Spoke Too Soon! In yesterday’s blog, I was addressing challenges which seem to occur with professional building contractors, and the challenge to correctly measure eave height. So….up jumps the devil…. Not long after the cited incident from a few months ago, a building owner was out constructing their own pole building kit package and […]
Read morePole Building Plans: Following Directions
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/10/2013
When All Else Fails Read the directions. The Hansen Pole Buildings Productions office had a builder contact them a few months ago, because the endwall steel on the pole building kit package they were constructing was “eight inches too short”. Now the builder DID admit to having framed the building three inches taller then he […]
Read moreCan I Put a Pole Barn on Asphalt? ~ Dear Pole Barn Guru
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/04/2013
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a full size tennis court, we want to put a pole barn on the tennis court (we don’t play tennis) The barn would be 30 x 60 obviously leaving an asphalt perimeter larger than the barn around the barn – how would you seal the edges where the barn […]
Read moreDo It Yourself Pole Buildings: The Ikea Effect
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/22/2013
Thanks to Hansen Pole Buildings Designer Bob, for his inspiration on this post! Have you ever spent a couple of hours working on a craft project — or a presentation for work — and then fallen in love with the accomplishment? Do the colors picked for the PowerPoint background pop so beautifully you just have […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building
- Tags: DIY Pole Buildings, DIY Pole Barns, Do-it-yourselfer, Ikea Effect
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