Category Archives: Pole Barn Design

Basements, Foundations, and OHD Back-Hangs!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/05/2018
Basements, Foundations, and OHD Back-Hangs!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Is it possible to have a full basement with a residential build? What would a basement do to overall cost percentage wise? NATHAN in OAK LAWN DEAR NATHAN: It is very possible to have a full basement beneath a post frame home. According to www.HomeAdvisor.com installing an unfinished basement will cost […]

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Raised Floors in Post Frame Homes

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/02/2018
Raised Floors in Post Frame Homes

Raised Floors Are an Opportunity for Post Frame Homes Three months after Hurricane Harvey churned through Texas, dumping 51 inches of rain and damaging an estimated 150,000 homes, the state’s most populous county took a bureaucratic step which has huge implications for how it will deal with the risk of future flooding. On December 5, […]

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What is the Minimum Size for a Two Car Garage?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/27/2018
What is the Minimum Size for a Two Car Garage?

Reader REBECCA in PEYTON posed this question: “What is minimum size you would recommend for two cars?” Mike the Pole Barn Guru writes: As my lovely bride tells people, “the cost of putting up a new building is deciding to build at all. Once one has decided to build, put those four corners as far […]

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Covered Arena, Nail Numbers, and Clear Spans!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/26/2018
Covered Arena, Nail Numbers, and Clear Spans!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My daughter has taken up roping, and I would like to build a covered arena so she can practice year round. Note I said covered, not enclosed. I am not sure I can afford an enclosed arena, but can a covered arena. My question is, what size should this be? I […]

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School Bus Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/23/2018
School Bus Barn

Considering a Post Frame Building as a “Bus Barn.” In Underwood, MN, school district chairperson Frank Fee recently toured the district’s new bus garage (aka school bus barn) and noted, “You’d never know it’s a pole barn”. Indeed though it is, with internal parking for 14 buses, it is heated, has an office and a […]

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When the Pole Building Insulation Problem is Larger Than Imagined

When the Pole Building Insulation Problem is Larger Than Imagined From questions I have received from loyal readers over the past year, post frame (pole) building insulation is right there at the top of the list for priorities. Sadly, it seems the same concern is not often put forward by those who are designing, providing […]

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When Jurisdictions Push the Fine Line

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/20/2018
When Jurisdictions Push the Fine Line

From a February 1, 2018 article by Lois Swoboda at www.apalachtimes.com: “At the Jan. 9 county planning and zoning advisory board meeting, and the Jan. 16 county commission, County Attorney Michael Shuler performed the first public readings of a proposed ordinance governing the use of metal structures and pole barns as single family residences.. The […]

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Formula for Calculating Wall Girts

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/15/2018
Formula for Calculating Wall Girts

An Excel Formula for Calculating Wall Girts, Post Size and Hole Depth John Minor and I have been friends for nearly 30 years – since his then father-in-law (and my business partner at the time) convinced me John could sell post frame buildings. Well Rod was correct, John could sell buildings – not only for […]

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Soil Bearing Pressures Challenge

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/13/2018
Soil Bearing Pressures Challenge

Soil Bearing Pressures Challenge Fast and Loose With Numbers and Terms DAN from MOUNDS VIEW is the first reader who admits they are an addict to my blogs – for this, I love you man!! Luckily there is no 12 step program to cure you, so you are just going to have to keep feeding […]

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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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Building a Pole Barn House

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/06/2018
Building a Pole Barn House

Reader JEREMY writes: “Good Morning and Happy New Year! We are currently in the process of building a house inside a pole barn, and have noticed condensation on the inside walls and roof when we heat it.  We do not have any vents installed yet, and would like to know if the condensation will stop […]

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Concrete Floor Thickness for Heavy Equipment

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/02/2018
Concrete Floor Thickness for Heavy Equipment

Concrete Floor Thickness for Heavy Equipment Reader KRIS writes: “Dear Guru, My husband and I are getting ready to construct a pole barn 40 x 80. He wants 2 x 14′ doors, 1 x 10′ and a service door. It will be used for heavy equipment storage and workshop/florist shop to keep critters out. We […]

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Insulating a Post Frame Home Crawl Space

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/01/2018
Insulating a Post Frame Home Crawl Space

One of our clients has been erecting a post frame home in Colorado Springs, which is over a crawl space. Here is our discussion in regards to insulating the crawl space. “While I have your ear, I had asked you a question earlier about getting the code required R30 in the 2×6 floor joists of […]

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Top Plate

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/30/2018
Top Plate

Top Plate (Truss Carrier) Size With Attic Trusses Question from reader JEFFREY in STAPLETON: “I’m building a gambrel pole barn 30ft x 50ft , these are attic trusses with a 16ft room sitting @ 2ft oc, will 10ft pole spacing with double 2×12 top plate be sufficient, any suggestions?”   Mike the Pole Barn responds: […]

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Considering a Pole Barn, Roof Loads, and Proper Ventilation

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/29/2018
Considering a Pole Barn, Roof Loads, and Proper Ventilation

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Good morning. I am considering building a pole barn on our land in northwest Georgia and wanted to know the following: 1) On your website, you list links for residential, agricultural, and commercial buildings.  What is the difference between a those three types of buildings?  Are they different because of design […]

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Builders Who Make No Upgrades in Twenty-Five Years

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/25/2018
Builders Who Make No Upgrades in Twenty-Five Years

Builders Who Make No Upgrades in Twenty-Five Years. Why? We’ve Been Building This Way for 25 Years In the event you happen to hear this from a pole builder – run away from them as quickly as possible. Why? Because every three years there is a new version of the Building Codes and often those […]

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Call a Geotechnical Engineer

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/18/2018
Call a Geotechnical Engineer

When is it time to bring in a Geotechnical Engineer? Reader WES in RAVENNA writes: “I am building a 36×48 pole barn w/ attic trusses on a piece of property were the water table is quite high. The wettest hole contained about 3 feet of water and caved in to about 5 or 6 feet […]

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Post Frame Ramadas

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/17/2018
Post Frame Ramadas

For the uninitiated, here is the definition of ramada from the source of all human knowledge, Wikipedia: “In the southwestern United States, a ramada is a temporary or permanent shelter equipped with a roof but no walls, or only partially enclosed. Ramadas have traditionally been constructed with branches or bushes by aboriginal Americans living in the region […]

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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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Roping Arenas

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/12/2018
Roping Arenas

For whatever the reason it seems there has been an influx of inquiries recently for arenas to practice roping in. For those who are less familiar with roping, according to the sum of all human knowledge, Wikipedia, “Team roping also known as heading and heeling is a rodeo event that features a steer (typically a Corriente) and two mounted riders. […]

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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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8 Questions to Ask When Investing in a Pole Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/10/2018
8 Questions to Ask When Investing in a Pole Barn

8 Quick Questions to Ask When Investing in a Pole Barn Will my building be fully-engineered? Be sure all of your building’s components are engineered to work together and to last – this entails a complete building system, designed specifically for your site, with your openings and sealed by an RDP (Registered Design Professional – […]

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Condensation Under Roof Steel

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/09/2018
Condensation Under Roof Steel

Condensation Even With Radiant Barrier Installed Under Roof Steel It seems every winter I get a few messages similar to this, So far, this winter, I have gotten two, both from newly constructed post frame buildings and from the same area of the United States (which is known for high humidity). Reader SAM in GREENBANK […]

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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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Think-How to Avoid Fire in a Pole Barn Shop

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/05/2018
Think-How to Avoid Fire in a Pole Barn Shop

Avoiding Fire in Pole Barn Shops From www.hometownstations.com story by Joseph Sharpe: “The cold weather almost cost one local man a big bundle of cash, in the form of muscle cars. He was trying to thaw some water lines, when things got ugly fast! Jeff Cook shows us what happened Tuesday in American Township, and how […]

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Don’t Hire a Contractor Unless You Are Willing to Take a Risk

From The Dalles (Oregon) Chronicle December 26, 2017: “A theft report was filed Wednesday morning concerning a theft by deception when a woman reported she paid a contractor $30,000 to build a pole barn on her property by the end of October and no work has been completed.” Most people assume when they hire a […]

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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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Why Post Frame Construction is So Efficient vs. Stick-Built

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/29/2017
Why Post Frame Construction is So Efficient vs. Stick-Built

I recently had this comment from a client, “In normal construction projects I would order at least 5% overage and it looks like closer to 1% here, I have like 20 extra screws total, a foot of extra eave trim, two whole extra pieces of vinyl soffit.” Obviously this client didn’t grow up being the cutoff […]

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How Insulation Works

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/26/2017
How Insulation Works

I so enjoy clients who truly care about the outcomes of their post frame buildings. In this case, I’ve been back and forth with reader Eric and today we are discussing how insulation in walls works. Eric writes: “Mike, Thanks again for the input. I read those articles you mentioned on the BIBs and the […]

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A Stone Base Floor? Trusses vs Rafters, and Entry Door Install

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/25/2017
A Stone Base Floor? Trusses vs Rafters, and Entry Door Install

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a 40 x 24 pole barn with a 4 inch stone base floor. Can I place 2×4 grid framing 24 in on center with 3/4 inch T&G 4 x 8 sheets for light weight shop usage? No vehicles. JEFF in SYCAMORE DEAR JEFF: Some ifs – if your site […]

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Moving Pole Barns

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/22/2017
Moving Pole Barns

Moving a Pole Barn Most of us American adults have, at some time in our lives, visited a county or state fair. Adjunct to these events is the inevitable midway – where carnies (those wonderful and frequently interesting folks) hock their wares and try to interest one and all in a game of chance. Amongst […]

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Designing a Single Slope Pole Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/21/2017
Designing a Single Slope Pole Building

Designing a Single Slope Finished Pole Barn Reader JIM in ROCHESTER writes: “I am looking for an immediate response. I am building a 30×50 single pitch pole barn that I will eventually insulate and drywall. I plan to run a row of posts down the center of the barn to support the rafters. I will […]

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Will My Poles Rot Off? Not If They Are Properly Pressure Treated Wood!

Do the poles start to rot out after so many years? That depends on whether or not they are pressure treated. This question was recently posed to me by reader MARK in WOLCOTT. Typically my answer would include some snarky comment such as: “Most certainly, however it might not be during your grandchildren’s grandchildren’s lives!” […]

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My Response: Why We Need Building Codes

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/14/2017
My Response: Why We Need Building Codes

My Response: Why We Need Building Codes As promised, here is my response to the Coeur d’Alene Press article of December 5, 2017 (exactly as I wrote in the comments portion following the newspaper article regarding adoption of building codes): I will first qualify myself – I attended the University of Idaho in architecture. I […]

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Open Heart Ranch Wedding Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/12/2017
Open Heart Ranch Wedding Barn

Vista View Events at Open Heart Ranch Wedding Barn, Just outside of Rifle, Colorado (https://vistaviewevents.com/) Photo: Vista View Events Rather than being my usual verbose self today, for your viewing pleasure please join in this short video from the Vista View Event page and the Open Heart Wedding Barn: https://vimeo.com/245834338 And yes, the Open Heart […]

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Deep Fascia Overhangs

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/08/2017
Deep Fascia Overhangs

The definition of Fascia from the sum of all human knowledge (Wikipedia): “Fascia (/ˈfeɪʃə/) is an architectural term for a vertical frieze or band under a roof edge, or which forms the outer surface of a cornice, visible to an observer. Typically consisting of a wooden board, uPVC or non-corrosive sheet metal, many of the non-domestic fascias made […]

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Structural Engineering

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/07/2017
Structural Engineering

I’ll take Structural Engineering for $XXX Alex Proper Engineering in post frame construction can not be overlooked. Alex Trebek has hosted Jeopardy!, the iconic daily syndicated game show, since 1984. With over 7,000 episodes aired, Jeopardy! has won a record 33 Daytime Emmy Awards. Some of you may even have tuned in for an episode […]

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The Dust Bowl and Post Frame Buildings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/05/2017
The Dust Bowl and Post Frame Buildings

The Dust Bowl and Post Frame Buildings My lovely bride speaks of her mother telling stories of the “Dirty Thirties” in Minnesota and the Dakotas. The Dust Bowl, also known as the Dirty Thirties, was a period of severe dust storms which greatly damaged the ecology and agriculture of the American and Canadian prairies during the 1930s; […]

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Problems in Steel Truss Building Land

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/01/2017
Problems in Steel Truss Building Land

Problems in Steel Truss Building Land Disclaimer – Hansen Pole Buildings does not provide steel truss post frame buildings and I have never personally been involved in the structural design of one, however there are a plethora of readily evident challenges with this building which should be properly addressed. Reader JAMES in TALLAHASSEE writes: “I […]

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My Building Inspector Made Me

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/28/2017
My Building Inspector Made Me

My Building Inspector Made Me….. An all to familiar tale from those who go by the premise, “penny wise and pound foolish”…. in the misguided attempt to shave a few dollars off the investment in a new building, the price of the engineer sealed plans has been deducted from the budget. Very rarely is this […]

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How to Keep the Water Out of a Pole Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/24/2017
How to Keep the Water Out of a Pole Building

How to Keep the Water Out of a Pole Barn The post frame (pole barn) building has moved from the farm to suburbia. With the transition in building uses, having water flowing into a post frame business or residence is far less than desirable. Dear Pole Barn Guru: My parents lived in a pole barn “lodge”. […]

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Spray Foam and a Post Frame Cabin

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/23/2017
Spray Foam and a Post Frame Cabin

Spray Foam and a Post Frame Cabin Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer Rick Carr is a delight to work with. Other than his fondness for the Green Bay Packers, he is a great guy! Rick not only subscribes to my daily blogs, he reads them. A recent article peaked Rick’s inquisitive mind (view the culprit here: […]

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Post Frame Propane Transfer Stations

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/22/2017
Post Frame Propane Transfer Stations

Post Frame Propane Transfer Stations Earlier this year the propane tank on our barbeque grill decided to run empty. The solution – load up the tank and haul it to the propane transfer station at nearby Sisseton for a refill. Propane is a hydrocarbon (C3H8) and is sometimes referred to as liquefied petroleum gas, LP-gas, […]

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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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Don’t Be An Engineering Fool

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/17/2017
Don’t Be An Engineering Fool

Don’t Be an Engineering Fool Proverb: “A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for his client”. I would paraphrase this to, “A man who is his own engineer has a fool for a client”. Donald Hamm is running for re-election to the Franklin (New York) town board. In a November 2, 2017 […]

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Truss Repairs, Never Field Alter a Truss

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/09/2017
Truss Repairs, Never Field Alter a Truss
Mike the Pole Barn Guru Writes: I spent years (and years) in the prefabricated metal connector plated truss industry. I cannot begin to count the number of times we saw trusses altered in the field without having consulted us beforehand. Without using any fingers, I can also count the number of times these in-the-field truss […] Read more

Cross Bucks on Sliding Barn Doors

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/08/2017
Cross Bucks on Sliding Barn Doors

Many iconic traditional wooden barns feature sliding doors with wooden cross bucks. Originally, the cross buck design had a utilitarian purpose, fortifying gates, fences, and large barn doors by providing structural support. However, the X-design on doors appeared in the mid-1800s as part of what was called “Stick Style.” This Gothic-inspired variation of Victorian architecture […]

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My Poles Are Further Apart than the Trusses Span

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/01/2017
My Poles Are Further Apart than the Trusses Span

My Poles are Placed Farther Apart Than the Trusses Span Reader ALURA in NORTH CAROLINA writes: “We recently purchased a 60 x40 pole barn kit from Florida and we are in North Carolina.  We talked to them on the phone several times about the size the inner dimensions. They reassured us that yes the 40×60 was […]

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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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What Thickness OSB to use Under Shingles

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/25/2017
What Thickness OSB to use Under Shingles

What Thickness OSB to Use Under Shingles Reader JOSH in POST FALLS writes: “My pole building is going to have asphalt shingles. I know how much you dislike shingles vs a metal roof, but the garage needs to match the house. My question is what thickness of OSB should I use? I saw 7/16″ in […]

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How Should I Backfill My Pole Barn Holes?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/24/2017
How Should I Backfill My Pole Barn Holes?

How Should I Backfill My Pole Building Holes This is a subject which is repeatedly brought up. Usually it is ones who are constructing a post frame building which was not designed by a registered design professional (RDP – architect or engineer). The wrong answer could easily lead to a catastrophic failure of the building! […]

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Ridge Cap Replacement, Floor Plans, and Pole Barn Pics

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/23/2017
Ridge Cap Replacement, Floor Plans, and Pole Barn Pics

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My poly ridge cap needs to be replaced because it was leaking due to cracks. I want to replace it with a metal ridge cap. The purlins spacing specified for a poly ridge seems to be a little too far apart for supporting a metal ridge cap. Is this going to […]

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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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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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Dropped Chord End Truss Framing

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/10/2017
Dropped Chord End Truss Framing

How to Frame a Roof Corner With a Dropped Top Chord End Truss Josh and I are becoming better acquainted with each other. Josh happened to not have invested in a Hansen Pole Buildings’ engineered post frame kit package and as such – didn’t have a source of Technical Support which could guide him through […]

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Post Frame Hotels

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/06/2017
Post Frame Hotels

Post Frame Hotels Over the years my lovely bride and I have spent many a night in one hotel or another in nearly every state in the continental United States. We’ve been in small ones and large ones, nice ones and ones which were not quite so nice. One thing which I noticed early on […]

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Can I Build a Pole Barn on my Concrete Slab?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/03/2017
Can I Build a Pole Barn on my Concrete Slab?

Can I Build a Pole Barn on My Concrete Slab? I dove off from the turnip truck a long time ago, so I have seen a lot of strange things constructed over my nearly 60 year lifetime. Sometimes strange is good, usually not so good. What is remarkable are the structures which are constructed directly […]

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Maximizing Barn Door Width

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/27/2017
Maximizing Barn Door Width

Maximizing Barn Door Width for your pole barn. No different than encouraging folks to construct the largest building which will fit on their property and be within budget, when planning your new post frame building, maximize the width of doors to achieve the greatest functionality for your barn. Here is a case in point….. Reader […]

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Are My Columns Too Short?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/26/2017
Are My Columns Too Short?

Are My Columns Too Small or Too Short? We receive and answer lots of questions. Even with a Construction Guide which extends over 500 pages, covering a plethora of topics and how to’s, there is always an unanswered question (sometimes two). One of our good clients recently sent a query to the Hansen Pole Buildings’ […]

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Stilt Houses

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/21/2017
Stilt Houses

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey nearly all Americans have seen video of the devastation across the coastal lowlands of Texas. Over and over photos of water logged drywall and carpets being torn out of homes which were flooded by epic rainfalls of biblical proportion were enough to churn my gut. Especially as so much […]

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Post Frame Insulation in the South

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/20/2017
Post Frame Insulation in the South

Post Frame Insulation in the Hot and Humid South Reader RICK in LUCEDALE writes: “Dear Pole Barn Guru, I am in the planning stage for designing a post frame house. I live in a “Hot and Humid” climate in the southern US. Joseph Lstiburek, a building science guru, suggests having an unvented roof for my […]

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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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Converting a Pole Barn to a Residence

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/15/2017
Converting a Pole Barn to a Residence

Reader BAILEE in LARAMIE writes: “Hi, I have a few questions about the structure of turning a pole barn to a residence in the Laramie, Wyoming area. The current project I am working on has pole spacing of about 10-12 feet. I wanted to know if this is still structurally stable with traditional framing with […]

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Help! My Pole Barn Has Frost Heave

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/14/2017
Help! My Pole Barn Has Frost Heave

Help! My Pole Barn Has Frost Heave Reader DAVID in MINNESOTA writes: “I looked through many pages of your blog and found nothing yet that deals with my frost heave problem. Bought lake property 8 years ago that had a 24 X 24 pole shed that was 5 years old. It has concrete floor with […]

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Post Frame Frost Walls

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/13/2017
Post Frame Frost Walls

From reader Paul in Bismarck: “How do you deal with the requirement for a 4 foot frost wall on buildings that will have plumbing installed in them. Typically, the concrete footing on a stick built structures qualifies as the frost wall. How is this accomplished with a pole building that will be used as a […]

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Headroom Headaches, Post Hole Problems, and Insulation Options

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/11/2017
Headroom Headaches, Post Hole Problems, and Insulation Options

Tackling Headroom Headaches, Post Hole Problems, and Insulation Options DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am curious about the room I needed for my overhead door. I had my building designed for a 12’x12′ overhead door in the middle of the end wall. My wall height is 14′ but with a truss depth of 18″ the […]

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4 Energy Reasons to Invest in an Energy Saving Pole Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/07/2017
4 Energy Reasons to Invest in an Energy Saving Pole Barn

4 Unexpected Reasons to Invest In Energy Efficient Post Frame Design Post frame buildings are increasingly being looked at from the standpoint of being energy efficient in their design. Regardless of the usage of the building, the costs of energy are not likely to decrease in future years. With the ability to easily create deep […]

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Pole Barn Economy of Scale

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/06/2017
Pole Barn Economy of Scale

When building a pole barn, economy of scale can be your ally. Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer Doug passed along to me this message from a client of his: “The last quote was for a 45′ x 42′ building with 2 garage doors and one person door. The new quote was for a 18′ x 42′ […]

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Dream Duck Hunting Lodge

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/01/2017
Dream Duck Hunting Lodge

Dream Duck Hunting Lodge Post Frame Construction lends itself to a myriad of possibilities – only limited by your available space, your budget and your imagination. Now I will confess to not being a hunter. Some of us are hunters. I happen to be none of them, which is a rarity here in South Dakota. […]

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Post Frame Public Library

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/31/2017
Post Frame Public Library

In Bend, Oregon, Hacker Architects, out of Portland, Oregon, designed a library with wooden beams similar to pole barns in the area. Hacker is an architecture firm which has designed over 30 libraries in the U.S. In my humble opinion, rather than trying to give the “feel” of a pole barn, libraries would be best […]

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When Pole Barns do not Have Footings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/30/2017
When Pole Barns do not Have Footings

Reader KEN in FORT COLLINS writes: “HI MIKE! We just bought an acreage with an existing 36 x 48 post frame farm storage building. In talking to the prior owner, we have learned that the builder did not use cookies, footing pads or a cement bottom collar. So nothing to prevent settling (He did nail […]

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Spokane? Roof Steel Starts? and Winging It!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/28/2017
Spokane? Roof Steel Starts? and Winging It!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Your from Spokane area? Can one construct a custom pole building as home Spokane county? Would you have any references of builders in my area to consider? TERRY in MEAD DEAR TERRY: Yes, I was born and raised in Spokane – still have a plethora of family members there (as well […]

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Need a 13′ Tall Door With a 12′ Mean Height Restriction

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/23/2017
Need a 13′ Tall Door With a 12′ Mean Height Restriction

Need a 13’ Tall Door With a 12’ Mean Height Restriction Planning Departments can be the bane of a property owner’s existence. They are the folks who are delegated enforcement of what some might feel are unrealistic expectations as to building heights and footprints. Many times there are solutions, and chances are if a solution […]

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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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Non-commercial Plot Plans

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/17/2017
Non-commercial Plot Plans

Non-commercial Plot Plans Considering adding onto an existing non-commercial building, or constructing a new one? If you live in an area governed by Planning and Building requirements, then you are most likely going to need to have a plot plan – and soon! When Will You Need It? Before you ever think about the structural […]

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Hairpins? Best Eave Height, and the Cost of a House…

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/14/2017
Hairpins? Best Eave Height, and the Cost of a House…

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am installing re-bar hairpins prepping for a pour in a Hansen pole barn. My question is about the inside poles. I have on rebar per outside pole. Do i put two rebar hairpins on the inside poles?   Thanks ALCUIN in LAVEEN DEAR ALCUIN: The purpose of the rebar hairpins […]

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Post Frame Antiperspirant- Ventilation Frustration

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/11/2017
Post Frame Antiperspirant- Ventilation Frustration

This is a sad story I hear all too often from pole (post frame) building owners who have buildings which were not properly designed for future uses, especially when it comes to insulation and ventilation. Reader JASON in TENINO writes: Hi Pole Barn Guru, I recently purchased a new house and it came with a […]

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Maximizing Sliding Door Heights

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/08/2017
Maximizing Sliding Door Heights

While post frame construction (in my humble opinion) gives the most value for construction dollars invested, there are just some cases where clients just are not aware. This reader wants to maximize the height of a sliding door opening on a stick frame building. HOWARD in COEUR d’ALENE writes: “Greetings, I am stick-building my own […]

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Fiberglass Panels, Accurate Info, and Truss Bracing!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/07/2017
Fiberglass Panels, Accurate Info, and Truss Bracing!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have four skylights with old fiberglass panels that are in need of being replaced. I doubt the design of the panel can be matched easily but am wondering if I send you a piece of it if it can be. I understand the way to go is with a polycarbonate, […]

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Pole Barn Footings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/04/2017
Pole Barn Footings

Some things in life amaze me – magicians are one of them. I have no idea how the do what they do, but I am totally fascinated by them (you can read about my college experience with a magician here: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2014/08/lumber-bending/). One of the other things which amaze me are how clients will invest tens […]

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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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A Post Frame Shotgun House?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/01/2017
A Post Frame Shotgun House?

Many believe the term “shotgun house” was due to a bullet could be fired through the front door and go right out the rear door without hitting any walls! More appropriately evidence has it the name shotgun house came from a corruption of the West African term “shogun” which means God’s House. Reader Sheree from […]

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It Is Exactly the Same Building: Part II

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/27/2017
It Is Exactly the Same Building: Part II

Well, maybe not exactly the same building. Yesterday I ran a beginning list of comparison’s between a Hansen Building quote and a quote by one of our competitors espoused to be “exactly the same” by a client of ours. The saga continues: Powder coated diaphragm screws vs. #10 diameter painted screws . Those who are […]

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It Is Exactly the Same Building Part I

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/26/2017
It Is Exactly the Same Building Part I

Well, maybe not exactly the same building. In April of this year we had a client invest in a brand new 36 foot wide by 60 foot long post frame building kit package with a 16 foot eave height. Three months later, the building has been delivered, and one of the group which ordered the […]

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Build a Pole Barn Home, Hole Diameters, and Shipping to Ireland?

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi, my husband and I are looking I to purchasing a small piece of land and want to build a pole barn home on it. I’m envisioning 4 bed upstairs with 2 bath and a loft area and on the main floor a master bed with bath , kitchen/dining, great room […]

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Hire a Local Engineer and Work With a Lumber Yard?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/19/2017
Hire a Local Engineer and Work With a Lumber Yard?

Should I Hire a Local Engineer and Work With a Lumber Yard? Let’s hope not. Here is the email which triggered this article: “Hello,  I am building a 50×60 pole building with 22′ eaves. I’m shopping right now to either hire a local PE to design the structure and work with my local lumber yard to […]

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Solutions! The Key to a Successful Post Frame Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/18/2017
Solutions! The Key to a Successful Post Frame Building

Solutions! The Key to a Successful Post Frame Building When one considers the tremendous number of individual components and the thousands of people who touch these pieces from concept to jobsite, it is amazing anything ever gets built! I ran some numbers once – tracked the rough path of all of the parts for a […]

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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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To Remove, To Replace, and To Design!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/10/2017
To Remove, To Replace, and To Design!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hey Guru! I’m getting ready to build a pole barn and I will have to remove a tree. The tree is basically right in the middle of what the floor will be. I will be putting a concrete floor in and was wondering do I have to completely remove the stump […]

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Roof Trusses? Contractor Reviews, and Insulation Installation!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/08/2017
Roof Trusses? Contractor Reviews, and Insulation Installation!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I would like to rip off my current roof of trusses that are made of 2x4s 2 feet on center with new one of mono-pitched trusses that are every 4-ft or less on center. The roofing material on top of the new trusses would be a SIP panel of some sort. […]

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Overhead Door Columns in Pole Barn Enclosure

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/06/2017
Overhead Door Columns in Pole Barn Enclosure

No Columns for Overhead Doors There are a few clients out there who leave parts of one or more walls open, with the idea of enclosing them at a later date. Most often this is done with the idea of being able to save money, however it is not always much of a money saver, […]

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Turn a Horse Barn into a Home?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/04/2017
Turn a Horse Barn into a Home?

Re-purposing buildings is a popular American past time, as evidenced by the proliferation of big box lumber stores across the country. Here is a story about a new owner of an existing Hansen Pole Buildings’ horse barn, who is contemplating it becoming a home. Tim writes: “Hello, I just purchased a property that has a […]

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Pole Design Home Plans, Custom Sizing, and Proper Site Prep!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/03/2017
Pole Design Home Plans, Custom Sizing, and Proper Site Prep!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have home plans for a stick build but, am interested in the savings of a Pole Home. I was wondering if you can help me incorporate our design into a pole design. Thanks ROGER DEAR ROGER: In a word – YES. Keep in mind, what we do is the structural […]

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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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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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Hangar to House?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/21/2017
Hangar to House?

This article was triggered by an article I read recently by Karen L. Chandler at www.readingeagle.com in regards to a post frame building in Perry County, PA., excerpted below: “In other business, attorney Zachary A. Morey of Hoffert & Konis PC of Reading asked the supervisors to consider allowing an addition to Peter Lombardi’s pole […]

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Need an Engineer in Utah?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/20/2017
Need an Engineer in Utah?

I’ve never met or spoken with engineer Max Gregersen, engineer. I don’t even know for certain if he is an excellent engineer or not. What I DO know is he is not so egotistical as to believe he knows it all and he will reach out to others for assistance. This in itself speaks volumes […]

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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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Optimum Aspect Ratio of Length and Width

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/13/2017
Optimum Aspect Ratio of Length and Width

I suppose I inherently knew the answer to the optimum aspect ratio of length and width for post frame construction, but never really sat down to write about it. Well, reader JEREMY in EFFING has an inquiring mind and wants to know: “In general terms is there an “optimum” aspect ratio to gain the best […]

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