Category Archives: Pole Barn Planning
Hangar Doors in Eave Side of Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/08/2018Hangar Doors in Eave Side of Buildings Reader KEN in ZEPHYRHILLS writes: “To facilitate use as an aircraft hangar can the sliding doors be located on the side rather than the end walls?” I have been involved in more than a fair number of airplane hangars, starting way before my days in the post frame […]
Read moreHansen Pole Buildings is Number One
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/04/2018We Are Number One Hopefully you can survive the obnoxious YouTube commercial at the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04854XqcfCY. Unlike the champions in Queen’s iconic 1977 hit “We Are The Champions”, Hansen Pole Buildings has merely won, from BUILD Magazine, their “Award for Outstanding Pole Barn Kits – USA” for 2018. It isn’t the world, however we like […]
Read moreHow Not to do a Post Frame Sheer Wall
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/27/2018How Not to Do a Post Frame Shear Wall Reader DAVID in MIDDLETON writes: “Hi we are currently building a 40/72 pole barn. We are wrapping the bottom 4 feet in OSB for sheer strength along with sheeting the roof with osb. We want to insulate the walls and put a drop ceiling in the […]
Read moreLightning and Steel Covered Pole Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/25/2018Lightening and Steel Covered Pole Barns From a www.kmbz.com story of March 8, 2018 by Jim Cunningham: “Each year more than 100 people are killed by lightning in the U.S., according to the National Weather Service. Another 300 people are injured in the electrical strikes. Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 4-10. In most cases […]
Read morePost Frame and Permafrost
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/18/2018Permafrost is soil, rock or sediment which is frozen for more than two consecutive years. In areas not overlain by ice, it exists beneath a layer of soil, rock or sediment, which freezes and thaws annually and is called the “active layer”. In practice, this means permafrost occurs at an average air temperature of 28°F or […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Building How To Guides, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure, Concrete, Footings, Insulation, Pole Barn Design
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Agritourism and Pole Barns
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/12/2018Agricultural land has increasingly become overrun with a proliferation of event centers, wedding venues and bed-and-breakfast inns. This is due to a rise in the “farm-to-fork” movement which has seen a growing popularity of agritourism as more landowners open up their ranches to those who wish to experience the bucolic countryside views. I’ve written in […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Planning, Venues
- Tags: Pole Barn, Wedding Venue
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Halloween Store Not a Pole Barn?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/11/2018Narrowmindedness drives me literally crazy. Post frame (pole barn) buildings can look like absolutely any other building. The only differences being the structural system – post frame and saving a fair amount of hard earned money. From the Marion, Indiana Chronicle Tribune February 21, 2018: “The Marion City Council will review a rezoning request for […]
Read moreAttic Insulation Types
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/10/2018Attic insulation has been a recent popular topic of discussion – so rather than reinventing the wheel, I’m sharing a relevant article written by Structure Tech Home Inspector Reuben Saltzman. Originally published by the following source: Minneapolis Star Tribune — February 6, 2018 The following article by Reuben Saltzman was produced and published by the source above, who […]
Read more- Categories: Insulation, Pole Building Comparisons, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Fiberglass Batts, Spray Foam Insulation, Icynene, Cellulose
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The Perma-Column Price Advantage?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/06/2018My good friend John owns (among other things) Heartland Permacolumn. I’ve borrowed this from his website (https://www.heartlandpermacolumn.com/products/the-perma-column-price-advantage/): “Perma-Column products give you the ultimate price advantage. You simply cannot put up a building on a concrete foundation for less money. Yet some may say, “They’re too expensive…” HOWEVER, the only people who ever say this install buildings using […]
Read moreVetting Out a Building Contractor
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/05/2018Do not let this happen to you… not vetting contractors Long time readers of this column have heard me preach this sermon repeatedly – do not let yourself be scammed by nefarious pole builders. From the Danville (New York) Evening Tribune (dated February 21, 2018): “A Dansville man was sentenced in Allegany County Court and […]
Read moreUse and Occupancy Part IV : Egress
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/30/2018This is Part IV in a four part series on Use and Occupancy. If you have just joined us now, it would behoove you to go back to Tuesday’s blog and get caught up by reading the first three parts before rejoining us for Egress. “1006.2.1 Egress based on occupant load and common path of […]
Read moreUse and Occupancy Part III: Monitor Style
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/29/2018Go back two days to get up to speed for an example of determining the Use and Occupancy of a monitor barn example. Part III “SECTION 506 BUILDING AREA 506.1 General. The floor area of a building shall be determined based upon the type of construction, occupancy, whether there is an automatic sprinkler system installed […]
Read moreUse and Occupancy Challenge Part II
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/28/2018See yesterday’s blog for Part I. To continue the discussion on Use and Occupancy: Momentarily skipping a few chapters and going to Chapter 6 (because it would be too simple if the IBC was in order) the code book outlines different types of construction. Post frame buildings can fall under the following construction types: The […]
Read moreThe Use and Occupancy Use Challenge
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/27/2018The Use and Occupancy Classification Challenge Part I Every building, regardless of how it is constructed has a Use and Occupancy Classification (sometimes more than one). In order to best enjoy this, you can play along at home by opening this free access link to the International Building Code (ICC): https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/document/IBC2015 Who Should Read This? […]
Read moreReduce Heat, Garage Kits, and Updates to Aging Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/26/2018Reduce Heat, Garage Kits, and Updates to Aging Building DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m looking to build a 40×48 monitor style barn with a 16×48 loft in the center. I don’t plan to heat or cool the loft but would like to reduce the heat in the summer. My first plan is to use a […]
Read more- Categories: Trusses, Concrete, Insulation, Roofing Materials, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Concrete Slab, Plans, Clear Span, Reducing Heat, Interior Finish, Reflective Insulation
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Minimum Headroom for Overhead Doors
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/23/2018Mike address “headroom” needs for overhead garage doors. Reader JEFF in ROSEBURG writes: “If my roll up door opening is less than 2′ from wall height, 18″ is what I have, is there a roll up door that would work? Or is 2′ below wall height the absolute minimum?” Mike the Pole Barn Guru writes: […]
Read morePublic Works Pole Barns, and Labor Costs
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/21/2018Public Works Pole Barns, and Labor Costs Many town/city jurisdictions in the United States have a Department of Public Works, which depending upon the individual municipality it may be responsible for a wide variety of activities including maintenance of streets and roads, maintenance and operation of drainage facilities, sewer collection lines, maintenance and operation of […]
Read moreAnimal Shelters
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/20/2018Animal Shelters – a Building Problem Animal shelters have many challenges facing them in their quest to unite abandoned animals with good homes. Battling people’s preconceived notions about rescue pets, public ignorance over curbing animal overpopulation, lack of centralized funding for these non-profit shelters, and the staggering number of animals all contribute to a veritable […]
Read moreEquipment Rental Post Frame Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/15/2018When I first began constructing pole barn (post frame) buildings, back in the early 1980’s there was only so much equipment which we could afford to outlay the cash to own. Equipment rental stores were our friends – always for a “two man killer” (read more here: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/10/auger/) and occasionally for other tools such as […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Equipment Rental Pole Barn, Equipment Rental Store
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What is Adequate Eave and Ridge Ventilation?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/14/2018CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ATTIC VENTILATION Historically, ventilation requirements in the International Residential Code (IRC) are applicable to one and two family homes, and have been based on the ratio of “net free ventilating area” (NFVA) that is the area of the ventilation openings in the attic to the area of attic space. The NFVA is […]
Read moreBoth Ends Open, Pole Barn Wind Load Challenge
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/13/2018The Both Ends Open, Pole Barn Wind Load Challenge There are plenty of people who just do not understand the basic concepts of how wind loads are transferred through a pole barn (post frame building) to the ground. Included amongst these would be those who desire buildings which are enclosed on both long sidewalls and […]
Read moreSalt Bagging Pole Barns
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/09/2018Salt Bagging Pole Barns I would imagine most of us do not give much thought as to salt, which is rather surprising considering 255 million metric tons were produced in 2016 alone (over 20% from China)! The first time I ever really thought about salt (other than at the supper table or in a water […]
Read moreMoratorium on Pole Barns?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/08/2018Moratorium on Pole Barns? The Port St. Joe, Florida commissioners will be holding a workshop to discuss accessory buildings, in particular pole barns. Commissioner Rex Buzzett brought the issue up at the previous meeting and moved to implement a moratorium on additional permits for accessory buildings until commissioners discussed the topic in greater detail. Mayor […]
Read moreMinor League Baseball, and Indoor Batting Cage Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/07/2018Indoor Batting Cage Buildings Growing up in the 1960’s and early 1970’s in Spokane, Washington, we had the AAA minor league baseball club for the Los Angeles Dodgers in our town. On many a weekend we were entertained for a 50 cent bleacher ticket to be able to watch future major leaguers such as Bill […]
Read moreBasements, Foundations, and OHD Back-Hangs!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/05/2018DEAR 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 […]
Read moreRaised Floors in Post Frame Homes
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/02/2018Raised 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, […]
Read moreWhy Property Owners Should Obtain Their Own Building Permit
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/01/2018Why Property Owners Should Obtain Their Own Permit Back in the day, when I was a post frame building contractor, we always required our clients to obtain their own buildings permit. It wasn’t due to us being lazy, it was because if the building needed to be relocated on the site, or the permit office […]
Read moreWhat is the Minimum Size for a Two Car Garage?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/27/2018Reader 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 […]
Read moreSchool Bus Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/23/2018Considering 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 […]
Read moreIndiana Class 1 Building Must Have Posts on 4′ Centers?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/22/2018Indiana Class 1 Building Must Have Posts on 4’ Centers? Reader GARY in CONNERSVILLE writes: “I am going to build a 60 x 160 , 18′ ceiling height for a sawing operation at our plant. I am told being a class 1 building, employee occupied, that the side posts need to be on 4′ centers, […]
Read moreWhen the Pole Building Insulation Problem is Larger Than Imagined
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/21/2018When 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 […]
Read moreWhen Jurisdictions Push the Fine Line
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/20/2018From 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 […]
Read moreBuilding a Pole Barn House
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/06/2018Reader 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 […]
Read moreConcrete Floor Thickness for Heavy Equipment
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/02/2018Concrete 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 […]
Read moreMinimizing Condensation When Building Over an Existing Foundation
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/26/2018Minimizing Condensation When Building Over an Existing Foundation Reader ROSS writes: “Hello, I have a question about venting of my building. I currently am in the process of building a shop myself. I had an existing foundation of 75 x 42 that had 8ft concrete walls all the way around. I’m building my building on […]
Read moreBuilders Who Make No Upgrades in Twenty-Five Years
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/25/2018Builders 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 […]
Read moreRock Climbing Holds and Pole Barns
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/24/2018What do Rock Climbing Holds have to do with Pole Barns? Among other things my late cousin Kim Momb was an avid rock climber, before he became world famous as a mountaineer. (Read about some of Kim’s exploits here: https://www.everesthistory.com/climbers/kimmomb.htm). Well Kim was a rock climber way before it became popular and a proliferation of […]
Read moreComparative Building Shopping
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/16/2018Comparative Building Shopping: The following was originally blogged about in July of 2011. It is a conversation we have with our designers regularly. On Fridays, Hansen Buildings holds an internal informational teleconference for our Building Designers. These sessions provide our designers with the best possible tools to assist clients in designing ideal dream buildings. Last […]
Read moreDIY Kits? Fiberglass Insulation, and Free Quotes
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/15/2018DEAR 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 […]
Read more- Categories: Insulation, Pole Barn Design, Constructing a Pole Building, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Quotes, DIY, Insulation, Tyvek
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Roping Arenas
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/12/2018For 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. […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Planning, Horse Riding Arena
- Tags: Calf Roping, Horse Arenas, Arenas To Rope In
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8 Questions to Ask When Investing in a Pole Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/10/20188 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 – […]
Read moreThink-How to Avoid Fire in a Pole Barn Shop
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/05/2018Avoiding 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 […]
Read moreDon’t Hire a Contractor Unless You Are Willing to Take a Risk
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/04/2018From 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 […]
Read moreHow to Avoid Being Bilked by an Unscrupulous Contractor
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/02/2018Other than being pennywise and pound foolish there is absolutely no reason for those who are hiring a contractor to get bilked should the person they hire be unscrupulous. Here is a story from www.mlive.com by Cole Waterman which makes me cringe: “SAGINAW, MI — A Linwood contractor and his wife are charged with a combined […]
Read moreTear Down to Rebuild? Bay Spacing, and Condensation Problems
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/01/2018DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, I am going to tear down a 30x40x10 pole building to rebuild on my property. I noticed that the trusses are spaced 10 feet apart and are set on the 6×6 pole that has been notched. With no header board. This is an all metal building. Was wondering if this […]
Read moreWhy Post Frame Construction is So Efficient vs. Stick-Built
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/29/2017I 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 […]
Read moreHow to Keep Post Frame Buildings ‘Pest-Free’
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/27/2017Post frame buildings have several benefits which make them the perfect choice for virtually any permanent structure like durability, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, quick assembly and versatility. They also serve multiple purposes. They are storage and machine sheds, horse-barns as well as pre-engineered for a plethora of uses. Woodwork can last for several centuries, but if pests […]
Read moreMoving Pole Barns
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/22/2017Moving 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 […]
Read moreCondensation Solutions, A Ceiling the Right Way, and Timing
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/18/2017Advice about condensation, ceilings done right, and the timing of questions DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My deck roof is metal panels on 2×4 purlins, rafters are 2×6, like a pole barn. I am enclosing it, and need to stop the condensation. I spray foamed it with closed cell, but there is some condensation on the […]
Read more- Categories: Insulation, Pole Barn Planning, Trusses, Ventilation
- Tags: Vapor Barrier, Condensation, Truss Loads, Spray Foam Insulation, Barriers, Ceiling Joists
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Rare Desicion to Not Adopt New Building Code Causes Stir
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/13/2017Rare Decision to Not Adopt New Building Code Causes Stir The following article by Brian Walker (in its entirety, without edits, appeared December 5, 2017 in the Coeur d’Alene Press). Tune in tomorrow for my commentary. COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai County commissioners’ decision to not accept the most recent version of the International Building Code […]
Read moreStructural Engineering
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/07/2017I’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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Building Doors, Trusses, Professional Engineer, Pole Barn Questions, Pole Barn Design, Building Department, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure
- Tags: Ground Snow Load, Engineer Of Record, Structural Engineering, Jeopardy, Truss Header, Snow Exposure Factor, Thermal Factor
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Put the Architect in Charge?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/06/2017Put the Architect in Charge? I spent several years paying off my college student loans from Architecture school, so I do have a profound respect for architects who have been able to make a living practicing their trade. This, however, does not mean I feel the intervention of an architect is appropriate in all situations […]
Read moreThe Dust Bowl and Post Frame Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/05/2017The 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; […]
Read moreZip Codes, Insulation Options, and Free Quotes!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/04/2017DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you do business with zip code 33478? I like to explore Pole Barn homes but with the strict hurricane code, I was not sure if you are allowed to do business with South Florida. PATTY in JUPITER FARM DEAR PATTY: Hansen Pole Buildings has provided post frame buildings in every […]
Read moreThe Contractor Factor! When Plans Go Awry!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/30/2017The Contractor Factor I hear too many stories where well-intentioned folks hire a contractor to erect a pole barn (post frame building) and end up with less than they bargained for. This is avoidable, with an ounce of prevention. Reader DONNA in REMSEN writes: “I had a pole barn put up in Sept this year, […]
Read morePole Barn Bid, A1V Barrier, and Definitions
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/27/2017DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am bidding on a simple 80×140 pole barn with 12′ sides. I can’t come up with something reasonable. What would you bid. I need help. Last time I did it wrong and it hurt financially. Thanks. JASON in MINBURN DEAR JASON: As you probably found out on your last post […]
Read moreHow to Keep the Water Out of a Pole Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/24/2017How 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”. […]
Read moreSpray Foam and a Post Frame Cabin
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/23/2017Spray 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: […]
Read morePost Frame Propane Transfer Stations
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/22/2017Post 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, […]
Read moreBuilding Instructions, Gutters and Spouts, and Crinkle!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/20/2017DEAR 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 […]
Read moreDon’t Be An Engineering Fool
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/17/2017Don’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 […]
Read moreVapor Barriers for Slabs on Grades
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/14/2017Our gracious thank you to Lisa Richards for this guest blog post. Vapor Barriers for Slabs on Grade Pouring a slab on grade is a common way to lay a sturdy floor or foundation where a basement or crawlspace is unnecessary. However, concrete slabs are vulnerable to moisture from the ground. That’s why, in most […]
Read moreFears and Phobias – Setting Posts
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/07/2017Come on now, be honest, we all have our fears and phobias. One of the most interesting ones I have found over the years with clients is “postsetaphobia”, or fear of setting posts. This particular phobia is defined as, “the fear of being able to properly set posts for a pole building”. Fear is False […]
Read moreTurf Sweating, A Post Frame Addition, and A Grow House
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/30/2017DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, I am from Webster SD and I built a pole barn and insulated it. I then put turf above gravel floor and use it for a indoor baseball practice facility. It can be heated as we have heaters in there. We have a huge problem and was wondering if you […]
Read moreProperly Pressure Treated Lumber
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/27/2017Trying 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 […]
Read moreInternational Residential Code and Tension Ties
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/20/2017International 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): […]
Read moreBuilding a Pole Building Style Home
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/18/2017Building 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 […]
Read morePost Frame Hotels
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/06/2017Post 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 […]
Read morePost Protector Surprise
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/04/2017Post Protector Surprise Reader CONNOR from INDIANAPOLIS and I recently had an exchange in regards to the holes of his new post frame building. Connor is proposing to use Post Protectors on the columns of his building. What he has yet to realize is there is going to be a hidden surprise with the use […]
Read moreAre My Columns Too Short?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/26/2017Are 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’ […]
Read morePost Size? Convert to OHD? & Cleaning Dirty Vinyl
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/25/2017DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you have to use the same size posts on the end walls even if it is non load bearing? so if I use 6×6 posts that hold the trusses can I use smaller lumber on the non load bearing ends? Thank you. CAMERON in BOISE DEAR CAMERON: This is why […]
Read moreStilt Houses
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/21/2017In 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 […]
Read morePost Frame Insulation in the South
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/20/2017Post 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 […]
Read morePost Frame Apartment Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/19/2017Post 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 […]
Read moreConverting a Pole Barn to a Residence
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/15/2017Reader 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 […]
Read morePost Frame Frost Walls
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/13/2017From 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 […]
Read moreA Wood Floor in a Garage
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/12/2017A loyal reader writes: “Hi. Good morning! As I read your post about a wood floor in a work shop, it reminded me of my research into a garage with a wood floor. I have often wondered, can this be done? So I ask you, can this be done? I am not a rich man, […]
Read moreHeadroom Headaches, Post Hole Problems, and Insulation Options
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/11/2017Tackling 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 […]
Read more4 Energy Reasons to Invest in an Energy Saving Pole Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/07/20174 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 […]
Read morePole Barn Economy of Scale
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/06/2017When 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′ […]
Read moreInsulating an All Wood Gambrel Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/05/2017A reader writes: “Dear Guru.I have an all wood gambrel style pole barn that I’m converting to a shop. I’ve installed forced air heat and am getting ready to insulate. My exterior walls are Tyvek wrapped osb and vinyl sided. I am wanting to use rigid board to help deter rodent nesting. My questions […]
Read moreDream Duck Hunting Lodge
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/01/2017Dream 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. […]
Read morePost Frame Public Library
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/31/2017In 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 […]
Read moreNeed a 13′ Tall Door With a 12′ Mean Height Restriction
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/23/2017Need 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 […]
Read moreDon’t Sink the Pole Barn Floor
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/22/2017Don’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 […]
Read moreNon-commercial Plot Plans
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/17/2017Non-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 […]
Read morePost Frame Antiperspirant- Ventilation Frustration
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/11/2017This 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 […]
Read moreA Post Frame Shotgun House?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/01/2017Many 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 […]
Read moreThe Cheaper Roof Style, Plan Sales, and Engineering!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/31/2017DEAR POLE BARN GURU: For a span of 84 feet, which is cheaper, a single slope roof or a gabled roof? ANTHONY in NEW ORLEANS DEAR ANTHONY: At almost any span a gabled roof is going to be less expensive. At an 84 foot span, without question it will be significantly so. DEAR POLE BARN […]
Read more- Categories: Trusses, Professional Engineer, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Structural Engineers, Plans, Truss Style, Long Span Truss
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It Is Exactly the Same Building: Part II
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/27/2017Well, 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 […]
Read more- Categories: Professional Engineer, Pole Barn Design, Fasteners, Pole Building Comparisons, Building Overhangs, Pole Barn Planning, Trusses, Powder Coated Screws
- Tags: Inside Closures, Recessed Purlins, Ledgerlocks, Engineer Sealed Plans, Bookshelf Girts, Double Trusses, Powder Coated Screws
- 1 comments
It Is Exactly the Same Building Part I
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/26/2017Well, 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 […]
Read more- Categories: Building Overhangs, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure, Pole Building Doors, Ventilation, Pole Barn Design, Pole Building Comparisons
- Tags: Lifetime Paint Warranty, Reflective Radiant Barrier, Wind Exposure, Enclosed Overhangs, Roof Slope, Commercial Entry Door, Base Trim, Integrated J Channel
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Best Agricultural Building Supply Company
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/25/2017Best Agricultural Building Supply Company – Midwest USA The awards just keep rolling in as Hansen Pole Buildings has been named the Best Agricultural Building Supply Company in the Midwest USA by Build-News! Now we would like to believe we do a pretty fair job at providing “The Ultimate Post Frame Building Experience™” to our […]
Read moreBuild a Pole Barn Home, Hole Diameters, and Shipping to Ireland?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/24/2017DEAR 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 […]
Read moreSix Reasons to Not Invest in a New Hansen Pole Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/21/2017No, I did not hit my head, there are some legitimate reasons not to invest in a new Hansen Pole building. 1. Land For some it is they do not own “the dirt” and in a few cases never will. For those who do not yet own the dirt, or don’t have it picked out, […]
Read moreHire a Local Engineer and Work With a Lumber Yard?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/19/2017Should 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 […]
Read moreBarn Doors, Freight, and Barndomonium!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/17/2017DEAR 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 […]
Read moreDricon Fire Retardant Treated Wood
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/14/2017Hansen Pole Buildings’ Managing Partner Eric had messaged me this morning to ask if I had ever heard of FRT lumber for roof trusses. While I had never (in my days in the truss industry) manufactured any trusses using Dricon® Fire Retardant Treated (FRT) wood, I am familiar with it. Whether you’re using plywood or lumber, […]
Read moreLooking for a Contractor to Build a Post Frame Home
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/13/2017More 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 […]
Read moreOverhead Door Columns in Pole Barn Enclosure
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/06/2017No 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, […]
Read moreThoughts on a Floor
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/05/2017Thoughts on a Floor: Brought to you by reader ANDREW in LEBANON: “Hi! I am looking at purchasing a post frame building to use as a new home. We are well on our way with being under contract for the land and one of your recommended builders is meeting me at the site this […]
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