Category Archives: Pole Barn Planning

Moving Sliding Doors to Inside of Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/17/2015
Moving Sliding Doors to Inside of Building

Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays.  With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday segment.  If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]

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What Size Post Spacing?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/10/2015
What Size Post Spacing?

Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays.  With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday segment.  If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]

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Reviewing Your Building Plans

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/08/2015
Reviewing Your Building Plans

Every Hansen Pole Building Kit Package comes with building plans which are drafted by a real live human being! They are then reviewed not once, but twice, by upper level team members – who catch just about every errant line. To insure the final building plans are correct (usually it is an issue of “no, […]

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The Wicked Wheel Barn & Grill

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/21/2015
The Wicked Wheel Barn & Grill

“Wild Eyed and Southern Fried” Panama City Beach, Florida might very well be the best beach this side of paradise – with 27 miles of stunning white sand, emerald green waters and surefire enjoyment in, on or under the water. One thing for certain which they have and no one else has is The Wicked […]

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Pipes Freezing

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/30/2015
Pipes Freezing

Flashbacks to my Youth Hansen Buildings’ Designer Shea posed a question in regards to a client in Wisconsin. Her client will only be using their new pole building in the summer time, so it will not have a finished or insulated ceiling. The concern – it will be a “residence” (aka, I believe, cabin), and […]

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Let’s Talk Ceiling Load

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/28/2015
Let’s Talk Ceiling Load

Somewhere between poor communications and irrationality we received this from one of our clients via email: “You may recall we were also hoping to have the ability to hang things from the ceilings like lights and HVAC.”   “Unfortunately, after all that rigmarole we have come to the stark realization in the last few weeks that […]

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Secret to A Successful Relationship

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/24/2015
Secret to A Successful Relationship

Whether a building contractor, pole building kit supplier or someone considering investing in a pole building, this is going to be important to you. Important enough so if you are a competitor you should consider adding it to your agreements with your future clients to ensure a successful relationship. “GENERAL: This Agreement constitutes the only agreement […]

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Dear Guru: Have You Used SIPs?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/09/2015
Dear Guru: Have You Used SIPs?

Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays.  With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday segment.  If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]

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New Post-Frame Building Design Manual

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/05/2015
New Post-Frame Building Design Manual

Post-Frame Building Design Manual Back in 2000 the then National Frame Builders Association (now National Frame Building Association – NFBA www.nfba.org) published the ground breaking first edition of the Post-Frame Building Design Manual. In the foreword, then NFBA President James T. Knight so aptly wrote: “The movement of the post-frame building into the commercial marketplace […]

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Upgraded Pole Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/04/2015
Upgraded Pole Building

Upgraded Building at No Additional Cost If you seriously believe this drop me a note – I have some swampland for sale! There are three parts to anything being invested in – price, quality and service. The tough part is, the purchaser is only going to get two of the three. Here is an actual […]

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Pole Building Design

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/26/2015
Pole Building Design

Available Space, Budget and Imagination I’ve always said these three things – available space, budget and imagination are the only limitations when it comes to pole building design. Available space – I’ve now been personally involved in around 16,000 pole buildings. Yes, for those who are curious, it is a lot of pole buildings. After […]

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Building Plans

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/13/2015
Building Plans

Plans, plans, plans…. As one might imagine, with about two hundred new clients contacting us every day, we have some conversations amongst ourselves which are frankly at the least – interesting. I listened in on a discussion between Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer Matt and Managing Partner Eric recently. Matt, “I have a lead that the […]

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Pole Building Full Hip Roof

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/27/2015
Pole Building Full Hip Roof

Back in the late 1970’s I was jack-of-most trades at what was then Coeur d’Alene Truss. In those days, most all roof lines were gables – peak of the roof in the center and the weather runs off two sides. One day a builder client came in and wanted a set of trusses for a […]

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Revolutionary Roof Monitor System

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/23/2015
Revolutionary Roof Monitor System

Revolutionary Roof Monitor™ System Poised to Transform Market Most people have the mistaken belief International Building Code (IBC) snow loading requirements will give them a roof structure which will hold up literally forever. The truth could not be further from this belief! All buildings are categorized in the IBC by Risk Category (See https://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ibc/2012/icod_ibc_2012_16_par023.htm ) […]

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Eave Lights in Endwalls

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/09/2015
Eave Lights in Endwalls

Polycarbonate wall light panels are a very affordable way to get natural lighting into pole buildings which will not have finished interior walls. Most often (and most cost effective) is to install them at the tops of the eave sidewalls. (For more reading on polycarbonate eave lights: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2011/09/polycarbonate-eavelights-light-up-my-life/) There are some cases where it would […]

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Tennis Court Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/06/2015
Tennis Court Building

In the Middle Ages in Europe, water quality was poor on a good day (drinking water coming from streams which were also used as places to wash clothes and…sewers). With water being pretty much undrinkable, monasteries began brewing beer to drink. The first known record of hopped beer was in the writing of a German […]

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Pole Building House Plans

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/02/2015
Pole Building House Plans

It seems more and more people are looking towards pole buildings for their new homes. We have clients asking us nearly every day, if they can “see” the available floor plans we have for pole building houses. Unlike typical residential “plan mills” or most ‘modern’ builders, we do not have a set list of house […]

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What Size Overhangs Look Good?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/27/2014
What Size Overhangs Look Good?

Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays.  With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday segment.  If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]

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CSI: Pole Barn Blow Out

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/09/2014
CSI: Pole Barn Blow Out

CSI: Pole Barn Our youngest daughter, Allison, is studying to be a Forensic Psychologist. My lovely bride and I may have been culprits in this, as we sent her to a CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) camp for 10 days when she was about 11! All of the boys in her CSI class talked tough, but […]

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Silverwood Pole Buildings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/05/2014
Silverwood Pole Buildings

This article by Brian Walker appeared on CDAPress.com Tuesday August 26: “The cause of Sunday’s fire, which destroyed a restroom and changing area at the Boulder Beach water park at Silverwood Theme Park, remained under investigation on Monday.  “We don’t know how it started yet,” said Mark Robitaille, Silverwood spokesman.  Robitaille said it appears the […]

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Most Read Pole Building Blogs

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/15/2014
Most Read Pole Building Blogs

A Baker’s Dozen – The Most Read Articles of 2013 Sometimes, in order to know where to go, it is helpful to see where we’ve been. These are the most read blogs from 2013. #13 Board and Batten Siding https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2013/03/board-and-batten-siding/ While popular, board and batten siding should be installed considering shear values. Advice on installing […]

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My VersaTube Pole Building Collapsed!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/12/2014
My  VersaTube Pole Building Collapsed!

I’ve previously expressed concerns about light gauge “carport” type buildings (read more at: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2013/05/carports/). (My advance apologies for the misleading title, it was used by the complainee below – VersaTube® buildings are NOT pole buildings!!) Whilst doing some ‘net surfing, I recently came across this posting at www.pissedcustomer.com: “I purchased a metal frame building from […]

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Indoor Archery Ranges

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/05/2014
Indoor Archery Ranges

Yes – my readers appear to love my ‘true confessions’ and are kind enough to not overly poke fun at me. Today’s first confession, I happen to not hunt. I believe it was due to the trauma of hunting with my Dad when I was just old enough to be have been potty trained (Dad […]

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When Your RV Doesn’t Fit

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/01/2014
When Your RV Doesn’t Fit

When It Just isn’t Tall Enough Early in my career supplying pole building kit packages, we provided a building to a client in Oregon for him to house his motor home. Our salesperson really felt he had done due diligence in having the client measure the height of the motorhome before ordering the building. After […]

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Pole Barn House Part II

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/30/2014
Pole Barn House Part II

If you didn’t read yesterday’s blog – it may be helpful to go back and read about my personal pole building house, inspired by my bride of 14 years. And then, moving on to sharing from another pole barn house challenge: A CLIENT’S EXPERIENCE We have a client in Colorado who has been trying to […]

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Pole Barn House Part I

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/29/2014
Pole Barn House Part I

About a decade ago my bride took a phone call from a potential pole barn purchaser. The female caller identified herself and then said despairingly, “My husband wants me to live in a pole barn house…and I don’t want to live in a barn!” Unfortunately the level of her panic told my wife this caller […]

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Storage Wars

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/17/2014
Storage Wars

We don’t have network television access out here in the sticks where I live, so we see little TV except for Netflix. Our 19 year-old son Brent was out to visit one afternoon and started watch a program originally aired as a reality TV series in 2010 on the A&E Network. I suppose I always […]

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Pole Building Fire Stations

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/16/2014
Pole Building Fire Stations

Scott Norwood and Fire Stations My loyal readers are going to be amazed at how I manage to tie these two subjects into relating to pole buildings. To find out, please read on…… For those who are old enough to remember, the 1991 Super Bowl featured the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants. The high […]

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eHow.com and Pole Buildings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/11/2014
eHow.com and Pole Buildings

eHow.com: Discover the expert in you Or at least how eHow.com promotes itself on the ‘net. From the eHow.com website: “What do you want to do today? No matter what’s on your list, eHow can help. With more than 30 categories that cover just about everything, eHow is your one-stop online resource for life’s challenges. […]

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Acquiring a Building Permit

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/04/2014
Acquiring a Building Permit

Unless one has grown up on a foreign planet, they are probably familiar with Hertz® Rent-A-Car. My lovely bride and I rent lots of cars (usually for about 50% of the year), so we are intimately familiar with Hertz. Hertz is not only #1, they also are nearly everywhere on the face of the Earth. […]

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Weber and Pole Buildings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/29/2014
Weber and Pole Buildings

I consider myself to be a pretty good cook. Certainly I am no Emeril Lagasse from “Emeril Green”, but I can hold my own. Through experience, I’ve become fairly proficient at being able to throw a meal together, using whatever ingredients are at hand. My bride continues to be dumbfounded by my seeming inability to […]

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Cape May Pole Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/23/2014
Cape May Pole Barn

Tuesday afternoon I had to get from Cape May, New Jersey to Lewes, Delaware. The choices were a very long circuitous drive, or to take the ferry. Being from the Pacific Northwest, I am used to ferries, they take millions of passengers annually on a myriad of routes across the Puget Sound. I am also […]

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The Most Asked Question by Post Frame Builders

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/22/2014
The Most Asked Question by Post Frame Builders

My regular “day job” is as Technical Director for Hansen Pole Buildings. This is a fancy title for, “the guy who solves problems when things go astray”. DIYers are frankly hilarious, as they come holding hat-in-hand saying things like, “You wouldn’t believe what I’ve done wrong, it has to be the worst mistake ever!” In […]

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Violating Setbacks: As Big as Texas

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/15/2014
Violating Setbacks: As Big as Texas

I believe in as little government interference in what a person constructs on their own property, as possible. The physical size of the state and the bigger-than-life attitude of some of its inhabitants has led to the saying “Everything is bigger in Texas.” Among things which appear to be bigger in Texas are the size […]

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Pole Barn Prices

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/12/2014
Pole Barn Prices

At Half the Price… Every once in a while there is an exchange with a potential client which I cannot resist sharing. This one is about pole barn prices…at half the price of! In this particular case, as the request came in at 7:39 a.m., I was afterwards wondering if the inquiry came after a […]

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Hard Rock Clause

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/11/2014
Hard Rock Clause

When I was first constructing pole buildings, I found out the hard way why it is essential to have a clause in my agreements which covered the unknown – also known as “what you can’t see below the surface”. In my case, we had contracted to build a 36 foot wide by 60 foot long […]

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Shipping Pole Barns Across America

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/07/2014
Shipping Pole Barns Across America

Guest Blog today by Eric Graff, owner of Hansen Buildings~ Every day Hansen Buildings is hard at work coordinating the deliveries of multiple pole buildings to different site locations across the US. With over 3,000 individual pieces involved in an average size pole barn, this is not an easy feat. Curious how this works? I […]

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Interior Walls and Partitions

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/05/2014
Interior Walls and Partitions

True confessions…..we love them, we watch reality TV, we read tabloids, and inquiring minds just want to know! Yeah silly as humans, aren’t we? Well…..I drink. A lot. Of water (LOL – expected something tawdry, right?)!! On a typical day I will guzzle down at least a gallon of it. Most nights I wake up […]

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Pole Building Planning: Measure Twice, Cut Once

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/04/2014
Pole Building Planning: Measure Twice, Cut Once

While this time tested adage was designed to make sure lumber, siding, etc., gets cut correctly the first time (which is often the only chance), it is even more applicable – BEFORE ANY MATERIAL GETS DELIVERED? OK…..you may be thinking time has finally caught up to the Pole Barn Guru….the marbles are rattling around a […]

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Frame Building Expo

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/28/2014
Frame Building Expo

The National Frame Building Association (NFBA) began 45 years ago when a group of Midwestern post-frame (pole) builders gathered in Chicago to mount a challenge to pending changes in the Indiana building code which would have threatened the post-frame industry. This group, along with interested engineers and architects, was able to prove the structural reliability […]

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Room for a Loft

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/27/2014
Room for a Loft

I’ve come to face a reality – the great majority of people are dimensionally challenged. And it is OK if you might be one of them. I’ve worked with dimensions and sizes of all sorts and shapes since I was a teenager swinging a hammer (and being go-fer) on the buildings my Father and Uncles […]

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Magnetic Riding Arenas

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/26/2014
Magnetic Riding Arenas

When I lived in “the Hood” in Salem, Oregon in the early 1980’s, my neighbors and I all had Yamaha street motorcycles. For some reason, we got into riding through the multiple story city parking structure, very fast. Part of the “rush” was the building was designed for vehicles no greater in height than 6’8” […]

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Pole Building Fire Sprinklers

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/25/2014
Pole Building Fire Sprinklers

Turn On the Water I was recently reading a news story online about a fire which destroyed a pole building located in a Midwest industrial park. The large building was owned by a semi-trailer delivery company, and was a total loss of all contents including their offices. What really caught my attention was a quote […]

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Polebarn Hotel

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/21/2014
Polebarn Hotel

The Polebarn Hotel Looking for uniqueness in a pole building?  Located on Polebarn Road in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK, this one might be near the top of the list. Polebarn House was first occupied in 1789 by John Clark, a local mill owner, and his family. The house was designed to show off his wealth and […]

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Tips for Locating a Backyard Pole Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/12/2014
Tips for Locating a Backyard Pole Building

Whether the backyard is large, or small, it often ends up being the target landing zone for the pole building which needs a place to be. Usually, those with large lots are at an advantage, unless huge setbacks, weird easements, or strange zoning laws mess up ideas, before they can be brought to fruition. Before […]

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Dear Pole Barn Guru: Do You Have House Floor Plans?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/10/2014
Dear Pole Barn Guru: Do You Have House Floor Plans?

Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays.  With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday segment.  If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]

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Pole Barns and Wedding Bells

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/04/2014
Pole Barns and Wedding Bells

On one of my blog postings back in mid-December 2013, we used a photograph of a new Hansen Pole Building which was being used for a wedding. Astute blog reader, happy client and groom Brian spotted the photo and sent me a nice response via my Facebook. Congratulations are in order to Brian and his […]

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How LinkedIn is Important to Your New Pole Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/21/2014
How LinkedIn is Important to Your New Pole Building

How LinkedIn is Important to Your Pole Building If you are one of the many who have been single in the past decade or so it is OK to admit (even to yourself) to the use of the internet to have found a date. If not for finding a date to check out someone who […]

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How to Design a Pole Building Right

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/17/2014
How to Design a Pole Building Right

How to Design a Pole Building Right (The First Time) I received this email yesterday: “My boyfriend and I currently bought some land and we are looking into some different options for building. We are thinking about a shed with a living quarters and 2 car garage. We are looking to have a 3 to […]

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Limits on Agricultural Buildings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/09/2014
Limits on Agricultural Buildings

Pole Buildings in the Nanny State I’m looking out of the sliding glass patio door of an ocean front, fourth-floor condo in Crucita, Ecuador this morning….watching the waves rolling up the beach. Over the last week, my bride, my brother and I racked up over 1600 kilometers in a rental car – checking out the […]

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Pole Building: Honest Architecture

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/26/2013
Pole Building: Honest Architecture

I recently read an article in Southwest Michigan’s Second Wave about “Historic barn enthusiasts preserve living agricultural heritage” written by Zinta Aistars. In the story Steve Steir, president of the Michigan Barn Preservation Network is quoted, “Barns are a symbol of peace and quiet, you can see the bones of the building when you walk […]

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Custom Designed Pole Buildings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/20/2013
Custom Designed Pole Buildings

Market What we Make or Make What we Market? In the last half of the 1990’s I owned a prefabricated metal plated truss manufacturing business. One thing lead to another and I found myself serving five terms on the board of directors of the Machine Stress Rated Lumber Producers Council https://msrlumber.org/. Of the 11 directors, […]

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OMG It Might Be a Pole Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/13/2013
OMG It Might Be a Pole Barn

The following story by Zack McDonald appeared in the October 17, 2013 Panama City, FL The News Herald: “PARKER — Residents may want to hold off on building any pole barns, carports, garages or storage sheds in their front yards within the next three months. They might be asked to remove them at their own […]

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Why You Need to Verify Design Criteria

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/21/2013
Why You Need to Verify Design Criteria

Why to Verify Design Criteria For those of you who are dedicated long term readers, I thank you. I’ve preached this subject more than once – but the message hasn’t gotten through to everyone yet. I will attempt to avoid boring anyone. There are over 7000 building permit issuing jurisdictions in the United States. A […]

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Establishing Fire Resistance

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/20/2013
Establishing Fire Resistance

Establishing Fire Resistance Table 601 of the International Building Code (IBC) establishes the required fire resistance of building elements (usually the structural frame, walls, floors and roofs) due to the construction type of the building (most post frame buildings being either Type III or V). Required ratings are given in hours. Fire resistance describes the […]

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Post Frame Buildings & the Code Part II

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/19/2013
Post Frame Buildings & the Code Part II

Last week I started discussing understanding the Building Code – and how it applies to post frame buildings.  Go back to Friday if you want to get caught up – this is part II of a two part blog. Again – this will appear “long” – but hard to break it up, and the tables […]

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Multi-Million Dollar Business from a Pole Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/14/2013
Multi-Million Dollar Business from a Pole Barn

Back in 2006  Daniel Huang and Shawn Dougherty began the business mStation, making speakers and cases for iPods and mp3 players. Initially located in southern California, they decided to reduce their company’s real estate costs by setting up shop in Dougherty’s pole barn back in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This would allow them to make the best […]

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Waste Farmland or Pole Barn Variance?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/12/2013
Waste Farmland or Pole Barn Variance?

Let’s Waste More Good Farmland It has been awhile since I got off on a good rant. My belief is a person should be able to do whatever they want with their property, as long as the value of your neighbor’s property is not degraded by it. The less government interference, the better. I live […]

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Pole Building Kit Packages: Part 4 of Cycle Series

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/18/2013
Pole Building Kit Packages: Part 4 of Cycle Series

Further Down the Highway Author’s Note: This is part 4 of a series of blogs written from a 6500+ motorcycle trip from WA to Ohio and back.  See Blog from Oct. 15th for the beginning…and hang on for the ride! I am the curious sort. I enjoy finding out how other people do things, as […]

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Solar Panels and Fire Fighting

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/10/2013
Solar Panels and Fire Fighting

We receive more and more requests from clients who want their pole building roofs designed to support the weight of solar panels. While solar panels are a favorite of those who are trying to “exit the grid” and the “green” folks, they pose never before found threats to fire fighters. Fire fighters may suffer electrical […]

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Paying It Forward: 1 Day Ranch

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/26/2013
Paying It Forward: 1 Day Ranch

As many of you readers know, Hansen Pole Buildings has a policy of assisting 501(c) (3) organizations. If you are not aware, here is an earlier post which explains how we can assist: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2013/08/charitable-organizations/ Most of North America was touched by the tragic tornados which devastated the Moore, OK area earlier this year. Companies such […]

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Nested T Hangars

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/24/2013
Nested T Hangars

For those of you who have been following my blogs the past 2 days on T hangars, there is a variant of them known as the nested T.  By nesting the tail sections into the center of the structure, the over-all length of the hangar is reduced enabling the same amount of aircraft to be […]

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Comfortable Bonus Rooms

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/11/2013
Comfortable Bonus Rooms

More and more we have clients asking for their new pole buildings to be designed with bonus space above which can be later turned into a finished “bonus room” (my home office is in exactly one of these spaces). Done right, this bonus room can be a cozy addition; done wrong, it can be chronically […]

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Larger Aircraft Hangars

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/10/2013
Larger Aircraft Hangars

Not everyone wants to conform to the rigid (and in some cases minimalistic) requirements of a “residential” (according to the Building Codes) airplane hangar. While a bit more work, a Building Permit can often still be obtained. Some permit issuing jurisdictions are tougher than others. In the case of an aircraft hangar which does not […]

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Residential Airplane Hangars

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/06/2013
Residential Airplane Hangars

My departed ex-father-in-law Carl was a successful hop farmer in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. He and his brother each owned four-passenger Cessna aircraft, and had them in individual hangars on Carl’s farm. Carl’s well-manicured grass strip was one of over 14,000 private airstrips in the United States. While many of these are ancillary to […]

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Composite Grade Board

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/28/2013
Composite Grade Board

Typically post frame (pole) buildings have a pressure treated board at the base of all enclosed walls. Known also as a Bottom Girt, Grade Girt, Skirt Board or Splash Plank, it is a decay and corrosion resistant girt which is in soil contact or located near the soil surface. It remains visible from the building […]

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The Hole Enchilada: Electrical Holes

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/27/2013
The Hole Enchilada: Electrical Holes

One of our clients purchased two pole building kits from Hansen Pole Buildings last year. He has the first one completed (he constructed it himself), and decided to hire a contractor to complete the second one for him. The Hansen Pole Buildings Designer, Rachel, contacted him recently, to see how it was progressing. The client […]

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Pole Barns & Politics

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/14/2013
Pole Barns & Politics

I’ve been in the post frame (pole barn) industry for over three decades now, and I’ve never seen the “pole barn” used as a metaphor for anything by the mainstream media. Well, knock me over with a feather, here it is!! Now IMHO (in my humble opinion), the author doesn’t have a true grasp of […]

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IndepenDance at the Pole Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/13/2013
IndepenDance at the Pole Barn

I ran across the title of this event on the ‘net and being the pole barn curious guy I am, had to find out more. This event combines several all-American things – Independence Day, a fireworks show, dancing and of course – the pole barn! Luckily very few people (as my lovely bride will attest […]

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4-H Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/08/2013
4-H Barn

While the inspiration for this posting came from an article written about a 4-H Barn at a Minnesota county fairgrounds, it could speak for hundreds, or even thousands of similar livestock barns scattered in fairgrounds across America. “The century-old red wood barn stood bent with age, its rotted walls crumbling and its fractured roof ready […]

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Buildings for Charitable Organizations: 501(c)(3)

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/07/2013
Buildings for Charitable Organizations: 501(c)(3)

From time to time Hansen Pole Buildings is contacted by individuals who are looking for a “price break” for being charitable organizations. Popular examples are for helping military veterans, terminally ill children or animal rescue shelters. While the great majority of these requests seemingly are for good causes, there are so many requests and, in […]

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Engineer Designed Pole Buildings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/31/2013
Engineer Designed Pole Buildings

Thanks to a High School Student My eldest step-son Jake, started a Facebook Group for students where he taught Physics at Lenore City in Tennessee. One of his students shared this with the group: “Three professionals, a mathematician, a physicist and an engineer, took their final test for their job. The sole question in the […]

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Eave Lights

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/19/2013
Eave Lights

For decades, the least expensive solution to bringing natural light into post frame buildings has been what is known as “eave lights”. Eave lights are typically short portions of translucent material installed usually in the upper portion of one or both eave sidewalls. Back in “the day”, opaque fiberglass (actually fiberglass reinforced plastic or FRP) […]

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Post Frame Building Purchase: Local or Global?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/21/2013
Post Frame Building Purchase: Local or Global?

Very few post frame building kit package providers service more than a very small geographic area. While this may give them an intimate knowledge of a local marketplace, how buildings are most often constructed in their area, and expectations from Building Officials – it does come with some risks. In the event their local economy […]

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Contractor Contracts

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/18/2013
Contractor Contracts

Contractor Contracts Good fences make for good neighbors. Good contracts make for good relationships between a builder and the building owner. Think about it – a contractor without a contract is just a worker and his or her word. Even the most honest person would be hard-pressed to keep track of all the conversations which […]

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Ask the Pole Barn Guru: Can I Build on Bedrock?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/17/2013
Ask the Pole Barn Guru: Can I Build on Bedrock?

Can I Build on Bedrock? Email all questions to: PoleBarnGuru@HansenPoleBuildings.com DEAR POLE BARN GURU: It looks like on two of my pole footings (24 x 36 barn) I’m going to hit bedrock about 2.5 feet down into my 4′ footing.  Is my only option to rent a jack hammer and keep chunking away at the […]

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Garage Mahal

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/11/2013
Garage Mahal

True confessions time (yes, I know people love it when I confess)…..I do not watch television. Gasp. When apparently popular series’ such as “Friends” and “Seinfeld” ended, I truthfully went, “Huh”? Having never seen an episode of either, the events were meaningless to me. It appears I may have been missing out on something…..the DIY […]

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Pole Building Bar: A Road Runs Through It

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/29/2013
Pole Building Bar: A Road Runs Through It

I always appreciate unique uses for a pole building. In this particular case, the building is not even one which I had any involvement in either the design or providing of, but it IS unique. Back in 2005, my friends Sheri and Larry Herberholz had an idea – it involved a pole building, alcohol and […]

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Marketing Basics: DIY Pole Building Kits

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/23/2013
Marketing Basics: DIY Pole Building Kits

The basics of marketing teach us (as suppliers of pole building kit packages) to focus our efforts on those most likely to be a customer. If implemented (which most do) the problem becomes the focus is on direct competitors rather than enlarging the pool of potential clients. Everyone becomes more worried about losing a sale […]

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Are Engineering Fees Expensive?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/21/2013
Are Engineering Fees Expensive?

Are Engineering Fees Expensive? Although many people call themselves engineers, frequently illegally, a professional engineer is someone who has demonstrated sufficient education and experience to a state licensing board through written examination. Having gone to school in an engineering discipline, graduated from an engineering program or worked for an engineer, does not qualify an individual […]

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Fire Resistance: Floor Trusses vs. Floor Joists

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/01/2013
Fire Resistance: Floor Trusses vs. Floor Joists

While I have used metal plate connected pre-fabricated wood floor trusses in pole buildings (including one of my own buildings at home), they are not the norm. In the construction industry, much debate has been ongoing in regards to Section R501.3 of the International Building Code/International Residential Code: “R501.3 Fire protection of floors. Floor assemblies, not […]

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Construction Freedom

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/24/2013
Construction Freedom

Most people who have ever considered construction of  any type of building in the United States have had to deal with their local jurisdiction’s Planning Department. Most of those same people may report this as being less than a fun experience. We Americans are fiercely independent, we value the ability to have the freedom to […]

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Coriolis Affect on Lumber

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/02/2013
Coriolis Affect on Lumber

Coriolis Affect on Lumber My oldest step-son, Jake is a very smart lad and teaches high school physics. He does his part to keep students involved, including having created a Facebook page “Mr. Roarks Science Group”. In a recent post he wrote: “One of the science “facts” I always hear is that water spins down […]

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Zip Up Ceiling

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/27/2013
Zip Up Ceiling

Zip-UP Ceiling® is the first ceiling product of its kind which has addressed what consumers want out of a ceiling system; aesthetics partnered with functionality. This is a grid free ceiling made from PVC which saves headroom, has unprecedented access to plumbing and wiring, as well as boasting an impervious to water and moisture warranty. […]

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Preventing Horse Barn Fires Part II

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/06/2013
Preventing Horse Barn Fires Part II

Preventing Horse Barn Fires- Part II If you missed my blog yesterday – it would behoove you to go back and pick up Part I on Horse Barn Fires.  As I mentioned –  I get Email alerts when new articles appear on line about pole barns. Sadly, far too many of them involve fires in […]

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Farm Buildings and the Fiscal Cliff

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/07/2013
Farm Buildings and the Fiscal Cliff

First – my disclaimer, I am not a tax professional of any kind. If you feel any of the information in this post may be helpful in your circumstance, please share it with your tax advisor,  The educated advice of a professional may be utilized to make an educated decision if you are planning to […]

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Made in the USA

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/06/2013
Made in the USA

Made in the USA? I am a member of a LinkedIn discussion group, where the question was recently posed, “What are the challenges of selling “Made in the USA” products? After three plus decades and around 15,000 pole buildings, I can count on one hand with fingers left over, the number of times I’ve heard […]

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Roof and Gutters Warming up to Ice and Snow

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/30/2013
Roof and Gutters Warming up to Ice and Snow

Warming up to Ice and Snow Ice and snow build up in pole building rain gutters and along eave lines can cause ice dams. Ice building up along roof and gutters can cause water to back up under roofing, causing serious damage to the building’s interior. In some instances, ice buildup along eaves can put […]

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Knox Box

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/25/2013
Knox Box

Before I constructed my first commercial pole building, for myself, I would have had no idea what a Knox Box  was. Prior to then, if I would have had to venture a guess, I would have assumed it was the container for Knox® Brand gelatin. A Knox-Box®, known officially as the Knox-Box® Rapid Entry System, […]

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Pre application Conference

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/24/2013
Pre application Conference

Considering construction a post frame building for commercial use? If so, many jurisdictions offer a pre application conference which will greatly ease the overall permit process, as well as providing a total view as to all of the requirements necessary to be met. Why should I go through a PAC? In my humble opinion, if […]

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Pole Buildings and Extreme Weather

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/18/2013
Pole Buildings and Extreme Weather

The nation is getting hammered by extreme weather beyond what builders imagined, leaving states and cities searching for ways to brace for more catastrophes like Superstorm Sandy. Even as they prepare for a new normal of intense rain, historic floods and record heat waves, some planners find it too politically sensitive to say aloud the […]

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Pole Barn Remodel: Bulldoze It?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/15/2013
Pole Barn Remodel: Bulldoze It?

I live in a 103 year old home most frequently referred to as, “Our Home of Perpetual Remodel”. Between this and my inherent Norwegian frugality, I’m usually the last one to recommend knocking something to the ground and starting from scratch again. When I started working on “the house” back in 1990, the first order […]

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Pole Barn Flood Insurance

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/11/2013
Pole Barn Flood Insurance

The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 requires flood insurance to be purchased for properties in SFHA (Special Flood Hazard Areas) prior to the owners receiving any type of direct or indirect federal financing assistance. According to the insurance industry, the term “improved real estate” would be defined as a building with walls and a […]

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Planning Department Requirements

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/04/2013
Planning Department Requirements

In most parts of the United States, it will be a necessity to acquire a building permit in order to construct a new pole barn. The easy way to find out is to contact the local authorities to find out if indeed this is the case. Whether a structural building permit will be required or […]

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Round Tuit Pole Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/03/2013
Round Tuit Pole Building

According to Procrastinators Anonymous (www.procrastinaors-anonymous.org), procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried. Round Tuit! On the third day of 2013, among the New Year’s Resolutions of many, are to get a round tuit! Now the round tuit, is actually a fairly recent invention, arriving on the scene at the 1964 World’s Fair in […]

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Why is a Pole Building the Perfect Urban Garage?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/02/2013
Why is a Pole Building the Perfect Urban Garage?

This reminds me of, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways….”? With apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, there are so many reasons pole buildings are the solution to urban garage needs. Most urban lots in the United States are very narrow and of small footprint. More often than not, the typical lot […]

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Truss Repair? Don’t Skip this Step

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/18/2012
Truss Repair? Don’t Skip this Step

A client writes: “I recently purchased one of your pole barn kits to use as my home garage.  We have begun construction and have all the framing and the roof on.  I recently contacted my building designer about potentially getting the metal lining material for the ceiling and walls.  My designer told me that I […]

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Pole Building Using 2″ Oil Pipe

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/14/2012
Pole Building Using 2″ Oil Pipe

I recently read this in an online forum and felt compelled to share (misspellings uncorrected from original posts): “Anybody seen this done before? Have more pipe than money. I like the idea of steel poles for longevity, but not sure if they are rigid enough. Planning on 8′ spacing on the poles. 16′ walls. 20′ […]

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Pole Barn Guru Takes Issue

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/12/2012
Pole Barn Guru Takes Issue

A Nice News Story and Why I Take Issue With It From the Associated Press: “CORINTH, Miss. – A design is in hand for a proposed vegetable shed at the Farmers Market on Fulton Drive. The Daily Corinthian reports Cook Coggin Engineers submitted the design to the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors. Construction bids are […]

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Buying Pole Barn Plans: I Can Buy Lumber at Cost

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/11/2012
Buying Pole Barn Plans: I Can Buy Lumber at Cost

A client writes: “Thank you for the expeditious quote. I was wondering if you could sell me just pole barn plans including an itemized list of materials and the step by step instructions. I have access to lumber at cost from a local mill here in the northwest. If so, I would like to edit […]

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