Category Archives: Pole Barn Planning
Powerlifting in Pole Barns
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/24/2016
Power Lifting Pole Barns They might seem like typical teenagers, but Joshua and Kaitlynn Naert are worlds apart from most pair of siblings in Michigan. The brother-sister combo come from a good, blue-collar home, living with their mother and father, Tracy and Jeff, and their dogs. It’s not until Joshua, Kaitlynn and their father step […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, About The Pole Barn Guru, Pole Barn Planning
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Gymnasiums Perfect for Post Frame Truss Construction
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/18/2016
This article’s content was published in Construction Magazine, October 28, 2016 Post-frame construction is ideal for non-code-exempt buildings of many shapes and sizes. One category of such structures that is often overlooked by post-frame builders is gymnasiums and multipurpose recreational buildings. Gymnasiums and multipurpose recreational buildings are a perfect fit for post-frame construction for several […]
Read morePoured Foundation or Block: Neither!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/15/2016
What’s better: A poured foundation or block? How about – neither? Try post frame footing design! Even though my lovely bride and I are now living 98% of the time on the eastern border of South Dakota, I still read the online version of my formerly local newspaper – The Spokesman Review, from Spokane, Washington. […]
Read moreA Pole Barn Fit for the Olympics
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/11/2016
Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register Truthfully, I am not one of those people who sits mesmerized in front of the television watching every last minute of the Olympic Games. Some of it is probably from my general refusal to watch network television in general. I could not tell you who won any events […]
Read moreFree Engineered Pole Building Plans
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/08/2016
FREE Engineered Pole Building Plans! Yep, you heard it here first…. on Roller Derby (borrowed from Cheech and Chong’s 1973 album Los Cochinos from a skit about the “Evelyn Woodhead Sped Riddin’ course”). Today’s article was sparked into being by an email I recently received: “I’m an architect trying to provide bid documents for a […]
Read moreOne Inch of Insulation and R-50?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/03/2016
Efficient use of energy has arrived at the forefront of building design. More and more jurisdictions are adopting and utilizing the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC – https://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2015/I-Codes/2015%20IECC%20HTML/index.html). The IECC requirements are put in place to promote the conservation of energy, which (when done right) can result in a significant net savings in monthly heating […]
Read moreThings to Know When Adding onto an Existing Pole Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/02/2016
Things I Need to Know When Adding on to a Post Frame Building Real life scenario – one of our clients is adding onto the end of a clearspan 24 foot wide by 36 foot long by 10 foot eave post frame building. The add-on makes the structure another 24 feet longer, same height and […]
Read more4 Tips for Using a Pole Barn as Bulk Storage
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/01/2016
Of course the lofty ceilings and long, tall skeletons of pole barns are wonderful for breathable living spaces and roomy storefronts. But the endless customizability of pole barns also lends storage utility for goods produced and delivered in bulk. If you want to turn your pole barn into a world-class storage facility, just follow these […]
Read moreDear Pole Barn Guru: Grade Change
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/31/2016
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I want to get a post frame building put up. I’m trying to find out what the average is per sq ft. Is their a base line price per sq ft based on an average barn they use say 30x40x10. And does the price per sq go up depending on size […]
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When Should You Build a Larger Garage?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/28/2016
Maybe you’re currently parking your car on the street or struggling to get enough storage space out of your single-car garage. If you have the space on your property, you may be thinking about expanding your current garage or even adding something totally new like a pole building garage or pole barn carport. A garage […]
Read more4 Things to Love about Gambrel Roofs
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/27/2016
The gambrel roof is characterized by two slopes on each side, with a shallow upper slope and a steeper lower slope. This is the style of roof you’ll see on many traditional barns, but a building with a gambrel roof doesn’t just have to be used for hay storage or livestock. Gambrel roofs are a […]
Read moreWhat Does It Mean When a Pole Building is ‘Engineer-Sealed’?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/26/2016
If you’ve been shopping around for a pole building kit, you may have heard the phrase ‘engineer-sealed’ and wondered what it meant—and whether it matters for your planned building. ‘Engineer-sealed’ simply means that a licensed engineer has reviewed a set of building plans and put their stamp of approval on it. Engineer-sealed plans are also […]
Read more5 Reasons to Add a Loft to Your Pole Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/25/2016
It’s not uncommon to construct a loft in a pole building – after all, construction is so affordable that you’re going to be left with excess funds that you can pour right back into your investment. They take up almost no space and can sometimes even add space to an existing interior. If you’re on […]
Read moreStreet Department Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/20/2016
The Borough of Minersville, Pennsylvania is probably very similar to much of rural Americana. It affords some of the services which citizens come to expect – police, water, sewer and a street department. Now in the case of Minersville, their Street Department became just a wee bit more colorful nearly two years ago when its […]
Read moreArenas for Therapeutic Riding
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/18/2016
Content in part from an October 13, 2016 article by Matt Vergara which appeared at www.krem.com. “RATHDRUM, Idaho – A new therapy center in Rathdrum is helping students with disabilities through horseback riding. Organizers with the Running W. Therapeutic Riding Center said Thursday they are looking for more support. This non-profit is all about offering […]
Read morePole Barn Event Center
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/06/2016
Event Centers A little over four years ago, I introduced you, my gentle readers, to my late Grandma Jerene and her boyfriend Bob, the “Weather Cat” (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/07/weather/). They are going to play a part in this story. Earlier this summer my lovely bride and I had just gotten home when a couple pulled up in […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, About The Pole Barn Guru, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Event Venue, Wedding Venue, Pole Barn, Rotary Club
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Pole Barn Design for Free
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/30/2016
Please Structurally Design My Pole Barn for Free This is one of those POLE BARN GURU questions which results with a lengthy enough answer I feel I must devote a whole column to it. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Could you please help clarify, for a 40 ft. wide x 64 ft. long x 15 ft. […]
Read moreSnow Drift Loads
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/29/2016
I started snow skiing back in 1963, shortly after my sixth birthday. My dad and uncles were the framing contractors for the first condominium units at Schweitzer Basin, near Sandpoint, Idaho and somehow we ended up with a unit shared with the families of my uncles Lyle and Gil. Uncle Lyle’s wife, my Auntie Joyce […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Planning, Trusses, About The Pole Barn Guru
- Tags: Snow Cornice, Schweitzer Ski Resort, Roof Truss Drawings
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Service Club Pole Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/28/2016
The world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, was formed in 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wanted to create in a professional club with the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth. The Rotary name derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Lions Club, Kiwanis, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Pavilion, West Seneca, Business Buildings
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Horse Barn on a Budget
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/27/2016
Any sort of construction project can feel overwhelming. From design to budget to execution, the process can cause strain and stress on even the best contractor. If regular projects weren’t difficult enough, consider horse barn construction and the process of putting together something that is supposed to house multiple 1,000 pound animals. For a construction […]
Read moreHow to Prep Your Site for a Pole Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/22/2016
Deciding to add a pole barn to your property can be exciting, and you may already be envisioning how you’ll use this new space. However, before you get too carried away planning your pole barn’s layout and features, you’ll need to choose a building site and prep the site for your pole barn. While pole […]
Read moreShould You Choose Sliding or Overhead Doors for Your Pole Barn?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/21/2016
One of the many decisions you’ll need to make when choosing a customized pole barn is the door type. You can opt for either an overhead door that raises up or a sliding door that pushes from left to right (or vice versa) – so what’s the better choice? The sliding versus overhead door decision […]
Read moreGive Your Hobby a Home with These Custom Workshop Ideas
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/15/2016
Maybe you have a hobby that’s outgrown its current space. Or your family has been telling you they’re tired of hearing power tools running in the garage. Maybe you just need a place to work that’s free of distractions. Whatever the case, it’s time to build a custom workshop. You can create a backyard workshop […]
Read more- Categories: Building Styles and Designs, Pole Barn Planning, Workshop Buildings
- Tags: Workshop Buildings, Workshop
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How Energy Efficient Are Pole Buildings? Key Insulation Tips
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/13/2016
If you’re thinking about building a pole barn home (or ‘barndominium’), you no doubt already know that construction and labor costs for this type of residence can be significantly lower than the cost of building a traditional house. However, you may be wondering what your monthly utility bills will look like once you move in. […]
Read moreHow to Avoid a Disastrous Pole Barn Project Part III
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/09/2016
How to Avoid a Disastrous DIY Pole Barn Project This is part three in a three part series on how to better ensure a great pole barn project, by getting rid of the pitfalls. I’d like to thank Bret Buelo of Wick Buildings for the basis of this article, which appeared on the Wick Buildings […]
Read moreHow to Avoid a Disastrous DIY Pole Barn Project
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/07/2016
How to Avoid a Disastrous DIY Pole Barn Project I’d like to thank Bret Buelo of Wick Buildings for the basis of this article, which appeared on the Wick Buildings website (www.wickbuildings.com) August 12, 2016. Information from Bret’s article appears here in italics along with my own input as well. Wick Buildings is highly rated […]
Read morePole Barn Vetting
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/06/2016
Colorado Springs, Colorado Post Frame Buildings “It’s all about the building”, one of my favorite quotes from my favorite writer – me. In all seriousness, the quote is one of my favorite sayings, and I have lots of favorite writers with far better literary skills than I. Part of what, “It’s all about the building”, […]
Read moreWhen Everything Doesn’t Go Perfect Part I
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/10/2016
When Everything Doesn’t Go Perfect (and the sky falls) The key to any successful construction project is not necessarily how everything went perfect, but instead it is how the things which did not go perfect were resolved. When one considers the average post frame building kit package materials have been touched by in excess of […]
Read morePEX Tubing
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/05/2016
I’ve espoused previously on the joys of hydronic radiant floor heating (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/08/radiant-floor-heating/) and would encourage anyone who is going to install a concrete slab on grade in their new (or existing) post frame (pole) building to consider at least making a provision for it in the future. As we all realize, once a concrete floor […]
Read more16 Foot Eave Height and Lofts
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/03/2016
We get a few requests for quotes from clients every day – actually more like a few hundred. With this volume of inquiries, it goes to figure we see and hear a broad variety of ideas. One of the more popular ones is clients who want a 16 foot tall eave height and a loft […]
Read moreYou Can Lead a Horse to Water…Pole Building Garage
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/07/2016
Several years ago, when Hansen Pole Buildings was a fledgling company, I worked with a client in Goldendale, Washington assisting him in designing what (in his eyes) would be his ideal dream building. My mission has always been to deliver the “Ultimate Post Frame Building Experience™”, which is greatly helped by clients who are open […]
Read moreFive Reasons to Choose a Pre-Engineered Post Frame Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/01/2016
Undertaking a commercial building development is a big step for many businesses and it’s an investment which shouldn’t be taken lightly by any means. Unfortunately, too many commercial developments are rushed into for one reason or another—time constraints force the project ahead and before you know it, you’re left with a project coming in overtime […]
Read moreThe Ultimate Post Frame Building Experience
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/10/2016
Be Accountable Unfortunately, too many post frame building owners are either unable or unwilling to spot the differences between a well-designed pole building and one which barely (or doesn’t) meet construction standards. And when things go awry (as can happen in construction), all too often the fingers get pointed everywhere except at the person who […]
Read moreFive Reasons to Buy a Pole Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/01/2016
Sales and marketing….to some the thought of at least one of these is absolutely chilling. SALES There, I said it. It amazes even me how challenging it can be to get clients to engage with our Building Designers. I realize it is frightening to think – your problems might be solved or goals able to […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Building Comparisons, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: The Ultimate Post Frame Experience
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Prefabricated Roof Trusses Part Two
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/26/2016
Prefabricated Roof Trusses – They can Make You or Break You In yesterday’s blog, Mike the Pole Barn Guru started to share some secrets which should both increase your bottom line as well as allow you to sleep soundly at night. A short recap here, for the full account, read Part One posted yesterday, May […]
Read moreWhy Not to Mess with HOA’s
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/17/2016
Why NOT to Mess With HOAs Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are normally begun with every good intention in mind, however in my humble opinion they are a restriction upon how one determines their own property should best be used. An HOA is an incorporated association, usually created by a developer who prepares the Covenants, Conditions, and […]
Read more- Categories: Building Department, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Homeowner's Association, CC&Rs, Dispatch-Argus
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Pole Building Prices: Beware when you compare
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/08/2016
For TBF (throw back Friday) we are reposting an old post back from 2011 that has been a very popular read. What Is the Profit Margin at a Lumber Yard and how does affect their pole building prices? What in the heck does the gross profit margin of the average retail lumber yard have to […]
Read moreA Hazardous Chemical Solution
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/02/2015
Safe disposal of hazardous chemicals can be a challenge for businesses, residents and landfills. Plymouth County, Iowa came up with a solution, which involved the construction of an approximately 60 by 70 foot pole building. The Regional Collection Center (RCC) encompasses an about 30-by-60-foot space inside. The remaining space is for landfill storage. An about […]
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- Tags: Hazardous Materials
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Pole Building Grain Storage
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/01/2015
Ritzville, Washington lies along the Interstate Highway between Spokane and Seattle. In the heart of wheat country, it is also home of some huge, cone shaped piles of stored wheat. For many years, I had my lovely bride convinced the wheat piles were there because Ritzville was the home of Nabisco Ritz crackers. Eventually I […]
Read moreMoving Sliding Doors to Inside of Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/17/2015
Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays. With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday segment. If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]
Read moreWhat Size Post Spacing?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/10/2015
Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays. With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday segment. If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Questions, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure
- Tags: Column Spacing, Rat Walls, Macomb County, Lean-to
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Reviewing Your Building Plans
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/08/2015
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, […]
Read moreThe Wicked Wheel Barn & Grill
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/21/2015
“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 […]
Read morePipes Freezing
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/30/2015
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 […]
Read moreLet’s Talk Ceiling Load
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/28/2015
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Planning, Building Interior
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Secret to A Successful Relationship
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/24/2015
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 […]
Read moreDear Guru: Have You Used SIPs?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/09/2015
Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays. With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday segment. If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]
Read moreNew Post-Frame Building Design Manual
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/05/2015
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 […]
Read moreUpgraded Pole Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/04/2015
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 […]
Read morePole Building Design
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/26/2015
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 […]
Read moreBuilding Plans
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/13/2015
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 […]
Read morePole Building Full Hip Roof
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/27/2015
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 […]
Read moreRevolutionary Roof Monitor System
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/23/2015
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 ) […]
Read moreEave Lights in Endwalls
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/09/2015
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Windows, Skylights, Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Polycarbonate Eave Lights, Polycarbonate End Lights, Shearwalls
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Tennis Court Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/06/2015
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Tennis Court Pole Barns, Tennis Court Pole Buidings
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Pole Building House Plans
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/02/2015
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 […]
Read moreWhat Size Overhangs Look Good?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/27/2014
Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays. With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday segment. If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]
Read moreCSI: Pole Barn Blow Out
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/09/2014
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Planning, Pole Building Doors
- Tags: Wind-rated Doors, Pole Building Doors, CSI, Wind Rated Overhead Doors
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Silverwood Pole Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/05/2014
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Planning, Rebuilding Structures
- Tags: Pole Barn Uses, Amusement Park Pole Buildings, Parks
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Most Read Pole Building Blogs
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/15/2014
A Baker’s Dozen – The Most Read Articles of 2013 Sometimes, in order to know where to go, it is helpful to see where we’ve been. These are the most read blogs from 2013. #13 Board and Batten Siding https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2013/03/board-and-batten-siding/ While popular, board and batten siding should be installed considering shear values. Advice on installing […]
Read moreMy VersaTube Pole Building Collapsed!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/12/2014
I’ve previously expressed concerns about light gauge “carport” type buildings (read more at: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/blog/2013/05/carports/). (My advance apologies for the misleading title, it was used by the complainee below – VersaTube® buildings are NOT pole buildings!!) Whilst doing some ‘net surfing, I recently came across this posting at www.pissedcustomer.com: “I purchased a metal frame building from […]
Read moreIndoor Archery Ranges
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/05/2014
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 […]
Read moreWhen Your RV Doesn’t Fit
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/01/2014
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 […]
Read morePole Barn House Part II
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/30/2014
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Building Department, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Firewalls, 2 Hour Firewall, 2012 IBC, Fire Department, Fire Separation, R-3 Fire Area
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Pole Barn House Part I
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/29/2014
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 […]
Read moreStorage Wars
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/17/2014
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 […]
Read morePole Building Fire Stations
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/16/2014
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 […]
Read moreeHow.com and Pole Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/11/2014
eHow.com: Discover the expert in you Or at least how eHow.com promotes itself on the ‘net. From the eHow.com website: “What do you want to do today? No matter what’s on your list, eHow can help. With more than 30 categories that cover just about everything, eHow is your one-stop online resource for life’s challenges. […]
Read moreAcquiring a Building Permit
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/04/2014
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. […]
Read moreWeber and Pole Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/29/2014
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Planning, Pole Buildings History
- Tags: Pole Buildings, Pole Barns, Emeril Green, Emeril Lagasse, Weber Grills
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Cape May Pole Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/23/2014
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 […]
Read moreThe Most Asked Question by Post Frame Builders
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/22/2014
My regular “day job” is as Technical Director for Hansen Pole Buildings. This is a fancy title for, “the guy who solves problems when things go astray”. DIYers are frankly hilarious, as they come holding hat-in-hand saying things like, “You wouldn’t believe what I’ve done wrong, it has to be the worst mistake ever!” In […]
Read moreViolating Setbacks: As Big as Texas
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/15/2014
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 […]
Read morePole Barn Prices
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/12/2014
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 […]
Read moreHard Rock Clause
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/11/2014
When I was first constructing pole buildings, I found out the hard way why it is essential to have a clause in my agreements which covered the unknown – also known as “what you can’t see below the surface”. In my case, we had contracted to build a 36 foot wide by 60 foot long […]
Read moreShipping Pole Barns Across America
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/07/2014
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 […]
Read moreInterior Walls and Partitions
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/05/2014
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 […]
Read morePole Building Planning: Measure Twice, Cut Once
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/04/2014
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Building Design, Cut Once, Measure Twice, Measuring For A Building
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Frame Building Expo
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/28/2014
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 […]
Read more- Categories: About The Pole Barn Guru, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Pole Building Expo, NFBA, Pole Barn Expo
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Room for a Loft
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/27/2014
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 […]
Read moreMagnetic Riding Arenas
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/26/2014
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” […]
Read morePole Building Fire Sprinklers
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/25/2014
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 […]
Read morePolebarn Hotel
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/21/2014
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Pole Barn Hotel, Pole Building Hotel, Uses Of Pole Buildings
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Tips for Locating a Backyard Pole Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/12/2014
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 […]
Read moreDear Pole Barn Guru: Do You Have House Floor Plans?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/10/2014
Welcome to Ask the Pole Barn Guru – where you can ask questions about building topics, with answers posted on Mondays. With many questions to answer, please be patient to watch for yours to come up on a future Monday segment. If you want a quick answer, please be sure to answer with a “reply-able” […]
Read morePole Barns and Wedding Bells
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/04/2014
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 […]
Read moreHow LinkedIn is Important to Your New Pole Building
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/21/2014
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Pole Building, Pole Barn, Post Frame Building
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Limits on Agricultural Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/09/2014
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 […]
Read morePole Building: Honest Architecture
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/26/2013
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 […]
Read moreCustom Designed Pole Buildings
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/20/2013
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, […]
Read moreOMG It Might Be a Pole Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/13/2013
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 […]
Read moreWhy You Need to Verify Design Criteria
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/21/2013
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 […]
Read moreEstablishing Fire Resistance
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/20/2013
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 […]
Read morePost Frame Buildings & the Code Part II
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/19/2013
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 […]
Read moreMulti-Million Dollar Business from a Pole Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/14/2013
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 […]
Read moreWaste Farmland or Pole Barn Variance?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/12/2013
Let’s Waste More Good Farmland It has been awhile since I got off on a good rant. My belief is a person should be able to do whatever they want with their property, as long as the value of your neighbor’s property is not degraded by it. The less government interference, the better. I live […]
Read more- Categories: Constructing a Pole Building, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Building Variance, Building Department, Zoning Laws
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Pole Building Kit Packages: Part 4 of Cycle Series
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/18/2013
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 […]
Read moreSolar Panels and Fire Fighting
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/10/2013
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure
- Tags: Solar Panel Fires, Solar Roofing
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Paying It Forward: 1 Day Ranch
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/26/2013
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Planning, Budget
- Tags: 502c Organizations, Donation, Horse Rescue
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Nested T Hangars
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/24/2013
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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