This Monday the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about running electrical through posts, a question often received about plans, and vapor barriers. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m looking for the lvl beam, floor / roof joist and wall purlin penetration layout for plumbing and electrical install. I will not need many horizontal penetrations. A few […]

Post frame (pole barn) building condensation problems are a re-occurring theme. With proper design and planning, condensation should not occur, however more often than not this is a penny wise, pound foolish event – caused by post frame building providers (either builders or vendors) not advising new building owners of possible challenges. Reader JEFF in […]

Roll formed steel is my siding of choice for post frame (pole barn) buildings. It is going to most cost effective, most durable and easiest to install. There are some who decide (or are forced to decide due to local restrictions) to opt for wood sidings. Reader TOM in SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO is one of […]

Recently KIM in STRATFORD posted this question to a Facebook Barndominium discussion group I am a member of: “I am trying to finalize my plans today. Is it possible to have 8′ side walls and still have a 6′ overhang open porch on the eave side of the house? I have a 5/12 pitch on […]

In my past life I lived with my family in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Hot summer days filled with sunshine were about as rare as access to nearby lakes – close to zero. Having grown up spending summers at my maternal grandparents’ lake cabin, swimming has always been part of my life. A frequently told fable […]

Today’s Pole Barn Guru discusses Sliding Door Size, Floor Heat & Post Rot, and Trimming an Addition. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a shed in Holman Wisconsin with 12 ft high by 12 ft wide doors on it. The header is 13-6 can 13 ft high by 12 wide sliding door b installed? JEFF […]

There is nothing much more frustrating than a leaking brand new steel roof. In my humble opinion, most (if not all) steel roof leaks caused by errant screws could be avoided by simply following instructions and pre-drilling roof panels. Loyal reader MONTE in FRANKTOWN writes: “I’m asking for your opinion on the need for a […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about roof pitch on a mono-truss, issues with moisture in Florida, and a reader in need of steel replacement panels. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Designing 40 foot MONO trusses for a 200 foot long building and want to know what the pitch should be in North East […]

While Alaska is America’s last great frontier, it doesn’t mean when we go North, we throw proper structural design out of a window. Reader CRAIG in WILLOW has more challenges going on than he has dreamed. He writes: “Hello, I’m building a 42Wx50D pole barn. I have 6×6 columns spaced 10’ apart on more than […]

In my humble opinion (and in one word) – no. I have opined in past articles as to what Code is applicable to post frame (pole) building construction: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2018/10/what-building-code-applies-to-post-frame-construction/. Recently Louisiana engineer Steve M. Sylvest (www.sylvestengineering.com ) sent an email to Structural Building Components Association addressing challenges with non-engineered structures, particularly residences. Again, I stand […]

Today’s Pole Barn Guru answers questions about multi-story pole barns, rubber coatings on  posts, and building for heavy snow loads. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am looking into a multi-story pole barn with the top story being a home. I would need outside assess to the top story also. Do you build the pole barn […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about vapor barrier, a solution for skylights, and how to reduce frost heave. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Vapor barrier under roof metal or under trusses with insulation on top? I find never-ending opinions about where to place vapor barrier in a post frame building. If the space […]

Client and reader SCOTT in BOULDER posed this question recently: “Is there a specific reason why the girts have an over hang to the outside an 1 ½ (inches). Can they be set inside flush with the posts?” Mike the Pole Barn Guru responds: There actually are a plethora of reasons why your (and all […]

This week Mike the Pole barn Guru answers questions about foundations, effectiveness of insulating a sliding barn door, and where to buy a sliding barn door. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hansen Team, in beginning my post frame home over a full foundation, I am reading your excellent load bearing considerations for the posts through the […]

More Thoughts on High Density Polyurethane Foam for Column Backfill Reader STEPHEN contributes a question regarding high density polyurethane foam for column backfill: “Hello, I have this question I would like to pass along to the “pole barn Guru” to be answered, I doubt I will get the answer I need in the time frame, […]

Condensation and moisture issues in any building can be problematic. No one purposely designs a building with an idea to have dripping from under roof condensation, or mold and mildew from trapped moisture. Hansen Pole Buildings’ client and loyal reader KURT in SAINT HELENS writes: “Hello, Question about roof insulation. Plan on insulating 2″ double-laminated […]

Thoughts regarding nailing in screws. It was late 1990. I had inherited my grandparents’ lake cabin in Northeast Washington and decided to remodel it into a year-around residence. As part of this process, installing a new steel roof was of utmost importance. Of course, by the time we got around to reroofing, it was starting […]

Reader AARON from CARTHAGE writes: “Curious to see your thoughts on the Pro-footer one pour bracket. Would attaching these brackets to the post compromise the pressure treating leading to a chance of rot? I’ve seen their footer cages and their uplift brackets but these seem to be a better choice provided they don’t compromise the […]

Adding on to post frame building length sounds like it should be such a simple process – unscrew sheets of steel and just build away, right? Nope. Long time reader ROB in ANNAPOLIS writes: “I feel like you have answered this somewhere in the past, but when I search past “Ask the Guru” I get […]

Steel Roofing Fade and Chalk 14 years ago Hansen Pole Buildings provided a post frame building kit package to a client in South Carolina. Included with this investment was steel roofing and siding to be provided by Fabral with 20 year warranty paint. Colors were Evergreen roofing and trim and Tan siding. We actually provided […]

How Much Will My Post Frame Barndominium Cost? This may be the most asked question in Barndominium discussion groups I am a member of. Or at least a close second to wanting to see floor plans. And why not? If one does not have a semblance of financial realty, they could end up finding themselves […]

Today’s Pole Barn Guru answers questions about the price for trusses, anchoring a stud wall, and the location of a sill plate. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Price for 80 foot trusses. CHUCK in ELYRIA DEAR CHUCK: Price for trusses is going to vary depending upon numerous factors including, but not limited to, roof slope, spacing, […]

This week Mike the Pole Barn Guru gives some advice regarding the use of brackets with sonotubes, installation of housewrap, and the possibility of replacing a gable style roof with a gambrel. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Guru, I am looking at building a pole barn home. I like the idea of doing wetset brackets in […]

Barndominium: Building Kit or Building Shell? This was a recent post from a Barndominium discussion group I am a member of: “Kit vs shell; I’m defining a kits as coming with everything like insulation and metal studs (the next step would be mechanical trades) whereas shell would be dried in with nothing. Kit companies would […]

As the Architect Turns In our previous episode, we left Dan tied to railroad tracks in front of a speeding train…. Well close, we left Dan with a post frame building designed by an architect, with some serious structural connection problems.  Now I am a guy who watches Science Channel’s “Engineering Catastrophes”. I would just […]

The Pole Bar Guru reviews an oops from an architect in today’s blog. Back in 2017 Hansen Pole Buildings was contacted by a gentleman I shall call “Dan” who had an interest in a post-frame home or ‘barndominium’.  For those not familiar with this term: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2014/02/barndominium/. I have to admit, Dan spoke with a Hansen […]

Today’s Pole Barn Guru answers questions regarding Use Categories, water leaks, and matching a house due to HOA rules. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi! I am trying to turn my existing barn into a wedding venue. Why am I being classified as A-2 instead of A-3? Our special use permit says we cannot exceed 300 […]

Today’s PGB answers questions about how far west we service, if building a two-story pole barn for a winery is possible, and lateral truss bracing. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m curious how far west you service? I’m in WA state and am having a hard time finding anyone that makes kits similar to  https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/pole-barn-prices/ out here. […]

Many years ago, when I first went to work at Lucas Plywood and Lumber in Salem, Oregon I was given a quick tour of some areas where new construction was prevalent. Having moved from sandy/gravel soils of Eastern Washington, I was totally unprepared for bright red clay soils in this Willamette Valley region. When wet […]

Today the Pole Barn Guru answers questions regarding a post frame addition, passing the “muster” of California’s building codes, and ventilation of attic space with spray foam. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi. We are wanting to attach a monitor style barn to an existing stick build for additional residential use. Is this tie-in possible? Thank […]

I am asking for feedback from RDP’s and Building Officials because: There is a method to my madness. Seriously. I want to make sure we are doing things 100% correctly. In my humble opinion there are currently numerous post frame buildings being constructed where wall girts do not meet Code or acceptable engineering practice. I […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about the installation of a building, plans provide to erect the structure, and a quote for a potential client. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you offer installation? Not sure I would have help to put it up.  Thanks JESSICA DEAR JESSICA: Thank you for your interest in […]

With an advent of internet providers such as Amazon (www.amazon.com ) there has been more pressure to “buy local”. Sometimes buying local can be a blessing, but when it comes to a new post-frame (pole barn) building – even an attempt to buy local can prove to be an experience (and not a pleasant one). […]

Today’s Guru answers questions about building of the barn, minimum headroom for an overhead garage door, and support for solar panels. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello! We found your website for pole barns. We’re still thinking about which option we’d like to go with, but we’re wondering if you also have a team that will do […]

Spring, When a Young Man’s Heart Turns to Self-Designing Pole Buildings For some obscure reason a plethora of otherwise intelligent people have an idea. This idea being they can structurally design a building to be adequate to resist applied climactic loads, without any actually engineering background. Given an under designed building can lead to failure, […]

Today the Pole barn Guru answers a question about use of a sliding “barn style door” as an exterior door. As long time readers of this column know, every once in a while I get thrown a question having little to do with post frame construction. However I get a euphus pitch thrown at me […]

I Am Designing a Pole Barn…. These words strike fear in my heart. Reader ELISEO in FLOWERY BRANCH writes: “ I’m designing a Pole Barn to be 30’W x 40’L x 12’H. I’m asking for 6 trusses to be placed 8’ on center with a 4:12 pitch. I’m gonna tie them together with 2×4 on […]

Today the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about pre-drilling steel panels, the proper use of house-wrap and weather resistant barriers, as well as concern for the effectiveness or fresh concretes ability to withstand compression. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What size hole should I predrill in panels for the #12 diaphragm screws? Thanks! JOSEPH in […]

Auntie Em, Auntie Em My Garage Has Lifted  Well, it wasn’t from a twister and this article has nothing actually to do with Auntie Em or actress Clara Blandick who played Auntie Em in 1939’s film classic The Wizard of Oz. For trivia buffs, Blandick also played a part in 1937’s original A Star Is […]

Today’s Pole Barn Guru answers questions about alternative siding and roofing, whether one can build on an existing slab, and if a ceiling liner can hold insulation. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Can you build me a steel wall inside and vinyl siding on the outside with asphalt shingles? PAUL in BLUE GRASS DEAR PAUL: A […]

I realize this may come as a surprise, but there are more than a few times I have discovered building contractors have made errors in building assembly due to failure to examine the provided building plans. Shocking. Our client STEVE in HINES writes: “Good morning, my building is framed, sided and roofed. However, yesterday we […]

R Panel Gable Vents “R” steel roofing and siding panels are typically used on all steel buildings where larger spans occur between wall girts and roof purlins. With a three foot width net coverage, these panels have a 1-1/4 inch tall high rib every 12 inches with two low stiffener ribs between. R panels do […]

Monitor barns have a tall center portion (usually clearspanned with trusses) and lower single slope (knowns as sheds or wings) roofs on each side. Barns may actually be a misnomer, as many monitor style post frame buildings are used for things like homes and event centers. Reader DANIELLE in SUMMERSVILLE writes: “Is there a minimum […]

I happen to be very, very picky about how a finished post frame (pole barn) building looks. One thing I really notice is if screw lines are straight or not. I have seen some buildings where screw locations appear to have been predrilled using a scatter gun – up and down and everywhere except straight. […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about building over a basement, an OHD modification, and interior photos of one of our buildings? DEAR POLE BARN GURU: If I order a pole barn knowing that it will be built over a basement will the plans show how to install the floor or do I […]

I happen to live in a post-frame home. It was designed to be lived in from day one, so we did not face obstacles in having to convert a pole barn. Reader DAN in SIDNEY writes: “I have an existing pole barn that has no current foundation. It looks like 6×6 pt poles right into […]

Prior to Hansen Pole Buildings’ client’s plans being sealed by our third-party engineers, their preliminary plans are uploaded for client review through a login. While review goal is to make certain everyone is working from a same left and ensure doors and windows are properly located, it does trigger some interesting discussions at times. Here […]

The Pole Barn Guru answers questions about living quarters, Plasti-Sleeve sizes, and poly-carbonate roof panels. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello there,  I have a quick question that I’m hoping someone can answer for me.  For your metal buildings that feature “living quarters” such as (PROJECT# 04-0509), have any of these ever been built on a […]

Reader HEATH in NACOGDOCHES writes: “I am going to build a pole barn with shed roofs. I want to know what the best way to trim out under the sheds where the side wall meets the ledger board or bottom of rafters. Building will be sheeted with metal. There will not be any soffit under […]

This is the third year the Pole Barn Guru blog has been in competition for the Best Construction Blog. Last year this blog was second in the world, tying for first in quality, however losing the popular vote. Part of this process is a review of each blog by Mark Buckshon of Construction Marketing Ideas […]

Today the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about, condensation, ground Water, and an overhead door size. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Good morning, My name is Brett and about to complete my Hansen Pole building. I have having issues with condensation from my metal roof given the recent freezing weather. I do have a vapor barrier, […]

Allow me to preface this post about a frost heaved porch with a reference to Sherlock Holmes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Holmes and Watson solved fictional criminal dilemmas with deductive reasoning. In my cases, nearly 40 years of experience (plus knowing and relying upon input from many brilliant engineers) allows me to recommend solutions with […]

Participating in Rick’s Post Frame Cabin Planning Happy readers have been following Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer Rick’s journey towards constructing a new cabin. Rick has graciously asked me to jump in with sage advice (yep, Rick and I are both old guys), as well as answering some questions he has posed. Rick mentions using a […]

Another true confession, while I carried plenty of roof shingle bundles up ladders and onto roofs when I was young and dumb – I have never installed any other than cedar. One of our clients was requesting a “how to”, so downing my best sleuthing clothes, it was learning time for me. This article took […]

Like a good novelist, I am going to torture you by forcing you to read this story prior to revealing a super- secret answer. One of our clients will be constructing a Hansen Pole Building in Colorado soon. This particular building is very typical post frame construction as it has steel roofing over open purlins. […]

This story is sad, to me. As post frame building “experts” we (an industry collective we) owe it to our clients to educate them at design phase to avoid a situation such as reader ERIC in SPOKANE VALLEY has become happily (or maybe less happy) involved in. Eric writes: “I want to start insulating my […]

Long time readers should be thoroughly drenched with solutions to condensation issues by now. As post frame construction has moved off farms and into suburbia, climate control has brought with it a plethora of condensation challenges. Reader KRYSTA in SPOKANE writes: “Hello!  I have a pre-existing pole building that I am having a ton of […]

Back in my owning a roof truss manufacturing plant days, we sold trusses to a building contractor, who was uninsured, and new building owner neglected to insure building. When it collapsed due to builder error (building also was not engineered), our insurance company ended up paying for a replacement building as it was ruled we […]

Long time readers (as well as most people with a lick of common sense) know knee braces are not a good thing. Besides taking up valuable interior space, they do more harm than good. Reader TY from QUINTON has run into a dilemma regarding knee braces. He writes: “I pulled a permit to self build […]

Boots On The Ground With Rick Carr Long time Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer Rick Carr has a lengthy history in post frame construction – back to his early years where he worked assembling them for a living. Rick is one of those inquisitive sorts, he wants to know not only what a best design solution […]

We humans want to do things ourselves. We love GPS because it keeps us from having to ask strangers for help or admitting we are lost. I admit to, at one time in my life, being an extremist at “doing it myself”. Then I learned….. by listening to experts I could learn so much faster. […]

Today’s Pole barn Guru answers questions about price and value, increasing ceiling height of a building, and if Hansen “builds” these structures. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What is the best price I can get for a riding arena 60 by 130 ft? MICHELLE in FREDERICK DEAR MICHELLE: Free. Just place four immovable items at each […]

The Case of The Leaking Post Frame Building Window Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s hero – renowned sleuth Sherlock Holmes, was forever solving mysteries entitled “The Case of Something or Other”. To solve this particular mystery neither Holmes, nor Dr. John Watson’s skills will be required. Nor shall we need a call to Scotland Yard. Reader […]

Today the Pole Barn Guru fields questions on electrical planning, moisture issues, and ceiling barriers. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Good Morning/Evening:     I currently have a 36′ wide x 48′ long with 12′ tall ceiling pole barn that I would like wire for lights and outlets.   I intend to run main power from the street pole […]

Free Post-Frame Building Foundation Engineering Calculator No, such a thing as a free post-frame building foundation engineering calculator does not exist. However there always seems to be someone out there who is in search of “engineering for free”. Reader KELLY writes: “Guru, Do you have a link to a pole foundation engineering calculator? Looking for […]

Where, Oh Where, Should My Purlins Go? There are almost as many methods for assembly of a post frame building, as there are post frame buildings! I kid you not. Amongst differences are how to space trusses – two, four, eight, 12 foot or numerous other possible centers. Along with different truss spacings are how […]

This Monday, the Pole Barn Guru discussed attaching LP siding on a post frame home, installing ceiling panels, and an Inspector’s questions. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am looking at the possibly of installing standard LP lap siding on a post frame home, in that case it would seem like I would need to go […]

Minimizing Excavation In Combination With Post-Frame Frost Protected Shallow Foundations Part II In our last thrilling episode Snidely Whiplash had tied our fair damsel in distress, Nell Fenwick, to railroad tracks. Oops – railroad engineers are not what most of you were expecting! Continuing with a simplified solution response to reader DAVID’s ideas regarding site […]

Minimizing Excavation In Combination With Post-Frame Frost Protected Shallow Foundations Regular readers of this column recognize a groundswell movement towards energy efficient post frame building design. Reader (and Mechanical Engineer) DAVID in CONNECTICUT had some thoughts (after reading a volume of my article pages) in regards to FPSF (Frost Protected Shallow Foundations) and radiant in […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about installing solar panels on the roof, the “squaring” of a building, and rotting of posts. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Will a Pole Barn roof be able to hold solar panels? CARMEN in ORANGEVALE DEAR CARMEN: We can have your new post frame building engineered to support […]

Why Use Bookshelf Girts Rather Than Studs? Long time readers may recall my Grandpa Pete was a home builder and his sons – Sid (my father), Neil, Lyle, Gil, Dave and Amund were all framing contractors. https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2011/06/before-the-pole-barn-guru/. Besides being raised with “wood is good”, I had a concept of vertical stud walls permanently ingrained in […]

When Your Roof Grows Today’s worthless trivia question: What one-hit wonder sang 1970’s popular song, “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)”? Please read to this article end for the answer. While one’s love might grow, it proves less than ideal to have this occur when it comes to overall length of a post frame building […]

Foil Insulation Is Not Insulation Products being incorrectly marketed and sold as “foil insulation” are actually nothing more than a radiant reflective barrier. They are not insulation. I have previously covered this very subject, so will not rank and rail more: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2014/04/reflective-insulation-wars/ Today’s learning article has inspiration in this from reader BOBBY in GRASSTIN who […]

My Pole Barn Heats Most of Southern Michigan Most post frame (pole barn) buildings were not designed with an idea of efficiently and effectively being able to climate control them. Likely very little (if any) thought was put in by the salesperson other than giving his client a lowest possible price to secure a signed […]

Concrete Apron Around A Pole Barn My lovely bride and I live in a post frame (pole barn) home along South Dakota’s Lake Traverse. Long time loyal readers of this column have seen photos of it more than once. For those who have missed out, our home was featured on NFBA’s (National Frame Building Association) […]

We Put Up a Competitor’s Shed Sadly not everyone does adequate research to realize how outstanding of a value added a Hansen Pole Buildings’ post frame building kit package truly will be. Long time readers of these blog articles (nearly 1600) and questions answered in Monday’s “Ask the Pole Barn Guru™” column (around 1000) have […]

Some Pole Barns Deserve a Proper Burial Reader STEPHAN in OGDENSBURG writes: “Dear Pole Barn Guru, I have a 30ish year old 32 by 54 feet horse pole barn where half the poles heaved some for more than 1 foot over the years. I need to fix it this year because I am afraid that […]

What Kind of Trusses Are Pictured? This question was posed by Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer Doug. Photo isn’t of a Hansen Pole Building, probably raising questions in Doug’s mind as it looks rather foreign. Only actual trusses in photo are in raised center portion of this monitor style building. Interior trusses were probably sold to […]

Help! My Cupola Leaks If you have a leaking cupola, I can understand why you would be looking for help. Only twice ever have I gotten feedback from a client with a leaking cupola. In first case client’s builder somehow neglected to read installation instructions in Hansen Pole Buildings’ Construction Manual. Aforementioned builder decided to […]

Building Has Metal Building Insulation Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer Rachel received an inquiry from a client whose existing post frame (pole) building has metal building insulation. Rachel sent this to me: “STEVE would like some advice on insulating.  He has a Cleary Building which has blanket insulation in the walls and roof and he would […]

Today Mike answers questions about eave lights, drawing building plans, and foundation plans. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: How to I attach the poly eave lights to the building frame? RUSSELL in BOISE DEAR RUSSELL: Polycarbonate panels are best predrilled for screw fasteners using a 3/8” bit. Screw pattern for eave lights is same as for […]

Net Zero Post Frame Homes Energy efficiency has become a huge focus in every type of home construction. Post frame homes can be net zero, just as well as stick frame. Our environmental commitment allows us to design post frame homes to reduce environmental impact. High performance design and advanced engineering make it easier and […]

Solving Steel Roofing Leaks Nothing much more frustrating than finding your post frame building’s new steel roofing has a leak (or two) – however they can be solved! Reader (and client) BRYAN from MECHANICSVILLE writes: “I’m really loving my pole barn. With all of the rain we’ve had, I’ve noticed two leaks, I believe they […]

Multi-story Pole Barns Hansen Pole Buildings has developed a reputation for taking potentially challenging post frame (pole barn) building projects and developing them from concept to fruition. This leads many clients, with an interest in multi-story pole barns, to our doors. My own post frame building home, along Lake Traverse South Dakota side, features both […]

Do I Need Any Additional Vapor Barrier? Reader TOM in NEW LONDON writes: “Have a 40 x 60 pole barn which I have poured a 20 X 60 6″ concrete floor with radiant heat. I have installed 1 1/2″ R 7.5 rigid pink board between the 2 X 6 side boards against the steel. I […]

Will My Post Frame Building Support a Ceiling? One of my frequently received questions – wanting to add a ceiling into a post frame building and wondering if the building will support the added weight. Other frequent questions include condensation issues and ventilation, so this reader has hit upon a trifecta. Reader BRYAN in SWANTON […]

Reader CHRISTI in INOLA writes: “Is it standard practice to pour concrete above the base trim of the building? In the attached photos you can see the red chalk line where the concrete will come up to. Help! They are coming this week to pour.” Gentle inquirers, if you want a relatively quickly (or in […]

Insulating a Steel Truss Building Reader JONATHAN in MISSISSIPPI has been planning a building using steel trusses and has insulating questions. He writes: “I have recently found your blog and I have to say I am on good information overload.  I’ve read your posts on insulation and air barrier more than twice maybe more.  I […]

Guest Blog Specifics. This column has been recognized multiple times as a top construction industry blog – second World Wide for two consecutive years! It also has a significant readership, with articles having been read as many as 1/4 million times. Due to this popularity, I receive numerous requests to guest blog. Who should consider […]

Siloxa-Tek 8505 Concrete Sealant Recently I received a question from a reader who was having condensation issues in his post frame (pole) building. Amongst my suggestions was using a concrete floor sealant, if there was not a well-sealed vapor barrier underneath the slab. Following this conversation, my reader did his research and determined a silane […]

How to Obtain a Post Frame Home Mortgage Post frame (pole barn) buildings are becoming more and more popular as homes. Savvy home owners have realized benefits of post frame construction – they can build it themselves, post frame buildings are readily adaptable to a plethora of possible building sites, huge foundation cost savings, energy […]

Swaying Roof Only Pole Barn Yes indeed folks, as probably every owner of a roof only post frame (pole barn) building can and will attest, they sway with the wind. Reader MIKE in ORLANDO was concerned about his new (not from Hansen Pole Buildings) roof only pole barn moving just from his installing steel roofing […]

You want a new pole barn, so you put together some plans, order up some materials, have them delivered and start building. In all of this excitement something was overlooked – acquiring a Building Permit! Reader SHELBY in COLORADO writes: “Hello, My name is Shelby, my father and I are trying to build a pole […]

Help! My Overhead Door Jambs Are Rotting! I am fairly certain this problem occurs more often than I hear about. Reader DAVID in ROLLING PRAIRIE writes: “Enclosed are two pictures showing my pole building’s overhead door. One picture is the inside door jamb that is decaying from water damage and the other one is a […]

Post Frame Roof Top Decks Question: Can decks be constructed upon a post frame roof top? Answer: Yes, and it may prove far simpler than one might expect. Our typical request from clients generally revolves around having a very slightly sloping roof and to use EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber as roofing over plywood. […]

Ceiling Vapor Barriers in Post Frame Construction A ceiling vapor barrier or no, in post frame (pole building) construction? Good question. For most of my life I have lived where it tends to get chilly in winter. Here in Northeast South Dakota it can not only be chilly, but downright frigid. It has been drummed […]

Plywood Siding Z-Flashing My first full time construction job was as an MEI (Momb Enterprises, Inc.) slave working for my framing contractor father and his brothers. 1970’s found T1-11 plywood siding to be very popular (as were disco balls) and we installed plenty of it. Where walls were higher than available panels of T1-11, one […]

Moisture from condensation can be a major issue in initially poorly thought out pole barns. Reader MATT in SHAKOPEE writes: “Hi. I am having issues with moisture in my pole barn. It is getting to the point that mold is starting to show up on the walls and cement floor. The barn is about 28 […]

Examining a Light Steel Truss Frame Building I have never owned or assembled a light steel truss frame building. A gentleman named Stan Floyd worked for me as a salesman when I owned M & W Building Supply. Stan’s dad had fabricated light steel truss frame buildings in Arkansas and Stan was interested in developing […]

Today the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about “rafter” spacing, how to best dispose of old posts, and where to run electrical wiring. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Can I place rafters 48” apart on 24 x 40 pole barn with steel roof? DAVE in BAY CITY DEAR DAVE: I will interpret your “rafters” to be […]