Today’s Ask the Guru answers reader questions about insulating a shed used for vehicle storage and a “workshop to piddle in,” the addition of eave light panels to a structure, and if it is possible to build a small building to house a well.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Thank you in advance for your time to answer my question! I have a 30×40 x12 pole building that I want to insulate. This will be used to store my vehicles in and to have a workshop to piddle in. Want to have a mini split system to heat or cool only when I’m out in the shop. I have Tyvek between the metal siding and purlins on the walls. I have a ridge vent the entire length of the building with the condensation barrier under the metal roof panels. I just started to frame my walls 16″ OC for batt insulation and was going to put up metal panels on the ceiling and lay batt insulation on that. Is this ok and/or should I add vapor barriers anywhere. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks again MARSHALL in SALISBURY
DEAR MARSHALL: You will need to have an appropriately sized air intake (either eave or gable vents) in order to prevent possible mold and/or mildew in your attic. Use unfaced batts (Rockwool would be my preference, with fiberglass second). Your walls will need a vapor barrier, ceiling will not.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I would like to put in polycarbonate “windows for my eve light on a 36×56 pole barn. The light vents will be on the east side of the pole barn. I would like to do this myself. Do you have a simple how to or a video? These are NOT on the roof. HOLLY in MILACA
HOLLY: We can provide 19 pieces of 3′ net width coverage by 3 feet tall polycarbonate panels, as well as steel “z” flashing needed for your transition from polycarbonate to steel siding and appropriate screws to attach. Along with this, you will get a Chapter from our Construction Manual to detail installation. To save on delivery costs, we can have these all available for you at our Browns Valley, MN facility. Please reach out to Materials@HansenPoleBuildings.com for pricing.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Have residential well, need a small building has this been done? CHRIS in ELMGROVE
DEAR CHRIS: Yes, it has been. Post frame (pole) buildings start to lose economy of scale as footprint dimensions decrease. Below roughly 24 feet square, other forms of construction may prove to be more cost effective. A factor playing into this is most jurisdictions exempt from building permits structures below a minimal square footage.
DEAR DIANE: Absolutely we can provide your barndominium with a walkout (daylight) basement: 
DEAR GEOFF: This can totally be done – my own personal shouse (shop/house) has a 16′ ceiling downstairs, and upper level clearspans 48′ across so there are no columns to negotiate. Storage and wood working can be heavy, plus you have the efforts of having to move materials in and out far above ground. Provided you have space on your property, you would be far ahead to put all of this space on one level – access will be easier, you won’t burn up space to stairs, etc.
DEAR BILL: Closed cell spray foam is a great product and is best applied when sprayed directly onto steel roofing and siding. 
