This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about options for insulation of an existing steel building, financing options for a post frame home, and adding a ceiling to an existing barn.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a preexisting steel building with no insulation. I am looking for affordable methods to insulate the building in our climate. There are swings in humidity and temperature as well as a fairly long winter. The tin is attached to Perkins that are 24′ on center. The distance between the red structural frame varies from almost 7′ to 10′ PETER in MINNEAPOLIS
DEAR PETER: You really only have two realistic options and both involve closed cell spray foam.
Your building is in Climate Zone 6. In order to prevent condensation, 35% or more of your insulation should be closed cell spray foam applied directly to steel siding and roofing. You can go all closed cell, however your will find this to be painfully expensive. By using spray foam against the steel, then filling your cavity with Rockwool batts, you can reduce costs without compromising performance.
For your roof R-60, this could be done with 3″ of closed cell plus R-39 of batts. Walls, you could go R-20 (basically 3″) of closed cell and be done with it. For mixed systems, you can do R-10 of closed cell (1-1/2″) along with R-15 batts.
You should also plan upon having to mechanically dehumidify your space.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello. Looking to build a barndo home in north Georgia. I’m looking for financing the structure. Do you guys offer financing at Hansen? If so, does this include the concrete pad/foundation? Thank you for your time! BRIANNA in DALTON
DEAR BRIANNA: Thank you for your interest in a new Hansen Pole Building. In answer to your questions – yes we have financing available and it can be used for more than just what we provide. www.HansenPoleBuildings.com/financing/
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Have a 40×60 barn trusses have 2×8 top and bottom chord set on 10 ft centers live I deep so Illinois. Question is how is best way to frame in ceiling to put up metal might put small amount of cellulose blown it do not care which direction metal runs. Thanks in advance ROBERT in VIENNA
DEAR ROBERT: Most “barn” trusses are not designed to support a ceiling. You will want to look on your building’s engineered truss drawings for the BCDL (Bottom Chord Dead Load). If it is a value less than five (5) psf, then a ceiling should probably not be installed. If it is five or more, then you should add framing joist hung between bottom chords to properly support a steel ceiling. In all likelihood, 2×6 #2 and better every four feet should prove adequate. Avoid using cellulose insulation, as it is heavy and has chemicals in it that can react negatively with steel.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We need a 20 x 40x 10 pavilion for a Scout Camp in Clay County Florida. If that is something your company can do, could you please send me a quote? Thank you. ROB in ST. AUGUSTINE 
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello! What are your options for financing? I am a veteran planning to use a VA construction loan for purchasing a plot and initially constructing a modest tiny house, then, upon completing my grad degree in 2-3 years adding a four car garage and a horse barn. My initial budget is $300k for making this happen (land, VA approved construction parameters.) It’ll most likely be in Maryland or a reasonable commuting distance from Ft. Meade possibly PA or DE. Thanks. CHARLOTTE in LUTHERVILLE 
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: How much acreage is needed to build a pole barn in Madison County, IL? BONNIE in ALTON 
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m looking to build a 25′ x 50′ pole barn 16 ft with an open lean-to on each side. I’d like the lean-to’s to be 20′ wide and the same depth (50′).so the total width would be 65′ by 50′ deep. My question is about financing. I’m not sure how financing would work. Do you have a financing co. or if that something I would get on my side? Thanks SHANE in BRIDGETON
DEAR CHRIS: If you are insulating directly above bottom of trusses, then you need to ventilate this dead attic space. You could use rectangular gable vents spaced along each sidewall and have a vented ridge.
DEAR BRONSON: Thank you for your interest in a new Hansen Pole Building.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you offer financing? Thanks. DERRICK in DETROIT
DEAR JAMES: Column and/or truss carriers (wooden beams) sizes should be determined by the Registered Professional Engineer who is sealing your engineered structural building plans. Size and grade will be determined based upon a plethora of factors – design wind speed and exposure, roof slope, roof live and dead loads, roofing and siding materials, lateral soil bearing pressure, if there will be proper constrainment by a concrete slab on grade, etc.
DEAR PETER: Unless your building has a very wide clearspan, or some huge dead loads (or perhaps a bonus room) a three ply truss seems strangely unusual. You might want to reach out to other possible truss manufacturers to see if you can get a two ply design. While I have seen three ply trusses notched in 4-1/2 inches approved by engineers, if indeed this is your final truss design solution, you should confirm connection adequacy by reaching out to your building’s Engineer of Record.
