This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about Hansen providing stamped engineered plans, buildings with “no foundation,” and if a two story or single story structure is more economical to build.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you supply stamped engineering plans for building inspection purposes? DOUG in BENEZETTE
DEAR DOUG: Every building we provide comes with site specific, engineer sealed plans showing every member, its location and connection, as well as engineer sealed verifying calculations.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I see buildings with no foundation what is the code for pole barn foundations in Michigan? ANTHONY in GLADWIN
DEAR ANTHONY: IRC and IBC codes allow for post frame (pole barn) foundations to be columns either embedded in ground (properly pressure preservative treated, with sufficient means to disperse weight across bottom of holes, usually via a concrete footing) or attached to ICC-ESR approved wet set brackets poured into concrete piers.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Which would be more economical, to build a 40x64x12 post frame shouse with attic trusses over a 40 x 32 section for an upstairs or to build a 40 x 72 x 12 with no upstairs needed? BETH in CADIZ
DEAR BETH: All on one level will be more economical. Attic trusses do not come cheap, plus you lose the space wasted by stairs. One level also affords accessibility for those with limited mobility.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: 
DEAR DAVE: You should erect your building exactly as shown on your engineer sealed plans, otherwise you have relieved your Engineer of Record of any responsibility for structural adequacy. Should you feel adding a top plate or plates to be necessary, please reach out to your engineer for clarification and a possible addendum to your plans.
DEAR THOMAS: Polycarbonate panels may be used to provide natural lighting inside of non-insulated post frame buildings. In my opinion (as well as those of others) translucent panels should not be used in roof plane for a variety of reasons (
