Sometimes prospective clients educate themselves just enough to be dangerous – most often dangerous to their own pocket books. I much more prefer a client who comes to us looking for a design solution and assistance in best fitting a building around their needs for today and the future. This is rather than one who has preconceived notions of what pole barn specs should be for their particular building – perhaps without even knowing why it is they want what they are asking for.

My question: “Do you mind sharing why (fill in the blank) is important to you?”

Here are some excerpts from a recent request from a client:

Building:  42’wide x 80’ long, 13’ height, 8’ truss spacing, 6/12 roof pitch, 2/12 lower chord, peak height 25’, soffit height 14’3.5”

My all time most read article happens to address truss spacing: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2011/06/pole-barn-truss-spacing/

There does seem to be some dimensional mismatches when it comes to heights. Working backwards from the 25 foot peak height, would make the eave height at a 6/12 roof slope 14’6”.

The client has some specific overhang requests:

Overhangs: 12” boxed vented overhangs (6” fascia) w/ gutters and downspouts on 80’ sides, gable ends 12” non-vented overhang (6” fascia)

Working again from the overall height, which gave us an eave height of 14’6”, the roof will lose six inches of height across the foot of overhang, a 2×6 beveled to a 6/12 slope would measure 4.75 inches and the soffit is a half inch thick. This puts the underside of the soffit at 13’6.75”.

Foundation: pre cast concrete pier with bracket to attach to laminated wood columns above grade

There are some folks who just do not feel confident in placing pressure preservative treated wood in the ground. I’ve never quite understood the rationale behind having a rather heavy precast chunk of concrete shipped in, when a hole could be filled with concrete and a wet set bracket placed into it: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/09/concrete-brackets-2/

Siding and 36” wainscot: 26ga ribbed steel panels, fastened with stainless screws

Roof: 26ga ribbed steel panels fastened with stainless screws

Frankly 26 gauge steel is going to be overkill – the steel skin is not the weak link of the building system.  Here is an in depth article on steel thickness: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/01/steel-thickness/.

The stainless steel screws are just another way to run more dollars through someone’s till: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2017/03/use-stainless-steel-screws-steel-roofing-siding/.

Want to get the most post frame building for your investment?

If your answer is no, then Hansen Pole Buildings is probably not going to be the best fit.

Yes – tell one of our highly skilled Building Designers what your vision is of your ideal dream building (what problems will it solve and goals will it help you achieve) and we will provide for you the Ultimate Post Frame Building Experience™.