Today the Pole Barn Guru visits with readers about, types of construction, sliding doors, and roof vents.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello Mike – I am working with the NFBA on a study of the post frame (pole barn) building market in the US. Among our objectives is to understand what % of construction in a given geography, sector (residential, commercial, etc.) is post frame vs. other types of construction.
In order to do that, we need to define the major types of construction. So, the question I have is:
In addition to post-frame, what are the MAJOR types of (or methods for) building construction?
So far, it seems like there is:
- Post frame (pole barn)
- Stick frame (stud wall)
- Metal frame
- What else?
Any direction or insight you may have would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you have a direct phone line that I could call you on.
Thanks! BERT in CLEVELAND
DEAR BERT: Thank you for reaching out to me, am glad to assist.
#2 should be wood stud wall
#3 might be best divided into structural steel (“red iron”) or steel stud
Concrete tilt up (either precast or cast on site)
Block/masonry
ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms)
SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels)
Straw bale
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: All we are looking for is a total width of 8 foot steel sliding barn doors for our garage instead of standard garage door. Is that possible? BARB in DOVER
DEAR BARB: Possible? Most certainly, however unless you are going to make a serious investment in an opener(s) for your door(s) you will quickly grow tired of having to manually open and close them. For information on openers for sliding doors, please read: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2017/04/propel-electric-door-openers/
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I will be putting a plumbing vent through the roof after the building is up. Does Hansen have any recommendations or suggested methods for this? From what I’ve read, a boot and lots of silicone is the normal way. JAMES in LEBANON
DEAR JAMES: I’ve used these with great success and no caulking: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/09/dektite/ plus Justine can get you a price on them, if you provide quantity and diameter of the pipes. In the event you do feel the need to caulk a suggested caulking is TITEBOND Metal Roof Translucent Sealant available at The Home Depot®.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Can your building be designed to handle a 40# snow load? 24 x 30. JIM in WISCONSIN RAPIDS
DEAR JOHN: My first choice would be closed cell spray foam. While it is going to be more expensive, you will save greatly in labor as opposed to using a radiant reflective barrier. Radiant Reflective Barrier, installed correctly, might give you the performance you are seeking. If you do go with the barrier, single cell will perform pretty much as well as single cell. Buy six foot wide rolls with a tab. The tabs should have a pull strip over adhesive, which eliminates the need for taping seams. The six foot wide rolls mean fewer pieces to handle and overlaps to seal.
