DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Can vertical board and bat siding be installed on a pole barn without first installing osb? Would diagonal bracing be required beings the 12′ wide board (Siding) would not give much lateral stability (shear)? SCOTT IN ROY

DEAR SCOTT: As much as I would like to tell you it must be installed over solid sheathing (OSB or plywood), the Building Codes say otherwise. Here is a link to an earlier article I authored on this subject, for your reading pleasure: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2013/03/board-and-batten-siding/

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: How does the garage kits ship and is there any prefabs? JOHN IN JACKSON

DEAR JOHN: Components such as lumber, trusses and siding will be shipped via truck and you may have multiple deliveries (although typically all within the same week, unless you ask for them to be scheduled otherwise).

The only prefabricated components of post frame buildings are typically light gauge metal connector plated wood trusses. To see some common steps after purchase of your new Hansen Building Kit visit: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/pole-barn-construction/

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What coating do you use on your steel panels? Is it a pvdf finish? Your panels are 29 gauge (.0135?), yet Morton’s are .019. Are your panels going to dent easier or be weaker? Thanks, SCOTT IN MARYVILLE

DEAR SCOTT: Thank you very much for your questions.

Our standard offered panels utilize an SMP paint (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2014/05/smp/). In many markets (including yours) we offer PVDF for a modest additional investment. Here is my take on PVDF: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2014/05/kynar/.

Here is some good information in regards to steel thickness: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/01/steel-thickness/

I’ve built several post frame buildings for myself over the years, as well as having put steel on the roof of two homes. Would I personally pay the extra for Kynar (PVDF)? Yes. For 26 gauge steel – no.