Planning a Post Frame Building Upon Sandstone Reader GEORGE in FARMINGTON writes: “Mike, in the early stages of planning a pole barn 32’x48’x12′ on a newly acquired piece of property. We’ve cleared the land and found the area we want to erect the building is 100% sandstone. Everywhere we’d have to drill for poles is […]

This week’s Ask the Guru answers reader questions about insulating a open bay with no ceiling, use of a vapor barrier on steel ceiling with blown in insulation, and a question about what gauge metal we use at Hansen Pole Buildings. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I built one of your barns (project 24-0503F). It’s 36 […]

Pole Barn Construction Issue Disclaimer – this is NOT a Hansen Pole Building Reader ETHAN writes: “Hello. I’m wondering if you could help me with a pole barn construction issue. I had a pole barn constructed and the builder installed a damaged piece of metal siding on the peak of the gable end.” His plan […]

Can You Provide Me With Engineer Sealed Blueprints? Reader PARKER in PORT SAINT JOE writes: “I’m looking to get a pole barn built and for my county I need engineer stamped prints before i can pull a permit, can you provide me with blueprints for the size I am wanting?” www.HansenPoleBuildings.com is America’s leader in […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the use of radiant floor heat for a post frame building, post treatment that will not rot, and whether or not button staples can be used for housewrap on a post frame house. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am researching my build. I wanted to […]

Will I Need to Use Double Trusses? Reader DALE in TOMPKINSVILLE writes: “On an open front 5 bay tool shed, roof length 60 feet, width 40 foot, height of 10 foot, 12foot, trusses on 6×6 columns, 12/4 pitch located in southern Kentucky zone 6 will I need to double the trusses?” Need and want are […]

Help, I am Not a Contractor Potential client JERRY in MONETA writes: “Kit would do us no good as I’m not a contractor and these structures certainly don’t come with labor. Being a kit would be no better than its actual builder how does one go about finding a reputable contractor for Hansen pole buildings?” […]

This Wednesday, the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about use of hurricane straps to anchor 8×8 posts to sill plate, the possibility of adding a beam to old a loft for open concept, and if we do site specific engineering for Panama City Florida- yes. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hey I’m on the starting […]

Replacing Rebar in Concrete Slabs on Grade?? Or not?? Hansen Pole Buildings client JOSH writes: “I am wondering if I can substitute the #3 rebar 16″ O.C. for fiber concrete with a higher PSI rated mix for the 6″ cement floor? If so, would I be able to get a letter from your engineer stating […]

POLE BARN HOUSE ROOF STYLES: WHICH ONE IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU?  Revisiting a guest blog: Today’s guest blogger is John Hamlin, an industrial manufacturing writer with a passion for technology. Having a background in construction and a keen interest in engineering, John has slowly made his way into becoming a major contributor to […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about how to best seal gaps at wall tops and a roll-up coil door, creating a moisture problem, and advice for girts, columns, and wiring. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What can I do to seal these gaps? We live in the garage and it’s getting cold […]

Post Frame Building Doors – Coil or Sectional? In my 40 plus years of post frame buildings, I have provided tens of thousands of overhead steel sectional doors and not so many coil roll-up doors. Where we park our vehicles is pretty darn importantish for us Americans. Our garages and shops serve as a unique […]

Bugged By Bugs Reader FRANK in ARVA, ONTARIO writes: “I am actually in Ontario. How to keep bugs from getting behind the steel wall siding voids in the area left behind where the ribs are? Interior is finished with vapor barrier/batt insulation/osb. Exterior has steel “barn” siding and Tyvek wrap underneath. Z flash at bottom […]

Today’s “Ask the Guru” answers reader questions about adding a vapor barrier between a ceiling and attic, adding a pole barn to a manufactured home, and how many bedrooms can fit into a barndominium. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, my concern/ question is vapor barrier between my steel ceiling and attic before insulation “fiberglass”. I […]

Tight-grained Wood is More Resistant to Premature Decay When Hansen Pole Buildings changed our business model in early 2024 to provide lumber from our wholesale distribution center, rather than outsourcing, it caused some unanticipated side benefits. Amongst our decisions was what to do about wind resisting, roof supporting columns. Previously, we had been at a […]

Post Frame Barndo-castle? Reader STEVE in MILWAUKEE writes: “I think it would be neat to have 4 rectangular structures placed such that each is the side of a larger square, so that there is a courtyard in the middle of it. I see plans that show 2 structures in an L or 3 structures in […]

Today’s “Ask the Guru” tackles reader questions about erecting a kit on a basement foundation, how to find and repair a leaky roof, and some advice on raising bays to add height to a structure. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Is it possible to erect one of the pole barn kits on a basement foundation? LUCAS […]

Reason You Go With Engineered Prints Yes, I know some of you gentle readers are offended by my harping on how important it is to build only from site specific fully engineered plans. Well, here is a case study. Reader AARON in CARBON HILL writes: “Reason you go with engineering prints. My contractor said it’s […]

Thinking Stick Frame Rather Than Post Frame Reader BRAD writes:“Real question…I’ve been doing lots of reading and love this site. I am building a 40x60x14 this spring. I originally thought I was going to go pole barn and now I am thinking stick frame. Reason….1. I am going to have insulated concrete foundation with in […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about a village or township requiring you to put a full foundation in for a pole building, whether a pole building is “hurricane proof,” and the potential use of drill-set brackets to set 6×6 columns on an existing slab with thickened edge. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: […]

Understanding Steel Roofing and Siding Load Tables Posted by McElroy Metal ● Aug 15, 2024 8:00 AM Understanding Load Tables can feel complicated, especially if you’re not an engineer, but knowing the basics can help you make informed decisions about your building projects. Here, we’ll break down the key elements of load tables and clarify […]

Attic Ventilation – Where Hindsight is Always 20-20 Reader CHRIS in TULSA writes: “Hello! I have a question about attic venting that I’m just not experienced enough to answer properly. I have a new 24’x’40’x12′ post frame building I’m currently working on finishing out (fiberglass insulation, walls, ceiling, etc.). My hindsight was bad and I […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the need for a vapor barrier, the longevity of properly treated posts, and the better spray foam between open and closed cell. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello Sir, hoping you can help answer a question I cannot get a straight answer on. Currently building a […]

My good friend John used to own (among other things) Heartland Permacolumn. Six years ago, I borrowed this from his website: “Perma-Column products give you the ultimate price advantage. You simply cannot put up a building on a concrete foundation for less money.” Yet some may say, “They’re too expensive…” HOWEVER, the only people who ever […]

Pole Barn Plans With Clerestory Roofs Reader BRENT in HUNTSVILLE writes: “Do you have any plans for pole barns with a Celestial Shed Roof? It seems like a great way to allow natural light into the building while being an aesthetic design.” By coincidence, I have a son named Brent! In architecture, a clerestory is […]