Innovations and Applications of FEVE Coatings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/08/2025
Innovations and Applications of FEVE Coatings

Innovations and Applications of FEVE Coatings Advancements in Coating Technologies In the business of metal building products, coating and paint performance is a critical factor and major paint manufacturers have continued to innovate their technology for enhanced performance against both immediate damage and long-term weathering. Despite many industry improvements to modified polyester paint systems, Fluoropolymer […]

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Fire Rate Spray Foam, Help Setting Poles, and a Riding Arena

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/07/2025
Fire Rate Spray Foam, Help Setting Poles, and a Riding Arena

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about code requirements for fire rated spray foam in enclosed parking structures, a request for assistance to set poles, and a question about the clear span of a riding arena. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Trying to find the NFPA code or Building code requirements for having […]

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Barndominium Electrical Outlets

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/06/2025
Barndominium Electrical Outlets

Barndominium Electrical Outlets No matter how many electrical outlets I plan for, it feels as if there were never enough where I really need them. There are some basic minimum rules, however when planning your barndominium or shop/house – think about places you might need more than these requirements. It is much easier to have […]

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Proper Screw Location for Post Frame Steel Cladding

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/01/2025
Proper Screw Location for Post Frame Steel Cladding

Proper Screw Location for Post Frame Steel Cladding It was a pleasant October evening back in 1985 in Blacksburg, Virginia. My friend Dr. Frank Woeste was then a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences professor at Virginia Tech (officially Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) and he had invited me to teach one of his […]

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Drill Through Poles, Basements in Post Frame, and Building Space

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/30/2025
Drill Through Poles, Basements in Post Frame, and Building Space

This week readers “Ask the Guru” about whether or not it is ok to drill thru poles to run wiring, the ability to build a post frame structure over a basement with a poured foundation, and how much space do I need for my pole building? DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a post frame […]

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When is Too Small for a Pole Barn?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/29/2025
When is Too Small for a Pole Barn?

Reader JENNIFER from CANON CITY writes: “Is there such a thing as too small of a pole barn to build? I am wanting a shed/hobby space with enough height to make a loft in the future. Due to setbacks and sewer lines, I can only do a 12’X26′ building. Plans for pole barns begin at […]

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How Is This Roof Truss Scenario Realistic?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/24/2025
How Is This Roof Truss Scenario Realistic?

How Is This Roof Truss Scenario Realistic? Reader STEPHEN in ONTARIO writes: “How is it possible realistic for roof trusses every eight feet apart in the post slot and tied together with 2×4 perlins 2′ apart to hold the Snow load here they say is 45 pounds per square foot. I totaled the weight to […]

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Asymmetrical Truss Configurations, Wall Framing, and Snow Loads

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/23/2025
Asymmetrical Truss Configurations, Wall Framing, and Snow Loads

This week readers “Ask the Guru” about the possibility of designing an asymmetrical truss configuration, how to frame the exterior wall to the upstairs floor, and what the snow load of “these pole barns” is. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Can I design an asymmetrical truss configuration? We need a small stand on one side with […]

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When a F1 Tornado Hits Your Brand New Post Frame Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/22/2025
When a F1 Tornado Hits Your Brand New Post Frame Building

When a F1 Tornado Hits Your Brand New Post Frame Building Disclaimer – this is NOT a Hansen Pole Building Nice new post frame building 26’ x 56’ finished on a Tuesday Following day, same building is hit with an F1 tornado, with wind speeds measured at 104 mph (top end of F1 is 112 […]

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You Too Can Successfully DIY Your Pole Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/17/2025
You Too Can Successfully DIY Your Pole Building

You Too Can Successfully DIY Your Pole Building Loyal reader STEVE in DULUTH writes: “Just note to say I’m appreciative of the knowledge here at Hansen Pole Buildings and a shout out to the Pole Barn Guru! I’ve gleaned a ton of information and tips to assist in constructing my 40X60X16 DIY post frame after […]

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Barndominium on a Crawlspace, Posts on Concrete, and Rafters

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/16/2025
Barndominium on a Crawlspace, Posts on Concrete, and Rafters

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about building a Barndominium on a crawlspace, the ability to install columns on concrete or a pylon, and the use of rafters for an open ceiling. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am in the planning stages for a 30×48 Barndominium. I would like to put the […]

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Insulating My Bubble Wrapped Metal Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/15/2025
Insulating My Bubble Wrapped Metal Barn

Insulating My Bubble Wrapped Metal Barn Reader DURIN in WESTERN NEW YORK writes: “So glad I could see your site. So many different opinions. If I could explain my situation below. I have a 40 x 80 x18 metal barn. It was built by the Amish. It has a 6 inch slab of concrete a […]

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Can Wall Girts Be Installed Before Trusses?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/10/2025
Can Wall Girts Be Installed Before Trusses?

Can Wall Girts Be Installed Before The Trusses? In my travels over the years I have seen more than a few post frame buildings under construction. When I find one being constructed by a building contractor, if the wall girts are installed before the roof, it is an immediate giveaway to the builder having been […]

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Insulation for Existing Building, Screws to Replace Nails, and Rusted Steel

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about insulating a metal post frame garage in Florida with vented soffits and peak, replacing nails with EPDM gasketed screws on an existing structure, and ideas to replace rusted steel on the lower 3′ of a structure. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a metal post […]

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Shop Insulation

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/08/2025
Shop Insulation

I really enjoy the Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designers. They honestly want to know, and in our industry there is a lot to know. A typical day for a Building Designer can run the gamut from the farm, to the office, home or the store as well as enjoying clients from everywhere in the country. Building […]

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Modern Post Frame Buildings and Geothermal

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/03/2025
Modern Post Frame Buildings and Geothermal

Modern Post Frame Buildings and Geothermal–  Over the past few years, there has been a trend towards building modern climate controlled post frame buildings for homes and commercial use, but the HVAC Systems in these buildings remains outdated. Most climate controlled post frame buildings are still being built with inefficient gas or propane furnaces, coupled […]

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Post Replacement, Truss Winches, and OSB to Roof

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/02/2025
Post Replacement, Truss Winches, and OSB to Roof

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the ability to replace posts damaged by termites, DIY truss winches, and adding OSB to a metal roof. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We purchased property about 24 years ago with an existing Morton Barn. About 10 years ago we had an invasion of termites that […]

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Minimum Design Loads and Risk

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/01/2025
Minimum Design Loads and Risk

Minimum Design Loads and Risk Model Building Codes, such as IBC (International Building Code), offer minimum design loads for climactic forces such as snow and wind. As building permit issuing agencies adopt codes, within their scope they can establish minimum values for their particular jurisdiction. Key word here “minimum” – least values a building may […]

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An Open Endwall, “Level Columns,” and Purlin Spacing

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/27/2025
An Open Endwall, “Level Columns,” and Purlin Spacing

Today’s blog is a bonus “ask the Guru” that answers reader questions about a design for an open gable endwall and how to address load transfer, “level” columns and NFBA tolerances for post frame construction, and how to measure for purlin spacing. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I want to build a 24′ wide by 48″ […]

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Vapor Barrier, Gothic Arch Truss Design, and a Lean-To Addition

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/26/2025
Vapor Barrier, Gothic Arch Truss Design, and a Lean-To Addition

This week the Pole Barn Guru addresses the need for a vapor barrier as well as some framing recommendations in a future build, the possibility of a Gothic Arch truss design with glulaminated columns, and the addition of a “lean-to” to a 2016 Hansen Building.  DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello Mike, Our monitor style home […]

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Repair Knee Bracing, Notching Trusses, and Floor Rebuilding

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/25/2025
Repair Knee Bracing, Notching Trusses, and Floor Rebuilding

Today’s blog is a Bonus “ask the Guru” answering reader questions about repair of knee bracing to existing truss system, notching a double truss into a 3 ply glulaminated column for full bearing, and rebuilding the floor structure of an almost 100-year-old bank barn. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Greetings All-Omnipotent Pole Barn One! We humbly […]

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Don’t Want Pressure Treated Columns in the Ground?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/20/2025
Don’t Want Pressure Treated Columns in the Ground?

Loyal reader GREG in KENTWOOD writes: “We plan to build a house next summer with basically (2) – 40’x60’ units connected at 90°, wife is still in the planning stage, 2 story.  I feel that me and my sons should be able to erect a kit with directions from the supplier and tips.   I like […]

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Insulation in Massachusetts, Code Restrictions in MN, and Insulation for In-Floor Heated Building

This Wednesday the Pole barn Guru answers reader questions about the best options for insulating a 24×30 pole barn, potential code restrictions in Victoria, MN, and Insulating a building with radiant floor heating. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, I want to insulate my 24’x30′ pole barn located in Massachusetts. I will heat it only occasionally. […]

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Snow Inside of Entry Door

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/18/2025
Snow Inside of Entry Door

Snow Inside of Entry Door I recently received a message from my Facebook friend Joe, he writes: “Hey buddy, I have tried to get some kind of help from my builder and they’ve been less than stellar. 80k later and when it snows, I get snow inside my building next to the man door. How […]

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Bonus Ask the Guru: Repeat Client, Wet-Set Brackets, and Knee Braces

Today’s blog is a bonus Ask the Guru, where the PBG answers reader questions from a repeat client about converting a stick frame plan to post and beam, a multiple tenant building built on a ledge site using wet-set brackets, and the need for knee braces on a “stick built pole barn.” DEAR POLE BARN […]

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