Footers, Building Over Old Pool, and Home Made Glu-Lams

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/27/2020
Footers, Building Over Old Pool, and Home Made Glu-Lams

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about need for a “footer,” building over an old pool, and the efficacy or viability of building ones own glulaminated posts. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: You have most likely answered this question before. I don’t seem to be able to find it. I am thinking about building a […]

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Wood Truss Span

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/24/2020
Wood Truss Span

How Far Could a Wood Truss Span if a Wood Truss Could Span With Wood? Yes I had a great deal of fun making this title fit, but it is Saturday afternoon and Saturdays are my relaxing day – I sleep in past 6:30, take my time getting to work (usually takes several hours on […]

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Post Frame Purlin Blocking

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/23/2020
Post Frame Purlin Blocking

Every time I begin to rest on my laurels and think I have covered all post frame (pole barn) building basics up jumps yet another one to bite me where I deserve to be bitten due to my overlooking it. Our independent drafting team at Hansen Pole Buildings (thanks Kristie) came up with this question […]

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End Truss Overhang Dilemma

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/22/2020
End Truss Overhang Dilemma

Reader ANDY in HAYDEN has an end overhang challenge. He writes: “Hello Mr Guru. I’m building a 30x40x12 post frame with 18″ eaves. My trusses builder doesn’t build drop cord ag trusses for my gable over hangs. I was advised to lower the gable truss on the corner post to allow room for my on […]

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A Model Post Frame Building

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/21/2020
A Model Post Frame Building

Reader JEFF writes: “I read the blog, even the comments, for about 3 hours in total now- and the writer sure has some good things to say (and imo is usually on the correct side of the flame wars, from a layman-to-pole-buildings but PhD chemical engineers’ perspective). I’ve been involved in spec’ing out details of […]

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Raised Floor Over Crawl Space, Engineered Plans, and a Pool House

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about a raised floor over a crawl space, purchase of engineer sealed plans, and moisture issues in an above ground pool house. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Appreciate all the information on your website very awesome it’s a lot to take in we are thinking of building a […]

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Pole Building Layout for Drilling Holes

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/17/2020
Pole Building Layout for Drilling Holes

Building Layout for Drilling Holes Reader ROGER in LISBON asks: “What is fastest way to layout a building for drilling holes?” From Hansen Pole Buildings’ Construction Manual: Building Layout The building layout establishes exact reference lines and elevations. Care in layout makes construction easier and helps keep building square.  REMINDER:  Building width and length are […]

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See the Pretty External Wall Girts?

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/16/2020
See the Pretty External Wall Girts?

See the Pretty External Wall Girts? Readers of my latest two episodes are probably beginning to feel familiar with this commercial post frame building. As well as its challenges. I will first point out something in this photo I find to be odd, although not (surprisingly) necessarily a structural deficiency. Outside board on this building’s […]

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Another Post Frame Builder Blunder

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/15/2020
Another Post Frame Builder Blunder

Another Post Frame Builder Blunder In our last exciting installment of “As The Builder Burns” I shared a photo of a prefabricated end truss deeply in need of a sky hook in order to remain suspended in space. Today, it gets even better, with this very same builder showing off his ability to pretty well […]

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Commercial Post Frame Building Blunder

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/14/2020
Commercial Post Frame Building Blunder

Commercial Post Frame Building Blunder My Facebook friend Dan recently commented upon this article https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2020/03/there-is-a-right-way-and-this-way/ wanting to know if I could show some other building blunders. Yes Dan, I can. As Technical Director for Hansen Pole Buildings since 2002, I have gotten to assist a few DIYers and post frame builders with their building questions. […]

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How Roof is Done, “Logs” for Kits, and Two-Story “Shoffice”(?)

This Monday, Mike the Pole Barn Guru discusses the ins and outs of a roof, lumber provided with the Kit, and if we can offer a two story shed/office (“Shoffice”?). DEAR POLE BARN GURU: How is the roof done? Do you use screws or nails? Is the frame wood or steel? MARY in MT. PLEASANT […]

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See Those Pretty Chalk Lines – Forever

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/10/2020
See Those Pretty Chalk Lines – Forever

See Those Pretty Chalk Lines – Forever Disclaimer – not a photo of a Hansen Pole Building As kids, we grew up as the last house before the street surface changed from asphalt paving to dirt. Unlike today’s children, whose parents can buy “sidewalk chalk” in a myriad of colors, we improvised. Whenever a new […]

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Creating Extra Work in Barndominium Framing

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/09/2020
Creating Extra Work in Barndominium Framing

Creating Extra Work In Barndominium Framing A supposed downside of post frame (pole barn) buildings for barndominiums is having to frame a wall inside of an exterior wall in order to create an insulation cavity and a way to support interior finishes. This myth is created and propagated by post frame kit suppliers and post […]

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A Miracle Cure to Prevent Twisted Timber Columns

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/08/2020
A Miracle Cure to Prevent Twisted Timber Columns

A Miracle Cure to Prevent Twisted Timber Columns In 1960 Chubby Checker did a cover of Hank Ballard and the Midnighters 1959 song “The Twist”. Checker’s cover reached Number One on Billboard’s Hot 100 both in 1960 and again in 1962, becoming the only single to reach number one in two different chart runs. While […]

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Full View Overhead Doors

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/07/2020
Full View Overhead Doors

Full View Aluminum Sectional Barndominium Overhead Doors Sleek, modern building designs are becoming increasingly popular with architects, builders, and homeowners alike.  For barndominiums, shouses and post frame homes, sometimes a steel overhead door doesn’t have a just right “look.”  Hansen Pole Buildings offers a line of Aluminum Full View Amarr doors with multiple options, including […]

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Upstairs Conversion, Building Plans, and Basic Buildings

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/06/2020
Upstairs Conversion, Building Plans, and Basic Buildings

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about converting an upstairs space in a pole barn to a living space, Plans only packages, and a basic building kit. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a 30×30 pole barn with upstairs 2 story shingle roof. Want to convert it to a living space for my […]

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Spray Foam Insulation and Steel Roofing and Siding

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/03/2020
Spray Foam Insulation and Steel Roofing and Siding

Spray Foam Insulation and Steel Roofing and Siding  Energy efficiency is a hot (pun intended) for steel roofed and/or sided post frame buildings, especially with a rise in popularity of barndominiums and shouses. Spray foam insulation systems have been a product of choice to achieve highly efficient building envelopes. Of course with this, have come […]

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Insulating an Existing Post Frame Building Attic

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/02/2020
Insulating an Existing Post Frame Building Attic

We are in an era where climate control of brand new post frame buildings is extremely common. It is also much easier to insulate (or plan for it) at time of construction, rather than having to go back and do it afterwards.  For new post frame buildings, here is my Ultimate Guide to Post Frame […]

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Hi, I Should be an Engineer

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/01/2020
Hi, I Should be an Engineer

Hi, I Should Be an Engineer. Can You Tell Me What I Left Out? Seemingly every Spring I receive an email similar to this one from JOHN in UNION DALE, who it sadly appears has not done much (if any) homework in reading my articles. JOHN writes: “ Hi, I have been doing a couple […]

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Percentage of Price Difference by Building Profile

Posted by polebarnguru on 03/31/2020
Percentage of Price Difference by Building Profile

This ended up being an interesting exercise and it yielded results pretty much as I had expected. Reader RON in MONROE writes: “Can you tell me the approximate percentage difference in pricing or cost of the different building styles? I know this will vary according to the size of the building, etc., so let’s pick […]

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Two Story House, Car Storage, and a Post Frame Basement

Posted by polebarnguru on 03/30/2020
Two Story House, Car Storage, and a Post Frame Basement

Today’s Pole Barn Guru answers questions about building a two story pole barn house, condensation in a car storage building, and how to build a post frame house with a concrete basement. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We are wanting to build a 2 story pole barn house, it will have an upstairs loft. Would the […]

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Staging Deliveries for DIY Pole Buildings

Posted by polebarnguru on 03/27/2020
Staging Deliveries for DIY Pole Buildings

For those who are considering a Do It Yourself (DIY) post frame barndominium, shouse or just a good old barn – not everyone can work at it expediently, or rouse enough person power for a barn raising. There do exist some options. Reader LEE in LOUISIANA writes: “I am in the process of conceptual design […]

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Load Duration Factor in Wood Design

Posted by polebarnguru on 03/26/2020
Load Duration Factor in Wood Design

Load Duration Factor in Wood Design Considering a barndominium, shouse or other post frame (pole) building with wood framing? While this article is somewhat technical, you (as a future building owner) can use it to determine if who (builder or supplier) really knows what they are talking about when it comes to structural design. And […]

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Stilt Home Barndominium

Posted by polebarnguru on 03/25/2020
Stilt Home Barndominium

Stilt Home Barndominium For many challenging building sites (those with grade change, in flood zones or close to oceans or seas) stilt homes are a viable and practical design solution for barndominiums. Reader DAVID in EMINENCE writes: “We are planning to build in southern Missouri a 30′ x 36′ x10′ post frame home on a […]

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Meeting Barndominium Perimeter Slab Insulation Requirements

Meeting Barndominium Perimeter Slab Insulation Requirements Our world (at least my world) of post frame buildings has evolved quickly into residential construction of barndominiums, shouses (shop/houses) and post frame homes. Having built two shouses for myself, I have learned a lot about what to do and not to do, as well as receiving helpful contributions […]

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