Does Concrete in Contact With Treated Pine Cause Premature Wood Decay? Four decades plus of post-frame (pole) buildings (roughly 20,000 of them) with no premature decay of a single properly pressure preservative treated wood post has led me to be a staunch support of columns embedded in ground. Actual scientific studies do seem to back […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru pricing of a pole barn with a link to a full blog regarding costs of various sizes, whether or not Hansen Buildings ships kits to Idaho- YES! and moisture control on a new post frame addition. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Quick question 30′ x 40/50′ x 14′ high Garage. […]

Properly Insulating Between Roof Purlins Reader SAM in MATTAWAN writes: “Hi, I have a wood framed pole barn that is fairly unique in design and doesn’t have any “attic” space. It’s very similar to what a steel building would be. There are 2×8 roof purlins to support OSB sheathing. My question is regarding ceiling/ roof […]

Lots of Bad Advice for Retrofitting Roof Insulation Reader DAVE in GALES CREEK writes: “I’m desperate, or I wouldn’t be bugging you with this. We have a 38×48 pole barn / shop with concrete pad that was on our property when we bought it. There are 4 sections between trusses, and one of those has […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru addresses reader questions about common gable post frame footings, weight limitations for a building delivery and the possible solutions, and what types of foundations Hansen Buildings can design for in Weld County Colorado. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What is a common gable post footing compared to a main truss […]

Best Residential Pole Barn Foundation with Clay Soil and High Water Table Reader BOB in MOUNT PLEASANT writes: “What would be the best type of pole barn foundation for ground that is primarily clay, and has a water table that is generally as shallow as 24″? We are looking to build a residential pole barn […]

How Far Can a 2×6 Purlin Span? Reader WILL in COMFORT writes: “How far can a 2×6 purlin on a 6:12 sloped roof span?” The following describes 2×6 SYP #2 purlins spanning a 14′ bay, with an on-center spacing of 24″ (sf). Purlins are recessed between rafters with their top edges flush with rafter top edges. […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about providing a 20x40x10 pavilion for a scout camp in Florida, what sort of financing options Hansen is able to provide, and how much land or lot size might be needed to build a pole building. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We need a 20 x 40x […]

How to Cut Shed Rafters Reader MICHAEL in MILACA writes: “Building a Loafing type pole shed, I have a question how to cut the rafters? I am building a 24 x90 loafing shed and I am using a 1-3/4″ x 24″ wide x 28 foot long LVL for the rafters. I do I figure the […]

Knee Braces in Post-Frame Buildings With Diaphragm-Action Design Long time readers will recall several articles by me in regards to knee bracing, including this one: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/01/post-frame-construction-knee-braces/ May 2023’s Frame Builder magazine (official NFBA magazine) published an article by Dimitry Reznik, P.E. and Dr. Kifle Gebremedhin specifically regarding knee braces in post-frame buildings with diaphragm action […]

This week Mike the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about replacing roofing with clip-lock standing seam and what the PBG recommends in the scenario, creating a wood shop in an existing structure and wondering if ceiling weight can be held, the possibility of removing knee braces in order to install a ceiling. DEAR POLE […]

How to Vent Attic Below a Lean-To Porch Long time reader JON in SPRINGDALE writes: “Hi Mike, long time reader. Thanks for the info you provide. These questions come from your home town area. I was talking to my local building department and attic ventilation came up. He said that using a ridge vent and […]

How to Frame an Overhead Door Opening Reader DAVID in SPURGEON asks: “How to frame in an opening for a 10 foot by 10 foot overhead door?” This except from Hansen Pole Buildings’ Construction Manual should get you going: Chapter 24: Overhead Door Openings Most Common Mistakes: Column(s) next to door turned the wrong direction. […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru tackles reader questions about termites that can destroy treated lumber in an area wind 80mph winds, if one can install a roof with hidden fasteners over trusses or if it needs an underlayment, and the possibility of modifying a truss chord in order to accommodate a overhead door operator. […]

How to Prevent Existing 6×6 to Prevent Future Settling and Rotting Reader BARRY in FREDERICKTOWN writes: “I recently acquired some property with an existing pole barn “house” on it. It is an unfinished 20’x30′ room with corrugated steel siding, a trussed, steel covered roof and several doors and windows. It was built with a raised […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the possibility of a 100′ x 100′ pole building, the consideration of switching from asphalt shingles to steel roofing, and if one can reuse the “double-bubble” when replacing roof steel. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Can I build a 100 ft X 100 ft. pole building? […]

Does 24 Gauge Steel Make Sense? Reader TED in INDIANAPOLIS writes: “In terms of longevity, long term resistance to weather damage and price difference, does a painted AZ50 galvalume R-panel with PBR-leg in 24 gauge (min. .0239″) make more sense than a 26 gauge panel?” Mike the Pole Barn Guru answers: In all reality, even […]

Here are some common first-time homebuyer programs: Down Payment Assistance Programs: These programs offer financial assistance to cover a down payment portion required to build a home. Down payments are typically a significant barrier for many first-time buyers, and these programs help reduce upfront costs, making homeownership more achievable. Low-Interest Mortgage Loans: First-time homebuyers may be eligible […]

Today’s Ask the Guru takes on reader questions about adding a slab to a pole barn with a dirt floor, and how that might transfer pressure to the columns, whether or not Hansen Buildings packages meet “2018 International Building Code and all codes adopted by Pennsylvania for commercial construction,” and landowners looking to get started […]

Tax Credits for New Post Frame Homes and Barndominiums For aspiring homeowners, building a new home is an exciting venture. Besides creating your ideal dream home, there’s now an added incentive for those planning to embark on new home construction in 2023 and 2024. There are tax credits and tax breaks able to significantly reduce […]

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 […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about guidance of adding to an existing structure, the practical use of light steel trusses for a pole barn home, what components are included in a Hansen Pole Building kit. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: If purchasing a kit from Hansen with installation instructions. Assuming it’s a […]

Kind Words and Questions From a Future Client Reader and future client CHRISTINA in HAWLEY writes: “Firstly, I’m not going to lie. It was YOU (Guru) that kept me more interested in doing business with your company than with others. Even more so than Pioneer Pole Barns here by me and that’s who everyone goes […]

Bracing Site-Built Trusses For Lateral Loads Reader in SHINER writes: “I am building a gambrel style barn, 30×80, in two directions, in plan view, it looks like a cross. I am building the trusses based on an LSU publication, giving sizes of structural members, etc… I have built several structures before, not a gambrel style […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about eave light panel replacement for panels used for solar warming, base drip edge height related to concrete height, and drawing for two-hour fire wall design. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a south wall on shed built 40 years ago which was set up for […]