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 […]

Humidity Levels Within Pole Barn Walls Reader MICHAEL writes: “I have a 36X 48X 12 pole barn that I spent a lot of time insulating an air ceiling and I have a six mil vapor barrier on the warm side I was curious how much humidity wise is breathing from the outside in to the […]

Hansen Building has seen a recent uptick in structure over crawl spaces and thought it would be wise to revisit this guest blog post. 11 Reasons Why Barndominium Crawl Space Encapsulation is Important Today’s Guest Contributor is Joseph Bryson. Joseph was born in Alberta, raised in NYC and is living in New Zealand. He has […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the type of foundation and uplift requirements there is for and RV cover and “what not,” building a home on a stem wall or with crawl space, and pluming for a building built on slab. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: For a 24 x40 x12 pole […]

Insulating Pole Barn Scissor Trusses Reader ROB in OAK HARBOR writes: “What is the best way to insulate the ceiling/attic of a pole barn with scissor trusses? There is a approximate 4 to 6 foot gap between the underneath side of the roof deck and the peak of the scissor truss. On the wall ends […]

Insulating Between Post Frame Building Purlins Reader JUSTIN in Chelan writes: “Hello, you have a lot of amazing advice, but no answers that seem to address my building exactly. I had a 24x40x16 put up last year, it has the R6.5 roll insulation blanketing the walls and ceiling with the metal sandwiching the insulation over […]

This Week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about a two-car garage with a loft for office space, a non-insulated, cold storage loft, and wall insulation solutions. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello. Wanting to build a two car garage with loft that I could use as my office. Would like this adjacent to my […]

Insulating and Sheeting Interior of a Pole Barn STEVE in EDEN writes: “We have four seasons with temps getting below freezing in the winter and up to 90 in the summer, with average humidity of 70% and 20%, respectively. I have a pole barn with metal skin. The ceiling or inside of roof is insulated […]

Every few years it seems there arises a need for young (remember I am only 60+ years young) men to head into forests and become loggers. I have been there personally – there is just something manly about hacking down some snags with a chain saw! Myself, there is a sudden rush when a tree […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the availability of a tool for installation of vinyl backed insulation, pouring concrete prior to use of brackets and the limitations of “dry set” brackets, as well as setting vapor barrier once rebar hairpins have been installed. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Is there a tool […]

Moisture Buildup in Post Frame Walls Reader TOM in MONTROSE writes: “Hi, In the summer of 2025 I build a post frame building (40x72x16) located in MN, 8ft o.c. (on center) post spacing, trusses 4ft o.c. w/14 inch heal height, 24 inch overhangs (plenty of ventilation for the attic). I then placed vertical 2×6 studs […]

Remediating Pole Barn Sliding Door Frost Heaves Reader MARK in MARINE ON ST. CROIX writes: “Poll barn door two 12 foot slider’s how to prevent frost heave s can’t open or close do I dig out under them and pour concrete or put 2 inch styrofoam any ideas?” Harris Hyman, P.E. wrote this in a […]

This week clients “Ask the Guru” advice on adding a 16×16 post frame on to an existing structure, if Hansen can design for a 180mph wind load, and advice on ceiling insulation. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I live in a tiny house and would like more space. Adding on a 16 x 16 foot room […]

Waste Planning Considerations During Post-Frame Building Site Preparation and Construction Post-frame building projects are often viewed as operationally efficient by design. Reduced foundation requirements, streamlined framing, and flexible layouts make them attractive across agricultural, commercial, and light industrial uses. However, waste planning during site preparation and construction is frequently underestimated, even though it plays a […]

Do Screws Back Out of Steel Roofing? I had a question posed of me recently which included: “Where will the water go when the screws back out of my steel roofing”? While I answered the question at hand, I didn’t actually get into the why this might happen, or the solutions. How to avoid the […]

This Wednesday readers “ask the Guru” for advise regarding the adequacy of ceiling joists and hangers, if Hansen Buildings will “actually build the structure” you buy, and the use of I-beams for a raised wooden floor. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Good morning, I have been installing ceiling joists. I am using 2 x 6 SPF […]

Working With a Building Official for footing designs Long time readers have read me opine on how Building Officials are our friends: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/04/i-like-building-officials/ One of our clients recently received this email from his Building Official and shared it with me (red added by me): “The Town of xxxx stopped plan review on your project because […]

Where, Oh Where, Should My Purlins Go? There are almost as many methods for assembly of a post frame building, as there are post frame buildings! I kid you not. Amongst differences are how to space trusses – two, four, eight, 12 foot or numerous other possible centers. Along with different truss spacings are how […]

This week the Pole barn Guru answers reader questions about the use of closed cell spray foam on the roof line of a metal building, what materials are included in a Hansen Pole Building kit, and an inquiry about the types of structures Hansen Buildings will design, such as an apartment. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: […]

Pole Barns Verses Red Iron Steel Reader PAUL in GEORGETOWN writes: “What advantages or disadvantages are there between your pole barns versus the red iron steel barns? The end use is living space and shop.” Here are some thoughts comparing our fully engineered post frame buildings to red iron (PEMBs – Pre-engineered Metal Buildings): A […]

Concrete Slabs on Grade for Cold Climates My lovely bride and I have a shouse (shop/house) in Northeast South Dakota, where it can tend to get chilly in Winter. Reader TERRI in DULUTH is in a similar situation and writes: “What type of slab for cold climates do you recommend?” Well Terri, thank you for […]

This week the Pole Barn guru answers reader questions about an insulation retrofit for a 72×36 pole barn with no ridge or eave vents, if one can add soffit the an existing building with no overhangs, and if the Guru has any pricing knowledge for a fan and heater to hang from a ceiling. DEAR […]

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?” […]

Why Post-Frame Columns Need Adequate Footings Reader STEVE in GRANTS PASS writes: “Dear Pole Barn Guru, height of the post for my RV pole barn have moved. What is the best way to raise and support the header so that I can replace and or place concrete footings with Simpsons? Hopefully these are better pics. […]

Today’s “ask the Guru” answers reader questions about the “rat guard” around the perimeter of slab, if Hansen Pole Building erects structures in the Portland area, and if we provide aftermarket wainscotting for an existing building. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, I’m curious about the 2×8 “rat guard” around perimeter of slab. Is it OK […]