How to Properly Insulate between Roof Purlins

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/02/2025
How to Properly Insulate between Roof Purlins

How to Properly Insulate Between Roof Purlins Efficient climate control is becoming the buzz term for post frame construction. A challenge occurs when clients look to insulate between their roof purlins. Reader JOHN in COVINGTON writes: “I am building an all wood pole building. The purlins are 2x8s. I want to insulate the walls and […]

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Attic Space, Cost Effective Size, and Column Sizing

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/01/2025
Attic Space, Cost Effective Size, and Column Sizing

This week the Pole barn Guru answers reader questions regarding a 6ft attic space over a 30×44 pole barn, the most “cost effective” method to build, and the point at which a post increased from a 6×6 to a 6×8. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We want a decent-height (a bit over 6ft) attic space in […]

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Change Orders in Contracts

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/30/2025
Change Orders in Contracts

Disclaimer – this and subsequent articles on this subject are not intended to be legal advice, merely an example for discussions between you and your legal advisor. Please keep in mind, many of these terms are applicable towards post frame building kits and would require edits for cases where a builder is providing erection services […]

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Heave Ho

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/25/2025
Heave Ho

Heave Ho Reader TIM in HUNTER writes: “I have a pole building, dirt floor no concrete that has heaved up in one corner about 12 inches. I think the builder put Quick Crete in the hole of each posts. I realize it is caused by frost. The frost free hydrant located near the corner has […]

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A Stick Built 2nd Floor, Steel Profiles & Gauges, and Heating an Old Metal Garage

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the possibility of adding a stick built 2nd floor to a post frame structure, the what profile and gauge steel is available for metal roofing and siding, and if an old metal garage can be moderately heated. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My 20×24 will have […]

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Effects of High Temperature on Glulaminated Columns

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/23/2025
Effects of High Temperature on Glulaminated Columns

Effects of High Temperature on Glulaminated Columns Long time readers have gotten accustomed to all sorts of interesting questions posed by Hansen Pole Buildings’ clients. Building Designer Rachel had a brand new one come up just this week: ”But what you don’t address, and what would be needed to convince me, are glue statistics. Humans […]

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HELP I Didn’t Do Enough Research on Deflection

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/18/2025
HELP I Didn’t Do Enough Research on Deflection

HELP I Didn’t Do Enough Research Reader JORDAN writes: “Unfortunately I didn’t do enough research before building a post frame building. I’m running into a lot of deflection on the gable end of a 48x72x16’ high building. I made my own laminated columns out of 4 ply 2×6 southern yellow pine and liquid nails. Unfortunately […]

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Perma-Columns, Posts, Trusses and Purlins, and Mono Truss Roof Venting

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the value of Perma-Columns, setting of posts, trusses and purlins, and the proper way to vent a mono-truss lean-to roof. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Are perma columns worth it? JOHN in TRUMANSBURG DEAR JOHN: When I built my own 8000 square foot finished post-frame barndominium, […]

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Understanding How to Size Rafters

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/16/2025
Understanding How to Size Rafters

Understanding How to Size Rafters Reader ANDY in SHELBYVILLE writes: “I’m looking for an explanation on how to size a rafter on the side of an existing pole barn. The lean-to will be 12′ wide, 80′ long, ~10 height on the inside, pole barn post are 8′ spacing. I was planning on using 2×4 on […]

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Pouring Wet Set Bracket Piers

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/11/2025
Pouring Wet Set Bracket Piers

Pouring Wet Set Bracket Piers Reader SEAN in ANACORTES writes: “Hello, I am getting ready to pour concrete columns and set Perma-column brackets, and want to then set my posts so as to build first, then set the wire mesh, run my radiant tubing and then pour the slab for the home after I set […]

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Columns in Clay Soil, a Maintenance Facility, and Post Rot

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/10/2025
Columns in Clay Soil, a Maintenance Facility, and Post Rot

This week readers “Ask the Guru” to answer questions about setting columns on clay soil that has been saturated, a quote request for a maintenance facility, and protecting posts from rot. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, I am building a pole barn for cattle in the north TX area ( primarily clay soil). I have […]

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Can’t Afford a Backyard Guesthouse? Think Again

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/09/2025
Can’t Afford a Backyard Guesthouse? Think Again

Can’t Afford a Backyard Guesthouse?  Who wouldn’t want a backyard guesthouse and the endless possibilities it offers? You could use your guesthouse to host friends from out of town or house parents or in-laws. You could earn some extra income by renting out your guesthouse on Homeaway or Airbnb, or you could use it as […]

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Calculating Stairs Rise and Run

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/04/2025
Calculating Stairs Rise and Run

What is Wrong With this Picture? Stairs, they seem to confound and befuddle just about everyone. In my early years as Sales Manager at Coeur d’Alene Truss, I used to volunteer to go measure houses up to confirm plan dimensions would match up with what was actually being built. Usually yes, but on occasion – […]

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Loft Storage Solutions, Insulation, and Home Insurance?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/03/2025
Loft Storage Solutions, Insulation, and Home Insurance?

This week readers “ask the Guru” about loft storage above a garage, condensation control, and home insurance. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I like the idea of a 2-stall garage with second level for storage. Is a second level storage area more economical than increasing the square footage of the building? Lot less concrete. JOEL in […]

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Don’t Want Pressure Treated Columns in the Ground?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/02/2025
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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Engineering Your Pole Building for Free

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/28/2025
Engineering Your Pole Building for Free

Please Let Me Engineer Your Post Frame Building For Free Because I am not a Registered Design Professional, I can’t engineer your new post frame building for you. And, if I was, I most certainly would not be doing it for free. Typically an engineer should be compensated somewhere in the area of 8 to […]

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Laminating 3 Trusses, a Quote on a Building Kit, and to Float Posts

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/27/2025
Laminating 3 Trusses, a Quote on a Building Kit, and to Float Posts

This Wednesday readers “ask the Guru” about the loads a 60ft three-ply truss could hold sitting on the ground, a quote on a new building kit, and to “float” posts when installing columns for a post frame building. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: By laminating 3 trusses together how much weight would it hold 60 ft […]

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Must Do’s for a Worry Free Barndominium

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/26/2025
Must Do’s for a Worry Free Barndominium

My Facebook friend RICK in MALDEN messaged me: “I have never built a building like this. I have seen many bad experiences with concrete, poor quality metal work and many more issues. I would just like to know if there is a list of things to make sure I get a quality home. I saw […]

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Overhead Door Opening Dimensions

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/21/2025
Overhead Door Opening Dimensions

Overhead Door Opening Dimensions I have probably been involved directly with somewhere around 50,000 sectional steel overhead doors in my career. One thing in common about all of these doors, they all require an opening. In my (and most door installers) ideal dream world, every overhead door opening is perfectly plumb on each side as […]

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Compacted Gravel, Humidity Issues, and Wall Gaps

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/20/2025
Compacted Gravel, Humidity Issues, and Wall Gaps

This week readers “Ask the Guru” about the typical amount of compacted gravel in a pole barn, humidity in a metal shed with spray foam, and a wall to ceiling gap recommendation. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: How much is the typical amount of compacted gravel in a pole barn structure? My objective is to park […]

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Help, I am Going Crazy! Building a Pole Barn House

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/19/2025
Help, I am Going Crazy! Building a Pole Barn House

Help, I am Going Crazy! Reader DIRK in SPANISH FORK writes: “I am planning to build a pole barn house. I get so confused with the different methods of doing things and the pros and cons of each. I plan to pour concrete piers with a post bracket. Not sure if a 6×6 post or […]

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The Dual Splash Plank Dilemma

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/14/2025
The Dual Splash Plank Dilemma

The Dual Splash Plank Dilemma I’ve never been a fan of stacking splash planks. Even when they are center matched (think tongue and grooved) the two boards never seem to want to bend, twist, warp and/or cup the same direction leading to gaps. Gaps which lead to water getting through and spoiling an otherwise fun place […]

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Filling Gaps, Insulation Advice, and Use of Housewrap

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/13/2025
Filling Gaps, Insulation Advice, and Use of Housewrap

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about filling some gaps in between concrete and columns, best insulation for a wall cavity and ceiling, and the best use of housewarp with 24″ spaced girts with insulation between. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hey boss! I have very recently purchased a home and it came […]

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Concern about a Grade Change and Column Length

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/12/2025
Concern about a Grade Change and Column Length

Concern about a Grade Change and Column Length DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I ordered a pole barn materials kit and received my designed plans  and the materials list. My concern is the posts are 14′ and will the length be sufficient for a 10′ eave height that is to be built on a site that […]

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How to Frame a Reverse Gable Porch

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/07/2025
How to Frame a Reverse Gable Porch

How to Frame a Reverse Gable Porch Reverse gable porches are an excellent way to protect any door from effects of weather – specifically rain and snow. I personally feel they are an underutilized great feature. For more reading about reverse gable porches: http://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2015/07/reverse-gable-porch/. Today’s article has been sparked by reader DARRELL in ATLANTA who […]

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