What is a Degree Day? In an article penned a year ago (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2021/11/insulated-ceiling-vapor-barrier/), I referenced building scientist and founding principal of Building Science Corporation Joe Lstiburek. Joe stated, “Plastic vapor barriers should only be installed in vented attics in climates with more than 8,000 heating degree days.” However my bad was, I did not define […]

This week readers “Ask the Guru” about a Hansen Building using a Horton Stack Door, or a FoldTite Door in an ag building in Florida, if Hansen can design a lean-to addition, and if all buildings are designed with “treated steel.” DEAR POLE BARN GURU: 50′ w x 50′ d x 12′ h (possibility of […]

Air Spaces in Walls Reader GARY in HAMILTON writes: “My building is metal. I beams, 6 inch purlins and R panel exterior. I am going to finish the interior with sheet rock. 1. If I put up 2×4 stud wall plus a radiant sheet plus R-13 rock wool insulation. Do I need to be concerned […]

Re-roofing a 1960’s Pole Barn Reader JEFF in GRESHAM writes: “I have an older (built in the 60’s?) pole building that needs a new roof. It is a typical metal over 2×6 purlins (Purlins 2′ on center, trusses 12′ apart). Current roof is corrugated metal attached with ring shank nails with rubber washers and it leaks […]

This Wednesday readers “Ask the Guru” about “flashing tape” for a wall to roof transition, if a person could build an indoor skateboard training facility, and if Hansen has a catalog available. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am having a steel pole barn built. Where a vertical wall meets the roof, the builder completed both […]

Stud Walls Between Post-Frame Columns for Alternative Sidings? Reader JAKE brings up an interesting question: “Hello! I was looking at the blog for a question I had about wall girts for post frame buildings… I was wondering that if a form of siding is installed on the building other than sheet metal, needing wall sheathing, […]

Closed Cell Spray Foam Adhesion to Dis-similar Materials Reader GREG in ASHEVILLE writes: “How long will closed cell foam maintain adhesion/air barrier function to dis-similar materials (sheet metal and lumber in the case of post frame)? I ask because my experience with foam is limited to what was sprayed beneath my floor/floor joists (estimating late […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, I am going to tear down a 30x40x10 pole building to rebuild on my property. I noticed that the trusses are spaced 10 feet apart and are set on the 6×6 pole that has been notched. With no header board. This is an all metal building. Was wondering if this […]

Why Your New Barndominium Should Be Post Frame For those who follow me – you know I am all about people loving their end results. As long as one has a fully engineered building they love, I couldn’t be more pleased, regardless of the structural system. In My Humble Opinion – fully engineered post frame […]

Full Frost Wall Foundation? Reader AARON in ROSEVILLE writes: “Assuming (not yet verified) that I don’t need a full frost wall foundation for my barndo, wondering about the pros/cons for full frost wall vs pier footings in southern MN. Obviously there is the cost difference, but when it comes to building performance(in the winter), would […]

Following the severe weather of this morning (Monday June 29th) across the Dakotas, we thought a repost of the question about the safety of post frame in a tornado would be appropriate. This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the safety of a pole barn in the event of a tornado, whether […]

Order of Construction Reader DANIEL in SAINT JOSEPH writes: “Hi Mike, I am looking to start building in the next year or two on my up north Minnesota cabin land. I was planning on doing my own general contracting to save. In what order would you recommend I schedule the subs to do their work […]

Rehashing Eave Height- It seems we can’t emphasize this enough, having recently been told by a builder that, “a buffer of up to 3-1/2″ is an acceptable height difference.” For those wondering, it is not (acceptable). Eave height on post frame buildings seems to be a challenge for some folks. At Hansen Pole Buildings, we […]

This week readers “Ask the Guru” about the use of utility poles for post frame “equipment cover,” an Estimated Cost for a 50X80X16 pole barn, and if our kits come with Floor Plans. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have 3 hi-cube 40′ shipping containers configured in a “U” shape ( open on one end). These […]

Adding Heated Space in a Pole Barn Reader THOM in COLRAIN writes: “ I’m creating a 20′ X 30′ heated shop space in the center of a 40′ X 70′ pole barn.  One 20′ side is on an outside wall.  The other three have 2 X 4 studs.  I’m using rough-cut 1″ for the walls […]

Through Screwed Steel Roofing for Post Frame Barndominiums – What Gauge steel is necessary for a post frame building is a frequent question asked of our building design team. If I need to have major surgery, I am probably not going to ask for expert opinions on social media. However apparently, when it comes to […]

This week readers “Ask the Guru” if one can raise their barn 2 feet, what would need to be done to make it livable once erected, and if Hansen Buildings can “bring and build in Indiana.” DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Can I raise my pole barn 2′? CHRIS in TROY DEAR CHRIS: While it may […]

Master Seal® Flow Cone Washers Master Seal® washers are assembled to a wide variety of Leland Industries fasteners, including diaphragm screws utilized in Hansen Pole Buildings. Flow Cone Washers (US Patent #4292876) utilize vulcanized Grey or Black EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) to special dished dome galvanized washers. This EPDM flows up into a cone […]

Stick Frame and Some Limitations Perhaps stick built construction’s biggest advantage is builders and tradespeople are very comfortable working in and around stick framing. All registered architects and most building inspectors are very familiar with stick framing. The International Residential Code (IRC) provides a prescriptive ‘cook book’ to follow for adequate structural assembly, within certain […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about floor plans offered for a design in Florida, the costs to deliver to Bridgewater Maine, and if a structure can be built on a block wall foundation. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Just curious if I draw a rough drawing of how I would like the […]

Reason You Go With Engineered Prints Yes, I know some of you gentle readers are offended by my harping on how important it is to build only from site specific fully engineered plans. Well, here is a case study. Reader AARON in CARBON HILL writes: “Reason you go with engineering prints. My contractor said it’s […]

Will My Purlin-To-Truss Connection be Adequate Against Uplift? Reader CHRIS in RICHMOND writes: “Hi there. I’ve built a sheep barn leaning heavily on your methods and ideas. I absolutely love it. Our farm was struck by a tornado four years ago. We are now building a hay shed to store all of our feed. As […]

Today’s “Ask the Guru” tackles reader questions about whether or not a pole barn is covered with OSB, if Hansen Buildings has crews to build and finished costs, and if we can design a building per their layout and not Hansen’s. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do your pole barns get covered with plywood or OSB […]

Designing an “L” Shaped Dairy Barn Loyal Reader DEVIN in BURLINGTON FLATS writes: “Hello, much appreciate the website and discussions. I am puzzling over a design and haven’t had that ah ha moment yet. Seeking help brainstorming a solution rather than engineered details at this stage of the project. Consistently breezy to moderate wind loads. […]

A Tape Measure Idea The design upon which most modern spring tape measures are built was patented by Alvin J. Fellows in 1868. But even a better mousetrap doesn’t always catch on immediately. In 1922 Hiram Farrand received another patent and within a few years the Farrand Rapid Rule was being mass produced and was […]