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 […]

Barndominium Concrete Slab Insulation Boards – XPS or EPS? Other than in Climate Zone’s 1 and 2 (think deep South), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) requires perimeter and under slab continuous insulation for barndominiums. When it comes to concrete and insulation, contractors tend to be most familiar with extruded polystyrene (XPS). Yet, expanded polystyrene (EPS) […]

Post Frame Barndominium Exterior Wall Questions Reader IAN in RIDGWAY writes: “I am looking for help understanding a couple of exterior wall questions.   My county is enforcing the 2018 IECC for energy efficiency. In my region this requires R-20 cavity + R-5 exterior wall assembly.  From everything I’ve read, this means a continuous layer of […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about converting conventional plans to “post beam frame,” pricing on floor trusses, and possible installation of metal ceiling to eliminate bird issues. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a set of plans for a that were designed to be conventional built. Would you be able to […]

My Wife Does Not Like the Look of Steel Siding DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I hope I’m not taking up too much of your time with this question. BTW, I’m copying Doug (Hansen Pole Buildings Designer) as we’ve briefly discussed this question. My wife does not like the look of steel siding.  However, I’m pretty sure […]

Christmas Greetings! As much as possible, if I “reuse” a blog I’ve written previously (a re-run), I do it only a few times a year….like today, when I am spending time with family and friends, which my wish for all of you is as well. It is also a time when I tend to look […]

This week’s “ask the Guru” tackles reader questions about the potential weight capacity of trusses with a ceiling liner, options in post frame for vaulted ceilings or exposed beams, and site prep advice for a 30×40 pole barn. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a building with 8 ft on center trusses and 29 ga […]

Designing a Dream Barndominium Loft Reader BRIAN in PETOSKY writes: “Hi Mike,  Our building designer told me to email you my lofted floor question for our project. To avoid messing with truss-support floors, we were planning to build a full 26×60 main barn with scissor trusses the full length. Then on one end, we would […]

This week readers “ask the Guru” about reroofing a pole barn with shingles, ventilation or new roof, vapor barrier to insulate properly, and insulating an existing pole barn without spray foam. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We have a pole barn it was purposely built to have an apartment upstairs; it originally was a stable below. […]

Interpreting the Mark on Pressure Preservative Treated Lumber Pressure preservative treated lumber is a mystery to most consumers, builders and even building officials. Certainly all of the above parties understand the need for pressure preservative treated lumber when it is embedded in or in contact with the ground or concrete, or in locations where there […]

With the current weather patterns it might be a good time to revisit the catastrophic failures of Christmas Morning 2017 Christmas morning is traditionally when youngsters awaken their parent far too early – too see what surprises Santa has left them overnight. On occasion there are surprises for adults as well – some of them […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the types of exterior materials which can be chosen from, a foundation into a sloped site, an education in post frame to an unfamiliar reader, and building on a crawl space. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am thinking of getting one of your buildings for […]

In What Ways Does Hansen Pole Buildings Provide the Strongest Post Frame Building? My curiosity got an upper hand on me this morning, so I asked AI Chat this very question. Here is what it responded with: “Hansen Pole Buildings stands out in the post-frame building industry for several reasons that contribute to the strength […]

Planning a Post Frame Building Upon Sandstone Reader GEORGE in FARMINGTON writes: “Mike, in the early stages of planning a pole barn 32’x48’x12′ on a newly acquired piece of property. We’ve cleared the land and found the area we want to erect the building is 100% sandstone. Everywhere we’d have to drill for poles is […]

This week’s Ask the Guru answers reader questions about insulating a open bay with no ceiling, use of a vapor barrier on steel ceiling with blown in insulation, and a question about what gauge metal we use at Hansen Pole Buildings. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I built one of your barns (project 24-0503F). It’s 36 […]

Pole Barn Construction Issue Disclaimer – this is NOT a Hansen Pole Building Reader ETHAN writes: “Hello. I’m wondering if you could help me with a pole barn construction issue. I had a pole barn constructed and the builder installed a damaged piece of metal siding on the peak of the gable end.” His plan […]

Can You Provide Me With Engineer Sealed Blueprints? Reader PARKER in PORT SAINT JOE writes: “I’m looking to get a pole barn built and for my county I need engineer stamped prints before i can pull a permit, can you provide me with blueprints for the size I am wanting?” www.HansenPoleBuildings.com is America’s leader in […]

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 […]

Will I Need to Use Double Trusses? Reader DALE in TOMPKINSVILLE writes: “On an open front 5 bay tool shed, roof length 60 feet, width 40 foot, height of 10 foot, 12foot, trusses on 6×6 columns, 12/4 pitch located in southern Kentucky zone 6 will I need to double the trusses?” Need and want are […]

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?” […]

This Wednesday, the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about use of hurricane straps to anchor 8×8 posts to sill plate, the possibility of adding a beam to old a loft for open concept, and if we do site specific engineering for Panama City Florida- yes. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hey I’m on the starting […]

Replacing Rebar in Concrete Slabs on Grade?? Or not?? Hansen Pole Buildings client JOSH writes: “I am wondering if I can substitute the #3 rebar 16″ O.C. for fiber concrete with a higher PSI rated mix for the 6″ cement floor? If so, would I be able to get a letter from your engineer stating […]

POLE BARN HOUSE ROOF STYLES: WHICH ONE IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU?  Revisiting a guest blog: Today’s guest blogger is John Hamlin, an industrial manufacturing writer with a passion for technology. Having a background in construction and a keen interest in engineering, John has slowly made his way into becoming a major contributor to […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about how to best seal gaps at wall tops and a roll-up coil door, creating a moisture problem, and advice for girts, columns, and wiring. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What can I do to seal these gaps? We live in the garage and it’s getting cold […]