Pouring Wet Set Bracket Piers
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/11/2025
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 […]
Read moreColumns in Clay Soil, a Maintenance Facility, and Post Rot
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/10/2025
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Lumber, Pole Barn Questions, Barndominium, Building Department, Constructing a Pole Building, Pole Barn Planning, Concrete, Footings, Building Drainage, Budget, Columns
- Tags: Post Rot, Clay Soil, Columns; Piers, Muddy Clay Soil, Column Settling In Clay, Quote, Post Protector, Rubber Boot For Columns, Post Frame Building Quote
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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? 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 […]
Read moreCalculating Stairs Rise and Run
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/04/2025
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 – […]
Read moreLoft Storage Solutions, Insulation, and Home Insurance?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/03/2025
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 […]
Read moreDon’t Want Pressure Treated Columns in the Ground?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/02/2025
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 […]
Read moreEngineering Your Pole Building for Free
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/28/2025
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 […]
Read moreLaminating 3 Trusses, a Quote on a Building Kit, and to Float Posts
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/27/2025
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Columns, Pole Barn Homes, Pole Barn holes, Post Frame Home, Pole Barn Questions, Barndominium, Pole Barn Design, Building Styles and Designs, Pole Barn Planning, Trusses, Concrete, Footings
- Tags: Column Install, Truss Span, Barndomimium Kits, Laminating 3 Trusses, Load Capacity, Post Float
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Must Do’s for a Worry Free Barndominium
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/26/2025
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Roofing Materials, Barndominium, Constructing a Pole Building, Shouse, Pole Barn Planning, Steel Roofing & Siding, Building Contractor, Ventilation, Insulation, Pole Barn Homes, Pole Barn Questions, About The Pole Barn Guru, Building Overhangs, Post Frame Home
- Tags: Roll In Shower, Curb Appeal, Walk-in Pantry, Bandominium, Overhangs, Slope Of Site, BIB Insulation, Integral Condensation Control, ADA Bathroom, Slab On Grade, Building Site Prep
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Overhead Door Opening Dimensions
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/21/2025
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 […]
Read moreCompacted Gravel, Humidity Issues, and Wall Gaps
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/20/2025
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 […]
Read moreHelp, I am Going Crazy! Building a Pole Barn House
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/19/2025
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 […]
Read moreThe Dual Splash Plank Dilemma
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/14/2025
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 […]
Read moreFilling Gaps, Insulation Advice, and Use of Housewrap
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/13/2025
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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Questions, Columns, Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Homes, Ventilation, Pole Barn Heating, Barndominium, Building Drainage, Building Interior, Lumber, Budget, Insulation, Professional Engineer
- Tags: House Wrap, Insulation, Commercial Girts, Moisture Barrier, Concrete, Condensation Control, Rock Wool Insulation
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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 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 […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Planning, Footings, Columns, Barndominium, Pole Barn Questions
- Tags: Post Frame Design, Site Prep, Grade Change, Column Length
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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 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 […]
Read morePier Insulation, Hold Up Distances, and Site Prep
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/06/2025
This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about insulating around outside of post piers, the hold-up distance of any non-treated lumber or wall sheathing, and if laying gravel prior to drilling and setting columns would be best order of building. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Kind of a 2 parter. I am trenching 4′ […]
Read more- Categories: Columns, Lumber, Insulation, Pole Barn Questions, Pole Building How To Guides, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Building Siding, Concrete, Footings, Alternate Siding, Building Drainage
- Tags: OSB, Alternative Siding, Gravel Pad, Foundation Insulation, Building Site Prep, Level Build Site, Insulated Piers, OSB Hold Up, Non-treated Lumber
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Will My Minnesota Shouse Require Frost Footings?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/05/2025
Will My Minnesota Shouse Require Frost Footings? Reader CHAD in JANESVILLE writes: “I am planning on building a shouse or barndominium some may call. I am doing 5″ cement with a heated floor throughout. My hope was not to bury any poles but to anchor them on top of the slap. Do you recommend front […]
Read more- Categories: Footings, Shouse, Professional Engineer, Pole Barn Homes, Pole Barn Questions, Post Frame Home, Pole Barn Planning, Barndominium, Concrete, Shouse
- Tags: Frost Line, Barndominium, Post Frame House, Frost Protected Shallow Foundation, Wet Set Brackets, Shouse, Insulation R Value, Concrete Piers
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How To Insulate My Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/31/2025
How To Insulate My Barn Reader MIKE writes: “I had a couple of questions about a 36×48 barn I am insulating. 1) I have vented soffits with overhang on all four sides and the ridge cap has a porous foam between the ridge cap and metal. Is this breathable and is this sufficient. 2) I […]
Read moreBarn to Residence, Slab Thickness Changes, and Home from a Roof
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/30/2025
This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about differences in a barn to a residential structure, how to pour to a slab thickness change, and if a home can be built from an existing pole barn roof. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What is the difference in building structure from a barn to a […]
Read more- Categories: Building Interior, Lumber, Budget, Pole Barn Questions, Professional Engineer, Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Homes, Pole Building How To Guides, Post Frame Home, Pole Barn Planning, Barndominium, Footings, Rebuilding Structures
- Tags: Construction Manual, Slab Thickness, Post Frame Quote, Concrete Thickness Change, Rebuild Pole Barn, Pole Barn Quote, Pole Barn To Residence
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Pressure Preservative Treated Columns in Alkali Soils
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/29/2025
Pressure Preservative Treated Columns in Alkali Soils ERIC in PAHRUMP writes: “I have questions about the posts. In my quote it says the posts are direct buried. This concerns me due to the type of soil we have here in Pahrump, Nevada. The ground has a lot of alkali in it and will eat just […]
Read moreProper Screw Location for Post Frame Steel Cladding
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/24/2025
Proper Screw Location for Post Frame Steel Cladding It was a pleasant October evening back in 1985 in Blacksburg, Virginia. My friend Dr. Frank Woeste was then a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences professor at Virginia Tech (officially Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) and he had invited me to teach one of his […]
Read more- Categories: Steel Roofing & Siding, Powder Coated Screws, Fasteners, Pole Barn Design, About The Pole Barn Guru, Roofing Materials
- Tags: Steel Roofing And Siding, Metal Connector Plated Wood Truss, Dr. Frank Woeste, Steel Cladding, Virginia Tech, Post Frame Buildings Screws Through Flats Or High Ribs, Ring Shanked Nails, Screw Location
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Financing, Footing Diameters, and if the Kit is Move-In Ready
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/23/2025
This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about a reliable financing source for a post frame home, what size footing would be required for a pole barn spanning 50′ and 6 x 6 laminated posts every 8′ and if the kit will be “move in ready.” DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m in need […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Building How To Guides, Shouse, Footings, Pole Barn Financing, Building Interior, Budget, Professional Engineer, Pole Barn Questions, Pole Barn Design, Columns, Building Styles and Designs, Pole Barn Homes, Building Department, Barndominium
- Tags: Pole Barn Financing, Post Frame Financing, Post Frame Footings, Pole Barn Footings, Move In Ready, Weathered In, Footings
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Planning for Lighting in a New Pole Barn
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/22/2025
Both of my post frame buildings outside of Spokane, WA have no windows on the garage/shop level. This means when inside, with doors closed, it is dark – one is forced to rely upon electricity or radar to navigate. Reader KRISTI is preparing to build her new pole barn and had some questions about how […]
Read moreIt’s a GREAT DAY at Hansen Pole Buildings!!
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/17/2025
It’s a GREAT DAY at Hansen Pole Buildings!! As Technical Director at Hansen Pole Buildings since our founding in 2002, it has always been my personal view we have no competitors, only others who try in vain to match up to what we deliver. We have clients, not customers. Customers buy a product with little […]
Read more- Categories: Professional Engineer, Pole Barn Design, Barndominium, Pole Building Comparisons, Constructing a Pole Building, Pole Building How To Guides, Pole Barn Planning, Budget
- Tags: Hansen Pole Buildings, The Ultimate Post Frame Building Experience, Hansen Buildings Construction Manual, DIY Post Frame, Post Frame Reviews, Pole Barn Comparisons
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