Insulating an Apartment in a Steel Truss Pole Barn Reader JONATHAN in AUGUSTA writes: “First of all, thank you for having a wonderful resource put together in one place for fellow DIYers such as myself. I am currently in the process of constructing a 30x60x11 pole barn. So far I have the roof put up; […]

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru tackles reader questions about condensation prevention by placing foam board over the top of 2×4 purlins, options for sound proofing a post frame home, and if 2×4 flat purlins can hold a specific snow load. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am planning a pole barn; the roof will have […]

Barndominium Plans Before Land? Unlike chicken or egg coming first, barndominium floor plans should come second, after a place to build has been determined. Reader STEVE in MILWAUKEE writes: “I am interested in developing plans for the barndo-square with internal courtyard. I don’t have the land for it bought yet, so is it a waste […]

Floor Plans vs. Structural Building Plans Floor (architectural) plans and structural building plans are two completely different animals and should not be confused with each other. Architectural plans show what your home will look like, structural plans detail skeletal aspects and structural stability. In jurisdictions requiring structural plan reviews and inspections floor plans only will […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about our “best guess at price per square…” for a Hansen Building Kit, spacing for scissor trusses, and if there is a national code for post spacing in a barndominium. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What is your best guess at price per square foot range materials […]

Finding Which Way Is Up Avid reader DAVE in BLUFFDALE writes: “As I told Trey, I’ve been reading and reading and reading your blog posts until I don’t know which way is up!  Don’t get me wrong, you’ve done an amazing job with your blog posts, but it can be a bit overwhelming.  I think […]

Running in Concrete Slab PEX Inside Large Tubing Credit for writing this guest post goes to my friend and radiant floor heat expert Les Graham www.RadiantOutfitters.com. If you prefer your DIY radiant floor heat to be right, rather than cheap, call Les 1.320.212.0863. Question from Mike the Pole Barn Guru: Is it beneficial to place […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about on old roof that leaks due to nails used in attaching steel, a request for builder referrals, and if a Hansen Building is available in a 48′ width– yes, they are. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My older metal barn complete with roofing nails, not screws, […]

Question Whether County is Responsible for Collapsed Pole BuildingsEllensburg’s (Washington) Daily Record published this letter from DAVE on March 5, 2022: “To the Editor: Anybody passing through the Nelson Siding area in the Upper County some seven miles west of Cle Elum, will notice collapsed pole buildings due to the snow we had in January. […]

Reader JASON in WINDSOR writes: “What are ways to avoid a stone base for slab to protrude under grade board using a post in the ground or pier with wet set brackets? We want grass to grow right up to the building’s base rather than stone around the perimeter or stone flower beds. I don’t […]

Today the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about moisture control, insulating a building with a ridge vent, and a solution for replacing posts that have rotted out. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Thanks for the abundance of technical information you provide your readers. Like many of them, I inherited a pole barn with the same […]

Guidance on Diagonal Bracing on Long Span Trusses A brief note from the Pole Barn Guru: Hansen Pole Buildings includes a copy of BSCI-B10 “Post Frame Truss Installation and Bracing” to our clients in our Construction Manual. Originally Published by: Frame Building News — December 16, 2021 SBCA appreciates your input; please email us if you have any comments […]

Hart and Home YouTube – Episode IV The Final Chapter If you missed our previous episodes, please go to bottom of this article, on left, and click on arrow thrice to go to Hart and Home YouTube – Episode I. Moving forward: While individual results may vary, our clients have generally had good experiences using […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru addresses a concern about personal items being ruined by storing them in an unfinished pole building, the need for an additional two feet of interior height, and floor plans for designing a post frame home. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello- not sure if you can answer this but hoping […]

Hart and Home YouTube – Episode III If you missed our previous episodes, please go to bottom of this article, on left, and click on arrow twice to go to Hart and Home YouTube – Episode I. Moving forward: For those following along at home: Some discussion will be made here about “allowable defects” in […]

Hart and Home YouTube – Episode II If you missed our previous episode, please go to bottom of this article, on left, and click on arrow to go to Hart and Home YouTube – Episode I. Moving forward: Planning and Consultation – our Building Design team will work with you, for as long as it […]

Today the Pole barn Guru answers reader questions about available financing for a pole building, a required beam size for 20′ post spacing, and a small connection for 3 ply trusses. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you offer financing? Thanks. DERRICK in DETROIT DEAR DERRICK: Yes, we offer a variety of financing options. Please visit […]

Is a barndominium in your future? Considering building D-I-Y to save tens of thousands of dollars, but afraid you might not be able to pull it off? You’ll want to watch Kevin and Whitney’s journey beginning at www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMUi9B78GDs. This series is truly excellently done. Today, I am going to skip forward months from their beginnings […]

How Truss Bracing Code Change Could Harm You Originally Published by: SBCA Magazine — April 12, 2022 SBCA appreciates your input; please email us if you have any comments or corrections to this article. There was a lot of interest and communications this past week regarding the two IRC code change proposals (RB245-22 & RB246-22) recently considered at the ICC Code […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about the costs of erecting a small metal barn, how to address leaks after moving a building, and building on expansive soils. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What is the cost to hire for installation of a small, 24 x 36, metal barn? JACKIE in CUMMINS DEAR JACKIE: […]

Post Frame Building Doors – Coil or Sectional? In my 40 plus years of post frame buildings, I have provided tens of thousands of overhead steel sectional doors and not so many coil roll-up doors. Where we park our vehicles is pretty darn importantish for us Americans. Our garages and shops serve as a unique […]

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 […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about concrete footings for a lean-to addition, how to incorporate plumbing, electrical, and HVAC plans into to process, and proper ventilation for a hay barn. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: We are putting a 10′ Lean-to on a Steel Framed Building. We will be using 4×6 posts […]

Do You Do Longer Ones? Reader DANA in DEER LODGE writes: “Hello. We are looking at having a 4 door garage built but 2 of the spots will be turned into living space. I see the one you have with 3 garage doors. so you do longer ones? What would the price be to do […]

Post Frame Barndo-castle? Reader STEVE in MILWAUKEE writes: “I think it would be neat to have 4 rectangular structures placed such that each is the side of a larger square, so that there is a courtyard in the middle of it. I see plans that show 2 structures in an L or 3 structures in […]