Working With a Building Official for Footing Design
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/12/2020
Working With a Building Official for footing designs Long time readers have read me opine on how Building Officials are our friends: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/04/i-like-building-officials/ One of our clients recently received this email from his Building Official and shared it with me (red added by me): “The Town of xxxx stopped plan review on your project because […]
Read moreDoes my Barndominium Need a Turn-Key General Contractor?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/11/2020
Does My Barndominium Need a Turn-Key General Contractor? Often a goal of barndominium (especially post frame) construction is to be able to get your most building, for your dollars invested (think biggest bang per buck). When a turn-key general contractor is hired to provide a constructed building, normally about 25% of what you pay is […]
Read morePrice Per Square Foot, Proper Post Treatment, and XPS
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/10/2020
This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about the price per square foot for a hangar, the proper post treatment for in ground use, and use of XPS insulation between steel and wall posts. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What is the approximate price per square foot for a 62 x 130 t hangar? KENNETH […]
Read more- Categories: Insulation, Pole Barn Questions, Ventilation, Columns, Barndominium
- Tags: Building Costs, XPS Boards, Insulation, Price Per Square Foot, UC-4B, Post Rot, Post Treatment
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Post Frame Building Wainscot
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/07/2020
Whether your post frame building will be a garage, shop, commercial building or barndominium wainscot an extremely popular option is wainscot. Roughly 25 years ago I had an 80’ x 150’ x 20’ post frame building erected for my prefabricated wood truss manufacturing business. Whilst a great deal of thought went into this building’s design, […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Apartments, Post Frame Home, About The Pole Barn Guru, Barndominium, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Building Siding, Vinyl Siding, Pole Barn Homes, Workshop Buildings
- Tags: Shouse, Vinyl Siding, Wood Paneling, Cement Based Sidings, Motarless Masonry, Barndominium, Bollard, T1-11
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Quonset Hut Homes
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/06/2020
With the proliferation of barndominiums, shouses and post frame homes there is always someone looking for a cheaper answer. I have found cheaper generally gets me exactly what I paid for – cheap. Well for some, cheap may be living in a Quonset hut. Considering a Quonset building for your new home? Consider resale value […]
Read moreBuilding Codes Apply to Shouses
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/05/2020
Building Codes Apply to Shouses Recently I shared with you, my faithful readers, a Park Rapids Enterprise article penned by Lorie R. Skarpness as Nevis, Minnesota attempts to deal with a shouse. https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2019/12/a-shouse-in-the-news/ Below is Lorie’s update from January 18, 2020: “The discussion of a proposed shouse (a word that means a shop with living […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Homes, Workshop Buildings, Post Frame Home, Barndominium, Pole Barn Design, Building Department, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Building Code, Barndominium, Post Frame Home, Shouse, Residential Performance Standards, Shouse Structural Components, Building Aesthetic Requirements
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Barndominium Brick Wainscot
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/04/2020
Actual Brick Considerations for Barndominium Wainscot With post frame buildings becoming a ‘rage’ for use as homes, barndominiums and shouse (shop/houses) alternatives to dress them up are quickly arising. Amongst these options are clients looking to have actual brick wainscot, as opposed to using a different color of steel siding, thin brick, or other cultured […]
Read more- Categories: Post Frame Home, Barndominium, Pole Barn Design, Building Department, Pole Building How To Guides, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure, Pole Barn Homes
- Tags: Weather Resistant Barrier, Shouse, Brick Wainscot, Brick Veneer, Brick Veneer Structural Support, Brick Ledge, Barndominium, Foundation Wall
- 2 comments
Wall Girt Spacing, Roof Only to Fully Enclosed, and Dade Cty
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 02/03/2020
Today’s Pole Barn Guru answers questions about “proper wall girt spacing,” enclosing and insulating a roof only building, and if a post frame meets code in Dade County Florida. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I just contacted a contractor to build my pole barn and he said 2 x4 wall girts at 36″ I don’t think […]
Read moreTop of Barndominium Slab
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/31/2020
Where Should the Top of Barndominium Slab Be? Loyal reader DANIEL in OWENSVILLE writes: “Mike, First I want to say thanks for all that I have learned from your Blog. I am confused on a couple of points you made concerning floor height… “Occasionally we have clients who ask why they can’t run the concrete […]
Read moreCabin Design Over a Crawl Space
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/30/2020
Loyal readers may recall recent articles guest written by recently retired Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer Rick Carr as he designed and erected his post frame hunting cabin over a crawl space (his journey began here: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2019/03/development-of-my-cabin-plans/). Today ROB in DENVER writes: “Hi Mike. I was given your contact info by one of your designers; she […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Questions, Pole Barn Planning, Footings, Cabin
- Tags: Frost Depth, Frost Heave, Rat Wall, Crawl Space, Block Stem Wall Foundation
- 1 comments
Your Barndominium’s Planning Department
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/29/2020
In most parts of our country (and probably most other developed countries), it will be a necessity to acquire a building permit in order to construct a new barndominium, shouse (shop/house) or post frame home. Easiest way to find out is to contact your local authorities to find out if indeed this is your case. […]
Read moreFloor Trusses for Barndominiums
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/28/2020
In my last article I discussed limiting deflection for barndominium floors. Today I will take this one step further with a floor truss design solution. Most of us don’t think too much about floors we walk upon – unless they are not level, squeak when we walk on them, or are too bouncy. Traditionally wood […]
Read morePlans Only? Moisture Barriers? and Two Story Houses?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/27/2020
This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about “plans only” purchases, proper use of moisture barriers when adding insulation to an existing building, as well as the possibility or building a two story post frame house. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you offer just the plans? I own a sawmill and would like to […]
Read moreBarndominium Wood Floors
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/24/2020
Barndominiums, shouses (shop/houses) and post frame homes have become a true ‘thing’. As they have developed from bootlegged boxes to serious planning being given to them, there has been a rise in people wanting them over full or partial basements, crawl spaces and multiple floors. In nearly every case, these floors are made of wood […]
Read more- Categories: Building Interior, Pole Barn Homes, Pole Barn Apartments, Post Frame Home, Barndominium, Pole Barn Design, About The Pole Barn Guru, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure
- Tags: Floor Sheathing, Live Load Deflection, Floor Joist Spans, Deflection, Shouse, Barndoominium, Canadian Building Code, Floor Vibration
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Avoiding Oil Canning With Standing Seam Steel for Barndominiums
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/23/2020
Avoiding Oil Canning With Standing Seam Steel for Barndominiums and Post Frame Buildings As post frame construction grows by leaps and bounds into post frame homes (barndominiums and shouses), more clients look to them for upgraded features. Standing seam roofing may appeal to some who appreciate the aesthetics of no visible screw fasteners. Standing seam […]
Read moreBarndominium Warrantees
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/22/2020
Barndominium Warrantees Regular readers of my articles are aware I have joined and regularly read and contribute to every Facebook and Linkedin group about barndominiums and post frame buildings I possibly can find. My goal always is for people to get their best possible value for their investment, even should they somehow decide Hansen Pole […]
Read more- Categories: Barndominium, Steel Roofing & Siding, Building Contractor, Pole Building Siding, Trusses, Concrete, Columns, Pole Barn Homes, Lumber, Pole Barn Questions, Post Frame Home, Pole Barn Planning
- Tags: Barndominium Warranty, Timber Warranty, Wood Columns Warranty, Workmanship Warranty, Steel Warranty, Lifetime Paint Warranty
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Ganged Wood Trusses & Closed Cell Spray Foam Post Frame Condensation Control
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/21/2020
Ganged Wood Trusses and Closed Cell Spray Foam Post Frame Condensation Control Ganged wood trusses are most usually two individually fabricated metal connector plated roof trusses, fastened together with either nails or even better Simpson Drive Screws (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2017/03/simpson-drive-screws/), so they work together as a conjoined pair. True doubled trusses (not two single trusses spaced apart […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure, Barndominium, Ventilation, Building Interior, Pole Barn Homes, Insulation, Post Frame Home, Roofing Materials
- Tags: Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation, Reflective Insulation, Plywood, Condensation, Roofing Felt, Reflective Radiant Barrier, Ganged Wood Trusses, Closed Cell Spray Foam
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Builder or DIY? In ground or Brackets? and Remodel or Rebuild?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/20/2020
Today’s Pole Barn Guru discusses finding a builder or DIY, posts in the ground or use wet set brackets, and whether or not to remodel or to rebuild a new structure. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Thank you for this great website. I have learned so much reviewing the blog articles. I will definitely buy one […]
Read moreFlash and Batt Insulating Barndominium Walls
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/17/2020
Flash-and-Batt Insulating Barndominium Walls We’re in a seemingly never ending cycle of racing towards net zero post frame homes, shouses (shop/houses) and barndominiums (read more on net zero post frame here: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2019/01/net-zero-post-frame-homes/). One possible design solution involves what is known as “flash-and-batt” where two inches of closed cell spray foam insulation is applied to steel […]
Read moreHow Not to Sheetrock Your Barndominium
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/16/2020
How Not To Sheetrock Your Barndominium Gypsum wallboard (aka Sheetrock or drywall) is used as wall and ceiling covering of choice for nearly every barndominium, shouse (shop/house) or post frame home. It affords a plethora of advantages over other interior finishes – for many, it is about cost savings. For others it is fire protection […]
Read morePutting Everything Under One Post Frame Roof
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/15/2020
Putting Everything Under One Post Frame Roof I have been an advocate of one larger roof, rather than an enclosed building with a roof only side shed for years. This allows for greater headroom in ‘shed’ area without having to deal with pitch breaks (transition from a steeper slope main roof to a flatter shed […]
Read moreWhat to Consider in a Post Frame Garage Door
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/14/2020
What to Consider in a Post Frame Garage Door Today’s guest contributor is Irene Trentham, Content Marketing Strategist of Arizona’s Best Garage Door and Repair Company, a locally-owned enterprise specializing in installing new garage doors and repairing defective ones for Phoenix Arizona area residents. She loves to do camping, hiking and yoga and to spend […]
Read more- Categories: Pole Building Doors, Pole Barn Homes, Overhead Doors, Post Frame Home, Barndominium
- Tags: Arizona's Best Garage Door And Repair Company, Garage Door Safety Sensors, Rolling Code Technology, Commercial Garage Doors, Residential Garage Doors, Flat Panel Garage Doors, Irene Trentham
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More Information, Pricing for a Kit, and Site Work and Grade Changes
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/13/2020
Today’s Pole Barn Guru answers questions about “more information” on Hansen Pole Building’s product, pricing for a kit, as well as site work and grade changes. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hey, I was wanting to see if I could get some more information on a steel house. My wife and I have 5 acres in […]
Read moreWhat Is Keeping Posts Above Ground Worth?
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/10/2020
What is Something Worth? I can be overly anal. Sometimes I have to really work hard to get around it – I purposefully have conundrums on my desk and for some perverse reason I feel comfortable in them. I inherited my maternal grandmother’s counting gene. Even into her nineties, if I called her up and […]
Read more- Categories: Lumber, Pole Barn Homes, Pole Barn Design, Pole Building Comparisons, Post Frame Home, About The Pole Barn Guru, Barndominium, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure, Footings, Columns
- Tags: UC4B Treated Columns, Permacolumns, Glu-laminated Posts, Pressure Preservative Treated Columns
- 1 comments
Calculating Stairs Rise and Run
Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/09/2020
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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