Can a Building Official Deny Approval of a Professional Engineer’s Work?

Does a Building Official have the capacity to deny the work of a Professional Engineer? Excerpted from SBC Magazine April 2, 2019 The short answer is no, not according to the law. Why? Simply put, building officials are not granted legal authority over professional engineers. Rather, they only have authority with respect to enforcing specific provisions of the […]

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Pre-Drilling, Housewrap, and Concrete Footings

Posted by polebarnguru on 05/13/2019
Pre-Drilling, Housewrap, and Concrete Footings

Today the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about pre-drilling steel panels, the proper use of house-wrap and weather resistant barriers, as well as concern for the effectiveness or fresh concretes ability to withstand compression. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What size hole should I predrill in panels for the #12 diaphragm screws? Thanks! JOSEPH in […]

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How to Re-level a Garage

Posted by polebarnguru on 05/10/2019
How to Re-level a Garage

Auntie Em, Auntie Em My Garage Has Lifted  Well, it wasn’t from a twister and this article has nothing actually to do with Auntie Em or actress Clara Blandick who played Auntie Em in 1939’s film classic The Wizard of Oz. For trivia buffs, Blandick also played a part in 1937’s original A Star Is […]

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Ignorance is Bliss and Sometimes Architects are Happy

Posted by polebarnguru on 05/09/2019
Ignorance is Bliss and Sometimes Architects are Happy

Ignorance is Bliss and Sometimes Architects are Happy Portions of this article (in italics) are from “County explores options for new Highway building” April 29, 2019 by Nathan Bowe at www.dl-online.com A city plow truck goes by the main shop building at the Becker County Highway Department complex in Detroit Lakes. www.dl-online.com File photo Dear […]

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Sturdi-Wall Plus Concrete Brackets

Posted by polebarnguru on 05/08/2019
Sturdi-Wall Plus Concrete Brackets

Sturdi-Wall Plus Concrete Brackets Long time readers will recall a previous article regarding Sturdi-Wall Plus concrete brackets: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/09/concrete-brackets-2/ Sturdi-Wall Plus brackets are a heavy-duty engineered anchoring system for attaching wood columns to concrete foundations and are generally used in post-frame buildings but have other applications as well. These brackets are made with ¼ “steel plate […]

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Fluropon Roofing Coating

Posted by polebarnguru on 05/07/2019
Fluropon Roofing Coating

Fluropon® Roofing Coating  I have extolled virtues of Kynar® (PVDF) paint for post frame buildings previously: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2014/05/kynar/. Fluropon® is a trade name for Valspar’s PVDF factory applied steel roofing coating (paint) system. Sherwin-Williams acquired Valspar  in 2017. At NFBA’s (National Frame Building Association) 2019 Expo I cornered Sherwin-William’s representative for further information on Fluropon®. Please […]

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Alternative Siding, Building on Slab, and Ceiling Liner Loading

Today’s Pole Barn Guru answers questions about alternative siding and roofing, whether one can build on an existing slab, and if a ceiling liner can hold insulation. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Can you build me a steel wall inside and vinyl siding on the outside with asphalt shingles? PAUL in BLUE GRASS DEAR PAUL: A […]

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PEX-AL-PEX Tubing for Post Frame Concrete Slabs

Posted by polebarnguru on 05/03/2019
PEX-AL-PEX Tubing for Post Frame Concrete Slabs

PEX-AL-PEX Tubing For Post Frame Concrete Slabs Long time readers will recall my prior article on PEX tubing for post frame concrete slabs: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2016/08/pex-tubing/. I caught up with my friend Les Graham of Radiant Outfitters at the recent NFBA (National Frame Building Association) Expo in Louisville, who I volunteered to do a nice video in […]

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When a Contractor Ignores Building Plans

Posted by polebarnguru on 05/02/2019
When a Contractor Ignores Building Plans

I realize this may come as a surprise, but there are more than a few times I have discovered building contractors have made errors in building assembly due to failure to examine the provided building plans. Shocking. Our client STEVE in HINES writes: “Good morning, my building is framed, sided and roofed. However, yesterday we […]

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R Panel Gable Vents

Posted by polebarnguru on 05/01/2019
R Panel Gable Vents

R Panel Gable Vents “R” steel roofing and siding panels are typically used on all steel buildings where larger spans occur between wall girts and roof purlins. With a three foot width net coverage, these panels have a 1-1/4 inch tall high rib every 12 inches with two low stiffener ribs between. R panels do […]

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IBC Requirements for Building Wrap

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/30/2019
IBC Requirements for Building Wrap

IBC Requirements for Building Wrap When using a building wrap as a weather-resistant barrier (WRB), it must meet 2018 International Building Codes (IBC 1402.2) requirements of a WRB for water-resistance and vapor permeability. A superior building wrap is air- and moisture-resistant, permeable, and has a high UV-resistance and tear strength. It should also be simple […]

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Eave Height, Gambrel Size, and To Tie New to Old Building

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/29/2019
Eave Height, Gambrel Size, and To Tie New to Old Building

Today the Pole Barn Guru discusses eave height, the size of a gambrel building and advice how to tie new building to existing structure. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: When you refer to height are you measuring to the peak or sidewall? This pole barn will be used as an indoor (uninsulated) riding arena with some […]

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Post Frame Building Frame Flood Vents

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/26/2019
Post Frame Building Frame Flood Vents

Where post frame buildings are constructed in a flood plane, two choices exist to deal with flood conditions. Personally I would opt for bringing in fill to raise building above flood level. For those willing to deal with consequences of flood waters going through their building, an option is to provide flood vents. National Flood […]

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My Pole Barn Cabin Part III

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/25/2019
My Pole Barn Cabin Part III

For daily readers of my blog, you will remember Hansen Buildings’ Senior Building Designer,  Rick Carr was a guest blogger March 21 and 22nd. He led us through his thought process in planning for his new pole barn cabin. Here is Part III in Rick’s pole barn cabin plans: I have made some design changes […]

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Monitor Barn-Heights of Wings and Raised Center

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/24/2019
Monitor Barn-Heights of Wings and Raised Center

Monitor barns have a tall center portion (usually clearspanned with trusses) and lower single slope (knowns as sheds or wings) roofs on each side. Barns may actually be a misnomer, as many monitor style post frame buildings are used for things like homes and event centers. Reader DANIELLE in SUMMERSVILLE writes: “Is there a minimum […]

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Screw Holes: Predrill or Punch?

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/23/2019
Screw Holes: Predrill or Punch?

I happen to be very, very picky about how a finished post frame (pole barn) building looks. One thing I really notice is if screw lines are straight or not. I have seen some buildings where screw locations appear to have been predrilled using a scatter gun – up and down and everywhere except straight. […]

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Building Over a Basement, an OHD Modification, and Interior Photos?

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about building over a basement, an OHD modification, and interior photos of one of our buildings? DEAR POLE BARN GURU: If I order a pole barn knowing that it will be built over a basement will the plans show how to install the floor or do I […]

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Converting a Pole Barn into a Home

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/19/2019
Converting a Pole Barn into a Home

I happen to live in a post-frame home. It was designed to be lived in from day one, so we did not face obstacles in having to convert a pole barn. Reader DAN in SIDNEY writes: “I have an existing pole barn that has no current foundation. It looks like 6×6 pt poles right into […]

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2019 NFBA Frame Building Expo Recap

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/18/2019
2019 NFBA Frame Building Expo Recap

NFBA’s (National Frame Building Association) Frame Building Expo is an annual event for post-frame industry builders and suppliers. It provides educational sessions, a trade show and an ability to interact with fellow members of our community. Below is an article I have submitted to F+W Media (www.fwmedia.com) publishers of Rural Builder and Frame Building News […]

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Steel Roofing and Siding with a Crinkle Finish

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/17/2019
Steel Roofing and Siding with a Crinkle Finish

When I first wrote about crinkle finish steel roofing and siding, just over two years ago, I suspected there would be at least one in ten clients who would actually order it right away. This is a fairly given percentage of folks who always go with latest and greatest trends – they embrace cutting edge […]

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When Size (or Lack Thereof) Matters- 4×6 Columns

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/16/2019
When Size (or Lack Thereof) Matters- 4×6 Columns

Prior to Hansen Pole Buildings’ client’s plans being sealed by our third-party engineers, their preliminary plans are uploaded for client review through a login. While review goal is to make certain everyone is working from a same left and ensure doors and windows are properly located, it does trigger some interesting discussions at times. Here […]

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Living Quarters, Plasti-Sleeves, and Poly-carbonate Roof Panels

The Pole Barn Guru answers questions about living quarters, Plasti-Sleeve sizes, and poly-carbonate roof panels. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello there,  I have a quick question that I’m hoping someone can answer for me.  For your metal buildings that feature “living quarters” such as (PROJECT# 04-0509), have any of these ever been built on a […]

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Placing Steel Trim Around Post Frame Shed Rafters

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/12/2019
Placing Steel Trim Around Post Frame Shed Rafters

Reader HEATH in NACOGDOCHES writes: “I am going to build a pole barn with shed roofs. I want to know what the best way to trim out under the sheds where the side wall meets the ledger board or bottom of rafters. Building will be sheeted with metal. There will not be any soffit under […]

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5 Reasons to Use Post Frame Construction in Sustainable Architecture

Green building concepts are not a new trend, and so our planet can breathe a sigh of relief, there is increasing pressure on construction industries to go for green initiatives and use sustainable building materials having greater strength and stability. Post-frame construction is proving to be a huge asset to a building industry demanding delivery […]

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Pole Barn Guru Blog Review

Posted by polebarnguru on 04/10/2019
Pole Barn Guru Blog Review

This is the third year the Pole Barn Guru blog has been in competition for the Best Construction Blog. Last year this blog was second in the world, tying for first in quality, however losing the popular vote. Part of this process is a review of each blog by Mark Buckshon of Construction Marketing Ideas […]

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