Condensation Control, Home Plans, and Grade Changes!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/21/2017
Condensation Control, Home Plans, and Grade Changes!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: If I put double bubble under metal on roof for condensation control, then insulate bottom chord of trusses with white vinyl faced insulation , will this create a problem if I ventilate attic space ? Thanks. SCOTT in DUNLAP DEAR SCOTT: You actually have several things going on here. First, single […]

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Win Three Post-Rack Brackets

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/18/2017
Win Three Post-Rack Brackets

Free Bonus – Opportunity to Win Three Post-Rack Brackets Long time readers will recall my article on post-rack brackets: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2016/12/post-racks/. Well, Hansen Pole Buildings has teamed up with our good friends at Scott Systems to give our valued clients an opportunity for a freebie! You heard it right – this is a chance to win […]

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Non-commercial Plot Plans

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/17/2017
Non-commercial Plot Plans

Non-commercial Plot Plans Considering adding onto an existing non-commercial building, or constructing a new one? If you live in an area governed by Planning and Building requirements, then you are most likely going to need to have a plot plan – and soon! When Will You Need It? Before you ever think about the structural […]

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The Case of the Termite Shields

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/15/2017
The Case of the Termite Shields

When it comes to post frame building construction, I know a little bit about a lot of things. I get asked a lot of questions about how to solve post frame building challenges and do a pretty fair job of answering them. When I do not know an answer I feel confident in, I have […]

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Hairpins? Best Eave Height, and the Cost of a House…

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/14/2017
Hairpins? Best Eave Height, and the Cost of a House…

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am installing re-bar hairpins prepping for a pour in a Hansen pole barn. My question is about the inside poles. I have on rebar per outside pole. Do i put two rebar hairpins on the inside poles?   Thanks ALCUIN in LAVEEN DEAR ALCUIN: The purpose of the rebar hairpins […]

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Post Frame Antiperspirant- Ventilation Frustration

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/11/2017
Post Frame Antiperspirant- Ventilation Frustration

This is a sad story I hear all too often from pole (post frame) building owners who have buildings which were not properly designed for future uses, especially when it comes to insulation and ventilation. Reader JASON in TENINO writes: Hi Pole Barn Guru, I recently purchased a new house and it came with a […]

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So You Want to Become a Post Frame Building Installer?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/10/2017
So You Want to Become a Post Frame Building Installer?
So You Want to Become a Post Frame Building Installer? I’ve dealt with a broad variety of post frame building installers over the years. Just like our clients, they come in all shapes and sizes, as well as all levels of price and quality. One of the better pole builders I have encountered was a […] Read more

What Classification is a Horse Riding Arena?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/09/2017
What Classification is a Horse Riding Arena?

True horse riding arenas are big buildings. Even a relatively small one at 60 foot wide by 120 feet long is a big building – 7200 square feet. Add on a decent width (12 foot as a minimum) aisleway and (10) 12 foot square spaces for stalls, wash racks, tack and/or feed rooms and we […]

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Maximizing Sliding Door Heights

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/08/2017
Maximizing Sliding Door Heights

While post frame construction (in my humble opinion) gives the most value for construction dollars invested, there are just some cases where clients just are not aware. This reader wants to maximize the height of a sliding door opening on a stick frame building. HOWARD in COEUR d’ALENE writes: “Greetings, I am stick-building my own […]

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Fiberglass Panels, Accurate Info, and Truss Bracing!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/07/2017
Fiberglass Panels, Accurate Info, and Truss Bracing!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have four skylights with old fiberglass panels that are in need of being replaced. I doubt the design of the panel can be matched easily but am wondering if I send you a piece of it if it can be. I understand the way to go is with a polycarbonate, […]

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Pole Barn Footings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/04/2017
Pole Barn Footings

Some things in life amaze me – magicians are one of them. I have no idea how the do what they do, but I am totally fascinated by them (you can read about my college experience with a magician here: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2014/08/lumber-bending/). One of the other things which amaze me are how clients will invest tens […]

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Miracle Truss Concerns

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/03/2017
Miracle Truss Concerns

One of the great things about being the Pole Barn Guru is helping people who have construction challenges of all sorts – even those who do not have post frame buildings. Here is a recent one: Hi Pole Barn Guru, and thanks for your informative website and blog. I’m using email rather than the website […]

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Bookshelf Girts for Insulation

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/02/2017
Bookshelf Girts for Insulation

In the land where I first became acquainted with pole barn (post frame) building construction, was used a term known as commercial girts. These are actually what is more appropriately named “bookshelf girts” designed so as to create an insulation cavity which would extend 1-1/2 inches outside of the columns. The commercial girt is sized […]

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A Post Frame Shotgun House?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/01/2017
A Post Frame Shotgun House?

Many believe the term “shotgun house” was due to a bullet could be fired through the front door and go right out the rear door without hitting any walls! More appropriately evidence has it the name shotgun house came from a corruption of the West African term “shogun” which means God’s House. Reader Sheree from […]

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The Cheaper Roof Style, Plan Sales, and Engineering!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/31/2017
The Cheaper Roof Style, Plan Sales, and Engineering!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: For a span of 84 feet, which is cheaper, a single slope roof or a gabled roof? ANTHONY in NEW ORLEANS DEAR ANTHONY: At almost any span a gabled roof is going to be less expensive. At an 84 foot span, without question it will be significantly so.   DEAR POLE […]

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Save Me, My Trusses Do Not Fit!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/28/2017
Save Me, My Trusses Do Not Fit!

Here is a case where investing in a post frame building kit from people who have actually constructed buildings is a huge asset (am surmising this is not the case, since this person sent the Hansen Pole Buildings Technical Support email address a plea for help). Reader James writes: “I have a 24 x 60 […]

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It Is Exactly the Same Building: Part II

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/27/2017
It Is Exactly the Same Building: Part II

Well, maybe not exactly the same building. Yesterday I ran a beginning list of comparison’s between a Hansen Building quote and a quote by one of our competitors espoused to be “exactly the same” by a client of ours. The saga continues: Powder coated diaphragm screws vs. #10 diameter painted screws . Those who are […]

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It Is Exactly the Same Building Part I

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/26/2017
It Is Exactly the Same Building Part I

Well, maybe not exactly the same building. In April of this year we had a client invest in a brand new 36 foot wide by 60 foot long post frame building kit package with a 16 foot eave height. Three months later, the building has been delivered, and one of the group which ordered the […]

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Best Agricultural Building Supply Company

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/25/2017
Best Agricultural Building Supply Company

Best Agricultural Building Supply Company – Midwest USA The awards just keep rolling in as Hansen Pole Buildings has been named the Best Agricultural Building Supply Company in the Midwest USA by Build-News! Now we would like to believe we do a pretty fair job at providing “The Ultimate Post Frame Building Experience™” to our […]

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Build a Pole Barn Home, Hole Diameters, and Shipping to Ireland?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/24/2017
Build a Pole Barn Home, Hole Diameters, and Shipping to Ireland?

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi, my husband and I are looking I to purchasing a small piece of land and want to build a pole barn home on it. I’m envisioning 4 bed upstairs with 2 bath and a loft area and on the main floor a master bed with bath , kitchen/dining, great room […]

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Six Reasons to Not Invest in a New Hansen Pole Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/21/2017
Six Reasons to Not Invest in a New Hansen Pole Building

No, I did not hit my head, there are some legitimate reasons not to invest in a new Hansen Pole building. 1. Land For some it is they do not own “the dirt” and in a few cases never will. For those who do not yet own the dirt, or don’t have it picked out, […]

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Progress in Technology: Easy Build Pole Barn Buildings

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/20/2017
Progress in Technology: Easy Build Pole Barn Buildings

Progress in Technology: Dirt Late Model Auto Racing I am not as mechanically challenged as my lovely bride would have people believe. Modern technology has taken some things to the point where the average person just cannot do the work. Personal case in point, here is the story: I have been riding motorcycles since not […]

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Hire a Local Engineer and Work With a Lumber Yard?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/19/2017
Hire a Local Engineer and Work With a Lumber Yard?

Should I Hire a Local Engineer and Work With a Lumber Yard? Let’s hope not. Here is the email which triggered this article: “Hello,  I am building a 50×60 pole building with 22′ eaves. I’m shopping right now to either hire a local PE to design the structure and work with my local lumber yard to […]

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Solutions! The Key to a Successful Post Frame Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/18/2017
Solutions! The Key to a Successful Post Frame Building

Solutions! The Key to a Successful Post Frame Building When one considers the tremendous number of individual components and the thousands of people who touch these pieces from concept to jobsite, it is amazing anything ever gets built! I ran some numbers once – tracked the rough path of all of the parts for a […]

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Barn Doors, Freight, and Barndomonium!

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/17/2017
Barn Doors, Freight, and Barndomonium!

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I would like to see if there is a product out there for the back of my barn. My barn is set up with two stall doors. The back door allows the horses to go into their pastures 24/7. I currently have tin on wooden doors and this cuts them up […]

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