Think About Barndominium Insulation BEFORE Building

Posted by polebarnguru on 12/13/2022
Think About Barndominium Insulation BEFORE Building

Think About Barndominium Insulation BEFORE Building Regular readers are probably beginning to wonder why I have so many requests for information on how to insulate buildings AFTER they have been erected. Me, too. Insulation is crucial to your barndominium’s long term thermal performance. Doing it wrong can be expensive, both up front, as well as […]

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Does Wind Exposure C Apply to Wall Framing in Any Way?

Posted by polebarnguru on 12/08/2022
Does Wind Exposure C Apply to Wall Framing in Any Way?

Does Wind Exposure C Apply to Wall Framing in Any Way? Reader JAVO in PRINCE FREDERICK writes: “I’m getting C trusses because I’m in a windy area around Chesapeake Bay, but I don’t see Exposure C applying to building frame or footers. For footers I’m being quoted 3’6″ depth, 1’8″ diameter, 5″x16″ pill, & Quikrete/sakrete, […]

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Concrete, Steel Gauges, and Skylights

Posted by polebarnguru on 12/07/2022
Concrete, Steel Gauges, and Skylights

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about volume of concrete needed to support a 300lb sign, pros and cons of both 26 gauge and 29 gauge steel, and replacing skylight panels. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I need to know how to calculate how much concrete would support this sign at 10ft with […]

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Moisture Barrier for a North Idaho Hanger

Posted by polebarnguru on 12/06/2022
Moisture Barrier for a North Idaho Hanger

Moisture Barrier for a North Idaho Hangar Reader BILL in SANDPOINT writes: “Hey guru! Question about insulation – moisture barrier. We are under construction on a 64×70 post frame aircraft hangar in North Idaho. The eave height is 19 feet, plus a two foot heel. There are no overhangs. Roof pitch is 3:12 and the […]

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Advice on Retro Insulating a Minnesota Pole Barn

Posted by polebarnguru on 12/01/2022
Advice on Retro Insulating a Minnesota Pole Barn

Advice on Retro Insulating a Minnesota Pole Barn Reader RYAN in ELK RIVER writes: “Happy Thanksgiving! I am working on insulating a pole barn that is on a property I bought. I framed between trusses with 2×6 and plywood on top. I plan to have 3″ of foam blown in. Is there anything I need […]

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Ceiling Addition, Drywall Orientation, Ridge Vent Replacement

This week the Pole Barn Guru addresses reader questions regarding the ability to hang a ceiling addition in a Hansen Building, if it is better to hang drywall parallel or perpendicular to framing, and if Hansen can replace a ridge vent in Buffalo, NY DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I purchased a 25′ x 35′ kit […]

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Saving a Poorly Designed Crawl Space

Posted by polebarnguru on 11/29/2022
Saving a Poorly Designed Crawl Space

Saving a Poorly Designed a Crawl Space Reader GEORGE in VIENNA writes: “I am substantially replacing rotted parts of an existing building set on short 6×6 treated posts which are in good condition. above the posts it is conventional platform construction, and untreated. Unfortunately, the original builder set the building partially into the side of […]

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Not a Hansen Pole Building

Posted by polebarnguru on 11/24/2022
Not a Hansen Pole Building

From a Distance Every Pole Barn Looks About Equal Earlier this year I shared back and forth several conversations with a potential client (who eventually did not invest in a Hansen Pole Building). He shared with me photos of his brother’s beautiful new pole barn shop and intended to have one built by this same […]

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Blown-In Insulation, Uplift Plates, and Truss Spacing

Posted by polebarnguru on 11/23/2022
Blown-In Insulation, Uplift Plates, and Truss Spacing

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about better blown-in insulation on 3/12 pitch ceiling, a reader with uplift issues and how to prevent them, and some concerns about truss spacing at 8′ oc. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, I have a 30×48 pole barn with scissor trusses 6/12 outer pitch 3/12 inside […]

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A Baker’s Dozen Post Frame Home Myths Part III

Posted by polebarnguru on 11/22/2022
A Baker’s Dozen Post Frame Home Myths Part III

A Baker’s Dozen Post-Frame Home Myths (#8 – #13) MYTH #8. THERE ARE NO FOOTERS IN POST FRAMES Without having footers to protect concrete slabs on grade from freezing, there is a potential your concrete slab can move or heave around edges in cold weather. In turn, this can shift interior walls, resulting in damage […]

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A Baker’s Dozen Post Frame Home Myths: Part II

Posted by polebarnguru on 11/17/2022
A Baker’s Dozen Post Frame Home Myths: Part II

A Baker’s Dozen Post-Frame Home Myths (#4 – #7) MYTH #4 I NEED TO HIRE A BUILDER FIRST, BEFORE I DO ANYTHING Have professional floor plans and elevation drawings done before pestering a builder. Very few builders are professional designers or architects – expecting them to be is unrealistic. Also, every builder worth his or her […]

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Corner Trim, Metal Roof Install Issue, and Insulation Solutions

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about what trim to use on building corners, an issue of installing metal to roof that is extremely out of square, and best options to insulate a building. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Good afternoon! Looking to see what trim to use on the corners? https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2015/10/horizon-steel-siding/  Sincerely, KYLEIGH DEAR […]

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A Baker’s Dozen Post Frame Home Myths Part I

Posted by polebarnguru on 11/15/2022
A Baker’s Dozen Post Frame Home Myths Part I

A Baker’s Dozen Post-Frame Home Myths This article is so lengthy it will be fed to you in three installments. For your reading pleasure I present here Myths #1 through 3. MYTH #1. MOST JURISDICTIONS WILL NOT ALLOW POST-FRAME HOMES. Now this happens to be one of my favorite subjects.  If I believed in past […]

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What is Degree Day?

Posted by polebarnguru on 11/10/2022
What is Degree Day?

What is a Degree Day? In an article penned a year ago (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2021/11/insulated-ceiling-vapor-barrier/), I referenced building scientist and founding principal of Building Science Corporation Joe Lstiburek. Joe stated, “Plastic vapor barriers should only be installed in vented attics in climates with more than 8,000 heating degree days.” However my bad was, I did not define […]

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Insulate a Building, Truss Carrier Bolts, and Code Standards

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the proper way to insulate the walls of a metal building, advice on bolting truss carriers, and advice about, “building code standards for the horizontal infill framing” on a post frame building. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I would like to insulate the interior walls of […]

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USDA First Time Homebuyer Barndominium Loans

Posted by polebarnguru on 11/08/2022
USDA First Time Homebuyer Barndominium Loans

USDA First Time Homebuyer Barndominium Loans Reader AMBER in INGRAM writes: “Can these be purchased in conjunction with land under the USDA1st time homebuyer loan? I know mobile home companies do so I was unsure if y’all could.” I reached out to Amanda (Hansen Pole Buildings’ financing wizardress) who advised none of our lenders do […]

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What to do When the Old Post Frame Garage Has Issues

Posted by polebarnguru on 11/03/2022
What to do When the Old Post Frame Garage Has Issues

What to do When the Old Post Frame Garage Has Issues Welcome back from Tuesday’s posting. As you may recall, when my great-grandfather W.R. McDowell built his two-car Model A garage pre-World War II, it was 16 feet wide by 20 feet deep. This garage was supported by eight cedar poles on minimal footings. Well….sure […]

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Spray Foam, Siding Strength, and What is DIY?

Posted by polebarnguru on 11/02/2022
Spray Foam, Siding Strength, and What is DIY?

Today, the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about closed cell spray foam, which building would be stronger if one was wrapped in steel siding and the other with wood, and what aspects of a DIY project are “do it yourself”? DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Thanks for taking the time to respond… hope this finds you […]

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A Post Frame Building at Newman Lake

Posted by polebarnguru on 11/01/2022
A Post Frame Building at Newman Lake

A Post Frame Building at Newman Lake In this mid-1980’s photo, from left-to-right are Margaret and Frank Rostead (Frank was best man when my Grandparents were married in 1933), my grandmother Jerene McDowell (b. 1910– d.2006) and a Model A garage built by Grandma Jerene’s father – W.C. McDowell. Back to our story after some […]

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How to Square a Building

Posted by polebarnguru on 10/27/2022
How to Square a Building

How to Square a Building This question was recently posted in a social media group and when I went to search the over 2000 articles I have written – I found there was not one! Here are excerpts from the Hansen Pole Buildings’ Construction Manual: Building Layout The building layout establishes exact reference lines and […]

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Hurricane Straps, a Loft Floor Truss, and Site Specific Engineering

This Wednesday, the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about use of hurricane straps to anchor 8×8 posts to sill plate, the possibility of adding a beam to old a loft for open concept, and if we do site specific engineering for Panama City Florida- yes. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hey I’m on the starting […]

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Closed Cell Spray Foam Adhesion

Posted by polebarnguru on 10/25/2022
Closed Cell Spray Foam Adhesion

Closed Cell Spray Foam Adhesion to Dis-similar Materials Reader GREG in ASHEVILLE writes: “How long will closed cell foam maintain adhesion/air barrier function to dis-similar materials (sheet metal and lumber in the case of post frame)? I ask because my experience with foam is limited to what was sprayed beneath my floor/floor joists (estimating late […]

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Building Your Own Pole Barn Trusses

Posted by polebarnguru on 10/20/2022
Building Your Own Pole Barn Trusses

Wants to Build His Own Pole Barn Trusses Reader DANIEL in HAMPSHIRE writes: “Good evening, I was wondering if I could ask for your help? I have a question regarding truss designs and truss spacing. I’m building a pole barn (50ft wide x 112ft long x 12ft tall). Prices of pole barn kits have skyrocketed […]

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Barndo Living, Bracing a Roof Only, and Housewrap

Posted by polebarnguru on 10/19/2022
Barndo Living, Bracing a Roof Only, and Housewrap

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about “barndo living” and the how to’s of post frame construction in Pagosa Springs, CO, bracing a roof only structure for working cattle, and if sheathing and housewrap are needed for a post frame building using wet-set brackets. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Have you ever constructed […]

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Converting a Stick Framer

Posted by polebarnguru on 10/18/2022
Converting a Stick Framer

Converting a Stick Framer As my long term followers may remember, I grew up stick framing houses, apartments and commercial buildings working for my Father and his framing contractor brothers. While our (myself and my male cousins) education was focused far more on “do” as opposed to “why we were doing” we all got a […]

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