Category Archives: Gambrel

Post Frame Bank Barns

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 04/18/2023
Post Frame Bank Barns

TERESA in BEDFORD writes: “Can you build a pole barn in a bank barn style?” Mike the Pole Barn Guru answers: A bank barn is a style of barn noted for its accessibility, at ground level, on two separate levels. Often built into hill sides or banks, upper and lower floors could be accessed from […]

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Adding a Pool, Gambrel for Processing, and Square Footage

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 03/29/2023
Adding a Pool, Gambrel for Processing, and Square Footage

This week Mike the Pole Barn Guru discusses reader questions about the practicality of adding a pool to an existing pole barn, if the trusses in a gambrel might hold the load of a deer while processing, and what square footage might give the best “bang for the bunk?” DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am […]

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Basement Addition, Gambrel Modification, and a New Home

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/08/2022
Basement Addition, Gambrel Modification, and a New Home

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about the addition of a basement to an existing pole barn, the possibility of modifying an existing gambrel style horse barn, and the connection of a house and garage. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am considering building a partial basement under my existing Pole Barn Building […]

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Pole Barn House Roof Styles

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/27/2021
Pole Barn House Roof Styles

POLE BARN HOUSE ROOF STYLES: WHICH ONE IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU?  Today’s guest blogger is John Hamlin, an industrial manufacturing writer with a passion for technology. Having a background in construction and a keen interest in engineering, John has slowly made his way into becoming a major contributor to many online publications. The […]

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Pole Barn Homes, Pole Barn Home Financing, and Insulation Assistance

This Monday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about pole barn homes, help with finding a lender for a post frame home, and an insulation solution for a gambrel style building. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, do you have any information on your pole barn homes? Looking to build in lower Michigan. HOLLY in […]

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How Much is the White Gambrel Barn?

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 12/23/2020
How Much is the White Gambrel Barn?

How Much is the White Gambrel Barn? Reader ALLISON in SALIDA writes: “I’m wondering what it would cost to build the large white gambrel style barn that’s on your website.  Thanks!” This building has been featured in places like covers of NFBA’s post frame building design manual and Rural Builder magazine. It is truly a […]

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Loading Gambrel Loft Space

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/29/2020
Loading Gambrel Loft Space

Loading Gambrel Loft Space Loyal reader ANDY in OXFORD writes: “Mike, First, thanks for providing so much useful information to all of us. I’ve read about 1,200 of your blog entries so far, and I’ve learned so much. I have already priced a 30X36X11 Gambrel Roof building from Hansen for a woodworking shop. I’m committed […]

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Floor Trusses for Barndominiums

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/28/2020
Floor Trusses for Barndominiums

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 […]

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Tall Door in a Low Height Restriction

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/20/2019
Tall Door in a Low Height Restriction

In an attempt to preserve “pristineness” of neighborhoods, Planning Departments can come up with some interesting requirements. Amongst these are often restrictions upon building heights. Sometimes restrictions for detached accessory buildings (garages or shops) are related to primary dwelling heights, sometimes they appear entirely arbitrary. In the case of our “shouse” (shop/house) in South Dakota, […]

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Hansen Buildings Instant Pricing

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 10/10/2019
Hansen Buildings Instant Pricing

Hansen Pole Buildings’ Instant Pricing Program™ Back in 1980, when I was first exposed to pole barns, in order to give a potential client a price quote, I had to do a manual breakdown of all of the components necessary to assemble their building. Luckily, most buildings were fairly simple rectangular boxes, but it was […]

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Gambrel Barndominium Done Differently

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/03/2019
Gambrel Barndominium Done Differently

What I Would Have Done Differently With Our Gambrel Barndominium When we built our gambrel roof style barndominium 15 years ago we were in a position financially where we could have done most anything we wanted to. Our property was over two acres in size, so available space was not a determining factor. After having […]

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Maximizing Post Frame Gambrel Space

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/02/2019
Maximizing Post Frame Gambrel Space

Maximizing Post Frame Gambrel Usable Space With Trusses Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer Rachel and I recently had some discussions in regards to maximizing post frame gambrel truss useable space.  Most often gambrel roofs are supported by one piece clearspan gambrel trusses. Largest downside to this type of truss system is lack of bonus room width. […]

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Brackets to Sonotubes, Housewrap, and Help with a Remodel

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 07/01/2019
Brackets to Sonotubes, Housewrap, and Help with a Remodel

This week Mike the Pole Barn Guru gives some advice regarding the use of brackets with sonotubes, installation of housewrap, and the possibility of replacing a gable style roof with a gambrel. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Guru, I am looking at building a pole barn home. I like the idea of doing wetset brackets in […]

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General Material Storage for Barndominiums

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 06/11/2019
General Material Storage for Barndominiums

General Material Storage I have recently signed up to join several barndominium groups on Facebook. If you are unfamiliar with this term, here is a detailed explanation: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2016/04/the-rise-of-the-barndominium/. Overnight I have had an ‘ah-ha’ moment where a light bulb turned on and I decided to take a plunge. I am going to write at least […]

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

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru 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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A Gambrel Pole Barn, Ceiling Heights, and RV Storage Solutions

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/24/2018
A Gambrel Pole Barn, Ceiling Heights, and RV Storage Solutions

Today the Pole barn Guru discusses questions about Gambrel buildings, a minimum ceiling height for a loft, and RV storage solutions. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you make plans for 18 x 20 gambrel roof pole barns? BEN in HOWELL DEAR BEN: Hansen Pole Buildings can provide materials, assembly instructions and engineer sealed plans for […]

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Building Your Own Gambrel Barn Wood Roof Trusses

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 05/25/2018
Building Your Own Gambrel Barn Wood Roof Trusses

Gambrel style rooflines are often enticing, they offer the feeling (however not the reality) of getting added space for free. Building your own gambrel barn trusses might appear on the surface like a way to make this even a greater savings. This was prompted by an inquiry from reader DON in WAYNE. Don writes: “I […]

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Top Plate

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 01/30/2018
Top Plate

Top Plate (Truss Carrier) Size With Attic Trusses Question from reader JEFFREY in STAPLETON: “I’m building a gambrel pole barn 30ft x 50ft , these are attic trusses with a 16ft room sitting @ 2ft oc, will 10ft pole spacing with double 2×12 top plate be sufficient, any suggestions?”   Mike the Pole Barn responds: […]

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How to Keep the Water Out of a Pole Building

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 11/24/2017
How to Keep the Water Out of a Pole Building

How to Keep the Water Out of a Pole Barn The post frame (pole barn) building has moved from the farm to suburbia. With the transition in building uses, having water flowing into a post frame business or residence is far less than desirable. Dear Pole Barn Guru: My parents lived in a pole barn “lodge”. […]

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Insulating an All Wood Gambrel Barn

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 09/05/2017
Insulating an All Wood Gambrel Barn

A reader writes: “Dear Guru.I have an all wood gambrel style pole barn that I’m converting to a shop.  I’ve installed forced air heat and am getting ready to insulate.  My exterior walls are Tyvek wrapped osb and vinyl sided.  I am wanting to use rigid board to help deter rodent nesting.   My questions […]

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Need a 13′ Tall Door With a 12′ Mean Height Restriction

Posted by The Pole Barn Guru on 08/23/2017
Need a 13′ Tall Door With a 12′ Mean Height Restriction

Need a 13’ Tall Door With a 12’ Mean Height Restriction Planning Departments can be the bane of a property owner’s existence. They are the folks who are delegated enforcement of what some might feel are unrealistic expectations as to building heights and footprints. Many times there are solutions, and chances are if a solution […]

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