This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about driver bits, the ability to build one big room, and the ability to place a 14′ tall overhead garage door in a building with 14′ sidewalls. DEAR POLE BARN GURU:   Just read a post you had in 2013 that Hansen supplier uses high quality screws. Getting […]

This Monday the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about where to mount the vertical tracks for his overhead garage door, a batch of questions for a possible DIY’er, and a question about flooring options. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do my tracks for garage door mount directly to the 6×6 posts, or is there a 2×6 […]

Disclaimer – this and subsequent articles on this subject are not intended to be legal advice, merely an example for discussions between you and your legal advisor. Please keep in mind, many of these terms are applicable towards post frame building kits and would require edits for cases where a builder is providing erection services […]

Disclaimer – this and subsequent articles on this subject are not intended to be legal advice, merely an example for discussions between you and your legal advisor. Please keep in mind, many of these terms are applicable towards post frame building kits and would require edits for cases where a builder is providing erection services […]

For a second day of Ask The Guru, Mike answers questions about “raising the door opening” on an existing pole barn, where to get plans for a pole building, and where to get a hangar door. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Is it possible to raise the door opening of a pole barn. The opening is […]

Strange Claims of Entry Doors Moving When it comes to post frame (pole) buildings and barndominiums, stories being shared often sound like they originated in Twilight Zone episodes. Reader STEVE in MERCER writes: “Everyone I talk to recommends one side of the man door be a structural post but there is a 50/50 disagreement on […]

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 […]

Continued from yesterday’s blog; Aside from code compliance or indoor air quality concerns, another reason to get a blower door test is to properly size your furnace or air conditioner. How leaky or tight your barndominium is can change how much heating/humidification or cooling/dehumidification you need. This then ties into how carefully your mechanical system […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about column height for an eight foot one inch interior ceiling, what size bi-fold door for a hangar, and specific boards for a splash plank. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: New at this. If I am building a pole barn house and want 8 ft 1 inch […]

We’ll continue this week with a third day of Bonus PBG’s! Today Mike take care of reader questions about adding “double doors” to the high side of a lean to, insulation to building in Climate Zone 4A with R-49, and the feasibility of building in Alaska. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi Mike, I am looking […]

This Monday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about installing a SIP floor instead of concrete, stack-able hanger doors for addition, and rough cuts on some sliding door lateral braces. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am considering installing SIP floor in my pole barn instead of a concrete floor (the barn will be a […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about use of Tyvek weather barrier, best size for overhead garage doors, and insulation for a slab. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi, I was thinking of putting up a metal clad pole building and insulating it with R28 batt. Wondering your thoughts on adding Tyvek to the […]

Continuing the discussion of high R-values in overhead doors from yesterday’s Part I: Are reported R-values even accurate? There’s another potential problem with R-values reported by garage-door manufacturers: even if one accepts advertised R-values represent center-of-panel values rather than whole-door values, these numbers are still higher than most insulation experts believe are possible. Several manufacturers report […]

Barndominium High R-value Overhead Doors When my lovely bride and I had our post frame building shouse (shop house aka barndominium) constructed, energy efficiency was important for us. Then Hansen Pole Buildings was ordering our overhead doors through my friend David Vance, owner of Rainer Building Products in Western Washington. I approached David with our […]

A very common statement is: “I love my building, but hate my doors.” Don’t put cheaply made inferior doors on a great building. Not all door companies offer the same quality! Hansen Pole Buildings has provided a significant number of pole building hangars located all across the country. By far, the most prevalent choice by […]

Tim Carter is best known for his weekly syndicated “Ask The Builder” column. You can read more about Tim here: https://www.askthebuilder.com/tim-carter-autobiography/ Q. I can’t tell you how many thousands of dollars I’ve spent on remote storage facility fees. I want to put all my stuff on my own land in a dream garage. I realize a […]

Today’s BONUS round of the PBG includes questions about column advice, liability insurance to harvest reclaimed wood, and parts for used pole barn doors. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My barn will be 9’4″ to the eave, 40′ x 64′ long. What column material should I use? My options are 4″x 6″ Pressure treated wood or […]

This week’s Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about where to stop metal in relation to concrete, installing a sliding door to a repurposed building, and the proper depth of footings. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Where do I stop my metal in relation to my grade board/ bottom stringer. I’ve set the bottom of my […]

Full View Aluminum Sectional Barndominium Overhead Doors Sleek, modern building designs are becoming increasingly popular with architects, builders, and homeowners alike.  For barndominiums, shouses and post frame homes, sometimes a steel overhead door doesn’t have a just right “look.”  Hansen Pole Buildings offers a line of Aluminum Full View Amarr doors with multiple options, including […]

Fire Separation Requirements for Barndominiums and Shouses Loyal reader CHUCK in MERINO timed asking this question perfectly, as fire separation requirements for barndominiums, shouses and post frame houses had just made it to my list of subjects to research and comment upon. Chuck writes: “I was wondering if you could pen your interpretation of the […]

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 […]

This week the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about scissor trusses, wood framing and hanger bolts for sliding doors, as well as a foundation option for a post frame house. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a 30×40 pole barn. And my lower beam on the trusses is to low for my car lift. Is […]

This Monday the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about a new a heated floor in a new workshop, adding a large sliding door to a building, and the metal gauge of a beverage can. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, New fan of your site 🙂   We are designing a 40×80 pole building workshop for heavy equipment, […]

Lumberyards – Don’t Burst Customer’s Dreams A week or so ago I was contacted in regards to a 42 wide by 48 foot long 12 foot eave post frame (pole) building kit. This person had actually ‘purchased’ this building from a vendor local to him for just over 12,000 dollars with steel roofing and siding, […]

On Facebook I am a member of a group “Pole Barns and Buildings”. Recently a group member posted this question: “I’m new to the group so thanks for letting me in. I’m having a 30’x48’x16′ pole barn built for a shop that will be insulated with a concrete floor. I am also putting an enclosed […]

Overhead Door Jambs With Bracket Mounted Columns Of course there are many methods of post frame construction-ours just happens to be best (at least we like to think so)! Reader TOM in BOSCOBEL writes: “I set laminated 2×6 beams into wet set anchors. I am ready to attach the 2×6 jambs to the rough opening, […]

On Facebook I am a member of a discussion group for Pole and Post frame building professionals only. Recently one of our group members posed a question, “What are the extras you do to set yourself apart”? It was only then I realized there are some significant differences between a Hansen Pole Building and other […]

This Monday the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about placement of overheads doors to accommodate an exercise pool, the cost differences of building a single story building or adding a 2nd floor, and a post frame wedding venue. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I want a two car garage on a concrete slab adjacent to driveway […]

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, […]

Let’s start with a definition of Design Pressure. According to AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association), WDMA (Window and Door Manufacturers Association), and NAFS (North American Fenestration Standard), Design Pressure (DP) is a rating identifying loads induced by wind and/or static snow a product is rated to withstand in its end-use application. So basically, DP is […]

Today’s Pole Barn Guru answers questions about why Hansen does not sell sliding doors without the rest of the building, creating more space in an existing building, and wind rating comparison of post frame, stick built, and steel frame buildings. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello.  I saw a video of a heavy duty hardware for […]

Overhead Door Install Without a Concrete Floor Reader WILLIE in SHELBYVILLE writes: “ I am building a pole barn and I am not going to pour concrete on the floor just a rock base and I am going to install an overhead door. My question is what do I need to stop the door from […]

This Monday the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about roof trusses at 4′ o.c., ways to solve condensation issues, and sliding door options. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My question is I just purchased some roof trusses that are 32 feet long heel to heel they are constructed with 2 by 4s can I put these […]

Partially Enclosed Buildings (and Why It Matters) I have previously written how a fully enclosed building could be less of an investment than a three sided building – even though a fourth wall has been added: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2014/03/three-sided-building/ For those of you who neglected to click and read my previous article, consider your building as a […]

Today’s Pole Barn Guru answers questions about the sale of overhead garage doors, the use of galvanized nails, and if Hansen could install a ceiling liner. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you sell overhead style panel doors for pole barns?  I am located in FL and need a 14’x14’ barn door (possibly up to 6 total) […]

A Free Post Frame Building Critique I am going to offer a free critique of this post frame building. From a design aspect, I wouldn’t consider investing in a residential (or residential accessory) post frame building without overhangs. Not only do they make buildings look far less industrial, they also afford weather protection above doors […]

This week Mike the Pole barn Guru answers questions about foundations, effectiveness of insulating a sliding barn door, and where to buy a sliding barn door. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hansen Team, in beginning my post frame home over a full foundation, I am reading your excellent load bearing considerations for the posts through the […]

Don’t Make Mistakes on Horse Stall Doors Horse owners please join in, this one is for you: Picture, if you will, your dream barn. You know how many stalls, feed rooms, tack rooms, etc., are needed and how much space they will take up. You have the exterior down pat, but you may not have […]

Today’s Guru answers questions about building of the barn, minimum headroom for an overhead garage door, and support for solar panels. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello! We found your website for pole barns. We’re still thinking about which option we’d like to go with, but we’re wondering if you also have a team that will do […]

Today the Pole barn Guru answers a question about use of a sliding “barn style door” as an exterior door. As long time readers of this column know, every once in a while I get thrown a question having little to do with post frame construction. However I get a euphus pitch thrown at me […]

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 […]

Today the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about, condensation, ground Water, and an overhead door size. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Good morning, My name is Brett and about to complete my Hansen Pole building. I have having issues with condensation from my metal roof given the recent freezing weather. I do have a vapor barrier, […]

Today the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about adding a garage door wall to a hoop shed, ventilation with no sidewall overhangs, and how post frame buildings are “anchored” to the ground. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I would like to close the open 1/2 of the basketball court hoop shed with a pole building face. […]

I have been a proponent of machine rated lumber since I bought my first truckload to be made into trusses at Coeur d’Alene Truss (http://www.cdabuilders.com/) back in 1978. Years later I spent five terms on the Board of Directors of the Machine Stress Rated Lumber Producers Council (http://www.msrlumber.org/). I have opined previously on the merits […]

Today Mike addresses questions about placement of sliding doors, extreme snow loads, and quoting for a specific design. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m building a 32 wide 48’ long 14’ tall hay barn. 6×6 posts. Looking at my barn I have one post in the center and want two 16’ wide sliding doors to access […]

This weeks PBG discusses a bottom chord dead load, installing sliding barn doors, and truss spacing. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Ok, just to make sure I understand that 10lb psf dead load rating would cover the bottom chords supporting ducts either resting on or suspended from them inside the conditioned space? My thinking is if […]

All-in-One Door Seal Kit The following article was originally produced and published at www.Builderonline.com, who is solely responsible for its content. This story is being republished to raise awareness of information publicly available online and the accuracy of author’s claims has not been verified. As such, we cannot vouch for the validity of any facts, […]

Help! My Overhead Door Jambs Are Rotting! I am fairly certain this problem occurs more often than I hear about. Reader DAVID in ROLLING PRAIRIE writes: “Enclosed are two pictures showing my pole building’s overhead door. One picture is the inside door jamb that is decaying from water damage and the other one is a […]

The Pole Barn Guru answers questions bout heating a pole barn, sliding door parts, and a replacement panel for a Hansen Building. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Many years ago I had a friend that made a good income renting heated storage space in a very large pole barn to boat owners.  He complained of the heating […]

Today the Pole Barn Guru visits with readers about, types of construction, sliding doors, and roof vents. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello Mike – I am working with the NFBA on a study of the post frame (pole barn) building market in the US. Among our objectives is to understand what % of construction in […]

Garage Door Trims Don’t Fit Hansen Pole Buildings’ Technical Support Department answers lots of questions for our clients. Most of these questions can be answered, or could be solved, by review of the building’s engineered plans and/or reading appropriate chapter of Hansen Pole Buildings’ Construction Manual. This Construction Manual also provides a step-by-step outline of […]

Approximate Price of Sliding and Dutch Doors Only Reader PATRICK in FREDERICK writes: “I was looking for a “approximate” price on metal sliding doors for an existing pole barn that is being refurbished.  Also interested in the life stock dutch doors. Could you give me a ballpark price on the following items plus shipping to […]

Champion Sliding Doors Hansen Pole Buildings is a distributor for Plyco Champion Sliding Doors.  Champion sliding doors can be ordered as a part of any complete Hansen Pole Buildings kit package. We do not offer any type of doors by themselves, due to challenges of shipping damage. While sliding doors are not an answer to […]

Poor Pole Barn Plans Lead to Poor Results There are a plethora of places people can go to buy a pole barn kit package with plans – Hansen Pole Buildings (I’d like to believe there is a reason we are the industry’s leader), a few online resellers, nearly every lumberyard in America, as well as […]

Almost Round Pen Our eldest daughter Bailey, as a professional horse trainer, has spent a great deal of her life with horses in round pens. Generally round pens are unprotected in the great outdoors, leading to them not being able to be used in inclement weather. Personally, experience has shown it is far more economical […]

Continued from yesterday’s Part I on overhead door R-values… Are the reported R-values even accurate? There’s another potential problem with the R-values reported by garage-door manufacturers: even if one accepts the fact the advertised R-values represent center-of-panel values rather than whole-door values, the numbers are still higher than most insulation experts believe are possible. Several manufacturers report […]

High R-value Overhead Doors for Post Frame Buildings When my lovely bride and I had our post frame building home constructed, energy efficiency was important for us. At the time Hansen Pole Buildings was ordering our overhead doors through my friend David Vance, owner of Rainer Building Products in Western Washington. I approached David with […]

An Engineer wants to Learn More, Roof Steel Replacement, and the ideal Building Height to Accommodate an RV! DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m a licensed engineer in KY. I would like to learn more about pole barn design. Do you have any references that you would recommend? James in KY DEAR JAMES: The NFBA Post […]

Free Standing Hangar Door Disclaimer: this is not a testimonial for this door, I have not personally used one, and to the best of my knowledge none of our clients has (although I could be wrong on this last part). As readers of yesterday’s column have learned, deflection can become an issue with openings for […]

Hangar Doors in Eave Side of Buildings Reader KEN in ZEPHYRHILLS writes: “To facilitate use as an aircraft hangar can the sliding doors be located on the side rather than the end walls?” I have been involved in more than a fair number of airplane hangars, starting way before my days in the post frame […]

No Leak Overhead Door Dog Ears The key to cutting trims for no leak overhead door dog ears for post frame buildings comes from careful cutting and installation of pieces to water flows in front of, rather than getting behind, each piece as it works down the building. It also helps to utilize a trim […]

Mike answers questions about a adding radiant barrier, wind and hail, and parts for sliding doors: DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have an existing pole barn and want to add a radiant barrier to the inside walls before I insulate and cover the walls. Is this wise and can I use a foil that comes […]

Mike address “headroom” needs for overhead garage doors. Reader JEFF in ROSEBURG writes: “If my roll up door opening is less than 2′ from wall height, 18″ is what I have, is there a roll up door that would work? Or is 2′ below wall height the absolute minimum?” Mike the Pole Barn Guru writes: […]

Proper Foundation and Slab, Two-Story Buildings, and Door Parts DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Dear Sir, I read the details of pouring a concrete slab after building the barn. I live in Montana with some pretty cold winters. If I were laying a slab for a conventional stick built structure i would be required to dig […]

Sliding Doors, Roofing Tar on Posts? and Condenstop! DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have an arena with 12×12 openings at each end. I want to find a rolling door solution. I would like to have 6.5” doors that open left and right. I’m also interested in finding a door solution that instead of tan metal […]

The pole barn Guru looks at a Retro-Fit, truss supports, and installing a sliding door. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a question about Retro-Fit insulating my pole barn. I live in Southwest Michigan and bought my house with an existing 40’x60′ building, just used for storing farm equipment before I acquired it. Steel roofing […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a 40 x 24 pole barn with a 4 inch stone base floor. Can I place 2×4 grid framing 24 in on center with 3/4 inch T&G 4 x 8 sheets for light weight shop usage? No vehicles. JEFF in SYCAMORE DEAR JEFF: Some ifs – if your site […]

I’ll take Structural Engineering for $XXX Alex Proper Engineering in post frame construction can not be overlooked. Alex Trebek has hosted Jeopardy!, the iconic daily syndicated game show, since 1984. With over 7,000 episodes aired, Jeopardy! has won a record 33 Daytime Emmy Awards. Some of you may even have tuned in for an episode […]

Many iconic traditional wooden barns feature sliding doors with wooden cross bucks. Originally, the cross buck design had a utilitarian purpose, fortifying gates, fences, and large barn doors by providing structural support. However, the X-design on doors appeared in the mid-1800s as part of what was called “Stick Style.” This Gothic-inspired variation of Victorian architecture […]

BIB’s Insulation, In-Ground Posts, and Rodents DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m still in processing with the county to get permits for our new Hansen home building but in the meantime I’m trying to figure out insulation for our raised floor. County requirements (I’m assuming IBC code) requires R30 floor insulation. The building floor design wound […]

“How to Make a Post Frame Building Air Tighter” One of our clients who is currently constructing his building recently wrote:  “Chapter 21 Wall Steel page 142 indicates, “Install sidewall steel perpendicular to base trim (plumb), holding wall steel up 1/4” from level base trim surface.” With the ¼” gap there would be openings for […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My Plyco rollers are wearing prematurely since I added liner to my doors. Can I put a 3rd roller in the center of each leaf to spread out the additional load? BRAD in EL DORADO DEAR BRAD: If these are round Plyco trolleys, your door must be very heavy. I say […]

Maximizing Barn Door Width for your pole barn. No different than encouraging folks to construct the largest building which will fit on their property and be within budget, when planning your new post frame building, maximize the width of doors to achieve the greatest functionality for your barn. Here is a case in point….. Reader […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have an upstairs (loft) exterior opening that is 50″ wide by 68″ tall. I want to build a door with the National Hardware tab-loc frame and cover it with r-panel siding. How much overhang on each side, and top and bottom do I need to make the door? What should […]

Tackling Headroom Headaches, Post Hole Problems, and Insulation Options DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am curious about the room I needed for my overhead door. I had my building designed for a 12’x12′ overhead door in the middle of the end wall. My wall height is 14′ but with a truss depth of 18″ the […]

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 […]

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 […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am looking for a bottom guide for a sliding barn door. I was hoping to get a guide with a roller vs. just a roller. I noticed some guides trap the roller in a channel on the bottom of the door. I would like to know if you have that […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I would like to get a quote for sliding garage door for commercial building. The size that I would like to have is 8′ wide 12′ tall. If I can get two slide garage door it would be perfect (two 4’x12′ garage door) if not One door is fine. White garage […]

“Since the peaked end of my new post frame building will be so much higher than the sidewalls, how about I place a very tall overhead door at the center of it?” Today’s topic was prompted by BILL from BUFFALO who writes: “Have you ever attempted to install an overhead door in an end wall […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have an existing pole barn with a rough opening and I want to retro-fit a sliding door over it to block wind and rain. If I can supply you with the rough opening dimensions, can you quote the parts kit to assemble a metal frame and hangers that I can clad […]

Where, oh Where, to Place Overhead Doors My long term readers may have believed I have pounded overhead doors to death. Ha! I say – there is always more to talk about when it comes to overhead doors! We’ve talked about door widths, avoiding 8 and 14 foot width doors as they are not usually […]

There seems to be a propensity for potential new post frame building owners to attempt to put too many doors in a wall. While usually the challenge is trying to get too tall of a door to fit, in today’s article we will discuss too much width of doors. Please picture this, if you will […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: 34’x44′ pole barn middle is 20′ high and 14′ wide, the 2 outside parts are 10′ high by 10′ wide, frost level is 48″, snow load is 40lbs per sqft poles will be 6×6 what kind of footings will i need to have to support this building? MITCH in KAWARTHA LAKES […]

I’ve written in the past about our oldest daughter, Bailey. Bailey is a professional horse trainer (Tennessee Walkers) and is well respected within her industry at the now ripe old age of 27. She is a smart lady – she wanted overhead doors with electric openers on the sliding doors of her barn aisleways.. Why? […]

Putting a 14 Foot Tall Overhead Door in a Short Eave Height… I’ve been doing post frame buildings now for a couple of years. Okay, maybe a couple of couple of years, as in 37 (ouch, am I seriously this old?). I’ve learned a certain amount of clients (and builders) are seemingly dimensionally challenged when […]

If your new post frame building will only ever be cold storage, then an insulated overhead door just might be all your will ever want, or need. For most people, I encourage them to go with insulated doors, just on the oft chance someone down the line will have different ideas. Insulated overhead doors do […]

Overhead Doors With Mullions- aka Swing-Up Post Doors Chances are if something is unique, unusual or near impossible the request is going to end up coming to Hansen Pole Buildings – it is the nature of the beast! Here is a request for something I have never done (or actually seen done in person): DEAR […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a (about) 40×24 pole building that faces north. I have a regular door that faces west. The wind and any accompanying rain typically blows directly against that west facing door. The building was built in 1996 by the original owner of the house. I’ve only lived in the house […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Good morning. My name is Thomas and I am with xxxxxx; we manufacture metal roofing and siding and based out of Tennessee. I wanted to ask you a few questions to gain some information. First, my wife and I are starting to look at metal building for our new home, is […]

Snow Slides Off Roof – Kills Child I’ve recently been searching the pages of the IBC (International Building Code) for a section which I was just certain I had viewed in an earlier Code edition – preventing accumulated snow  sliding off roofs, in particular at door openings. I even went so far as to post […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Where can I find barn doors, sliding steel style? They have no internet presence, or else there is a secret name for them. Thank you! BONNY in FRANKFORT DEAR BONNY: If you are in search of a steel covered, metal framed sliding door (which is what the huge majority of sliding […]

Over the past 36 plus years in the post frame building industry, I’ve personally sold, delivered and/or specified pretty easily at least 10,000 sliding doors. I am certain someone has provided more, most probably far less. Very, very few of them have ever been with glass in the doors. Sherri in Gaylord, Kansas recently asked, […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Is it possible to build a post frame building on a crawl space. If so, where do you place the poles. Inside, outside, on top, or in the concrete. Thank you JACOB in CARROLLTON DEAR JACOB: Yes, it is both very possible and very practical to build a post frame building […]

What Horsepower Should a Garage Door Opener Have? Good question, and important enough to be well deserving of its own article. It was asked of me by JAME from CAMBRIDGE: “Just bought a home with a great pole barn already on it. My question is I want to install a door opener on the big […]

Scissors Trusses in Post Frame Buildings I’ve written previously about Henry Getz, of Morton Buildings (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2016/06/origins-colored-steel/), however there are reasons other than pre-painted steel roofing and siding which the post frame industry should thank Henry for. Beyond color, Henry also introduced the raised-chord (scissors) truss to the post frame industry, which allowed a taller end […]

One of the many decisions you’ll need to make when choosing a customized pole barn is the door type. You can opt for either an overhead door that raises up or a sliding door that pushes from left to right (or vice versa) – so what’s the better choice? The sliding versus overhead door decision […]

Please keep in mind, I was a post frame (pole) building contractor in a past life. With as many as 35 crews erecting buildings in six states – if something could possibly go awry, one of my crews would find a way to achieve it! Seriously. Some of them were creative in methods which I […]

One Foot And it isn’t the left or the right one! Actually the one foot I have in mind is the difference in width between a standard 36 inch width entry door and a 48 inch wide one. Oh what a difference the extra foot makes! And most of the difference is not in cost. […]

Double Bi-parting Sliding Doors for an Airplane Hangar Every once in a while I get asked a Dear Pole Barn Guru question which just demands its own space in order to do the subject topic true justice. This happens to be one of them. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I want to build a 50x40x16 for […]