Your Planning Department May Dictate Your Post-Frame Siding Choices Although most of us general population members are unawares, your local Planning Department has a great deal of power over what you can or cannot do with your own property. This goes right down to decisions on siding choices for your new post-frame building! (Read more […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Like a good novelist, I am going to torture you by forcing you to read this story prior to revealing a super- secret answer. One of our clients will be constructing a Hansen Pole Building in Colorado soon. This particular building is very typical post frame construction as it has steel roofing over open purlins. […]

3M™ All Weather Flashing Tape 8067 Like a bad novelist, in my last article I introduced a character in a final book chapter, who had not been previously mentioned. 3M™ All Weather Flashing Tape 8067 is a self-adhered, waterproof flashing membrane designed for sealing around openings and penetrations in exterior walls. This product has a […]

The Case of The Leaking Post Frame Building Window Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s hero – renowned sleuth Sherlock Holmes, was forever solving mysteries entitled “The Case of Something or Other”. To solve this particular mystery neither Holmes, nor Dr. John Watson’s skills will be required. Nor shall we need a call to Scotland Yard. Reader […]

When Your Roof Grows Today’s worthless trivia question: What one-hit wonder sang 1970’s popular song, “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)”? Please read to this article end for the answer. While one’s love might grow, it proves less than ideal to have this occur when it comes to overall length of a post frame building […]

Solving Steel Roofing Leaks Nothing much more frustrating than finding your post frame building’s new steel roofing has a leak (or two) – however they can be solved! Reader (and client) BRYAN from MECHANICSVILLE writes: “I’m really loving my pole barn. With all of the rain we’ve had, I’ve noticed two leaks, I believe they […]

Today’s PBG addresses slab insulation, vapor barriers and sliding doors at an entry. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am starting a project finishing a Hansen pole barn in a suburb of Minneapolis. My question is in regard to the floor. I assume there was no insulation under the slab, I have yet to confirm this, […]

Master Seal® Flow Cone Washers Master Seal® washers are assembled to a wide variety of Leland Industries fasteners, including diaphragm screws utilized in Hansen Pole Buildings. Flow Cone Washers (US Patent #4292876) utilize vulcanized Grey or Black EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) to special dished dome galvanized washers. This EPDM flows up into a cone […]

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 […]

Mortarless Masonry Exterior Options for Pole Buildings Today’s guest blogger is Jim Weidner, Commercial Project Manager for Rochester Concrete Products. Throughout the years, pole (post frame) buildings have evolved. At one time, pole buildings were constructed for a person’s shop, garage, or just a storage building. Those uses still remain, but now pole buildings are […]

Today the Pole Barn Guru discusses Rebar hairpins, a bigger build, and cutting corners on the construction process. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello, regarding the column to concrete hairpins. I’ve talked to a couple different contractors and they both have cringed when I discussed tying the pad to the columns. They say around here everyone […]

Why Build the Roof Before Walls? Sometimes I can get so deep into a forest I cannot see trees – I miss things which should be otherwise obvious. For whatever reason a client contacted his Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer, rather than first contacting Technical Support. Building Designer Gregg aptly forwarded client’s request directly to our […]

Brick Ledge on a Post Frame (Pole) Building Whilst it would not be my personal preference for finish on a post frame building, there are instances when either aesthetics (trying to match other existing structures), local Planning Departments or HOAs (Home Owner Associations) mandate use of brick or stone exteriors. Whether for a wainscot or […]

Today the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about frost protected shallow foundations, repainting metal buildings and a kit in Hawaii. DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What type of frost foundation would you use if planning on doing a finished space in part of the building? ERIC in WINTERSET DEAR ERIC: I’d do a Frost Protected Shallow […]

Plastic Under Roof Steel? Reader Loren is persistent, he wanted to ask a question in regards to placing plastic under roof steel to prevent condensation, however the wonderful world of technology was making it a challenge. Thinking – Loren emailed me directly. Here are Loren’s own words: “I’ve been trying to submit a question to […]

Standing Seam Steel Roofing Used as Siding You ever Google something and find there is no relevant information about it? I didn’t believe it was possible until I tried a search for “Standing Seam Steel Roofing Used as Siding”. I’ll wait here patiently until you are back from trying it yourself. Not much information is […]

Cool New Tool? In the world of tools, there is rarely a better mousetrap. However this steel cutting tool may or may not be an actual Cool New Tool: https://coolnewtools.com/products/nibble-metal-cutting (Author’s disclaimer: I have never used this product and this is not an endorsement. I do not receive a kick back in the event you […]

How to Install a Steel Roof Over Shingles Absolutely true story, with me as part of it! My lovely bride bought a raw weed covered property along the South Dakota shore of Lake Traverse in the early 1990’s. For a home, she had a double wide manufactured home set up on the property. A few […]

Trump’s Tariffs Driving Up Pole Building Costs (Includes information from an April 24, 2018 article at www.villages-news.com Florida by Marv Balousek) “Federal tariffs on steel and aluminum imposed several weeks ago by the Trump Administration already are having an impact in Wildwood. The tariffs were blamed Monday night for increasing the cost of a steel pole barn […]

3M™ VHB™ Tape Reader WILLIAM in DYER writes: “I’ve been researching pole buildings, and the weak point for putting one up seems to be the screws and washers.  Have you looked into using 3M™ VHB™ tape instead of screws and fasteners for attaching the metal exterior sheeting? What are the pros/cons of tape only? Thanks.” […]

Mike answers questions about a Roof Line, Roofing with OSB layer, and Endwall Only Sheds: DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What is the roof line style in the attached picture called? BRYAN in MARYSVILLE DEAR BRYAN: The prefabricated roof truss folks would refer to this as being a Polynesian roof – one in which the outer […]

The following is the second part of a two part series on the risk of a metal roof and lightning. Jump back one day to read the first segment. Jim Cunningham writes: “Lightning – like any electrical charge – seeks the path of least resistance to discharge. In CG lightning, it’s discharging into the earth, […]

Lightening and Steel Covered Pole Barns From a www.kmbz.com story of March 8, 2018 by Jim Cunningham: “Each year more than 100 people are killed by lightning in the U.S., according to the National Weather Service. Another 300 people are injured in the electrical strikes.  Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 4-10.  In most cases […]

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 […]

Fire Resistance, Condensation, and Wind Speed DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you know if WMP-10 metal building insulation facing is ok to have exposed in a commercial building in regards to its fire resistance rating? JON DEAR JON: WMP-10 facings are flame resistant, however you should consult with your local building code enforcing agency to […]

Cool Metal Roofing for Post Frame Buildings Energy efficiency has leaped to the forefront of concerns for owners of new post frame buildings. Using cool metal roofing for post frame buildings can assist new building owners in reaching their goals. What is a Cool Roof? A cool roof is one which strongly reflects sunlight and […]

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 […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi, do you sell pole barn plans without material kits? I’m interested in pricing a set of plans from you and procuring my own materials. If that’s a service you can provide please let me know. I’m looking to get a plan set for a 40’x45′ pole barn. Thank you, DAMIEN in […]

Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer Rachel recently had an interesting discussion with a client. The gist of the discussion was the client had heard spray foam insulation will corrode the steel and void the warranty of the steel. Rachel did some research and found this article: https://www.greenhomeguide.com/askapro/question/can-i-apply-spray-foam-insulation-directly-to-the-underside-of-a-metal-roof. When I added the external elevator shaft to the […]

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 […]

Questions about a Hipped Roof, Adding a Ceiling, and a Leak for the Pole Barn Guru DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My home has a hip roof and I would like for my garage to have a hip roof as well. Would that be possible? Thank you. SCOTT in BILLINGS DEAR SCOTT: It is very possible to […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I love your site and have used your detailed instructions to start my pole building. I wish I had found your site before I started.  I was wondering if you sell partial pole building kits? I have been going back and forth to the lumber store several times a week and […]

Leaking Steel Roofing Properly installed, there is truthfully no reason for a through screwed steel roof to leak. The key being “properly installed”. Here is a report from a less than totally satisfied with his builder’s installation client: “Sorry to report I have numerous leaks in the steel roof of my Hansen pole building.  In […]

Roofing Before Siding If I am not mistaken, somewhere in the not too distant past I have expounded upon how I know a particular builder is or was a stick frame builder. How can I tell? The giveaway is they feel compelled to build the walls before the roof. I’ve listened to many experienced post […]

Rusted Roof on Old Pole Barn Reader DAVE in GRANDVILLE writes: “I have a technical question. I have a older Hansen pole barn that previous homeowners had built. Guessing 20yrs old +/-. Roof is showing approx 75% rusted with no paint left and all steel on bld. is 50% gone as well. I’m looking to […]

Post Frame Apartment Buildings I have thought about the possibilities of constructing apartments using post frame construction for years, however a recent query from reader DERRICK in CINCINNATI brought it to the forefront of my thoughts. Dave writes: “Can you build apartment buildings out of your products? Nothing fancy. Just affordable living in a rural […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Your from Spokane area? Can one construct a custom pole building as home Spokane county? Would you have any references of builders in my area to consider? TERRY in MEAD DEAR TERRY: Yes, I was born and raised in Spokane – still have a plethora of family members there (as well […]

Reader Sally wants to know: “What can I use on my pole barn to remove chalky residue, so it looks like new?” Well Sally, ask and ye shall receive! Maintenance & Cleaning Methods for Metal Roofing & Siding Sunlight and extremes of the weather and atmosphere will cause colored painted surfaces to fade, chalk and […]

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 […]

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 […]

Hansen Pole Buildings’ Managing Partner Eric had messaged me this morning to ask if I had ever heard of FRT lumber for roof trusses.  While I had never (in my days in the truss industry) manufactured any trusses using Dricon® Fire Retardant Treated (FRT) wood, I am familiar with it. Whether you’re using plywood or lumber, […]

Reader BRAD in SEATTLE writes: “My 30×48 pole building is about 25 years old, and the roof looks in need of paint. Some small scratches and corroded patches near the gutter rail. I have pressure washed with pretreating bleach solution. That removed the green pollen/algae patches around the roof. I live in the Seattle area.  I wonder about […]

The photo you are witnessing happens to be an example of a poor installation job done by a “professional” builder. I use the term professional here in quotes, because anyone who is being paid a sum of money (or perhaps receiving a horse in trade) in exchange for providing a service could be deemed as […]

When it comes to pole barns (or more appropriately post frame buildings) most people’s first thought is they are going to have steel siding. There are numerous alternatives to steel siding, amongst them being vinyl. According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), vinyl (including vinyl-covered aluminum) was the most common principal siding […]

I’ve never met or spoken with engineer Max Gregersen, engineer. I don’t even know for certain if he is an excellent engineer or not. What I DO know is he is not so egotistical as to believe he knows it all and he will reach out to others for assistance. This in itself speaks volumes […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m considering a pole barn for my residence but had a question about the girt placement between posts. I read in the FAQ section that they are placed like shelves between posts. Would it be possible to mount drywall directly to these for interior walls without additional bracing or building of […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Just wondering if you build homes? I’m interested in building an open floor plan home with this style of architecture. NICK in SICKLERVILLE DEAR NICK: We do not happen to build anything, as we are not contractors. We do, however, design and provide the materials for post frame homes. Post frame […]

My Wife Does Not Like the Look of Steel Siding DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I hope I’m not taking up too much of your time with this question. BTW, I’m copying Doug (Hansen Pole Buildings Designer) as we’ve briefly discussed this question. My wife does not like the look of steel siding.  However, I’m pretty sure […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am building a pole barn with rafters at 16″ OC. We sheeted the roof and sides of it. The building is 16′ wide with and engineered ridge pole. Do I need knee bracing at each of the posts along the walls? Can I skip putting the bracing on the corners? […]

My last article discussed Integral Condensation Control (I.C.C.) solutions for steel roofing. When Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer Dave Gross constructed his own post frame building, I convinced him to utilize I.C.C. for his roofing. A testimony to how much he liked it – virtually every building his clients have invested in since has I.C.C.!  Reduced […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: My name is Wade, I purchased the design and material from Hansen for my pole barn this past year. It is a 64×64 Pole Barn. My question is, what’s the best way to insulate with the wall girts being horizontal and at an odd measurement on center? Thanks WADE in HILLSBORO […]

Integral Condensation Control (I.C.C.) products are manufactured and distributed with trade names such as Condenstop (which I have written about previously: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2014/07/condenstop/) and Dripstop. Here are a few words on Dripstop, recorded live at the NFBA Expo held recently in Nashville, Tennessee: I.C.C. provides drip prevention which is integral to steel roofing and is aimed […]

An Alternative to Glossy Paint… Since the advent of pre-painted steel roofing and siding, the finish has always been smooth and high gloss, which generally loses its luster just like my ’66 Chevelle SS did. Well, no more. The Valspar Corporation has a new addition to the WeatherXL product line: WeatherXL Crinkle Finish. Crinkle Finish […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi: I have a design and will build myself. Do you sell components such as poles and trusses? Or is it possible to purchase one of your kits and leave off certain materials? For example, I want to use corrugated metal siding. If you don’t supply that could it be left […]

One of our prospective clients recently contacted me with a list of features being promoted by a builder he was considering investing in a post frame building kit with. One of the features happened to be the use of stainless steel screws to attach the steel roofing and siding. My quick, off the cuff, response […]

Almost anything can be sold as a benefit… Most post frame buildings are sold to the unsuspecting or ill-informed client based upon a set of features. These features may or may not have an actual benefit to the long term performance of the building. What is most unique is – the sales person often has […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Did I read on this web page that there is a installation product that is one inch thick with a R rating of R-50? DELLA in DALLAS DEAR DELLA: Unless I am mistaken, I believe your question is about insulation, rather than installation. Yes, there is such a product. Here is […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Good morning. I have been reading the various blog entries for several days, regarding pole barn construction.  I have been in contact with your design professional, but I a question that I thought might be a question that could possibly benefit others with a similar situation. I am in the process […]

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: How difficult is it to add interior walls to build rooms inside the pole barn. Are more materials needed to add interior rooms and do the exterior walls need extra support? PATRICIA in McMINNVILLE DEAR PATRICIA: The beauty of post frame (pole barn) buildings is the great majority of them are […]

One of my Facebook friends, Scott, has recently been doing a house remodel on a home he purchased in Spokane, Washington. He has been good about posting progress photos, until today when he posted a non-progress photo. The casual article skimmer will notice the photo and perhaps think this “gutter on the ground” issue must […]

Best Construction Blog? For certain I know in my heart of hearts this blog is absolutely the best in the post frame (pole barn) building industry….no one, I repeat no one has penned over 1200 articles and answered over 600 questions from readers in post frame building blogs, like I have. Time to take it […]

This is one of those “Dear Pole Barn Guru” letters which I feel bad for the client in having to answer. The client has paid good money to have his new post frame building constructed, only to have installer challenges render the end result as far less than ideal. For your reading pleasure: DEAR POLE […]

Not All Pole Barns Are Designed to Code Mandated Wind Loads Photo by Lewis Geyer, Longmont Times-Call Debris are all which remains of a pole barn formerly belonging to Tom Bennett of Berthoud, Colorado. According to Berthoud Fire Chief, Rob Stumpf, their office received a call about 9:15 on Monday morning, January 9, 2017 to […]

Welcome back, loyal readers. The first timers amongst you will want to jump back and read yesterday’s article, so today will make sense. Or as much as any day can make sense! First, as promised, the difference in buildings over 26 years of time (not just the price). Method of Pressure Preservative Treating Wood – […]

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 […]

Yesterday I shared a portion of Sharon Thatcher’s article on how painted steel panels need to be handled with care. The article also touches on the differences in paint, and which ones are the longest lasting. Here is Part III. The final segment of Sharon’s story, as can be read in the September 2016 issue […]

Maximizing the Metal: Why Not all Metal is Created Part II This article, by my friend Sharon Thatcher, was originally published in the September 2016 issue of Rural Builder magazine and appears unedited. To continue from last Friday: THE IMPORTANCE OF PAINT While paint doesn’t provide any structural value, it certainly does add value to the end […]

This article, by my friend Sharon Thatcher, was originally published in the September 2016 issue of Rural Builder magazine and appears unedited. To continue from last Friday: THE IMPORTANCE OF PAINT While paint doesn’t provide any structural value, it certainly does add value to the end product. Unpainted panel still has a big audience, but painted coil […]

This article, by my friend Sharon Thatcher, was originally published in the  September 2016 issue of Rural Builder magazine and appears unedited. I’ve opined upon many of these areas in previous articles, however here Sharon ties it all together: You may be the best builder on the planet, but if you use inferior products your stellar reputation […]

Calling For The Wall Steel Stretcher In our last episode, the dilemma of how to get a smooth roof plane was solved, to the apparent joy of all involved. However up cropped a new challenge, contributed to by us however pretty much on the builder and this is why. You may recall the eave height […]

Sharing the Blame Welcome to 2017! As you may recall, 2016 ended with me sharing an email from a builder who is constructing a new Hansen Pole Building and may possibly be a legend in his own mind. Our company policy, when a challenge arrives, has always been to begin by looking to see what, […]

How to Cut and Install Base Trim at a Corner In yesterday’s column, I mentioned how the base trim was improperly installed. Back in the 1990’s when I was constructing buildings, one of my building crew chiefs shared this trick with me. When properly done, it eliminates the ability of critters to climb up inside […]

There is Something Wrong with This Picture My disclaimer, this is NOT a Hansen Pole Building. It was advertised on Craigslist by a builder in Kentucky. There are some odd things about this pole building – one of them which is crucial and the building owner is going to hate probably forever. Maybe longer. The […]

DIY – Do It Yourself. Frankly, 99+ % of you DIYers are absolutely the greatest people on the planet. You are fun to work with, you follow directions and take pride in your own job very well done. I have serious man-crushes on many of you (I love you for your brains, not your bodies)! […]

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 16 of the Hansen Pole Buildings’ Construction Manual: Use sheeting screws ONLY on one side of each high rib (See Figure 16-2) with the following exception: Roof – each high rib side at Eave Girt and Ridge Purlin (as well as at any end over end splices). Figure 16-2 […]

No This is NOT a Building Under Construction Here is the story from the building owner….. “When we pulled up here, about a quarter to 12 last night, is when I noticed I could see some insulation and then I got out and took a walk around and that’s when I saw that we had […]

I Want to Add a Steel Ceiling This must be my week for receipt of good questions which require lengthy answers in order to do justice to the subject. Here is another one: DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a 42 x 60 with insulation in walls and roof, 26 gauge metal, wood trusses, 10 […]

What Real Life Technical Support Sounds Like Many of us have had situations where we needed to contact a company we have purchased a product from for some technical assistance. I know when I have done so, every once in a while I am thankfully surprised to have the person I am dealing with actually […]

Over 50% of all Hansen Pole Buildings kit packages are constructed by the building owners themselves. If you are amongst these stalwart folks, kudos! Odds are your new post frame building will have a far superior end resultant than what you could or would have paid your hard earned dollars to have a builder do […]

Where the Idea of Colored Steel Siding and Roofing Started Back in the Stone Ages, when I first entered the post frame (pole building) industry, factory pre-painted steel siding was still in a relative infancy. So much so as most steel roofs were yet still bare galvanized! It was a rarity to have a colored […]

Glued on Roof Steel (Reprised) Earlier this year I wrote about a situation where a client glued on his roof steel (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2016/03/glue-roof-steel/). Well, it turns out our client was merely 30 years ahead of his time (think Back to the Future)! Please read on……. The StealthBond© concept began during a dinner conversation with Florida roofing contractors […]

When it comes to steel, we talk a lot about galvanization. Many post frame building products are galvanized to prevent premature decay. These include fasteners (screws , nails, nuts, bolts and washers), engineered steel hangers, the pressed in steel connector plates for trusses and components for sliding, overhead and entry doors. Every year, steel corrosion […]

This was a question asked of Hansen Pole Buildings’ Managing Partner Eric Graff, by one of our Building Designers, Elijah. To begin with, let’s examine the 2012 International Building Code requirements for the Risk Category of the building. 1604.5 Risk category.  Each building and structure shall be assigned a risk category in accordance with Table 1604.5. Where […]

I’ve been doing some of my own research on solar power lately, and have found some interesting stuff. The real interesting part of this article is not in the cool solar product – it is on how to solve the problem they do not know they have with the pole barn (post frame) building in […]

It was a pleasant October evening back in 1985 in Blacksburg, Virginia. My friend Dr. Frank Woeste was then a professor in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech (officially Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) and he had invited me to teach one of his classes for a day, in exchange […]

We have a certain percentage of our clients who are looking for log siding for their new post frame buildings. Usually these folks already have a log home on their property, or their new pole building is going to be their home and they want the ‘log home’ look without the challenges associated with real […]

I have to admit, steel price increases have in the past, been huge drivers of business. My own personal opinion is I would rather see your hard earned money stay in YOUR pocket, instead of the pockets of some faceless corporation. I know I work hard for my money, I am sure you work hard […]

Now me, I look at the photo and think to myself, “This just doesn’t look very good”. Well it isn’t. Our re-involvement with this client began recently when he contacted Justine, Hansen Pole Buildings’ Mistress of Materials. Here was her report: “This client got a building ten years ago and his builders muffed up.  Apparently […]

In 1980 I was working for Lucas Plywood and Lumber in Salem, Oregon. Besides managing their prefabricated metal connector plated roof truss manufacturing facility, I also sold kit packages for pole buildings. The same summer, one of my clients was a gentleman from Portland named Tony Storm, who ordered a garage which he and his […]

The answer is – yes! Back in the late 1960’s in Spokane, Washington Joseph “Joe” Mazzie started Pacific Metal Buildings. Joe is from my father and uncle’s generation and, being in construction (and living in the same general area of town) they were acquainted. Joe developed a reputation as a shrewd businessman, as well as […]

I’m Truly Trying to Stop As the everyday readers of this column know, I have been reviewing the pole building going up across the street from our home in South Dakota. If you have not been keeping up, run back a few episodes! I’ve been away from SD for a couple of weeks, so have […]

Shear in the ‘Hood The saga of the neighbor’s pole building continues…. I have restrained myself about as long as I can. Time for me to hack away at what I have to consider to be some basic design flaws. Other than the previously discussed, ‘not designed for the correct wind exposure’. The building is […]