Tag Archives: overhead garage doors

Tyvek Weather Barrier, Overhead Door Sizes, and Slab Insulation

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 outside to help protect against the weather? Not sure if the cost is worth it? Most of the builders around here don’t recommend it. DOUG in REGINA

DEAR DOUG: Your local builders probably do not recommend use of a Weather Resistant Barrier (WRB) in walls because they fear increasing of prices on their quotes – they are selling low price, rather than best value for their clients.

If you are not going to flash and batt (https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2020/01/flash-and-batt-insulating-barndominium-walls/) your walls, then use of a WRB is an excellent choice as it allows any moisture from within your insulation cavity to escape outward. Use unfaced batts and then cover interior of your walls with well-sealed 6mil clear visqueen prior to an interior finish.

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m fixin to build a barn, 40×40 12’ walls with 3 overhead doors. Going to put a lift in it. Have any suggestions on door size and spacing. I live in all sand so for my post I’m buying sono tubes so it won’t cave in on me. What size sono tubes? Planning on 6” concrete floor with thickened slab where hoist goes. Anything I’m forgetting? ANDREW

DEAR ANDREW: You actually probably need at least a 12′ ceiling for a lift. I always recommend at least 3′ from a wall and 3′ in between (it avoids door dings). With a 40′ wall – this will not quite work out (in my ideal world). I like 10′ wide doors, as they keep mirrors on much better. I also like 8′ tall doors, hardly any more than 7′ and gives room for racks, most lifts, etc.

In summary I would do (2) 10′ x 8′ (1) 10’x10′ (might as well take advantage of the ceiling height. Go 3′ from corners and 2′ in between.

Our third-party engineer will determine depth and diameter of sonotubes and they will be called out on your sealed plans.

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi Mike, I am working on building a post frame home in Eastern Oregon. Looking for ideas on slab insulation detail at perimeter edge. The home will not have radiant floor heat.

I am having trouble deciding on how to insulate the perimeter slab. Oregon requires minimum R-15 for slab edge insulation. Ideally I would prefer to see concrete at exterior perimeter vs treated grade board that’s visible, however the treated grade board seems to be most cost effective in design. TRENT in WALLA WALLA

DEAR TRENT: I had just recently done this for one of our clients and we will be adding it to our construction manual. This hides your splash plank (grade board). Thicknesses and dimensions can be found here (https://www.huduser.gov/publications/pdf/fpsfguide.pdf Table 2, Page 6). Even though you are not using radiant heat, I would run Pex-Al-Pex tubes in my floor and do under slab insulation. It is a huge selling point and gives you flexibility to add radiant floor heat easily at a later date.

Monitor Style, Cost to Build a Floor Plan, and Adding OHD Openers

This Monday the Pole Barn Guru answers questions about the possibility of an open floor plan Monitor style building, what the costs of building s specific floor plan might be, as well advice on adding overhead door operators to a building.

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Can you design a truss system for a monitor style building that has a complete open floor plan. 50 Ft front x 40 Ft depth. RON in SANGER

Monitor Barn Interior

DEAR RON: Absolutely. My first one was about 25 years ago, when I was a post frame builder. It was not near this wide, but I have since been involved in many others, both lesser and greater in width.

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: How much would it cost to build this? I do not two RV doors. Can go with a smaller or shorter door on one side only. We would like it plumbed for sinks and showers ect but do not need to include the sinks, shower, toilet, cabinets ect. Just the walls. REBECCA in OLYMPIA

 

DEAR REBECCA: To some extent it will depend upon how you run rooflines. I would be inclined to recommend your garage area be 20’ x 42’ with a ridge line running front to back (peak gable end above where you show an RV door) with a 15’ eave height. For your living area, I would put a gable on your far right with ridgeline running towards garage area.

Other than rough-in for plumbing, you can probably safely budget $25-30 per square foot erected including a slab on grade. To get exact pricing of your building shell and discuss options, please reach out to a Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer at 1(866)200-9657.

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m considering purchasing a home that has a pole building with two overhead garage doors that never had openers installed. One of the doors is very high- for RV clearance. There doesn’t look like much structure above to hang them from. What would be the best way to do that or is there other opener alternatives? DAVID in WESTMINSTER

DEAR DAVID: You have stumbled upon one of my pet peeves – when sectional overhead garage doors are sold without openers. Let’s face it, almost every garage door truly should have one. It does not take much to hang an opener, should you purchase I would recommend you contact two or three of your local garage door installation companies to take a look at your building and provide a quote for openers and installation.

 

Overhead Garage Doors, Galvanized Nails, and Installing a Ceiling Liner

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) for my large pole barn.   Do you know what wind requirements are typically used?  I realize Florida has a 160Mph wind rating due to hurricanes, but I am not sure if I am required to meet this requirement since this is a 25 year old pole barn  I am trying to renovate (& modernize) the look, but paying $4k per door would break the bank.
Any suggestions you have are greatly appreciated.
Thanks, DONALD in ORLANDO

DEAR DONALD: Hansen Pole Buildings provides overhead sectional steel doors only with an investment into a complete post frame building package, due to possibilities of shipping damage. You should consult with your local Building Department, as you may very well need a Building Permit in order to do work such as this. They can verify what wind speed (as well as wind exposure) will be appropriate for your particular building site. Even if a permit is not required, you should only use doors rated to at least these loads – lesser capacity doors may very well not perform as needed and indeed could result in a collapse.

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: After scouring the internet I am still confused about using non-galvanized steel nails in the MCA pt treated posts for nailing the girts. I thank you for your time and expertise. FRED in BYRDSTOWN

DEAR FRED: Regardless of whether lumber is pressure preservative treated or not, I have always used hot dipped galvanized nails – why? Because chances are good it will rain (or snow) during framing and non-galvanized nails will rust and leave discolored streaks on your framing. Considering there is such a small price difference, it is worth it to me.

 

Interior Liner SteelDEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hello! We live in Prior Lake and have a pole shed that needs a ceiling metal liner Installed. I’m having trouble finding anyone to do just the liner and I can finish the rest. I know you’re a few hours away but curious if you have anyone near the cities that could help. The building is a 32×32 with a 12′ ceiling made by Sherman 5 years ago. It has three overhead garage doors.

Thank you, DEXTER in PRIOR LAKE

DEAR DEXTER: Thank you very much for considering Hansen Pole Buildings, unfortunately we are not building contractors, so this is outside of our scope. You might try running an ad in Craigslist under gigs or, as an alternative, check at your local The Home Depot’s Pro Desk as they often have lists of contractors who might be capable of doing your work.