This Wednesday readers “Ask the Guru” about issues such as how to best insulate a residence and garage in KY, the best method to resist uplift, and what the “optimal dimensions” might be for a 2 story, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Insulation questions. Lexington KY Zone 4. Residential req. Roof r38, walls r12. I’m planning a hybrid steel truss 36x48x12 with 6/12 pitch. 1/2 unconditioned garage and 1/2 living quarters. I have 2000+ sq ft of new 3″eps already on hand that I picked up for free. Here’s my idea. I’d really appreciate feedback. Roof from outside to inside. Metal sheeting, horizontal furring strips, foil reflective (double bubble), 3″eps. For living quarters: 2×8 purlins filled with rockwool or other, smart vapor barrier, T & G pine ceiling. Walls same deal except exchange 3″eps for 3″ compressed fiberboard (compressed fiberboard mostly because I can get it for 5.60/sheet 4×8 x1″ r4.0) ERV considerations? Thank you DERICK in LEXINGTON
DEAR DERICK: My concerns…
2021 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) requires R-60 ceiling and R-30 walls for Climate Zone 4. https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IECC2021P2/chapter-4-re-residential-energy-efficiency#IECC2021P2_RE_Ch04_SecR402
Roof of unconditioned area – in order to maintain shear strength of steel roofing horizontal furring must be adequately attached to prevent deformation of fasteners in EPS.
Roof of living quarters – Purlin cavity cannot just be filled with any sort of batts. A minimum of an inch of continuous airflow must be provided between roof deck and batts. You might consider two inches of closed cell spray foam applied directly to underside of roof steel, then adding unfaced batts to fill balance of cavity.
Walls – same concerns as with unconditioned roof area.
Your building will be drying to inside, so expect to have to mechanically dehumidify.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What is a good detail for my post collar to resist uplift in sandy soil during hurricane? How do I determine proper depth for a given height? JOE in FORT WALTON BEACH
DEAR JOE: Your building’s engineer will specify adequate details to resist hurricane speed wind uplift and over turning. He or she will also determine proper depth and diameter of encasement based upon loads to be carried in conjunction with not only eave height, but also roof height.
If your building will not have a concrete slab on grade, expect to see an uplift plate specified (for extended reading please see https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2018/12/uplift-plate/)
Bottom collars are part of a wind uplift design solution (read more here: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/02/concrete-collars/)
Rebar hairpins from column into concrete slab on grade are an effective part of a wind uplift structural design solution:
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What dimensions would a pole barn have to be to make a 2 story, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home? DANA in LIMA
DEAR DANA: This would be equivalent of asking what size vehicle is needed for four passengers. While four might squeeze into a Mini-Cooper, an Escalade might be a better fit. We have numerous examples on our website to peruse: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/gallery/floor-plans/. Your best bet will be to work with a Hansen Pole Buildings’ Floor Plans Specialist to arrive at a design solution best fitting your family’s wants and needs. http://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/post-frame-floor-plans/
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have 3 hi-cube 40′ shipping containers configured in a “U” shape ( open on one end). These are located near Amarillo in the Texas panhandle. I would like to build a open span 40′ x 40′ x 14′ height pole barn “equipment cover” over the center of these shipping containers. These shipping containers have doors on one end and 4 doors down one side. The containers that form the sides of the “U” configuration will have their sides with 4 doors orientated so pointing to the inside of the “U” ( under cover ). I am planning on using six utility poles for columns (6′ deep), headers across the columns to support 40′ wood trusses & wood purlins to attach R-panel 26 gauge roofing panels to. The sides will be finished with R-panel siding to the top of the shipping containers. What recommendations would you have for my design or would you recommend I-beam rafters instead of trusses? SCOTT in AMARILLO 
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am looking at a few of your barndo kits – my main question is do they come with floor plans? I don’t see the floor plan on the purchase page or are these just shells? LIZ in BARK RIVER 
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Just curious if I draw a rough drawing of how I would like the lay out of the barndo I would like to build can I get someone there to draw my plans according to how I want my layout to be? And if so what would be the price in doing that? I am located in northwest Florida Bonifay Florida 31425 zip code to be exact. ERIC in BONIFAY
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi do you deliver to Bridgewater Maine and what are your delivery fees. Thank you. GARY in BRIDGEWATER 
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What if I have a concrete foundation with 2 rows of block. CHRIS in TIPTON
DEAR MARK: You can easily check your concrete slab for a vapor barrier – place a wrench on floor overnight, next morning remove wrench and if a dark spot is seen where wrench was placed, you have no vapor barrier. If so, seal slab with a high quality sealant (here is an example 
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you do 6 bedroom Barndo’s? I’m looking for a 6 bed, 4 bath barndominum floor plan. I have an idea of what I like in my head but 6 bedrooms one story are difficult. HEATHER in CLEBURNE
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I would like to build a 20 foot wide x 40 foot long pole barn house in Fredericktown, Ohio. Do you know if the local building department would give a permit for a residential pole barn house, & what are the steps to obtaining that permit, who to call, & etc.? I’m at the beginning of that building process & would like to begin this summer. Thanks. RENEE in MOUNT VERNON
