Tag Archives: post frame plans

Converting Plans, Floor Truss Prices, and Bird Issues in Pole barn

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about converting conventional plans to “post beam frame,” pricing on floor trusses, and possible installation of metal ceiling to eliminate bird issues.

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a set of plans for a that were designed to be conventional built. Would you be able to convert them to a post beam frame? If so what is the charge for that? JASON in BISMARCK

DEAR JAYSON: We work with clients every day who, just like you, have plans for a conventional stick built building. Our team is ready to assist you and when you order your building from us, engineer sealed plans are absolutely free.

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Need price on 25′ floor trusses. Sub floor Engineered Need: # 64 Delivered to zip 92285 RICHARD in LANDERS

DEAR RICHARD: Thank you for your interest. Need to know use of building – residential, commercial, etc., any specific loading requirements? Deflection limitations, etc.? Spacing (typical is 24 inches on center)? Also, please send me an email of your plans so we can determine end conditions (bearing on top of a plate or walls, or top chord hung). Delivery charges will depend upon if you want them ASAP or if you can be flexible so we can combine them with other shipments heading your direction.

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a 22 year old pole barn with metal roof and exterior. Because of the bird issue I have had over the past year I wanted to see if a metal ceiling could be installed. Barn is 30 x 34 but am not sure if the trusses would be able to hold the weight. Also the question of liner vs regular steel metal panels should be used. The roof has insulation panels underneath attached pics. Any advice you can give is appreciated. LORI in WASHINGTON

DEAR LORI: Most pole barn trusses are designed to support little or no weight added to bottom chords. With this being said a steel liner panel ceiling, without any framing being added (steel will easily span distance between your trusses), will add insignificantly to load (less than a pound per square foot). Chances are good, your trusses will carry this weight. You will want to make sure dead attic space being created has adequate ventilation intake (typically at eaves) and (ridge vent) to avoid having mold and mildew issues. Liner panels will be wholly proper for your installation and will save you a few dollars.

Pole Building Plans for Sale

Pole Building Plans for Sale

Ah, Spring time, when a young man’s heart turns to how to “get a deal” on a new pole barn. Oftentimes it starts rather like this, Can I just buy the building plans from you guys stamped and all? I need a 40×60 40 wide 60 deep 16′ tall so I can fit a 14′ tall 10 wide door and a 12′ tall 18′ wide door I also need 18″ overhangs Located in Utah”.

 Apparently this is with some sadly mistaken idea you are able to source the correct materials, on your own, at a lower investment than what you could get them from us for.

I will explain why this idea is not going to save you money.

We have streamlined our process for efficiency. This means by the time you get your plans, we are far into a ton of series of steps which happen concurrently – and have done much of the “work”….which has a cost. People are willing to pay an architect several thousand (or tens of thousands) dollars for house plans, but they are unwilling to pay an appropriate amount for the work involved to produce truly custom post frame (pole) building plans.

So, you get the plans from us, but decide to purchase your materials elsewhere because you just are so sure you can get a better deal. Then you are disappointed because you paid more than you thought it was going to cost. In the case of Hansen Pole Buildings – we buy millions upon millions of dollars of materials direct from the manufacturers every year. We have buying power which builders do not even get. We also know all of the best sources for materials and in some cases have components manufactured just for us, with superior quality features you cannot get anywhere.

Unless you are going to become ‘midnight building supply’ and steal your materials (which would be unethical as well as immoral and unlawful), you are not going to get the same quality of materials at anything approaching our price.

After all of this, you still decided to go out on your own and invested in materials which don’t match the plans, or you (or your contractor) do not build according to the plans and blame us when your Building Department won’t sign off on your completed project.

Don’t try to fool yourself – if you want the best “deal” on your new post frame building, come to the experts who can produce engineered plans for exactly what you want to construct, provide you with step-by-step instructions and deliver all of the right materials, to your jobsite in a timely manner.