Tag Archives: single slope building

Sliding Door Parts, Pole Shapes, and Roof Pitch for Snow Loads

This Wednesday the Pole Barn Guru answers reader questions about a possible source of replacement sliding door parts, the shape of poles for pole buildings, and whether or not a 2/12 roof pitch can handle the Minnesota snow loads.

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Hi! I have a Cleary Pole Barn with concrete floor and main doors are dual sliding doors. The single piece center bottom guide plate that the doors close into (keeps them together) has gradually worked its way off the 6×6 that is sunk into the ground and is all mangled up and I am trying to find a suitable replacement. Any thoughts as to where I can go to look at options? Thank you. BILL in TRENTON

DEAR BILL: Try reaching out to Plyco (https://www.plyco.com/slide-doors/sliding-door-components). If they will not sell you one direct, they should be able to direct you to a vendor near you.

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: What are the poles shaped like? For instance 6×6 square (?cut corners like landscape or true square 6×6″)? I’m having a Drafting company draw up a gable porch (attached to house) to replace metal carport overhang. 3-Gable style 3-stall carport 26’x20′ and matchjbg 3-gable 3-stall utility boat/Rv port, center stall (gable) is raised 36’x24′. They are what I call glorified pole barns. I’m already obligated for the engineering @$4k. Porch is on 8×8 cedar posts, 6×4 beams. Carports using 6×6, 6×4 beams that Extend beyond eve w/curved end like a pergalo look (Tuscan). Metal roof. Porch will probably be planked before plywood layer, but also quoting vinyl ceiling, attaches to plywood after roof. I’m looking for builder that can handle Big beams. Told the Amish or Mennonites are best in this area – they knows the ropes. Have a Mill supplier located only 40min away, but taking bids. Nokomis, build in 2-3mo, time to get permits issued. DEBBI in NOKOMIS

DEAR DEBBI: In our instance, columns would typically be rectangular 4-1/8″ x 5-1/8″ as we use only glu-lam columns for structural roof supports. It is a shame you invested $4k in engineering, as we include engineer sealed structural plans with every building our clients invest in – even if you have already paid for it elsewhere (rarely do outside engineers design to our rigid standards of quality).

 

DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have found and customized single sloped barndominium house plan that is 96′ x 34′ (living area 49×34, garage 45×35) with a 10′ covered rear porch that extends from the roof. The plan was a generic plan i found online that calls for a 2:12 roof pitch. My question is…Would this 2:12 pitch at this width (35′) work for a home in Central MN considering the snow loads? There is a bearing wall that will run the length of living area at 15′, but not in the garage. ROBERT in SAUK RAPIDS

DEAR ROBERT: Whether pitched or single sloped, we can engineer a clearspan roof system capable of supporting Central Minnesota’s snow loads across 35 feet. I normally encourage clients to look at a minimum of a 2.5/12 roof slope, as flatter slopes void paint warranties.

 

 

 

Percentage of Price Difference by Building Profile

This ended up being an interesting exercise and it yielded results pretty much as I had expected.

Reader RON in MONROE writes:

“Can you tell me the approximate percentage difference in pricing or cost of the different building styles? I know this will vary according to the size of the building, etc., so let’s pick a 38 by 38 by 17 foot tall building. How much more to move up from a single slope to gable style, to monitor, and to Gambrel?”

Mike the Pole Barn Guru responds:

About Hansen BuildingsThere are so many variables involved in this question it is impossible to answer. And an answer for one given set of climactic loads (snow, design wind speed and exposure) would not translate to any different set of variables. Even as to where you are going to measure 17′ to is a huge impact. On a single slope – is this measure of low wall or high wall? Would it be clearspan or have interior columns? Is monitor measure to low side of wings, or raised center? If low side of wings, then how tall would center be? Gambrel, is your measure to eave side of steep slope or to pitch break? With a 17′ height, would there be an intention to have a full or partial second floor? Would this building be a garage/shop or a residence? It makes a difference as loading criteria are different and if drywall will be attached to walls or roof, a greater deflection stiffness is required. Even features such as overhangs can change your percentages as monitor style is going to have four eave sides.

If you are looking for cost effectiveness, footprint multiples of six feet are going to get you there (lumber comes in two foot multiples, steel roof and siding in three foot).

A gabled roof will be your least expensive and easiest to build, however not always aesthetically your best design solution. I recommend you determine what your finished space needs will be and discuss options with Rachel your Hansen Pole Buildings’ Designer.

RON wanted just a little bit more:

“Just use a peak height, no doors, no windows, same snow load, everything the same.”

Pole Barn Guru replies:

Drum roll …….

And the envelope please …….

Here are results:

I did have to change roof slope on the single slope to 2.84/12 in order to have an eight foot eave height on the low side.

Monitor was 5.6% more than gable, gambrel 10.4% more, single slope 17.6% more.