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.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I am in preliminary stages of designing a post-frame building, that will serve a multitude of functions such as a home gym, work-shop, and area to host family parties. It is a 30′ x 76′ x 20′ tall, with 2 fully enclosed leans 64′ long on each side that span out 16′. I really like Scandinavian style, which utilizes no overhang. My main concern is how to allow for proper air intake if I do zero over-hang since there will not any soffit. Curious for your thoughts. Would you recommend against ‘zero over-hang’? Or do you think there is some work-around for air intake and gutter attachment? Hoping for a quick answer! Thanks in advance : ) SHANE in HARTLAND
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a quonset with (2) 15’x14′ sliding doors with 4 cannonball style rollers each that need to be replaced. I’m thinking I’ll have to remove the doors, but what is the best way to do this? CODY in MAYNARD
DEAR ANGEL: Your strongest and most affordable foundation will be to use true glulaminated columns, embedded in ground. Regardless of what you pick, it will only be as good as ground it is placed upon. A well prepared site, where clays and organic materials have been removed and proper fill has been placed and compacted every six inches, will greatly improve your chances of having a solid foundation. I would encourage you to consider a steel roof, as shingles have a very short life span (read more here:
DEAR CHRISTOPHER: If you are looking for security you should consider upgrading to sectional steel overhead doors. Sliding doors are not secure and do not seal tightly (as you have probably determined).
DEAR DAWN: You have discovered why ‘modern’ sliding doors use a bottom door girt with a slot, where as door slides open, a building mounted guide keeps doors tight to your wall. My best recommendation would be to have a machine shop fabricate up new bottom tracks – if you only have to replace them once every 50 years or so, it would prove to be a sound investment.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU:
DEAR JEFF: I would have ditched lumber frames for prepainted metal frames and been done with it, plus metal will never twist and warp like wood and your door frame would be significantly lighter (not too late to regroup). Still not convinced? Any steel roofing and siding roll former can bend trim to match any dimensions, so you can have created exactly what you are looking for.
What column material should I use? My options are 4″x 6″ Pressure treated wood or finger-jointed glulams consisting of (3) 2 x 6 which are only treated on the bottom 6′. RANDY in NEW YORK
DEAR POLE BARN GURU:
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I have a 30×40 pole barn. And my lower beam on the trusses is to low for my car lift. Is scissor trusses as strong or stronger then common trusses and I know without a engineer doing the math it’s hard to say. ZACH in ATASCOCITA
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: The round rail hanger bolt on our sliding door got pulled out of the hole drilled through the 2×6 at the top of the door. We have made angle iron for the top and bottom of the 2×6 with 1/2in holes but are finding it difficult to get the bolt through the holes. Is there an easy way to reinstall the door hanger without removing the entire door from the track? AARON in MARYSVILLE
DEAR TERRY: Post frame (pole barn) buildings can be permanent residences – I happen to live in one myself, with about 8000 square feet of finished space. They can be built either with embedded columns, or on a partial or full foundation. For more information please visit 
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I’m writing to you from one of your old states, Idaho. I just bought a 10 acre farm which has a pole barn; dirt floor, no power, etc. I would like it to be taller so I could pull my camper into it but it only has a standard 8’ tall door. I have been thinking that rather then trying to raise the roof, perhaps I could or should dig down a couple of feet and pour a concrete pony wall all around it and then pour my concrete floor. So I guess my question to you Mr. Pole Barn Guru is, which is going to be the better or more economical way to go? Raise the roof or dig the foundation down deeper? Thank you for your time! TRAVIS in NAMPA

DEAR DEREK: Regardless of the type of construction used, the success or lack thereof for your slab is going to come from what you do underneath it, as well as grading the site properly to keep water from pooling below it.
