OT Barn siding

[Neokeith7]

I have a 32x50 barn(2-1/2 story) that needs painting, wood is solid. I don't want to paint as I am getting too old. I would like to do vertical siding with corner trim. Any suggestions, vinyl, aluminum, steel or whatever.What are drawbacks.

 

[Richard G.]

I have a 32x50 barn(2-1/2 story) that needs painting, wood is solid. I don't want to paint as I am getting too old. I would like to do vertical siding with corner trim. Any suggestions, vinyl, aluminum, steel or whatever.What are drawbacks.

Most folks around here use steel roofing on the sides.
Looks really good and adds strength.
Richard in NW SC

 

[a49deere]

yes steel! They make some incredibly real looking weathered barnwood steel siding these days! The only drawback I can say would be the cost, BUT after it's installed there is very little maintenance and it would definitely add value and longevity to the barn!

 

[Tony in SD]

I bought my uncles farm over 30 years ago. I put red steel with white trim on all the out buildings, new & old. I have never bought any paint for an out building since I’ve been here. Nor will there be a reason to paint any building in my life time. Once & done.

 

[jaoneill]

Steel would be my material of choice; we sided an old dairy barn with colored steel roofing 51 years ago and it still looks good. Vinyl is short lived (20-30 years), aluminum tends not to hold a finish, and any of the newer "composite" sidings each have their own issues.

 

[Texasmark]

I have a 32x50 barn(2-1/2 story) that needs painting, wood is solid. I don't want to paint as I am getting too old. I would like to do vertical siding with corner trim. Any suggestions, vinyl, aluminum, steel or whatever.What are drawbacks.

Vinyl hates hail, even if it's on the side of the building...seen the damage. Alum. probably dents. Steel is probably the best answer but pricy......but maybe you have deep pockets. Good paint is probably running 50 bucks 9/10th of a gallon can, and with old wood it probably sucks the brush dry the first time the brush hits the wood.....did to me when I was a teen. Did you consider just leaving it alone? Will the local taxing authority consider it an upgrade and raise your ad-valorem taxes?

 

[ss55]

I have a 32x50 barn(2-1/2 story) that needs painting, wood is solid. I don't want to paint as I am getting too old. I would like to do vertical siding with corner trim. Any suggestions, vinyl, aluminum, steel or whatever.What are drawbacks.

Something to consider is if you will recover much of the cost of new siding when it is time to sell the property. Some things to think about are:
How much longer you intend to stay on that property?
What value does the barn add to the resale value of the property?
Is the wood siding solid enough to support metal siding or will furring strips be needed?
If furring strips are not needed will there be any sharp screw tips poking out on the backside of the sheeting? Would that matter to you?
How soon will the barn need a new roof?
Changes to property taxes was already mentioned.

Get some quotes including hiring someone to paint it. Siding installation alone could easily be many times the cost to hire it painted.

 

[stoughtonfarmboy]

Vinyl hates hail, even if it's on the side of the building...seen the damage. Alum. probably dents. Steel is probably the best answer but pricy......but maybe you have deep pockets. Good paint is probably running 50 bucks 9/10th of a gallon can, and with old wood it probably sucks the brush dry the first time the brush hits the wood.....did to me when I was a teen. Did you consider just leaving it alone? Will the local taxing authority consider it an upgrade and raise your ad-valorem taxes?

A bit off topic. In high school (1966) I worked summers on a neighbor's dairy farm. One job was to paint the "old" barn. We joked that the brush would stick to the old weathered barn boards. Definitely didn't brush it out very far.

Ken