Hanging Metal with a little (okay, a LOT) of help

With the majority of framing done, it was time to install the siding. First would be the wainscoting and then some of the full panels. Never having done this before, I proceeded slowly and watched a lot of YouTube. Shout out to RR buildings for some very informative videos. If you are planning a pole barn or are just interested in how they can be built, I suggest you check out his site. This guy is a craftsman.

I was fortunate to have a level line on each pole. Robert, from Troyer Post Buildings struck this line with a laser while erecting the poles and roof. That became the baseline for each horizontal piece being installed. It didn't eliminate the need for my 4' level but it does keep things level from one side of the building to the other.

The first items that needed to be installed were the "rat" guard and "J" trim, then the trim around the overhead (OH) door openings. Rat guard is just what it says. The siding is corrugated and without it, critters could easily climb inside the building. It went on first, next came the J and OH door trim and  from there, the Hunter Green wainscoting could be installed.

A tip I learned from RR buildings was to pre-punch the siding thus allowing the screws to penetrate easily and quickly. By staking 4-5 panels atop each other I could mark the top panel and punch through all of the panels at once. I use an AWL for this. All the holes line up and are consistent down the line. Makes the installation look professional. My friend Earl and I were able to get the front and both sides done, then I ran out of materials. So, the rear wainscoting won't get finished until next week.

Last Friday, Donna's son, Darren, and his friend, Bob, came down from Cincinnati for the weekend to help with some of the longer panels. They also were able to solve some of the finer details with the trim that I was struggling with. Earl arrived on Saturday to help, too. It was a great weekend of working together and accomplishing a number of tasks. We made great progress.

I asked them to sign the building. It's something I am getting anyone that helps me with this project to do. I take pictures of the signing and will make a collage of all of the when complete. All of the signings will be covered by spray foam with just pics and memories left. Anybody else want to come sign my building?

Thank you to everyone for all the help so far. Progress may be slow, but it is moving forward. Now to get past this new batch of rainy weather so I can get this thing closed up. The overhead doors will be here soon!

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I've Been Framed

The gravel for the concrete floor has been spread and the next thing to do should be the final prep for concrete. Not gonna happen. As most of you know, we lost a family member recently. Kenny Waddell, the son of Donna's daughter's (Sheri) husband. We had just met him about 18 months or so ago. We had him and his wonderful family over for a visit and Kenny gave me some valuable advice for building my barn. While our connection was short, he will be remembered for his friendly manner and ever-ready smile.

Bless you Kenny and your wife Cadie and your five kids.

(four girls, one boy - two sets of twins).

Obviously, the build took a backseat to family matters, resulting in not enough time to get the concrete prep done this year. However, my goal is to get the barn closed in and secure so we can do our "snowbird" thing this winter. So, my efforts have moved to getting the framing done, ordering the overhead doors, and installing the metal siding.

The majority of framing is complete, just a few more boards to put up on one side in the upper reaches. My good friend Earl and I accomplished much of the framing that could be done from the ground as well as from my newly purchased scaffolding.

I later stacked 2 scaffolding units and was able to complete the upper reaches (16 feet). I increased the stability of the scaffolding by ratchet strapping the units to the posts of the barn. We had a very solid platform to stand on and nail the boards in place. Using a small air compressor and a nail gun, the boards went up fairly quickly on the lower parts. Moving up to the higher reaches, it took longer to move the scaffolding then it took to put the boards up.

With the major portion of the framing done, I moved to locating and framing for the entry doors as well as the overhead doors. I located three 36" doors, one between the overhead doors in the front, one on the side facing to house and one centered in the rear. No doors or windows will be on the side we cannot see from the house. Two 12 ' wide and 14' tall overhead doors are framed out in the front and a 10' by 10' door in the rear. The overhead doors have been ordered and will be installed by a local company, Plateau Garage Door and Roofing. They should be up in about two to three weeks.

After the framing is fully completed, putting the siding up is next. I'm getting some help from my buddy Earl, my stepson Darren and a friend he's bringing from Cincinnati. Might get this thing closed in yet. Oh, and we saw these lights at Sam's Club. Came home and price-checked them. Twice the price elsewhere so ordered four of them for over the doors - dusk to dawn LED.

We'll see...

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