Hey guys, I've been creeping around for a while and have worn the search engine out. I am building a 32x36 horse barn. I want to install b&b siding. How durable is pine? Oak is over twice as expensive. Is it worth it? Any info you have would be appreciated.
Hello and welcome aboard. You don't say where you are located as that would help me suggest a local wood specie-something available without a lot of import trucking freight. You say oak is an option-never heard of oak being used for B&B.
Don't use anything green. It wiil split and warp as it dries. Use KD or AD stock.
Don't use anything surfaced (unless you are only applying stain) as it will not hold paint especially to weather. Rough or resawn gives "tooth" to the paint and will last longer in between paint jobs.
Be sure to stain/paint the backsides of the B&Bs before installation. Both sides need to be equally stabilized. Most siding mills will offer this service. They run the boards through a top and bottom paint/stain fiber roller setup. Unless you want to spend a lot of time doing this yourself, and yes, you do have to do this, select a color/stain and pay the mill to do it. The B7Bs will come to you dry and ready to work with. Plan on some drying/lead time.
The wider the board, the more apt it will cup. Don't get sold on a scant 3/4" plank. The thicker the better.
Block the stud bays vertically every two feet (min) for B&B nailing, preferably during wall frame assembly on the slab/ground. Applying siding blocking after the walls are standing is a real bummer.
Nail with hot dipped galvies as any other nail will not hold up as well.
I recommend cedar if it is available-outside of redwood, it is the most docile.
If the boards have knots, demand and pay for STK (Select Tight Knots).
Some mills will on the back of the board apply glue and fabric patches over all of the knots to diminish any down the road popouts.
Horses chew. Protect your wood with metal edging,etc.
