Old barn renovation

[Illiniwek]

I've got a beautiful 100 year-old barn on my property that is starting to show some signs of age. The biggest problem is that some of the wood siding has decayed, and there are visible holes on the side most exposed to the weather.

I'd like to be able to fix it up without spending a whole lot and without losing its historical "integrity." That is, I can't afford to hire any sort of "expert" to come in a help out, and I don't want to just slap up some plywood to keep the rain out. So, I have a few questions: How do I find the right kind of siding to match? How important is replacing these decayed boards in keeping this barn standing? What else can I do to make sure this barn is there as long as I am?

Also, the previous owner kept a lot of hay scattered around the barn floor and in the lofts. Does the hay do anything to help or hurt the barn structurally (like absorb moisture or rot the wood)?

 

[beenthere]

The roof is the most important part of the barn to maintain, in my opinion. If the roof doesn't leak anywhere, then I would remove the hay. It does not help the integrity of the floor beneath it for the reasons you describe - moisture. For the board siding, look for another barn likely to be torn down. Look for a siding match of color, pattern, and weathering. To be real technical, find out what species your siding is, and what pattern. It may be mixed. And, you are right about the plywood - it is not original and does not make good siding.
Old barns are expensive to maintain. Seems they lasted better when there were cattle in them in the winter to add some warmth, and hay in the barn to add some rigidity. But that is (maybe?) a more expensive route to go. Around here, we have people anxious to have the farmers and land owners keep their old barns, so it preserves the countryside look. I contend that if these preservationists donate their money to the farmer (land owner) to put (keep) a good roof on the barn, it will go a long way to keeping them preserved. As soon as the roof starts to leak, the rest of the barn or building deteriorates rapidly.

 

[MikePA]

In our area we have a company, <font color=purple><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.sylvanbrandt.com/>Sylvan Brandt</A></font color=purple> that tears down and recycles old barns. We bought quite a bit of the hand hewn beam faces from them. Based upon your userid, you might be a bit far away (Illinois I assume - there's no info in your profile), but perhaps it'd be worth a call and maybe a trip.

 

[AndyR]

Where are you and do you have pictures? I am slowly restoring a 42x83 1852 knave post design timber-framed barn. Time (and PO's) have not been kind to it. Happy to make specific suggestions.