Pole Barn: windows, doors, siding..

mopower440 · May 7, 2004

weather is nice and i need to be getting this thing done, time to get siding, windows and doors and corner trim and the J channel, i have 2 questions im not real sure about:
1.) I found some nice windows at lowes i would like to use, but they are replacement windows, can i still use them?
2.) In what order do i install the windows/doors, J-channel, and siding? Do i first install the windows and doors, then the J-channel and lastly the metal siding or can i install the siding before all that? Sorry for all the questions, just not sure here.
thanks again!

Nasty135 · May 7, 2004

440, Answer to #1 yes you can use replacement windows ,but new construction are easier to put in...I bought two replacement windows when building my barn because they had been special ordered by someone who never picked them up and were on a sidewalk sale, Not too difficult to install though
#2 Windows and doors are first then j channel around them with a bead of caulk between frame of windows and doors and j channel to seal water from seeping between the two...
Metal should be the same as the vinyl as far as installation goes... have fun

SPIKER · May 7, 2004

lot of it depends on how you have the frames done.

replacements are made to be nailed/screwed into the window framing flush to the outside edges, while NEW construction windows are built using a nailer strip all the way around the perimiter of the windows. and you simply nail them into the rough framed openings. Not as much shimming needed & same with the brick molded doors... but It's still recogmended to install shims and screws for the doors otherwise the brick mold will seperate and fall loose..

I've been looking at the big sliders 48 x 60 so you have lots of natural light and plenty of cross flow ventelation! I need about 1/2 Low-E for the South & West walls, and standard argon filled for the N & E walls. I want LowE & Argon as it will be heated & cooled...

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

cowboydoc · May 8, 2004

You can actually do anything you want to do with a polebarn. It's easy to frame in for any type window that you have. The specific pole barn windows and doors are easier as the already have the j-channel built in, they are the right width, etc. With the other windows you have to frame them in specifically, sometimes firring them out, etc. but it's easily done.

As far as when to put them in you can do it either way. We've done it both ways. You can either put up the whole building and then go back and frame in the openings and cut them out and put in your windows and doors. You can also put them in as you go. Personally I like putting the whole building up first and then going back and putting the doors and windows in. It's much easier to do the tin that way than trying to cut out around all the windows and doors.

mopower440 · May 8, 2004

Can i do this though, can i frame in the rough openings for the windows and doors, then install the metal siding and while installing the siding, cut out the holse for the doors and windows, and THEN later on, install the windows and doors and J-channel or does the J channel need to be installed before the metal siding? I was hoping to install the siding first and then the other later.

bebster · May 9, 2004

I think putting up siding over the windows and doors is a lot of extra work and cutting. But to avoid that you need to have picked out your windows and doors. If you're in a rush to put on the siding is to protect the inside from weather, why not side it in house wrap or sheets of plastic to buy you the time to figure out your windows and doors. Then frame them in, and use new construction windows, which go in a lot easier because you can face nail the flanges on the outside to the window framing. Then come back with the siding. You'll save on the siding since you won't have the scrap of cutting out the openings. Plus you'll need the framing of the windows/doors to fasten the siding to.

cowboydoc · May 9, 2004

Yes you can frame it in, put all your siding on and then come back later and put in your windows and doors. Most of the bigger companies all do it this way. Make sure you use screws in your tin though and not nails. You do need to loosen the tin a little to get them in. It is so much faster doing it this way.

cowboydoc · May 9, 2004

Another thing I would highly suggest is putting light panels in at the top 2' of your sidewalls. It is amazing how much light then let it. There is nothing like natural light in a pole barn.

GerardC · May 9, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Another thing I would highly suggest is putting light panels in at the top 2' of your sidewalls. It is amazing how much light then let it. There is nothing like natural light in a pole barn.)</font>

Where and what kind, brand etc. can you buy these panels? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif G

mopower440 · May 9, 2004

But if i put the siding up first , then how do i install the J-channel, doesnt it go under the siding and then lap around and over it? Also, dont new construction windows have a flange that nails on the outside of the window framing wich the siding will cover? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif