Pole Barn: windows, doors, siding..

cowboydoc · May 10, 2004

I'll get some pics on one of my barns. All I do is slip the j channel right up under the steel and screw it on. On the newer barns the j-channel is built right into the doors and windows and it's even easier. I'll try to get some pics and show you.

Robert_in_NY · May 11, 2004

You put the screws for the metal thru the J channel as well. That way one screw holds the metal and the J channel.

mopower440 · May 11, 2004

( You put the screws for the metal thru the J channel as well. That way one screw holds the metal and the J channel. )
ahhh, ok, now i see, so that doesnt matter, i understand the j-channel now, but as for windows and doors, if they are new construction, they need to go on before the siding though, right, because they have that flange that nails onto the RO framing?

mopower440 · May 14, 2004

went to the place i got my metal siding, he has some nice windows with the J-channel built in them, and i like that idea, BUT, the doors he has doesnt have the J-channel built in, or any doors ive found around here, wich means i would have to buy the J-channel separate for the door, no big deal BU it wont match the J-channel around the windows exactly, so, bad idea or what do you think?

Robert_in_NY · May 16, 2004

The J channel on the windows is designed as part of the window so it just looks like window trim. The fact that you have to buy J channel for the door is a moot point and should not matter. We have never heard anyone complain about the channels around doors not matching the channel of the windows. If it bothers you then you can go with a window without built in J but I don't see where it would make a difference.

mopower440 · May 16, 2004

yeah, i figured that, it will look fine, so i am going to get those windows, but my next question is how do you come up with how big to cut the hole out in the tin for the window..if you just lay the tin up on the wall where its supposed to be and trace the window out on the tin and cut it, the hole will be too big by a little bit because the metal needs to go into the built in J-channel...???

Robert_in_NY · May 16, 2004

Measure the insides of the J channel and add a 1/2 inch to give you a quater inch gap on all sides.

mopower440 · May 17, 2004

so in other words, install the window into the building, then lay the metal up into place completely covering the window, then trace around the window on the back of the metal from inside the building, then from the lines i trace, add 1/2", making the square trace out smaller? Is this correct?

Robert_in_NY · May 17, 2004

I think you are making this much harder then it really is. I would suggest you install the windows into the rough openings and then cut and install the siding afterwards. Either way it will get done but I think you understand the one way a lot better then the other. It is hard to describe building practices, it is easier to show someone. Sorry I could not be more helpful but I am afraid you will make a mistake if you try to put the windows in afterwards and then it is harder to fix (especially if you cut a hole too big). Maybe someone else here is better at explaining things then I am but either way good luck on it but don't try to make things complicated. Simple is always the best way.

mopower440 · May 17, 2004

Robert, that is the way i am speaking of doing it, installing the windows first, then the siding, but i cant get it in my head how to cut the tin out whn i install it to fit inside the built in J-channel..

cowboydoc · May 17, 2004

You measure it and cut it to fit. It's that simple. Dont' make it hard. That's why I like putting the windows in after the siding is up. Are you close to a Menards at all? They have a free pole barn building book for people that don't know how to build one that is very straight forward.

mopower440 · May 17, 2004

no menards around here, only 84 lumber, lowes and home depot..either way, putting them in before or after, i still dont understand how you would get the cut out figure with the built in J-channel, if you were to cut the hole in the tin the same size as the outside of the j-channel, the hole would be too big, the tin has to be cut slightly smaller than the outside of the j-channel so that it will be tucked in the J-channel a little...maybe im not asking it right..? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif also, the windows are only 2 feet wide, the tin is 3 feet wide, so, unless i start a piece of tin on the side of a window, i would have to cut the hole in the tin and fit it around the J-channel so it would set inside of the channel somehow, man, this is hard to explain what im trying to get at, wish one of you guys lived close by so i could show you.. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Mark_in_IN · May 17, 2004

mopower440 you are correct. I see where your comming from I think it would be hard to cut the steel after it is up. I would put in the window first then put up the steel around the window.

cowboydoc Were do you get the free book at Menards I'm interested in it? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

cowboydoc · May 18, 2004

mopower,

You need to do some planning. This is why most buildings have plans. Obviously you can't put a 2' windown in a 3' piece of tin if the j-channel is already up. Plan out your building as far as where the windows will go. Make the window come out on a seam so that you can it to fit. You really need to either get some help on this from someone who can show you the basics or you need to go buy some books and learn a little more. Then draw up some preliminary plans and go from there. Plan out where each piece of tin is going to go, where the doors are going to go, what material you are going to need, etc. Unless you have alot of experience trying to build on the fly just leads to one mistake after another.

rambler · May 18, 2004

( also, the windows are only 2 feet wide, the tin is 3 feet wide, so, unless i start a piece of tin on the side of a window, i would have to cut the hole in the tin and fit it around the J-channel so it would set inside of the channel somehow, man, this is hard to explain what im trying to get at, wish one of you guys lived close by so i could show you.. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )

Generally a seam between tin happens somewhere in the window, and you end up cutting a chunk out of the 2 pieces of tin (remove a 'C' shaped piece from each tin). Should a window somehow fall right in the middle of 1 piece of tin, you didn't plan it right, but you will need to cut one side out as wide as the window (a larger 'C' shaped piece) so you can slip the tin over the window from one side, and then use a piece of scrap tin to fill in beside the window the extra part that was removed.

--->Paul

mopower440 · May 18, 2004

I do have plans and the door is already framed up, all i have left to do before actually installing the windows and the tin is framing up the RO's of the windows, so i take it when i start the tin, i start it at one end and work accross, same as i did the roof? I thought i read somewhere that you were supposed to install the first piece of tin at a window..? but that doesnt make any sense at all..i see what you are saying about maybe starting the tin at the corner and working in and then framing up the RO for the window so it will fall between 2 pieces of tin, that way the tin can be slid into the built in J-channel on the window, where as it wouldnt work if the window went into 1 piece of tin..

mopower440 · May 20, 2004

What do you all use for corner trim? I see they have the metal type that just wraps around the corner, shaped like 'L' and they also have some that installs under the siding and then comes out and around, usually vinyl..kinda like a back to back J-channel.

Robert_in_NY · May 21, 2004

If you are using metal siding then go with the metal outside corners that nail on. The vinyl corners are for vinyl siding like you would use on your house. I have never seen anyone use it on a metal building before but that doesn't mean someone hasn't.

mopower440 · May 21, 2004

Thanks, i was just wondering because i saw a few buildings where the metal corner trim is just nailed on and it didnt look as good to me with the nails showing, but it will be ok.
Got my windows today, they are 2 feet wide by 3 feet tall, wondering how far from the floor do you all usually start the window, how far between the floor and the bottom of the window i should say?.

Robert_in_NY · May 21, 2004

You can set the windows how you like (don't know your building codes but try to make sure you set them so the cross bar does not land in your field of vision). If the window is 3' tall, anything over 4' off the floor to the bottom of the window would be ok.

As for nailing on your corners, what difference does it make if your metal corners show nails when your entire building (if steel sides) shows every nail already?