siding for my pole barn

[adammsmith]

Quick question. I am in the planning stages of a 30'x48' pole horse barn. Most people use metal for their siding. Does any body use the 4'x8' sheets of hardiboard? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the hardiboard? Thanks for a great and informative site.

 

[hr3]

Do you meen the dark brown 1/4" sheets???

 

[EddieWalker]

Are you referring to James Hardi 4x8 panels with either stucco or cedar grain finish?

I've used them a few times for clients and myself. I'm a big fan of all the James Hardi products and highly recommend them. Price wise, it's a bit more money then a plywood based siding like T1-11, but it will outlast the plywood sidings.

It is bug proof, rot proof and pretty much fire proof. It holds paint better then any wood product and installs quickly.

The only thing that I'd caution you about on the 4x8 panels is the edge is tough to hide. It tends to open up on you and even after caulking, it's prominent I just did a deer blind where I put it on and covered the edges with Hardi 1x4 trim. I also added more trim every 12 inches to create a board and batton look. That was more money, but I have the look I wanted as well as the durability and longevity of the Hardi material.

Eddie

 

[LBrown59]

Do you meen the dark brown 1/4" sheets???

I think he said hard i board. not hard board.

 

[adammsmith]

Thanks alot Eddie. I was talking about that exact product. I just wanted to make sure others have used it with good results. It seems like a no brainer to use it rather than wood. Thanks again, Adam

 

[zzvyb6]

You should plan on lining the stall areas with some extra, replaceable material. The pigmy ponies will kick stall walls to chase flys, relax their legs and to just plain aggrevate you. They wll want to chew thru it, too. Metal out side siding is popular here in Michigan with a lining of plywood or tongue & groove boards. My current barn is concrete block at horse kick height range. One shot and they change their mind.

If a horse kicks thru the metal siding, chances are torn ligaments and blood poisoning will result. When I had boarders, they had lots of tales about horse stall wall materials. Even chain link fence makes a good lining. They will dent the siding but not break thru the wire. Chewing or gumming the wire tapers off after they realize its hopeless. Be sure to secure the end wire strands.

Pay attention to drainage in the stall areas, too. They release a LOT of fluids. And eventually the stall pits will saturate. A gravel drainage bay with a clay cap is how mine is done.

A concrete aisle-way with good lights will make your farrier happy. Make it tall & wide enough to run a haywagon thru and leave room above the stalls for hay storage. Want to impress boarders? A wash stall with warm water gives extra points. A porta potty will keep them out of YOUR house.

Good planning up front will make your life a lot easier. Sorry about my spewing. I've aeen a few of my hay customers wish they had done things differently. A word to the wise ...