Barn Star

[nate379]

I was thinking about putting a Barn Star on the front of my house, but I am wondering now if it makes sense?

I see this star used ALOT in Texas for some reason, and I am wondering if people will think I am Texan or something?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnstar

Pic of the house is from this spring during construction, but it's the only thing I have right now. I was planning on putting it on upper peak.

 

[metal1313]

i see them all over the place. they are pretty easy to find online, my gf's mother would be able to find one in seconds

 

[nate379]

Huh? I'm not looking for one, just wondering if I should put the one I have up on the house.

 

[rjspitz]

I see them all over here in VA. It's a good luck charm for the house/barn. I say go for it. I've seen some offset from the wall and back-lit, which looks nice at night.

 

[usmc_noma]

i see them all the time here in va too. i never understood it. personally i wouldn't put it on but it's your house. why not take a pic of your house when it's finished then photoshop a star on there to see if you like it.

 

[nate379]

Any ideas of what would be cool to put up there? It just needs something for sure.

 

[metal1313]

o my bad , i saw a one in lancaster pa that i loved. it was pretty big, about 3ft across but had been treated with some acid and chemicals that gave it red, orange, and green colors. it also must have been clear coated because it was pretty shiny. def a cool finish.

or a nice prop, would look cool too

 

[usmc_noma]

what color will the house be in the end? i'd get something to either compliment the colors of the house, or get a similar color to shutters, trim, etc.

 

[nate379]

It's sage green with white trim and red shutters. I have some newer pics but they are on my home computer about 4500 miles away.

It's funny how the house looks really small in the pic too. I think my truck is throwing it off since it's parked ~50ft from the garage.

 

[strnge]

I see them here in California. By the way my dad lives in Wasilla, AK.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I can't remember ever seeing one, though I surely must have driving through Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc.

I have an area on the peak of my garage I was thinking of painting an American flag on. Anyone see that very often?

 

[Kevin54]

I think I'd leave it off. But then again it depends on the type of siding and the star. If the star is made from a cheaper steel and not painted or powdercoated completely, if it starts to rust you will have it coming down your siding. If you have a wood siding on top, you can always patch where the nail or screw was. If it is vinyl and you decide to take it off someday, you are stuck with a hole in the vinyl siding.
Around here, Barn Stars are all over the place. Houses, sheds, garages.......almost to the point of being overdone now.
My vote...Leave it off.

 

[Jpfreak33]

Its starting to be a "fad" thing to do around Ohio as well. I think I wouldn't do it for that reason alone

 

[tcianci]

They are pretty popular out here in MA too, but only on the more traditional buildings

 

[autoist]

I have several of them on the fence around my garage parking area along with lots of old signage.

 

[knucklehead]

i never understood why they are all over the place, even popular as tattoos. personally, i think they are ghey.

 

[nate379]

If you read the info in my first post you wouldn't be asking that question.

 

[Frank]

I just thought it was a Texas thing. Didn't know it was some good luck charm

 

[Steve523]

I've even seen some stars up here in Illinois but I learned years ago to never follow a trend cause you never know when it ends. I love metal fabrication, maybe come up with your own star design. Trust your taste and dare to be different.http://www.mystoragecabinets.com

 

[Doug B]

I've had one on my barn for about 3 years,but I don't think I'd put one on the house

 

[nate379]

Any idea what would look cool up there? A set of moose antlers or something like that would be neat but I haven't found any that weren't still attached to a living moose.

 

[BetterDays]

My wife would like me to put the one that she has on the front of the house. It is currently plain metal (purchased from an arts/crafts type place, so ultimately made overseas, I am sure). I either (A) want to paint it prior to putting it up or (B) simply protect it from rusting over the siding. If (B) is chosen, what is the best option to protect it?

 

[shmo]

Nate, I am guessing you plan to put star (or whatever) in that large gable area above the man door? Is there anything up there on the interior, living space, attic? Have you considered putting a window up there? If you have not installed siding it would be an easy install. It will greatly increase the visual interest, and tie into the architectural features that are already on your building. By the time you trimmed it out and put shutters on it, that gable would look great! That would be my vote.

 

[BetterDays]

I am guessing in the gable above the bay window - center of the house and no windows there.

 

[boiler7904]

My guess is that he has a trussed roof and the gable truss will keep that from being an easy thing to do.



Nate - have you thought about adding a simulated gable vent. Companies like Fypon make them in various sizes and shapes to match your house.

 

[shmo]

A gable vent would like nice as well. As far as framing a window into that gable, it would be a piece of cake. He could position it into or between trusses, or if that is not easily done I have seen countless times where the window opening is framed on the outside of the wall. Basically a boxed 2x4 surround attached to the outside of the gable. It makes the window stand proud of the siding and adds even more visual interest.

Horrible example, but this is all I could quickly find on google. I would not hang it out nearly as far so you could use typical flashing (not a shed roof) Kind of gives you the idea.

 

[BetterDays]

I am guessing in the gable above the bay window - center of the house and no windows there.

Never mind - missed the roofing that appears there.

 

[nate379]

House is already sided. I could put some windows they would have to be fairly small and it'd be alot of work at this point. That area is the vaulted ceiling in the living room/kitchen, ~16ft at the peak.


I was thinking of putting up a fake vent though.

 

[shmo]

What did you side the gables with? Does it match the sidewalls of the lower level of the house?

Here are some examples of ways to dress up gable end vents. A little extra time, but well worth the effort. That area of your home is so large, it should be a focal point.

Another idea to dress up a gable end would be some fancy truss detailing to resemble timber frame style. While these pictures are the real deal, a lot of builders construct these out of 2X or 4X material and screw them into the back sides of the barge boards. It's a decent look and fairly easy to pull off.

 

[shmo]

House is already sided. I could put some windows they would have to be fairly small and it'd be alot of work at this point. That area is the vaulted ceiling in the living room/kitchen, ~16ft at the peak.

Depending on your siding, it might be easier than you think. My suggestion was to use a window, but not a real functioning window opening. Just frame out a small box frame, screw it to the sidewall and insert the window. A false front I guess you would call it. I see that all the time, and some people even go to the effort of putting curtains on them. My architect has three 4x6 windows in the shed dormer of his home that go nowhere. You have to really look to realize they serve no function what so ever.

Something along these lines, but scaled for your home and utilizing your same window style.

 

[nate379]

This is a newer picture. It's vinyl siding.

 

[nate379]

New picture.

I was thinking of one of these... Maybe in red to match the door/shutters though. I can get the white one for $35 or a red one for ~$90.

 

[nate379]

New picture.

I was thinking of one of these... Maybe in red to match the door/shutters though. I can get the white one for $35 or a red one for ~$90.