Trying to seal a pole barn

[wantacoe]

In recent snows and high winds I got a lot of snow coming in from the bottom. I went to Lowes and Menards to look at closure strips but they are not compatible with my siding. The peaks and valleys are different and don't line up. My building is probably from 60/70's. I am looking for a cheap way to seal this. I thought about spray foam but that is not cheap at all. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[lowe.joshua51]

As - not cheap - as it is, if you invest in the pro spray foam gun it will last for a long time. I used to buy the aerosol cans, which are basically one time use. Once you get a pro spray gun you'll wonder why you never did before.

Here's a link to a homedepot one: https://www.homedepot.com/p/GREAT-STUFF-PRO-14-Foam-Dispensing-Gun-230409/202892513

There are slightly cheaper ones on amazon that may be just as good or better.

 

[dave_dj1]

Can you have some drip edge made and slip it up in from the bottom? Or even J channel?
I always figured if I built a pole barn I would pour the concrete with a ledge built into it so the siding could sit down on it to shed the water and help keep bugs, wind and critters out.

 

[csp]

Look elsewhere for the correct closure strips. My local lumberyard is a supplier for Metal Sales Manufacturing and they alone have seven different rib profiles that I'm aware of. I can get strips for any of them through the lumberyard.

 

[MrSurly]

Look elsewhere for the correct closure strips. My local lumberyard is a supplier for Metal Sales Manufacturing and they alone have seven different rib profiles that I'm aware of. I can get strips for any of them through the lumberyard.

This. At Lowes they have "ag panel" or "panel loc-plus" strips but your older building is probably "R" panel. Check with a metal building supply (a lot cheaper than Lowes, also) or look online at these choices
http://www.centralstatesmfg.com/products/

 

[wantacoe]

As - not cheap - as it is, if you invest in the pro spray foam gun it will last for a long time. I used to buy the aerosol cans, which are basically one time use. Once you get a pro spray gun you'll wonder why you never did before.

Here's a link to a homedepot one: https://www.homedepot.com/p/GREAT-STUFF-PRO-14-Foam-Dispensing-Gun-230409/202892513

There are slightly cheaper ones on amazon that may be just as good or better.

That would be ok but I think the foam would break the bank. The building is 50x80. But it is a lot cheaper than what I was looking at. https://www.menards.com/main/paint/...0-foam-sealant-kit/p-1444435969129-c-7937.htm

 

[lakeroadster]

That would be ok but I think the foam would break the bank. The building is 50x80. But it is a lot cheaper than what I was looking at. https://www.menards.com/main/paint/...0-foam-sealant-kit/p-1444435969129-c-7937.htm

I used Great Stuff Pest Block on my 30 ft x 44 ft barn. Sealed it at the bottom and at the wainscotting.

First I cut some 3/4" backer rod to size and slipped it into the formed ridges in the steel, then used the spray foam. This means you'll use a lot less spray foam.

 

[wantacoe]

This. At Lowes they have "ag panel" or "panel loc-plus" strips but your older building is probably "R" panel. Check with a metal building supply (a lot cheaper than Lowes, also) or look online at these choices
http://www.centralstatesmfg.com/products/

I just looked up R panel and I think that is what I have. I printed it out and will take it with me tomorrow to check. Thank you.

 

[barks]

I just looked up R panel and I think that is what I have. I printed it out and will take it with me tomorrow to check. Thank you.

Take a picture on the phone with you.

 

[wantacoe]

Take a picture on the phone with you.

Will do.

 

[wantacoe]

I used Great Stuff Pest Block on my 30 ft x 44 ft barn. Sealed it at the bottom and at the wainscotting.

First I cut some 3/4" backer rod to size and slipped it into the formed ridges in the steel, then used the spray foam. This means you'll use a lot less spray foam.

That may be the way to go. I think the closure strips were supposed to be installed with the siding. It may be a trick to put them on now.

 

[rusty1]

wantacoe,...tell us about your avatar vehicles please.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Lol. I thought it read "steal" a pole barn.


All shops leak. It is part of their charm.

 

[wantacoe]

wantacoe,...tell us about your avatar vehicles please.

Rusty, Unfortunately it is not mine, just a pic I found on the internet. Hopefully I will get a Coe someday.

 

[wantacoe]

Lol. I thought it read "steal" a pole barn.


All shops leak. It is part of their charm.

Too big to steal. I could live with a little leak but not this!

 

[rburke65]

Ya get what to pay for, but it looks like they could have used some ..?..rat guard or double Z extrusion on the bottom of that siding!

 

[lakeroadster]

Ya get what to pay for, but it looks like they could have used some ..?..rat guard or double Z extrusion on the bottom of that siding!

Yeah, even with the trim (my barn has it) it's still just steel on steel with no seal. Pole barns are leaky sons a *******, it's the nature of the beast.

 

[850xpeps]

If you have the closer strips and it has something to rest against you can just go around the outside and remove the bottom couple rows of screws and slip it in behind. It’s doable.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[stm317]

If you're just trying to keep snow/critters out I'd just find some trim to run along the lower edge on the outside of your building. J Channel would work. "Bottom Trim" is $0.75/linear ft which might be cheaper than the foam inserts.

https://www.menards.com/main/buildi...-bottom-trim/white1564529/p-1444448674822.htm

 

[rusty1]

...thanks for the reply, the truck and Vette look interesting,...you ever go on the Jalopy Journal?....you should come to the Scrap Drive show/swap in Belvidere, Illinois on June 9th
2018...you mite get a lead on a COE, etc.

 

[wantacoe]

Rusty. I am on the jalopy journal. I was going to go to the scrap drive last year but something came up. I used to go to little hershey but it got so bad it wasn't worth the trip.

 

[wantacoe]

I was at my building today and checked out the siding. It is not "R" panel. R panel specs say it is 12" center to center on the ridges and that they are 1 1/4 deep. Mine are 10" on center and 3/4 deep. I have been looking on line at different sidings and can not come up with one with those measurements.

 

[ckucia]

I was looking for roofing closure strips a few years back. I seem to recall that someone offered "universal" closure strips. They were just a square profile and were designed to expand in the voids but compress under the metal. Don't know how well they worked.