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Battery Barn 7

The building is wrapped, the windows and door are in and the siding is going up!  Jordan and I managed to get four panels up in a couple of hours today.  If that is any indication, maybe we can get the exterior completed next weekend.

We’re using Hardie Panel for the siding.  This is a composite cement-board that is impervious to weather and should last a bazillion years or so.  The panels are heavy but can be nailed with a nail gun, so installation is pretty fast.  The hardest part is cutting it.  The folks at Hardie recommend using a sharp knife to score the board, then breaking it along the score line.  A circular saw could be used, but it generates lots of dust that could be harmful if inhaled I suppose.  It also is tough on saw blades.  So we are going the knife/score/break route.  Our first cut wasn’t so good.  I scored the panel on the back and the front side didn’t break very cleanly.  Scoring the front was better and by the time we had the window surrounded, we were a couple of old pros! 

We started here on the south side, installing two full panels.  A third panel will eventually be added, but it will require a bit of work to fit the pump maintenance panel into place.  Rather than bog down on that, we opted to move on to the east side of the building. 

Two panels on the south side.
 
We needed to do some cutting to fit the window in, so out came the knife, a long straight edge and a fulcrum to break the panel over.  The results are acceptable, but I think the next round will be better.

What a magnificent door!

3 Comments

  1. Hey it is looking good. How come it’s not red???? Barns are red. We are going to have to have a Barn Party when you are finished. You’ve got to be very proud for all that you have accomplished on this overwhelming project. We are very impressed. Hope to see you soon. Love ya, Mom

    • We haven’t bought the paint yet, but it will be red. Something deep and rich enough to cover all my mistakes!

  2. It looks GREAT!!!! I’m so impressed and am really glad Jordan is working on it, too!!

    Oh my, cutting each board with a knife sounds painful and tedious. No wonder you have the patience of Job…you have lots of practice! You’re making such great progress!!


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