Wall detailing and siding for uninsulated barn build?
I am getting ready to build a barn near my new, airtight and humidity / ventilation manage home…so very much a different build.
i am planning to stick build and for simplicity am considering using sheathing for shear resistance but since this structure will not be climate or humidity controlled I am wondering if OSB is going to make it for the long haul. I will have passive ventilation in the structure and am located in central NC. For authenticity, I would like to use wood siding but am not fully opposed to modern composites like fiber cement, smart lap, etc.
I can see many old barns in my area that have stood for quite a long time. None of them have sheathing, all of them are basically open and fully ventilated and I have no idea what wood was used for the structure or the siding.
Should I be concerned about using OSB in this application? Should I abandon the authenticity of wood siding in favor of something more durable?
thx!
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Replies
I would build with the expectation that in the future it will be insulated. That seems to happen quite often. It's not really going to change the cost.
I would ventilate the roof. With the walls I would mostly worry about keeping rain out, if you do that moisture won't be an issue.
It is highly unlikely that this building will be heated but it might be just as easy to use OSB, WRB and fiber cement. I am on a tight budget for this structure though and am looking for places to save some $$