How to Put Steel on Old Barns

Wooden barns once dotted the countryside. With farmland disappearing and old structures deteriorating, wooden barns are disappearing. Today, one way of preserving these pieces of heritage is to support and protect wooden barns with steel. Steel support, rafters and roofs can give a second life to that old barn. Steel is stronger and resists rot far better than wood. Steel can be galvanized or can be treated so that it appears "rusty." This helps a brand new roof appear as weathered as the rest of the barn.

Things You'll Need

  • Steel support beams
  • Concrete (optional)
  • Roof trusses
  • 2-by-4 lumber
  • Steel roof
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect the barn for structural problems. Pay careful attention to the foundation. Some barns are built on a concrete pad, which can crack and shift over time. Another structural issue results from rotted support timber. Once rot starts in wood, it is difficult to stop. If the roof has leaked, rafters may also be affected by weather and time.

    • 2

      Check the barn's standing. Over time, barns tend to lean to one side or another. This can be caused by structural problems or simply years of prevailing wind. Make sure your barn is straight and level. If it isn't, there are companies that will pull the barn straight and reinforce the support beams to keep the barn straight.

    • 3

      Replace old support timbers with new steel supports. This may require that portions of concrete foundation be removed and replaced.

    • 4

      Replace any rotten rafters with new steel roof trusses.

    • 5

      Inspect the roof. Sometimes, if there is minimal deterioration, a new steel roof can be placed over a traditional shingled roof. Wood supports are nailed to the existing roof, supported by smaller pieces of lumber to fill in any areas where the roof sags. This process is called cribbing and can save money and time. But if the roof is severely damaged, it must be removed before a new roof can be installed.