Is your post-frame building showing signs of old age? Are the original paint colors an eyesore compared to your newly renovated stick-built home? Are the metal panels speckled with red pole barn rust?
We wish post-frame buildings would last forever, but unfortunately, that isn’t the case. You may be able to hold off on some pole barn repairs while others demand your immediate attention.
So, how do you know if and when it’s time to reskin your post-frame building?
Whether your 30’ x 40’ pole barn needs a minor face-lift or a complete overhaul, this article discusses four reasons why you should reskin your post-frame building and how much this renovation project will cost.
How Much Does it Cost to Reskin a 30’ x 40’ Pole Barn?
Similar to determining how much a pole barn costs, the cost to reskin an existing post-frame building is dependent on the following factors:
- Building type
- Fastener type
- Building size
- Building location
- Construction crew size
Unfortunately, there is no black-and-white answer. Some areas can become gray depending on the factors listed above.
For example, if your existing post-frame building with screw fasteners, you're looking at a minimum of $1.50 per square foot to remove the metal panels and a minimum of $1.25 to attach the new steel siding. You’d also be incurring the price of new metal panels, which starts at a minimum of $3.00 per square foot.
Please note that these prices fluctuate based on the current state of commodity markets. They do not include: metal trims, travel costs, delivery/freight costs, dumpster and port-a-john rentals, screws, engineering review of drawings, and cost of equipment.
4 Reasons Why You Should Reskin Your Existing Pole Barn
Below, we discuss the four reasons why you should consider reskinning your post-frame building.
1) Your pole barn is showing aging signs.
Perhaps the most obvious reason for reskinning your pole barn. The metal panels may have faded or chalked if your post-frame building was constructed before the 1990s.
Fading occurs when the environment attacks the pigment portion of the paint system. When metal panels are continuously exposed to sunlight, they’ll lose their original color.
Chalking occurs when ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages the resin, allowing the pigment particles to resurface as a powdery substance. Other degradation contributors include acid rain and air pollution.
The area of your post-frame building that receives less elemental exposure will fade or chalk at a slower rate.
Editor’s Note: These aging effects are noticeable with darker colors. Lighter hues still fade and chalk, but their appearance is duller.
Unfortunately, these conditions are inevitable, but the right pole barn paint system will keep your steel siding looking new year after year.
Pre-1990s post-frame buildings were most likely coated with silicone-modified polyester (SMP) paint.
However, modern pole barns use polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), popularly referred to as Kynar 500®. Its unique formula produces excellent resistance to aging and weathering. Watch the video below to learn more about the benefits of choosing a PVDF paint system.
2) Your pole barn is damaged (accidental or storm-related).
As much as we hate to think about it, pole barn damages are unavoidable. Accidents happen. Mother Nature lashes out.
Whatever the case, consider reskinning your post-frame building, especially if the structural integrity remains intact. With a little TLC (and some new metal panels), your pole barn will look good as new.
3) You want to change your pole barn color combination.
Buyer’s remorse – we’ve witnessed this sense of regret in our 60+ years of business in the post-frame industry.
Some customers kick themselves for not adding extra square footage to their building size, but that’s a story we’ll save for another time.
Meanwhile, others wish they would’ve picked a different pole barn color combination.
Of course, the same can be said for someone who purchased property that includes a post-frame building. Pea-green isn’t your style.
But all is not lost. While you can’t turn back time, you can reskin your pole barn with a paint color that fits your aesthetic better. For example, Ash Gray, Brandywine, Clay, or Evergreen will be a great choice if you prefer earth tones.
Editor’s Note: Sure, you can hire someone to paint over the current color, but you may void your builder warranty in the process. Please read the fine print before moving forward with this alternative solution.
4) Your pole barn needs to be re-sealed.
Some post-frame buildings have had multiple purposes in their lifetime.
For example, this pole barn was a chicken coop turned dog kennel turned cold storage.
As you can see, this structure lacks a base trim, and the steel siding has been patched over time. The new owner wanted to reskin the post-frame building to eliminate drafts, stop pesky leaks, and increase curb appeal.
Ultimately, reskinning your pole barn prolongs its lifecycle, guaranteeing its usefulness for the next generation.
5 Factors that Influence the Cost of Reskinning a Pole Barn
Similar to determining how much a pole barn costs, the cost to reskin an existing post-frame building is influenced by these five factors:
1) Building Type
The type of post-frame building you want to reskin will certainly influence the cost. For example, a standard 30’ x 40’ pole barn will be cheaper to reskin than a standard 30’ x 40’ block building.
Our Repair & Renovation construction crews can reskin block buildings, but they’ll need extra materials. First, the field employees will attach furring strips to the existing structure. Then, they’ll secure the metal panels to the 1x3 or 2x4 wooden pieces.
2) Fastener Type
Another factor influencing the cost of this renovation project is the type of fastener used. If the steel was originally fastened with nails versus screws, you’ll pay more to remove the metal panels.
Let’s pretend you have a 30’ x 40’ post-frame building that was nailed together. You could spend 15 to 20 percent more on labor costs to remove the steel siding. If you want an exact figure for your budget, that number will range from ~$1,200 to $1,500 for construction labor.
3) Building Size
Next, the pole barn size will undoubtedly affect the cost. The bigger the post-frame building, the more money you’ll spend on labor, materials, and other supplies. Typically, larger pole barns take more time to remove and install metal panels.
4) Building Location
Moreover, you must consider the location of your post-frame building compared to your post-frame builder.
Travel costs will be incurred in your pole barn price, as well as delivery and freight. If your post-frame building is further away from our Repair & Renovation construction crews, a “stayover” cost might be included.
5) Repair & Renovation Construction Crew Size
Regarding construction crews, your post-frame builder will need to determine how many workers it will take to renovate your pole barn. If your post-frame building is 40’ x 60’ or less, you can work with fewer people than one that is 40’ x 60’ or greater.
How Much Does it Cost to Reskin a 30’ x 40’ Pole Barn?
Unfortunately, determining how much your pole barn reskin will cost isn’t a black-and-white scenario. Some areas can become gray depending on the factors listed above.
For example, if your existing post-frame building with screw fasteners, you’d be looking at a minimum of $1.50 per square foot to remove the metal panels and a minimum of $1.25 to attach the new steel siding. You’d also be incurring the price of new metal panels, which starts at a minimum of $3.00 per square foot.
Editor’s Note: These prices fluctuate on the current state of commodity markets. They do not include: metal trims, travel costs, delivery/freight costs, dumpster and port-a-john rentals, screws, engineering review of drawings, and cost of equipment.
Will You Reskin Your Existing Pole Barn?
After learning more about pole barn repairs and renovations, will you reskin your existing post-frame building?
As long as the structural integrity is intact, you can’t go wrong with giving your pole barn a total makeover.
At FBi Buildings, our Repair & Renovation Specialists will help you navigate the building process to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
We’ll also tell you a secret: it doesn’t matter who built the original pole barn. We’ll do repair and renovation work on any post-frame building.
Are you ready to get started on your pole barn reskin? Please call us at (800) 552-2981, and we’ll gladly give you a FREE quote.
Do you have more questions that are not covered in this article? If you need help designing and planning, please contact FBi Buildings at 800.552.2981 or click here to email us. If you are ready to get a price, click here to request a quote, and a member of our customer engagement team will help you determine the next steps of your project.