One of the projects on our to-do list is giving the barn a fresh coat of paint.
Sadly, the barn quilt had to go. Here's what it looked like when it was new . . .
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| Photo from July 2018 |
But now . . .
This was Lowe's best plywood, but it' beyond repair. We'd both like to put up a new one, but making it isn't at the top of my to-do list. Dan wondered if cement board would be longer lasting, but I'm not sure about paint on cement.
We've had some beautiful days for painting and I'm glad to have the job done before the summer heat takes away the fun of outdoor projects.
Of fig trees we planted two new ones.
We put them is a different spot, where they'll receive more sun. It will be a few years until we get figs, but they do well in our growing zone and are easy to maintain.
That's one big job crossed off the list! Now I'm on to giving Dan's workshop a repaint.
Painting the Barn © April 2025
21 comments:
We installed cement board siding on our house about eight years ago and I painted it maybe six years ago. The paint has held up great thus far and hasn't faded at all. I used Sherwin Williams outdoor paint which is expensive as heck compared to what you can get at a big box store but like you said, the coverage is excellent and one coat is really all you need. I also brushed on the paint instead of spraying which I think provides a thicker coat that lasts longer.
The barn looks great! That's a shame about the barn quilt, but it sounds like from Ed's comment, cement board works well. Wishing you bountiful figs!
We have cement board siding on our entire addition to our old house. It is textured to look like wood (and then we added wooden strips to mimic board and batten). We used a solid stain (which is basically like paint) and it has held up well, except on the south wall where the sun hits it harder). Here it was called Hardi Board, but I'm not sure if it's still that a product or not.
Apart from that, I have severe barn envy! Ha ha. I'd have a part for the hens, and then a stall for the two (or three) alpacas :) -Jenn
Ed, thank you. That's the kind of information I'm looking for. we really enjoyed seeing the quilt, so I hate to give it up.
Laurie, thanks! We've always been blessed with abundant figs, so I'll miss them until the new trees start producing.
Jenn, yes, it's called hardi board here as well. They sell it in siding boards, and also in 3'x5' sheets for bathroom walls. That's probably what I'd go with. The thinnest would do, I think.
Leigh, They make a undercoating for painting cement and I would think it would work on Hardi Board. It does provide a primer coat and your finish paint should last much longer as the undercoating sealant bonds to the cement. If I was to build a house today, I would use Hardi Board on my outside walls as they are fire resistant and standing seam 16 gauge metal roofing. I haven't been commenting, I have been in and out of the hospital with severe kidney problems and been on dialysis until my only kidney healed. Doing much better!
Should be 26 gauge metal...
Kevin, oh no! I'm so sorry to hear you've been ill. Kidney problems must be worrisome. It sounds like you will continue to heal, which is excellent news.
Thank you for that about the cement paint undercoating. Very good to know, especially since I want this one to last a very long time.
The barn looks wonderful. I'm with Jenn, I have barn envy as well. So much space! Enjoy the makeover!
Leigh, Aluminum Composite (ACM) is the best for barn quilts. It's the same material they use for street signs. Maybe you or Dan could find a source for old street signs? Or, you can buy from any sign company. Much lighter than hardy board. Of course, there is a FB group called Barn Quilt Addicts & they list sources sometime.
That's a big project to check off your list - congrats! The barn looks great :)
The barn really does look great. I am sad about the quilt too, but reality often takes front stage (to our chagrin).
I think I have suddenly realized I have been around long enough that I remember the barn quilt when it first went up.
Daisy, I waited nine years for my barn, and have to say it was worth it. It deserves a new coat of paint!
Deb, interesting! I've never even heard of ACM. I'll have to look it up. I'm guessing it takes a special kind of paint(?) Lighter weight would be wonderful, especially since we have to hang the barn quilt on the second story.
Quinn, it's amazing how much a fresh coat of paint helps!
TB, gosh, that was seven years ago. How time flies.
I still have barn envy! It's my understanding figs love hardwood ashes and the charcoal bits not quite completely burned. Mine planted on an old fire spot is going strong more than 20 years. I mix manure and wood stove cleanings and spread it under the tree yearly.
The barn looks very revitalized with it's new coat. Sorry about the barn quilt, it was very distinctive. I hope making a new one rises to the top of the list at some point.
I overwintered the little fig tree I got last spring, in the root cellar. I brought it in a while ago, and it has leafed out beautifully. It will be going out in its pot, as soon as the overnights warm enough.
Annie, thanks for the tip. We have plenty of hardwood ashes so that will be easy to do. I'll miss figs for the next couple of years, but am glad we invested in more trees.
Rosalea, thanks! I'd definitely like a new barn quilt one of these days. :)
Nice that you have a little potted fig! I just got my overwintered ginger out the other day. It's ready to sprout.
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