If you live in a rust belt state, like I do in Michigan, you might be concerned about the durability of barndominiums. Is it true that they start to rust after only a few years? And if so, is there anything we can do to prevent or fix this problem? In this article I will answer these questions and more! We’ll discuss how barndominiums are built and why they can rust, as well as some steps you can take to prevent your own from rusting. Informative tone used by author with an informative purpose. The blog post was written for people who want information on the topic of preventing and removing rust from barndominiums. Do Barndominiums Rust? How to Remove and Prevent Rust on a barn is tied to many factors and consequently, has causes and effects that can be difficult to define. To get the best understanding of why and where rust occurs you need to understand how barndominiums are built. Most commonly referred to as barns or log cabins; they're typically constructed using dimensional lumber (2x4's for example) covered with metal siding such as aluminum or steel (more expensive/better quality). Other common exterior finishes like stucco, brick, stone & siding may also be used. Barndominiums can be also constructed from other materials such as logs, masonry blocks, stones etc. The only similarity between structures and traditional houses is that barndominiums are built off site, trucked in sections to the location and erected. In www.barndominiumideas.com you will find more about the Barndominium and the costing details. This construction process will allow the metal siding to come into contact with wet wood. The result is oxidation of the metal which rusts. To understand this phenomenon you must know that air contains water vapor (humidity). When conditions are right, humidity will cause any exposed steel or aluminum surface to begin rusting. You need three things for corrosion of metals: oxygen, moisture and a favorable electrolyte. The more available these elements are, the faster it rusts. Fortunately there are ways to eliminate these factors thereby stopping metal deterioration in its tracks. Barndominiums require additional maintenance as opposed to traditional because they're not typically designed as a complete house. You can't simply paint them as you would a home and they don't have the same type of weather proofing as traditional houses. Removing Rust from Barndominiums To remove rust from your barndominium, purchase some steel wool (grade 0000), baking soda and water. Mix the water with enough baking soda to make a paste. After applying it liberally on the rusted area use a wire brush or steel wool to remove rust completely. Use more of the paste if needed but avoid exposing healthy/unrusted metal parts which could cause them to rust in future. Make sure to rinse well after using this method so that no residual soda remains on the surface - it will lead to more corrosion if not rinsed sufficiently. This simple rust removal technique should be used preventatively on a regular basis to avoid rust from building up. Preventing Rust from Barndominiums In order for barndominiums to prevent rust it's necessary to keep all moisture and humidity away from the metal while allowing good ventilation/circulation of fresh air in and around the structure. You can do this by: 1) Properly insulating your Barndominium - Barndominiums are not insulated properly, resulting in poor insulation & heat loss. To avoid this you need good insulation both inside and out so that heat isn't allowed to escape easily through its exterior walls. 2) Ventilation/Circulation - In addition to proper insulation you need to make sure there is adequate ventilation. In this case, air circulation needs to be not only from the outside of your barndominium, but also from within. Holes & gaps in the insulation will allow humid air from the inside to mix with the dry air on the exterior then condense on metal surface which allows rusting. 3) Painting - To protect against rust it's necessary that a good paint/sealer be applied on all surfaces both interior and exterior of your barndominium. Make sure any holes or gaps are patched properly before painting for optimum results. 4) Regular Maintenance - As mentioned earlier, regular inspections and maintenance as well as keeping an eye out for potential problems can prevent future rust build-up. It may also be necessary to touch up your paint every 2-3 years to keep it looking fresh. Rust is a common problem with metal structures such as barndominiums and sheds. It often occurs when the steel starts coming in contact with wet wood during the construction process. Conclusion
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