Steel Siding on Wheelhouse?

[sparetime]

There have been several great posts about ice house builds. In these builds they used smooth aluminum over 2x2 wood frames.

I am curious of other methods of sheeting the outside of a wheel house. The different ways I can figure its done are aluminum camper siding, smooth aluminum sheet, steel siding and wood siding.

As I mentioned, the smooth aluminum has been covered very well by others, my question is in regards to using steel siding (wood is obvious, and the aluminum camper siding is more expensive than smooth, so why use it?)

Has anyone built a shack with steel corregated siding? How did you handle the corners, tops, bottoms, around windows, etc? How is it holding up?

It appears that older ice castle models may have used steel siding, but I don’t know that for sure.

[low277]

I have seen wheelhouses around here built with colored steel panels, like the Pro Rib panels that M_nards sells with the the panels installed horizontal directly to the studs.

The ones I have looked at use standard J channel around the windows & doors and standard outside corner trim on the corners (not sure of the correct name for the corner trim)

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

The ProRib from Menards is fine, but it'll end up being close enough to the same cost as aluminum, that you may as well save the weight difference. The flat aluminum is a lot easier to work with, as you don't have to worry about where the ribs will line up with your trim pieces.

[broman]

We used steel that was previously mentioned. But we were able to get most of it for free via C-List. It's definitely alot heavier. And I agree that it took a little more thought on how to hang it compared to flat aluminum. We hung ours horizontal as well which makes it easier to do the roofline with the rubber membrane. If I had to buy the material I would go aluminum, because of the weight.

[MinnGuy]

I'm just finishing up a wheelhouse built on an old camper frame. I used steel siding because I couldn't find aluminum even close to the same price. My 7X12 axle weight came in at 1500 lbs, which I thought was pretty good. The aerodynamics are not very good with the ribs and trim. If you go with a flat front, the corners aren't too bad. I made a semi-V front and the trim was challenging. And with hand shears the steel was a workout to cut. If budget isn't a concern, aluminum is obviously better. But from what I could find, steel was good for me.

[broman]

I'm just finishing up a wheelhouse built on an old camper frame. I used steel siding because I couldn't find aluminum even close to the same price. My 7X12 axle weight came in at 1500 lbs, which I thought was pretty good. The aerodynamics are not very good with the ribs and trim. If you go with a flat front, the corners aren't too bad. I made a semi-V front and the trim was challenging. And with hand shears the steel was a workout to cut. If budget isn't a concern, aluminum is obviously better. But from what I could find, steel was good for me.

Buy some cheap power cutters/snips from Menards. Basicallly looks like a drill body but with a snipper on the end. I did, they work awesome.

[Always Fishing]

I found the aluminum to be twice as expensive as using the ProRib, which is what made me go with the steel siding. I don't know what the weight difference of the two is, but all my steel siding and trim pieces weighed in around 260 lbs (I didn't think it was too bad). I installed my panelling vertically as trimming is easier and in my opinion looks better. I used bottom trim (for the bottom), and J-channel for the top, around the wheel wells, and around the windows and doors. You will need corner trim for any 90 degree corners. If you decide to go with a v-front it gets a little more tricky and you will need to figure out a different way to trim the V. I decided to have the local metal shop bend me a couple pieces of diamond plate (it was easiest and looks good too).

The easiest way to cut the siding is with an air nibbler. (i picked mine up at the save big money store for $70) WELL WORTH IT! It cuts through the siding with no problems and leaves no sharp edges.

Like mentioned earlier, if budget was not a concern I would have gone aluminum as the steel is not very aerodynamic (especially vertical like mine) and aluminum would be a lot easier to work with, especially trimming.

All in all I am happy with the results, especailly since it was my first time working with the stuff!

[ice_it_06]

You do nice work...House looks clean, well done !!

[dukhntr]

I too used steel siding. I found it was about 1/2 the price of aluminum. I agree with the above post, as to the nibbler. However, I got mine at Harbor Freight for about $35.00. It has since been in on the building of 2 other houses and keeps going. If you don't like the looks of the pro rib profile, go to a smaller lumber yard and ask the if you can get yours without the ribs. I ended up with flat steel siding, for about the same price as save big money. This also makes it easier to do the trim.

Good luck

dukhntr

[worm_54]

Nice job!

My siding plans are similar to yours, mostly because of the co$t.

A couple questions tho...

1. Did you use any trim on the top of your front rock guard?

2. Did you use sheathing behind your siding? If not, what on center spacing did you use for the framing? Or, did you use any horizontal nailers?

Thanks,

worm_54

[Always Fishing]

You do nice work...House looks clean, well done !!

Thanks! I really appreciate that. Especially considering all the time one of these things takes to build!

Worm-

I used bottom trim for the top of the rock guard. I put the diamond plate on first and overlapped it with the trim. Its hard to explain so I took a picture of some scrap material I had lying around.

I put silicone along the very top of the diamond plate when I overlapped the trim and another bead along the bottom of the trim. You can cut the trim and fold it over the edge to close off the end.

I did not use sheathing behind the siding (there is no need for it). I spaced my studs at 16" o.c. No horizontal runners either. I just screwed the siding into the studs wherever they lined up. In general, I would get three studs per sheet of siding; I also screwed the seams together. I only used a few screws to attach the siding at first, then when I finished hanging the siding on the entire house I snapped chalk lines so I could get the screws to line up in rows.

[Marcus Taplin]

My buddy is building a house that is 8x10 by 8' tall. He has 2x2 studs every 2', do you think he needs to put and 1/4 inch osb on the outside then put his steal siding on? Or, just put house wrap around the whole thing and then put the siding on? He is just going to put some paneling in the inside of the house.

I know when I built mine, I just put the vinyl siding right to the studs (with plastic house wrap to keep the water out, but I used 1/4 inch osb on the inside, not paneling.

Think the walls would be strong enough.

Thanks for you thoughts guys.

Ice on the farm pond is ready to go, bring on the BIG eyes!!

Tap

[sparetime]

Thank you for the information. I have a much better idea how to tackle the steel siding now.

Nice looking shack AF

I am still going to do a cost comparison between aluminum and steel and go with what funds will allow. I do have a shear (looks kinda like a drill) and a nibbler. The nibbler takes a lot of air, so a small compressor takes some time to keep up. Got it on the internet somewhere for not too much money.