fish house construction question

[mustangt69]

hi, i am working on my fish house and am wondering if i should sheet the outside or just poly the walls and put the vinyl siding right on the studs???? or should i sheet the outside and then do vinyl over that? Also menards sells some kind of fiberboard sheets 4x8x1/2 that arent very heavy and have an r value of 1.5 they look like they may have some kind of tar or asphalt coating on them. they are 6.00 a sheet. Does anyone know if this would have any benefit over plywood outside or if it would soak up alot of water?

thanks

i need to know asap

[Walleye Slayer]

Why are you set on vinyl siding? I'm in the process of building my second one and am going with aluminum sheeting this time. I tend to think that the aluminum has a nicer look a long with more durability. Just my opinion though!

[HarryG]

I gotta agree with walleye slayer, aluminum is the way to go. I would imagine it is not the least expensive, but in the long run it is the best. Also, I don't understand why poly, tyvek seems much better. Maybe there is something I am missing as I know that a lot of guys use poly. Remember, building a fish house is a lot of fun, fixing a fish house is a big pain in the #$%. Keep us informed!

Good Luck!

[fishinalot]

Do not put on vinyl. I guarentee you will regret it. I live on a gravel road not far from a popular public access. Every year after Ice fishing, I will go up and down the road picking up pieces of Vinyl from the fish houses. Vinyl sidng doe not work on winter toys! Spend the extra money now for the Aluminum siding instead of replacing it later. Good Luck!

[love to hunt]

Use aluminum siding and do not sheet the walls. Wrap in poly or house wrap and screw the siding tight directly to the studs. Sheeting will only add unnecessary weight.

I should also mention that you need a solid tube frame under the house to build it like this. Any flex and you will wrinkle the siding when traveling.

[magicstix]

What does the alumimin cost? sizes? Where would one start to look?Thanks

[mustangt69]

i would do aluminum, but i got a bunch of vinyl siding (new) for free from a friend. Basically i wanna put the vinyl on for a year or two and then when i got more money upgrade to aluminum. Will the vinyl without sheeting keep the walls stiff enough? my frame is tube steel, 2x5 main beams going the length. (its an old camper frame so it should be strong enough).

[love to hunt]

If you go new you can have Home depot or Menards order it and it runs about $125.00 per square and you will need 3 square for a 16'x6'6" house. You will also need about 12 sticks of J channel and 1 roll of coil stock to trim the corners and around the door/windows.

Compared to vinyl it is a bit more expensive but you will be happier for it.

[broncosguy711]

Sorry mustang. But just curious as to where people get the "blue prints" on how to assemble and such or is all done by asking a person that built there?

thanks-

Broncs

[bigtimeelectric]

mustang, vinyl is fine I've had it on my 9x19 for 2 years no problem. I did not sheet the outside first, instead I took strips of sheet metal 2" wide and ran diagonaly on both long walls of house making an x on each side than I used 1/4 luan sheeting on the inside and it is pretty stout. also I am assuming you are familiar with how to put vinyl on, I mean that you can't fasten it tight. good luck

[fishinalot]

Magicstix

If you want your House to look sharp, you should consider gettting some of the Smooth Cargo siding that alot of the Fish House manufacturers are using. It is much thicker and stronger then the residential steel siding Menards handles, and will outlast it on the road.

[BiffleFan]

I am also going to build. I was thinking of using steel building material since I have installed it before and have seen it on a few houses, it's got to be about the strongest isn't it?