I recently had a pole barn constructed, and while I'm tempted to leave the interior as it is, there are nails sticking out everywhere, which is unsafe with little kids around. Plus, I'll be running electricity, so I need to hide those wires too. I'm thinking about using metal sheets for the interior, but I'm unsure how to frame it or if I can just secure everything to the girts directly. I've attached a photo for reference: https://imgur.com/a/dY7KUkx
5 Answers
Run your electrical wiring first. Then, get an oscillating saw or angle grinder to cut all the exposed nails flush. After that, consider renting a paint sprayer to quickly paint the walls. It’s an inexpensive way to finish the look, plus you might end up with some handy new tools! This approach will save you money compared to other methods, and it should give a nice clean appearance.
I’ve used OSB in my metal building. It was about $21 a sheet and gave me a sturdy surface to attach shelves and store items. It doesn’t have to extend all the way up; you can install it sideways, and 4 feet high should keep the kids safe. It's a budget-friendly option if you skip the insulation.
For the absolute cheapest, just bend those nails, run conduit for your electric wires, and you’re set. If you have access to an angle grinder, that’ll help with those nails too! If you want to go a bit further while still saving cash, covering the walls with OSB would work and let you throw some insulation between the studs if you need it down the line.
A couple of things to address: First, for those nails, you can just bend them down so they’re not sticking out. If you want even more protection, putting some caulk over them works well. For hiding the wiring, I'd recommend using conduit when you run your electric line. Those are probably your most budget-friendly options!
If you're looking for a solid cover over everything, I’d suggest comparing the costs of metal sheets versus the thinnest plywood around. Just be careful with plywood imperfections since those could give your kids splinters. Drywall might be more expensive, but it could save you time since it's easier to work with if you want a polished look. However, I think plywood might be a good compromise for the safety and cost!
Totally agree! You can find affordable oscillating saws or grinders that’ll do the trick. Renting a sprayer sounds smart too, but I'd be cautious with cheap ones. Painting really makes a difference!