Best Barns the Elm R Safety guide

This manual is copyrighted. Under the copyright laws, this manual
may not be copied, in whole or in part, without consent from Reynolds
Building Systems, Inc. © Copyright 2016
the Elm R
revised October 8, 2021
10' x 12'
Best Barns
Assembly Book
Manufactured by Reynolds Building Systems, Inc.
205 Arlington Drive - Greenville, PA 16125

Tongue Edge
LAP Edge
800-245-1577 - Mon - Fri 8AM - 5PM EST
724-866-4357 - After hours and weekends
Email - [email protected]
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR KIT
Thank you for purchasing our kit. Please read the following information before beginning construction.
Always check with your local HOA or building code office for any requirements or restrictions.
Tools Required: Hand or Circular Saw
Cordless Drill
Hammer
Pencil
Level
Measuring Tape
6'-8' Ladder(s)
Safety Glasses
Dust Mask
Phillips Screwdriver
Framing Square
Always wear safety glasses when cutting or nailing!
Additional Materials - Not included in kit:
Required: Shingles or metal roofing, Drip Edge, Roofing Nails or Screws, Paint
Optional: Caulk, Ridge Vent
Floor: Wood flooring is sold optionally. You may choose to build your own or pour a cement pad.
Terminology:
Square - Confirm corners are at 90 degrees
Plumb - Confirm walls and trusses are straight vertically
Wall Plate - Top and bottom 2x4s used to frame walls
Tie Plate - 2x4s connecting wall sections together
Header - Spans top of door opening
OSB - Oriented Strand Board
LAP - Edge of siding that overlaps Tongue
Tongue - Edge of siding that is overlapped
Organize:
Unpack all items & organize according to size and type. This will make items easier to find
when instructed.
Review the parts list on the back page. Should there be missing items or sub-par material
contact Best Barns Customer Service.
DO NOT discard any material including the pallet until your project is complete.
Assembly:
Review all instructions before you begin. Please follow steps carefully and in sequence for
successful results.
If you have any questions we are happy to assist you. Please contact us at:
Primed Siding Detail

It is important that the floor be level and square.
Before nailing the flooring, measure the floor
diagonally (corner to corner). Then measure
the opposite corners. These measurements will
be the same if the floor is square (187-1/2").
2. Cut (10) ten 2x4-10' floor joist to 9'-9". Treated lumber may be thicker than 1-1/2". Take this
into account when cutting the length of floor joists. Shorten joist measurements if necessary
to obtain 12'-0" building width.
1. Treated lumber is not cut to exact length. Cut (2) two 2x4-12' boards to 12'-0".
Layout for 16" on center joist spacing. 'X' marks where floor joist will be placed.
Construction Details for Optional Floor System
Check local building codes in your area, the construction may have to change. For a concrete slab,
install sill sealer as a moisture barrier between the concrete and the wall plates. Foam sill sealer can
be purchased at home centers in rolls 3-1/2" or wider.
Material Description 10' x 12' Floor
2x4 Treated Headers 2 pcs. 12'
2x4 Treated Floor Joist 10 pcs. 10'
Flooring 5/8" 4x8 4 pcs. 4x8
8d Screw Floor Nails 1 lb. 8d
16d Galv. Box Nails 1 lb. 16d
If necessary use bricks, patio stones or similar material to level or provide additional support
to the floor. If your ground has low areas consider adding gravel and or 4x4 treated timbers
to rest the floor on. If you use 4x4 timbers you will need (3) three pieces 12' long.
3. Install the floor joist, over the 'X' marks, between the 12' long joist headers. Use 16d galv.
deck nails.
!
!
Joist 9' - 9" Long
2x4-12' Joist Header
12' - 0" Floor Length
10' - 0" Floor Width
Leveling Blocks
4' x 8'
4' x 4' 4' x 8'
2' x 4'
XX
XX
X
X
16"15-1/4"
Joist Header X
X
16"

XX
XX
X
X
A
AB
B
X
X
X
X
Step 1 Assemble Back Wall
1. Position (4) four 60" boards together and indicate with 'X' marks, where the wall studs
will be located. Mark the ends that will butt together with the letters 'A' and 'B'.
2. Install 72" wall studs between the top and bottom plates. Assemble wall frames with
10d sinkers. Use (2) two nails at end of each wall stud.
24"
23-1/4"
60" Wall Plate
X
X
60" Wall Plate
24"
11-1/4"
X
X
X
X
Siding Extends 3/4" Below Plate
LAP Edge
60" Wall Plate
Tongue Edge
Cut Edge
AB
3. Nail both wall frames together with (4) four
10d sinkers on each side.
4. Square frame, measure diagonally (corner to corner). The measurement should be 141-1/2".
5. Repeat steps 1-4 to assemble next end wall frame.
6. Select a 36-3/4" wide siding panel with a 'tongue' edge. Install this panel with the 'Cut' edge
flush with the end of the wall frame. Install siding flush with the 2x4 top plate. Use 6d galv.
nails spaced 8" on center.
7. Install a full width x 75-3/4" long siding panel next.
8. Install a 36" x 75-3/4" siding panel last. If
necessary trim panel flush with 2x4.
36-3/4"
Wide Siding

A
A
B
B
X
X
XX
XX
LAP Edge
X
X
X
X
Step 2 Assemble Side Walls
4. Repeat to assemble another side wall panel.
68-1/2" Wall Plate
24"
19-3/4" 24"
23-1/4"
68-1/2" Wall Plate
LAP Edge
LAP Edge
1. Position (4) four 68-1/2" boards together and indicate with 'X' marks, where the wall studs
will be located. Mark the ends that will butt together with the letters 'A' and 'B'.
72" Wall Studs
2. Install 72" wall studs between the top and bottom plates. Assemble wall frames with 10d
sinkers. Nail both wall frames together.
AB
X
X
X
X
X
X
Siding Extends 3/4" Below Plate
68-1/2" Wall Plate
Siding Extends 3-1/2"
Beyond Frame
3. Square wall frame. The measurement should be 156-1/4". Install (3) three full width siding
panels. Install the first siding panel with the 'LAP' edge extending 3-1/2" past the end of the
wall frame. The last panel should extend 3-1/2” past frame. The siding should extend 3/4" below
the bottom plate and flush with the top plate.

Step 4 Assemble Roof Trusses
Step 3 Assemble Front Wall Frames
1. Cut (2) two 27-3/4" long boards from (1) one 72" long 2x4 board.
2. Cut (2) two 72" 2x4s to a length of 69-1/2" used for header supports.
1. Place (2) two 62" long 2x4 boards with angled ends together as shown below. Hold in place
with 2x4 blocks as shown. Make sure the trusses measure 10'-0" wide when assembled to fit
properly when installed.
2. Secure the tops together with a 24" wide OSB gusset. Nail the gusset to the 2x4s with (14)
fourteen 6d common nails.Angle nail slightly so nails do not protrude through the 2x4 boards.
3. Repeat above steps to assemble (6) six more trusses.
OSB Gusset
2x4-62" Boards
4. Select (5) five trusses and apply wood gussets to the opposite side.
2x4 Block
2x4 Blocks
X
X
X
XX
X
X
11-1/4"
60" Wall Plate
13-1/2"
27-3/4" Wall Plate
3. Position one 27-3/4” board cut above and a 60" long 2x4 together
and mark where wall studs will be located. See detail above.
4. Assemble front wall using (3) three 72" long 2x4s and a 69-1/2"
long header support. Place 2x4s over the 'X' marks. Use (6) six
10d sinkers to nail header support to stud.
5. Repeat steps 3-4 to assemble another front wall frame.
27-3/4” Wall Plate
69-1/2” Header Support
Tip: If possible, temporarily screw 2x4 blocks to the floor using 2-1/2" deck screws. Short 2x4s,
that may have an angle on one end, supplied in the kit for this purpose. This will secure the truss
boards in position so all the trusses will be assembled the same.

2. Remove 2x4 blocks. Save blocks,
some will be used when installing
gables. The remaining (2) two
trusses with one gusset will be used
in a later step.
3. Install a 67-1/2" door header between
the front wall frames on top of header
supports. Secure with 10d sinkers.
Nail through the top 2x4 plate and the
wall studs with 10d sinkers.
Step 6 Set Walls
Step 5 Install Collar Ties
1. Select (3) three trusses that have gussets installed
on both sides and install a 1x4-72" long white pine
board on one side as shown. Use (4) four 6d common
nails on each end.
1x4 Collar Tie
Board is Primed
2x4 Wall Brace
67-1/2" Door
Header
1. Erect wall panels. IMPORTANT:
Make sure walls are plum and
square. Secure wall panels together
atthecorners.Use (4)four10dsinkers
per corner. Use 10d sinkers or, if
erecting on a concrete slab, concrete
anchor bolts (not included) spaced
24" apart.
2. Brace the front wall on either side of
the door opening using (2) two 72"
long 2x4s.

Step 8 Install Tie Plates on Front and Back Walls
1. Cut (2) two 26-1/2" long 2x4s from a 2x4-60" board.
2. Install a 26-1/2" long 2x4 over the front wall.
3. Install a 60" long 2x4 next and finish with another 26-1/4" long 2x4.
4. Repeat to install tie plates on the back wall.
26-1/2" Tie Plate
Step 7 Install Tie Plates on Side Walls
1. Remove (4) four 78” long 2x4s from the pallet. The bit for the screws is in hardware bag.
2. Cut (2) two 78" long boards in half. Install (1) one 39” board over the side wall flush with the
2x4 wall plate on the front wall. Use 10d sinkers spaced 16" apart.
3. Install a 78" 2x4 from pallet next. Cut to fit another 39” board and install.
4. Repeat to install tie plates on the opposite side wall.
2x4 Cut to Fit
60" Tie Plate
2x4-78" Tie Plate
Flush with
Top Plate
2x4-39" Tie Plate

3. Install a 2x4 block on the opposite side wall and secure the truss.
Step 9 Install Siding on Front Wall
Step 10 Install Roof Gable
Install 2x4 Block
1. Select a truss with a gusset installed on one side. Position this truss with
the gusset facing towards the inside of the building and flush with 2x4s
on back wall.
2. Install a 10" to 12" long 2x4 block on a side wall using 10d sinkers.
Secure the truss to the 2x4 block with (2) two 10 sinkers.
3. Install the 16-1/2" panel
with the 'cut' edge flush
with the door opening.
4. Install last siding panel.
Cut Edge
Cut Edge
Cut Edge
12-1/2" Siding with 'Tongue' edge 15-3/4" Siding with 'LAP' edge
1. Select a 12-1/2" siding panel with a 'Tongue' edge and install at the front left corner. Cut edge
will be flush with side wall siding. Install a 15-3/4" siding panel with a 'LAP' edge next. Cut
edge should be flush with door opening.
2. Install (2) two 4-3/4" x 32-1/4" siding panels over the door opening. Bottom of siding should
extend 3/4" below header. Trim will cover where the siding panels butt together in the center.
Siding 3/4"
Below Header

2. Repeat Steps 10 thru 12 to install
the gable on the front wall.
Step 11 Install 'Z' Flashing
Step 12 Install Roof Gable Siding
60" Long 'Z' Flashing
Roof Gable
Back Wall Siding
Siding extends 1/2” above truss
‘Tongue’ edge
Install (2) two 60” pieces of 'Z' flashing across
the top of the siding on the back wall siding.
Secure in place using 6d galv. nails spaced 12”
apart. The ends will be covered by corner trim.
1. Install gable siding on the roof gable using 6d galv.
nails. The gable siding should extend no more than
1/2" above the 2x4 frame and 1-1/2" past gable ends.
1-1/2" Past End
of Gable

The first and last truss will not have a collar tie attachd.
Step 14A Install Trusses
Step 13 Install 2x4 Truss Headers
1. Place a 72" long 2x4 on top of the siding on the sidewall. It will butt against the siding on
the roof gable. Nails this 2x4 to the 2x4 tie plate with 10d sinkers.
2x4-72" Board
Roof Gable
Side Wall Siding
2. Remove a 2x4 used to brace the front
wall and install next to the 2x4
installed above.
3. Repeat to install 2x4s on the opposite
side wall.
1. Starting from back wall install the first truss (without a collar tie) measuring 21-3/4" from the
face of the 2x4 on back gable and the left side of 2x4 truss. Secure the trusses using 2-1/2"
screws and 10d sinkers, See Detail 'A' on next page.
2. Install the remaining trusses measuring 24” from left side to left side of each truss. Last truss
will not have a collar tie.
24"
21-3/4" 24"
2x4 Truss Header
Truss with
Collar Tie
Left Side
Left Side
Side Wall
Back Wall

Using a 2-1/2" screw, secure all trusses to
2x4 Truss Header installed in Step 13. Toe
nail truss into 2x4 tie plate using 10d sinkers.
Step 15 Install 1x4 Fascia
3. Repeat to install 1x4 fascia on the
opposite side wall.
Detail 'A'
2x4 Truss Header
Step 14B Install Trusses Continued
1x4 Fascia Trim
1. Install 72" long 1x4 fascia trim over the 2x4 Truss Headers. Install 1x4 trim boards flush with
the bottom of the 2x4 and flush with face of siding on the front gable. Use 6d galv. nails spaced
12" apart.
2. Cut a 74" long 1x4 to fit and install flush with the face of siding on the back gable.

1. Install the first 4x6 roof sheathing panel against the back of
of gable siding. Note: Using a straight edge install the top
edge of the roof sheathing flush with the face of the 1x4
fascia. See Detail 'B'.
Air
Space
Truss
Shingles
Install roof sheathing with 6d ommon nails, space nails 12" apart. When installing
sheathing across the top, insert a plyclip into the roof sheathing between each truss. The
top row of sheathing will be about 1" below the ridge to allow for optional ridge venting.
See detail below.
Step 16 Install Roof Sheathing
48"x 72" 48"x 72"
15"x 48" 15"x 48" 15"x 48"
Roof Ridge
Detail 'B'
4' x 6'
Siding
Roof Sheathing
2x4 Truss
Header
Straight Edge
1x4 Fascia
2. Install a 15" x 48" sheathing panel at the top.
3. Continue to install sheathing per layout below.
4. Repeat on opposite side.
Plyclip
15" x 48"
See supplier of shingles to
purchase ridge venting.
Install roof sheathing on each side of the
building as per pattern on right.

Step 17 Install Trim
1. Install 64-3/8" long 1x4 gable trim flush with the top of the roof sheathing
on the front and back. Use 6d galv. nails spaced 12" apart.
2. Install 75-3/4" long 1x3 corner trim, on the side
walls, flush with the face of the siding on the front
and. Repeat for back wall.
3. Install 77-1/4" long 1x4 corner trim on front wall,
flush with the face of the side wall trim. Repeat for
back wall.
Siding Will Extend Below Trim
75-3/4" Long 1x3 Corner Trim
77-1/4" Long 1x4 Corner Trim
72" Long 1x3 Door Trim
4. Install (2) two 72" long 1x3 trim boards, with top edge 3/4"
above door opening, along each side of the door opening. Use
6d galv. nails. Tack these boards with a couple nails; you may
want to move the trim later when you install the doors.
5. Install a 72" long 1x3 trim board centered across the top of
the vertical trim. 3/4" of siding will be revealed at top of door.

Step 18 Install Doors & Hardware
3. Before fastening the hinges to the side trim,
temporarily prop the doors in the opening. Leave
a space at the top and bottom of the doors and
between the doors and the side trim to allow
room for the doors to expand due to humidity.
If your door opening is out of square, the space
around the doors will not be even. You can
remove and re-position the side trim to make
allowances for this. The side trim does not have
to be flush with the frame of the door opening.
You can move the trim in or out to make the
door spacing equal.
4. Determine position of hinges and install to side
trim with 2" screws.
5. Installdoorhaspondoubledoors.Whenproperly
installed the hasp will fold in half to receive
locking latch and the screw heads will be
covered.
6. Install a barrel bolt on the lower back of
the door to secure this door in place when
closed. You will need to drill a hole for
the round shaft to drop into.
7. Install another barrel bolt at the top of the
door.
Barrel Bolt on the
back of left door
Left Door
Siding Extends Past Trim
1. Locate the door that has a 2x4 fastened, on edge, to the
back side of the door. When doors are closed this 2x4 will
be in the center where doors meet. Lay the door with the
trim facing up and install (3) three 5" hinges to the right
side. To position the hinge properly, hold the rectangular
plate against the frame. Use 1-1/4" black screws.
2. Install hinges on the left side of the other door.
Fold Hasp to Cover
Screws

5 bdl. Roof Shingles 6 pcs. Roof 'drip' edge
Roofing Material Purchased By Owner
Packing List'
Qty. Hardware Description
3 lbs. 10d Coated Sinkers
3 lbs. 6d Galvanized Nails
3 lbs. 6d Common Nails
6 5" Hinges
1 4" Door Hasp
2 6" Barrel Bolts
25 1-1/4" Hinge Screws
25 2" Hinge Screws
50 2-1/2" Deck Screws
16 2" Hinge Screws
14 3/4" Pan Head Screws
4 60" 'Z' Flashing
Qty. Description
4 2x4 78" Attached to Pallet
14 2x4 62" Truss Rafters
37 2x4 72" Studs & Plate Boards
8 2x4 68-1/2" Plate Boards
10 2x4 60" Plate Boards
6 2x4 10"-12" Blocks for Truss Jig
4 1x4 64-3/8" Gable Trim
4 1x4 77-1/4" Corner Trim
4 1x3 75-3/4" Corner Trim
3 1x3 72" Door Trim
3 1x4 72" Collar Ties
2 1x4 74" Fascia Trim
2 1x4 72" Fascia Trim
1 67-1/2" Pre-built Door Header
2 Pre-built Barn Doors
7 48"x74-3/4" Primed Wall Siding
2 36"x74-3/4" Primed Wall Siding
2 16"x74-3/4" Primed Wall Siding
2 12-1/2"x74-3/4" Primed Wall Siding
2 4-3/4"x32-1/4" Primed Wall Siding
2 48"x19-3/4" Primed Gable Siding
4 38"x14-1/4" Primed Gable Siding
4 48"x72" OSB Roof Sheathing
6 15"x48" OSB Roof Sheathing
12 8"x24" OSB Wood Gussets