Tired of maintaining those rickety old wooden barns and leaky storage sheds? You have an opportunity to embrace the future of farming with metal farm buildings. What are they? Sleek, modern, durable structure that comes with myriads of benefits, one of them being low maintenance that has been bugging you for so long.
Durability And Longevity Of Metal Farm Buildings
Structural steel offers exceptional strength (25 times that of wood) and durability. Steel frames, posts, and panels are non-porous and dense materials that do not rot or decay when subjected to changing conditions. Hence, metal barns are less prone to repair and replacement compared to traditional agricultural buildings.
Metal is also resistant to pests and has anti-fungal properties. Framers can rest assured that their crops, hay, and feed are safe and secure from pathogen infestation. Barn animals will be less prone to infectious diseases, which will eventually boost their well-being. In addition, metal barns can withstand high-speed wind of up to 180 miles an hour and snow load of 80 lbs. per square foot.
Metal farm buildings have a longer lifespan than wooden or concrete buildings. This is due to resilient steel and advanced engineering techniques that lessen the building’s wear and tear and retain its structural strength over time.
Cost Effective And Potential Savings For Farmers And Ranchers
You may be surprised that a turnkey steel building costs between $25 to $45 per square foot. This includes raw materials, shipping, and installation. Prefab metal structure is mass-produced in factories, so their assembling is fast and requires less labor. Farmers can start operations early and boost their productivity.
Note: Farmers can now opt for 100% galvanized steel farm structures that are resistant to rusting and corrosion.
Another reason metal structures are affordable is their low upkeep. Farmers don’t need to call for a termite inspection and control team regularly or re-paint or re-coat the structure annually, which saves a lot of money down the line. Steel frames and panels are lightweight. Therefore, it takes less deep foundation to install them, saving money.
And that’s not it! Insurance companies are aware of the benefits of metal farm barns. Hence, they may offer up to 30 to 40% less on premium for farm steel buildings. That’s a potential saving for farmers and ranchers.
Personalization Options For Metal Farm Structure
Farmers can customize metal farm barns as per their needs and functionality. These barns can also be expanded to accommodate future needs. Here are some of the customizable features usually added to a metal structure:
- Lean-To: Additional awning that can be a loafing shed or used to keep farm tools and supplies.
- Roof Style: Farmers can choose between a regular, horizontal (boxed eave), or vertical roof style, depending on their needs.
- Barn Style: Carolina barns with a step-down roof are suitable for livestock and parking different-sized farm vehicles, whereas the Seneca Barns are suitable for storing crop dust and creating a crop, seed, and grain storage vault.
- Structural Trim: These add support to the roof panels (especially vertical ones) while adding an element to the farm building. You can blend it with the roof or make it stand out using contrasting colors.
- Clear Span Interior: Unlike wooden barns, commercial metal barns can be up to 300 feet wide without any internal supporting columns or walls. This allows for the freedom to design an open floor plan.
- Insulation Options: Metal farm structures are easy to insulate for energy efficiency. Some common insulations are closed-cell, spray foam, fiberglass, single/ double bubble, and woven R17. Farmers can choose from a wide range of R-values suitable for their needs.
- 12 vs. 14 Gauge Steel: Although a 14-gauge steel frame is the industry standard, for areas with harsh weather conditions, one can choose a 12-gauge steel frame that can handle more wind and snow.
- Foundation: Leveled ground, gravel, asphalt, and concrete slab/ pier are some common foundations used as bases for metal buildings.
- Color: Metal building dealers offer a wide variety of colors, from neutrals and classics to traditional red barn colors. A farmer can select one that blends seamlessly with their property.
Energy-Efficient And Sustainable
With correct R-value insulation, farmers and ranchers can regulate indoor temperature, creating a comfortable environment for animals and farm workers. Insulation also reduces the chances of condensation, moisture, and humidity building up, prolonging the life of the metal building.
For additional comfort, add a ventilation system to the barn. It pushes warm and moist air out and brings in fresh air circulation, keeping pathogens away from the stored crops and feed. A metal structure can be up to 600 feet wide. Ranchers can opt for a wider barn for easy feeding and cleaning.
People are choosing the most eco-friendly products and services these days. The good news is that structural steel is 100% recyclable and 98% recycled annually. Hence, it doesn’t end up in landfills polluting the environment. In addition to that, steel production does not cause deforestation or massive habitat loss. Over 90% of the water used during steel production is returned to its source cleaner. So, one can safely say that steel barns are the future of the American farm.
Versatile And Adaptable Building For Future Needs
A steel building can be used for many purposes in agricultural sectors. In addition, farmers can modify and revamp them for future use, reducing the need to install another unit on their farm. Some common applications of metal buildings are:
- Livestock Shelter
- Crop & Grain Storage
- Horse Barn
- Riding Arenas
- Hay Barn
- Farm House
- Cold Storage
- Dairy Farm
Security Offered By Farm Steel Building
Since steel has high tensile strength, it is resistant to physical intrusion. The steel panels used as side walls make a robust physical barrier against unauthorized access.
Steel doors offer higher security than their traditional counterparts. For extra security, reinforced bars and an advanced lock mechanism can be set up. You can also install biometrics in dairy barns to control access and restrict entry.
Farm metal barns also protect against harsh weather conditions such as heavy snowfall, speedy wind, hail storms, and rainfall. Due to their moisture retention, they are less vulnerable to rot and decay.
Read also: Why Building Code Compliance Matters: Insights from Anaheim Experts
Maximize Your Farm Potential With Metal Buildings
From minimal maintenance to all-around weather protection, metal farm barns offer durability, resistance to elements, and endless customization options for farmers to increase their efficiency and productivity. Farmers and ranchers can use a metal farm building to protect livestock, farm tools & equipment, and vehicles. So, say goodbye to the rooting wood and hello to a shiny new era of farm structures that your crops and animals will thank you for!
