Adapting To Alabama: The Role Of Metal Barns In Extreme Weather

The ‘Heart of Dixie’ is one of the largest cast iron and steel pipe product suppliers in the United States. Being culturally rich with warm hospitality, Alabama is an outdoor paradise for most Americans. There are plenty of fishing, hunting, and recreational opportunities, and a beautiful gulf coast. The state itself is rich in agricultural products like cotton and peanuts, contributing to its large agricultural industry. All these agrarian products need a proper storage area for harvests, farm vehicle parking space, and storage for other recreational tools. Blessed with all the natural resources to make iron and steel, a metal barn comes as an affordable option. But how will it perform in Alabama’s weather? Let’s check it out.

Metal Barns’ Performance In Severe Alabama Weather

Summer Preps:

Alabama has a humid subtropical climate, mostly throughout the year. The state is visited by tornadoes, often with rain. Therefore, adequate preparation is necessary for metal barns. Let’s see them one by one.

High Speed Wind

A steel barn can be certified to meet and exceed local guidelines for installing steel buildings in Alabama. One benefit is that with certification, you get validation that your structure won’t be airborne with gusts of wind.

In fact, steel can be designed to withstand winds of up to 150 to 170 miles per hour, which is within the range of most tornadoes and hurricanes. As a windy state, Alabama’s farmland owners will greatly benefit from this feature.

Precipitation

Alabama is one of the rainiest states in the US, receiving 56 inches of rainfall every year. Water brings with it moisture. Timber tends to absorb moisture from rain and air. This can lead to rotting, decay, twisting, or bending of frame and panels. Nothing much can be done about rot or decay as wood is organic and will eventually decay with time regardless of how well-maintained they are.

Replacement of wooden timber and panels is a cost affair, especially if one lives in a state that gets frequent downpours. Steel is a dense, inorganic material and does not absorb water or moisture. A well-insulated steel barn can minimize heat transfer and moisture build-up over time. This will not only keep indoor mold-free but also keep it safe and healthy for livestock. An affordable insulator such as fiberglass will cost between $0.30 to $1.50 per sq. ft.

Opt for an all-vertical metal barn roof to prevent waterfalls, melting snow, and dust and debris from quickly falling off the roof. The vertically corrugated ridges enhance the flow of water towards the gutter and create less wind draft.

Humidity

Alabama has one of the longest hot summers in the US, which brings with it high humidity levels. A vapor barrier is an excellent option that can be installed over insulators in a steel barn. This will restrict water vapor movement, thereby sealing the metal building from corrosion. A vapor barrier can cost between $0.15 to $0.50 per sq. ft.

Moreover, not all metal tends to rust. Only iron and its alloy can get corroded. But metal builders have figured out a way around this. They offer galvanized steel and weathering steel, which are both rust-resistant. So you can enjoy a worry-free barn experience.

Thunderstorm With Lightning

Rain can be accompanied by thunderstorms. Some people believe that metal is a good conductor. Therefore, they might get electrocuted inside a steel barn. That’s, unfortunately, a common myth. In case of a lightning strike, it is best to save your head by taking shelter. Metal buildings and metal roofs transfer lightning from top to ground safely, and occupants remain unaffected.

Winter Preps:

Winter lasts barely a month or so, with snowfall occurring from mid-November to January in the capital, Montgomery, and the largest city, Birmingham. So, how do you prepare for winter in Alabama? Have a look.

Snow Load Bearing

Metal roofs can be designed to tolerate snow loads of up to 20 to 40 lbs. per sq. ft. You can get certified 12-gauge steel frames and posts along with 22- to 24-gauge metal panels for walls and roofs, which will increase the safety level. In Alabama, the cost of a finished metal building is around $17 to $27 per sq. ft. However, it can be as high as $40 per sq. ft. depending upon the complexity of the structure.

If you are not aware, many counties and cities have their own building codes that you need to comply with. These codes are meant for the safety and security of your neighborhood and yours. To get more details, kindly visit your county/city website or office.

Snowstorm

Some parts of Alabama receive 1 to 2.8 inches of snow per year, with the strong cold wind creating wind convection. The good news is metal barns can easily be sealed with a waterproof and silicone based sealant. This will retain internal heat and not allow the cold breeze to enter. Whether summer or winter, you can easily regulate temperature with metal barns.

Get Yours Certified Weatherproof Steel Building From Viking Barns

Now that you have seen how helpful metal barns are, with the right accessories and add-ons, you can make them suitable for any climatic zone in the United States. But always buy a metal barn from a certified metal dealer like Viking Barns, who offer high-quality raw materials in Alabama, with numerous color options, customization features, and excellent craftsmanship.

Opt for a concrete base (4 to 8 inches thickness, depending on barns’ usability) and vertical metal roof panels to get the best for your buck. These will make the maintenance easier and less time-consuming. In general, metal buildings need lower upkeep than other materials like wood and concrete.