Metal buildings are ideal for all agricultural applications, and who knows it better than Texans? Agribusiness isn’t the only place where you can find use of steel structures. Metal carports and garages are also being widely accepted in the residential sector.
Metal buildings are becoming prominently used due to their versatility, customizable design features, resilience to elements, and durability. Let’s see how metal structures can be personalized for Texas.
Though there is an endless list of functionalities that one can equip steel buildings with, here we will only focus on the ones that are essential for Texan weather, farms, and climate. Let’s head out, shall we?
Texas is blessed with 12.3% of the total farms compared to any other state in the Country. Covering 127 million acres of land, Texas has over 248,000 farms and ranches. These farms and ranches need reliable, long-lasting solutions to make a profit. Metal barns are durable and robust, require less maintenance, and are resistant to most natural elements. So, installing one on your farm can be a good investment.
And not just that, more than 93% of these farms and ranches are family-owned. Operating them is quite a challenging task. Metal buildings can be installed quickly, with less manpower and time. You can get a custom metal barn for keeping livestock, horses, farm vehicles, crop storage, or riding arenas.
Some people might doubt that since metal is a good conductor of heat, it may not be suitable for the Texan climate. But that is not so. Proper insulation can minimize the heat transfer to and fro the building. An affordable fiberglass insulator will cost $0.30 to $1.50 per sq. ft. however, if you prefer aesthetics over budget, you can opt for insulated metal panels (IMPs ~ $20 to $30 per sq. ft.).
Moreover, a vapor barrier can reduce moisture build-up and save metal barns from getting affected by molds and mildew. You can get a good quality vapor barrier for your steel barn at $0.15 to $0.50 per sq. ft. There is one more thing that you must not forget!
Insulating your roof is crucial as more than 25% of the heating takes place via the roof. You can insulate the interior and loft area with fiberglass, and for the exterior, you can paint the roof with reflective or light paint. They will help reduce the heating effect.
Since Texas is blessed with sunshine for most of the year, you can install solar panels to get free electricity. Steel can bear more load than timber. Animals, like predators or rodents, can’t chew dense steel panels to enter inside, protecting your livestock and crops.
And as if that was not enough, you can create a crop storage area inside the steel barn and sell it when the yield value is right in the market. As long as properly sealed, steel will protect grains from pests, damage, depletion, and destruction. You can control MC level (moisture control) in the steel storage unit easily.
Texas can get tough due to its extremely diverse weather. From droughts, blizzards, thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and hurricanes to flash floods, Texans have to cope with every harsh thing nature bestows on them. With metal structures, one gets sturdy material that retains its structural strength with time.
Metal is non-porous, which means it does not soak up water. Unlike timber frames and posts, steel doesn’t need to be replaced because of rotting and decaying. Besides that, steel is also an inorganic material, so you don’t need to spend money on termite inspection and control every month.
What’s more, some metal builders offer certified steel that can withstand up to 170 mph high-speed winds and up to 40 lbs. snow load and is resistant to seismic activities. You can find more about these steel buildings on steel builder’s websites and social media. Some even run offers on a regular basis.
Cleaning and maintenance are also easier than timber-built structures. You will need a garden hose, mild detergent, ladder, cleaning cloth, and a soft bristle brush to scrap off any stain. You can find all of these items in your home already. Cleaning can be done once or twice a year, depending on the usage of the structure.
Texas is popular for barndominiums, and slowly, they have started to become popular nationwide. Barndominiums are common in rural and county areas. They offer affordable housing with open floor plans.
You can easily convert any metal building into a living space by adding an insulator, vapor barrier, vents, drywall, finishing floor, HAVC system, and painting structure. For instance, a 50 ft. wide, 60 ft. long, and 12 ft. high metal garage with a lean-to can be easily remodeled into a living space as a guest house or farmhouse in Texas.
The final cost of metal barndominium will depend on the following factors:
Type of Metal Structure | Width x Length
(in ft.) |
Height
(in ft.) |
Lean to metal garage | 22 x 26 | 10 |
All vertical roof barn | 40 x 25 | 12 |
Steel garage building | 40 x 50 | 16 |
All vertical commercial metal building | 60 x 65 | 16 |
Vertical wide span steel building | 40 x 101 | 14 |
Metal buildings are extremely useful on Texas farms and ranches. Prefab structures are affordable and can be installed within a few days. Whether it is a large clear-span metal barn for a farm setting or a home garage, steel structures shine bright.
We specialize in metal structures, whether a carport, garage, or farm barn, that are durable and long-lasting. In addition, steel buildings do not demand a lot of maintenance. We offer high-quality raw materials with various customizable features for Texans. So, don’t wait for the grass to grow under your feet; garb your metal barn today. Call (704) 579-6966 to know more.