How Metal Buildings Stand Strong Against The Cold

Metal buildings are incredibly strong and resilient, making them ideal for harsh weather conditions, be it summer heat waves or winter snow blazes. With their sturdy 12-gauge steel frame and robust corrugated panels, they can last for decades to come, and that too, with minimal maintenance. 

Unlike traditional wooden barns that can wrap or rot in extreme cold, metal barns retain their structural strength and stability. Moreover, a metal roof with vertical panels at the right pitch easily sheds excessive snow, reducing the risk of damage from heavy winter weather.

Winter-Proof Your Metal Building with Proper Insulation

Benefits Of Metal Building In Cold Climates

• Durability: Metal structures are known for their durability, especially their ability to stand firm against harsh weather conditions, including heavy snow loads and strong winds, which are common in cold climates.
• Quick Construction: Winter metal buildings can be erected faster than traditional structures, even in adverse weather, reducing assembling time and costs.
• Certified Steel Farm Barns: The reason why you should choose certified steel barns is due to the fact that they come with higher wind tolerance [up to 180 miles per hour] and heavy snow load-bearing strength [up to 80 lbs. per sq. ft.].
• Longevity: Steel barn buildings made using 100% galvanized steel are resistant to rust and corrosion. Thus helping them to retain their structural integrity and strength for decades.
• Sustainability: Structural steel can be recycled endlessly without losing its durability and strength. Over 90% of the water used for steel production is returned to its source cleaner, making steel an eco-friendly solution.
• Fire Resistance: Metal farm barns are non-combustible, which reduces the risk of fire damage that can be concerning in cold and dry climates.

Insulation Options For Metal Building To Combat Moisture

Many of you can ask, ‘Are metal buildings hot in the summer and cold in the winter?’ While metals are good conductors of heat, with proper insulation and thermal barriers, farmers and ranchers can mitigate heat loss. In fact, it is one of the best practices to control temperature in livestock barns. Opt for an insulator with a higher R-value [typically between 15 to 25 or higher depending on your local climate zone].

Some examples of insulations are:

Note that the table above shows the R-value per inch, so you can choose the thickness you need. We offer single and double bubble insulation with our metal barns, and if you need superior thermal efficiency, we have woven R17 for you.

A lot of people want to know, ‘Can I spray foam a metal building in winter?’ Although you can, there are some crucial things to consider, such as:

• Spray foam is temperature sensitive and needs a specific temperature to cure properly. If it’s too cold, the foam may not expand or harden correctly.
• Make sure the metal panels are clean and dry before beginning insulation installation.
• Installing spray foam during cold weather may increase the risk of condensation, which can cause moisture issues. 
• It is best to get the help of a professional team when installing spray foam insulation.

Which Areas Of My Metal Farm Barn Should I Insulate?

You can insulate the roof and side walls, which will significantly reduce heat loss from the building and keep indoor cozy for farm workers, ranchers, and their beloved livestock.

Another way you can reduce some amount of heat loss is by choosing the right color for your steel barn. For example, dark colors are best for colder regions as they absorb sunlight and keep the attic warmer than the surroundings.

How Metal Roof Help With Snow Accumulation

It is important to choose the correct structural design for winter metal buildings as they will help with snow sheds, reduce load over the roof panels, and reduce maintenance costs. Here are some ways in which metal roofs help combat winter:

• Metal surfaces are smoother and have less friction, which helps shed snow easily.
• Corrugated, vertical metal roof panels are designed to slide off dust, debris, water, and snow towards the ground.
• You can choose a pitch of 6:12 to avoid excessive snow accumulation.
• For snowy regions, choose snow guards that add safety control to sliding snow by breaking it into smaller, manageable sections.
• You can choose darker color roof panels like barn-red, brown, burgundy, dark gray, black, etc., which absorb & radiate heat efficiently, melting snow & ice.

 Maintenance Tips For Metal Building In Winter

Before the arrival of winter, there are crucial steps that you can take to avoid any issues during snow storms and windy winter nights, such as:

• Clean Debris: Remove dead leaves, twigs, and other items over the roof and gutters to prevent moisture buildup and avoid any damage.
• Trim Trees Nearby: Trim or cut the branches of trees that are hanging over the roof or metal farm barn as they might become heavier due to ice and break off.
• Keep Things Organized: You can use some tips for organizing storage inside a metal building to find items without wasting time on snowy nights. It can be decluttering beforehand, using vertical spaces, or installing pegboards to hand items for easy reach.
• Inspect Seals: Check weatherproofing and seals around the winters metal buildings to reduce air draft or water leakage from melting ice.
• Lubricate Moving Parts: Apply lubricants to door hinges, locks, and other moving parts to prevent freezing and ensure smooth operation.

Tip:

1. Inspect the entire metal barn structure.
2. Check for fading paint, minor rust, cracks, holes, gaps, etc.
3. If you notice any issues, fix them before winter arrival.

 Use Cases Of Metal Buildings In Extreme Cold Conditions

Our metal barns are so versatile that they can be repurposed for any use with changing farmers’ and ranchers’ needs. Explore endless possibilities in custom metal barn designs to renovate your steel barn building for other uses.

With clear span design, you can choose commercial metal buildings that can span up to 300 ft. wide without any internal supporting columns or walls, giving you unobstructed space for storing crop dusters, large farm vehicles, sheltering large flocks of livestock, and even creating a riding arena for horses.

Viking Barns – Where Cold Weather Meets Its Match

From roofing style that matches your existing building to insulation that helps regulate indoor temperature even during frigid winter, metal barn building offers many benefits over any traditional barn.

Overall, we can say a steel Carolina barn will stand strong against the cold thanks to their reliable materials and construction techniques. If you are looking for a winter-proof barn for your livestock, storage, or parking farm vehicles, pick up your phone and dial (704) 579-6966 for a free quote and the best deals!