Reasons Steel Barns Buildings Are Ideal For Farming

In today’s world, farms and ranches in the States are looking for cost-effective ways to optimize their profits. Having the right size barn is equally crucial as it holds most farmers’ and ranchers’ assets, be it their farm tools, machinery, equipment, or sheltering livestock. Metal farm buildings offer unmatched durability, strength, and affordability in the long run, along with low upkeep needs. Let’s explore the reasons why metal farm barns are ideal for farm & ranch needs.

Why Steel Farm Barn Wins On Farm

1. Durability & Strength Of Metal Farm Buildings

Strength

Farm steel barns are made of steel frames and metal panels. You get an option to choose 12 gauge thickness for steel frames and 26 gauge thickness for panels which increases its strength further. What sets metal barns apart from traditional pole barns is their high durability, especially against all weather conditions.

Certification

We provide engineer-certified steel buildings that can withstand strong winds of up to 180 miles per hour and bear snow loads of up to 80 pounds per square foot, making steel agricultural structures ideal for harsh weather conditions.

Superior Material

Being an inorganic and non-porous material, structural steel neither rots nor decays or bends, twists, warps, etc., with changing seasons. One of the myths surrounding steel buildings is that they rust easily. But, with 100% galvanized steel, it has a coating of molten zinc that helps resist rusting and corrosion. And, farmers don’t need to recoat it every year.

2. Affordability Of Prefab Farm Building

Easy Construction With Prefab

Prefabricated metal barns are mass-produced in a factory, which reduces its final cost. They are quick and easy to install and require less labor for on-site installation.

Long Term Saving

The initial cost of a metal farm building may be slightly higher than a traditional one, but its long-term cost is less than any other structure. This will reduce the monthly operational costs of running a farm or a ranch.

Low Maintenance

Metal is immune to rot, decay, twisting, bend, warping, and other structural issues that are common in a wooden barn. So, farmers don’t need to spend money & time on frequent repairs or replacements.

Easy Cleaning

A metal structure does not absorb mold spores or moisture. Hence, it does not need regular deep cleaning. You can simply use warm water, a garden hose with a nozzle, and mild soap to clean it. For scraping off stubborn stains, a soft bristle brush would be best.

Energy Efficient

We provide insulation for roof and side walls that reduces heat transfer to & from the building and helps regular indoor temperature. You can choose affordable insulation with the correct R-value, such as double bubble or the woven R17, for superior thermal efficiency.

3. Customization Options To Fit Farm Needs

You can add custom features to fit a metal building as per your farm/ ranch needs, such as:

• Roof Type: Regular, Boxed Eave, Vertical
• Roof Style: Carolina, Seneca, Clear Span
• Side Panels: Horizontal, Vertical [corrugated] 
• Custom Size Entrance: Doors, Frameouts, Windows
• Foundation: Leveled Ground, Gravel Bed, Asphalt, Concrete
• Lean-Tos: Either Sides, Front
• Trim, Wainscoting & Two-Tone Building
• Over 12+ Colors

We provide custom farm barns that fit your local building codes and zoning guidelines along with your farm needs.

4. Safety & Security With Steel Farm Buildings

Fire Resistance

Steel can remain intact till around 600℉ and retains about 50% of its strength at 1100℉. This will give enough time to extinguish the fire, call for help, and vacate the barn.

Protection Against Pests

Metal is resistant to termites living in its frames, rodents chewing its panels, and predators forcing entry into the barn. Its non-porous & dense material doesn’t allow mold spores to penetrate deeper. It reduces the need for chemical treatments like pesticides & preservatives compared to wood.

Strength Integrity

Metal farm barns can withstand extreme weather events unless it is a direct hit, in which case no building can survive. They maintain structural strength with time and do not sag like wood.

5. Versatile Use Of Agricultural Steel Building

Multiple Uses

Metal farm buildings can have multi-functional uses. Here are some of them specific to US farmland:

• Hay bale & haylage storage
• Sheltering livestock like cattle, horses, broilers, etc.
• Riding arena for horses
• Storing crops, grains, fruits, & vegetable
• Parking tractors, farm trucks, mowers, bale wagons, etc.
• Farm-to-table restaurants
• Farm shops
• Food processing unit
• Dairy farm barn

Conversion Options For Future

A metal farm barn can be repurposed for other uses easily. For instance, a cattle barn can be used as a hay storage shed, keeping farm tools & machinery, or repurposing it as a parking spot for tractors, trucks, or other farm utility vehicles. 

Future Expansion & Additions

Metal barns are easily expanded by removing their end walls, installing more side panels that increase their length, and placing side walls back. This way, farmers can increase the length without the need to install a new building. Ensure that you have removal side walls installed from the metal building dealer for future expansion.

Don’t forget to plan for the foundation if you are considering expansion. You can also choose to install lean-tos on the sides of an agricultural steel building for extra space. 

6. Aesthetics Appeal Of Farm Metal Barns

Modern & Sleek Design

You can choose corrugated vertical panels for a modern aesthetic or horizontal panel design for a traditional look. 

Custom Finishing

Whether you want a custom farm steel barn to look like a traditional red barn or give it a modern look, both are possible with Viking Barns’ buildings. You can even choose clay, beige, light grey, or sandstone, which are low-maintenance colors.

Recyclability Of Steel

Today, there is a huge emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly farming and living. Steel, once produced, can be reused endlessly without losing its strength or durability, making it an ideal material for construction.

7. Examples Of Metal Barns

Step Down Steel Building | Monitor Barn | Carolina Barn

A 42x36x15 step down barn is the ideal size for most family-owned farms in the States. Here are some of the ways in which farmers can use it:

• store approx. 100 to 120 round hay bales [4.5 ft. in diameter & height]
• store about 200 to 240 ft. square bales [2’x4’]
• shelter about 30 to 50 cattle
• create individual stalls for about 10 horses
• park tractors along with tools & equipment in its side lean-to shed

Seneca Barn | Continuous Roof Barn

A 44x21x12 Seneca barn with an open central and one-side lean-to is ideal for parking farm tractors, ATVs, utility vehicles, small trucks, and mowers. Of course, it can be used to store about 1000-1200 square bales of stack height 10 ft. or to shelter cattle.

You can opt for clear span metal building for agribusiness needs. It can span up to 300 ft. in width without internal supporting columns or walls. Contact us to know more about it.

In A Nutshell

There is one agricultural steel building for every farm’s needs, customizable and tailored to fit each ranch’s needs perfectly. With qualities like low maintenance and resistance to pests, fire, rot, & decay, it helps the farmer to focus on productivity & generating revenue. Are you, too, considering steel barns for your next barn project? Call us today at (704) 579-6966 for a free quote on your custom-designed metal barn.