Those in need of an affordable, fast, easy way to construct agricultural buildings should look into ordering metal building kits.
In fact, you can construct just about any farm buildings using metal building kits. This post will go over some of the different types of metal farm buildings. We will also discuss the advantages of metal as a building material for agricultural structures.
What are the Types of Farm Buildings?
Here are some of the various types of metal farm buildings you can construct. While this is not an exhaustive list, it does cover a lot of the basic types.
1. Dairy buildings
A dairy building is a type of barn that is used to milk cows. Though in a broader sense, a dairy barn may also fill a variety of other functions related to maintaining your cows.
There are a number of different subtypes within the dairy building category. Some examples include freestall buildings, solar barns, maternity barnds, milking parlors, and manure processing and separating facilities. You can build any of these types of dairy buildings using a metal building kit.
2. Livestock buildings
A livestock building is one where your animals live and/or take a break from the harsh sun.
Because a livestock building needs to be comfortable and safe for your animals, there are a number of specific requirements that a metal livestock building needs to meet. One of the most important is that the structure be well-ventilated.
Here are some features that can help you ensure adequate airflow in a metal livestock building:
- Ventilated curtains
- Vent doors
- Open sidewall overhangs
- Ventilated ridges
- Fan-powered cupolas
Wear and tear is also a big issue with livestock buildings. Some features that can help to protect your building and make it easy to maintain include:
- Wall liners
- Column protectors
- Tongue and groove splashboard
If you will be using loud machinery, it is also recommended that you get a metal building with acoustical steel, which wraps around the ceiling in a band to reduce excess noise.
3. Crop and Feed Storage.
You may need a building to store crops after you harvest them, or feed for your livestock. Choose a structure that is weather-resistant and pest-resistant. A pole barn can make a good choice.
Silos, also known as “grain elevators,” fall into this category. These are the tall, cylindrical metal buildings that are so iconic on farms. But grain can be stored in other shapes of buildings as well.
4. Farm equipment storage buildings
If you use large machinery and equipment on your farm, then you need a suitable structure to protect that equipment from the elements.
Get a storage building that features large doors so you can move the equipment in and out. Also ensure that the space inside is unobstructed and the ceilings high enough to store your machinery.
5. Horse barns
A horse barn is a livestock building specifically for horses and their equipment. This type of structure includes horse stalls as well as storage areas for the tack. As with other types of livestock barns, it is essential to make sure that your horse barn is well-ventilated and made out of sturdy materials with finishes that are easy to clean and maintain.
6. Carolina barns
While we have focused mainly on differentiating the types of agricultural metal buildings based on their intended uses, we can also define a couple of types according to their structures.
One such type is the Carolina barn, also called a ridgeline barn. This type of barn features an A-frame roof. The name “ridgeline” refers to its horizontal ridges. Consider this design if you have a harsh climate. It does a good job handling the weather.
7. Continuous roof barns
These barns are also referred to as Seneca barns. A continuous roof barn also is a great choice for harsh weather given its excellent durability. This type features an A-frame shape as well, making it similar to a Carolina barn.
8. Multi-use farm buildings
While many agricultural buildings serve one specific purpose, there are also many multi-use buildings. For instance, one part of a building might house livestock, while another serves as equipment storage. Some agricultural buildings may even include offices, kitchens, or other types of functional space.
9. Farmhouses
While most of the buildings you will need on a farm are directly tied to farm operations, you also will need a farmhouse if you and your family will be living on the farm.
There are some specific design considerations for afrmhouses. For one thing, a large mudroom is needed, because it is common to walk in from a day out working quite dirty. Laundry facilities in the same room may be helpful, or a chute for sending dirty clothes down if the laundry is in the basement.
Families that work farms typically need more in the way of food storage than families that live in the suburbs or in urban settings.
Metal makes just as good a construction material for a farmhouse as it does for the commercial structures around it.
Why Use Metal for Agriculture Buildings?
While you were reading about some of the different types of agricultural barns and other farm buildings above, you may have noticed some of the benefits of metal for farm buildings.
But in case you missed it, or would like to know more reasons to choose a metal building kit for your farm building, here are some of the advantages of metal for agricultural structures.
- Durability: For starters, metal buildings are very strong. In particular, steel is incredibly sturdy, and can stand up to a lot of wear and tear. This makes it ideal for taking abuse from animals, which might sometimes do things like kick walls, etc. Softer materials like wood would be more likely to take damage.
- Weather-resistance: Metal structures are excellent for standing up to high winds and precipitation. A storm that might damage a wooden structure may leave a metal farm building unscathed, and its occupants or the equipment inside safe and unharmed.
- Fire-resistance: Fire can cause a wooden structure to combust. While fire can damage metal (by causing it to warp), it will not cause it to combust. So, a metal building is more likely to survive a fire intact.
- Pest-resistance: If you need to store grain or feed, then pests are a major concern. A metal building may do a better job at keeping pests out of your grain than a wooden building, as wood often can serve as an invitation for pests. Metal, on the other hand, is not so easy to chew through. So, it not only doesn’t attract pests the way that wood does, but it can do a better job at keeping them out.
- Easy to customize: As we have already discussed, there are numerous ways that you can customize a farm building, starting with the layout and materials, and extending to the finishes, ventilation, and other features. Just because you are ordering a kit, that does not mean that it is a cookie-cutter design.
- Clear-span construction: A metal building can be clear-span, which can be extremely useful if you need to store large farm machinery inside.
- Easy to clean and maintain: Because metal is so durable and resistant to damage, it is one of the easiest materials to maintain. In fact, you should seldom need to do any maintenance at all on it, which frees up time and energy to keep up with other work around the farm. As to cleaning, even mucking out a livestock barn may not be so difficult if you choose easy-to-clean finishes for the interior.
- Long lifespan: A metal farm building can last many decades. Wood breaks down much more rapidly than metal, so as long as you are taking reasonably good care of your metal agricultural structures, they should stand the test of time.
- Affordable: One of the most appealing benefits of a metal building kit for farm buildings is that these kits are very cost-effective. Most of the construction will happen in a factory, where components are prefabricated. Those prefab components are then shipped out to you. Assembling them usually involves minimal equipment and personnel, and can take place rapidly on-site. So, you save money both on the structure itself and on the construction work.
- Precision manufacturing: Another advantage of metal prefab buildings in particular is that they can be made with a higher degree of precision than traditional buildings that are constructed fully on-site. This is because the manufacturing conditions at the factory are much more controlled. So, the end result is a building that is much more precisely made than one that is constructed entirely on-site. That means it should be more weather-tight and pest-resistant. It also may bear loads more effectively and be more durable.
Those are a few of the key benefits of metal farm building kits. You may discover others once you build your first metal farm buildings.
How to Construct Metal Farm Buildings
Now you are familiar with the various types of metal agricultural barns. You also know why metal makes a great building material for farm buildings. How can you construct your own agricultural buildings?
To get started, you just need to choose a metal building company. Figure out what you need in terms of building type, dimensions, and features. Then, place an order. Once the metal building kit is shipped to your site, assembly should be quick and easy.