About Metal Buildings & Barns

Modern metal buildings have all but replaced the traditional wooden barns and garages that once dotted the countryside. Horse farms and backyard horse owners alike can make valuable use of these buildings to create beautiful housing for their horses. They also make great storage buildings or garages. They are available as factory-made kits or as units that professional installers put up. The most current technology has made these buildings so customizable that they no longer have to be the simple four-sided box they once were. Beautiful metal sheds that are made to house horses and other livestock have many advantages over wood structures and are much easier to care for.

Metal barns last much longer than standard wood structures because the covering does not require nearly as much maintenance. Metal barn buildings are able to stand up to the rigors of housing large animals such as horses better than wood barns because of sturdy interior wall construction that avoids damage from hooves and chewing. Roofing lasts longer than standard shingle roofing too.

Metal barn buildings are quick to install. There are kits available for do-it-yourself projects if you are very handy, or they can be installed by companies specializing in the erection of metal buildings. Most metal buildings are constructed with insulation on the roofing to avoid condensation and heat loss.

Metal barn buildings are often slightly more expensive than their same-size wood counterparts. In the past steel was often considered a cheaper material to build with, but in the current economy (early 2009), weakened dollar values and with metals being used in the war effort, the costs have risen by roughly 20 percent as compared with material costs pre-Sept. 11, 2001. This has not stymied the metal building industry, because the materials used to build them far outlast wood and they are easier to maintain.

The traditional metal barn roof support spans have cross beams that make for wonderful hay lofts if covered in plywood bases. You can also choose the more modern "clear span" style of span brace to lighten up the interior of the building by allowing an unimpeded light access from skylight ridges. This has an added value for horse owners as it allows for working in natural light during the day rather than needing electric lighting even in daylight hours. Clear span buildings are harder for novices to install, and if you choose this type, either be very sure of your abilities in construction or have them installed by a professional.

When you install your metal barn building you will have to decide on a type of flooring material. Metal barns used to house tractors or as machine shops for auto or tractor repair are best erected on a concrete base. For most livestock, a gravel base with a sand or loam covering makes good drainage and a soft surface for hooves and joints. If concrete flooring is used in a livestock building to provide a longer life, make sure you put thick padding over the concrete to protect your animals' legs and feet.

Putting up a metal barn is a much larger endeavor than a typical metal shed and requires some construction knowledge, the ability to accurately assess the level of the land, and more than one person to help. Two people can in some cases erect a metal barn building kit, but three or four is advisable. Make sure you thoroughly plan out your construction and know how you will accomplish each part of the project. Make sure all of your tools are in order and you have all the equipment you need before beginning the project.