Metal Farm Buildings: A Perfect Combination of Equipment Storage and Livestock Shelter

Metal farm buildings are versatile solutions for farmers and ranchers looking to combine equipment storage with livestock shelter under one roof. These structures are durable, made using high-quality steel, and long-lasting. Let’s discuss some of the benefits of combining equipment storage with livestock shelter and a suitable design layout for increased productivity.

Benefits Of Using Metal For Equipment Storage

Durability

Galvanized steel is coated with molten zinc that resists rust and corrosion. Panels and frames made using structural steel have high tensile strength [25 times stronger than wood], so they can support more load, making a steel barn larger and open. Steel livestock barns are resistant to changing weather conditions, harsh wind, snow, rain, and hail storms and don’t harbor pests for living or breeding. This makes metal ag structures retain their structural integrity over time.

Versatility

One metal barn structure can be used as a multi-purpose building. For instance, you can create:

• Livestock Housing
• Store Tools & Equipment
• Park Farm Vehicles
• Farm-to-Table Restaurants
• Store Crop & Grain
• Hay & Feed Storage
• Loafing Shed

Customizable

You can tailor a steel farm barn to your needs and preferences, including size, height, colors, and additional features. We also offer three unique roofing styles: regular, horizontal, and vertical, depending on the size and location of the installation. Overall, vertical roofs are best for less frequent cleaning and durability.

Here are a few features you can add to a metal barn to increase its functionality.

• Roof style
• Height
• Width
• Steel frame gauge [12/ 14]
• Side wall panel gauge [26/ 29]
• Doors [Rollup/ Walk-in/ Frameout]
• Insulation
• Color
• Structural Trim
• Wainscot
• Windows
• Clear Span
• Lean-tos

You don’t need to add all these custom features. Just choose ones that fit your needs and purpose.

Advantages Of Combining Equipment Storage With Livestock Shelter

Space Efficiency

By housing tools, equipment, and animals under one single roof, you can maximize land use and save space. It also reduces the infrastructure cost that would have gone into separating the equipment housing unit from the livestock shelter. Overall, using one large metal ag building for livestock and equipment lessens the land footprint.

Improved Management

Having tools and livestock under one roof simplifies management tasks and reduces the need to move between separate areas constantly. It also enhances security, as for one building, you can install motion sensor cameras/ lights, a Wi-Fi surveillance system, etc., to prevent unauthorized access and prevent theft.

Coordination

By combining livestock shelter and equipment storage, utilities such as electricity, water, heating, etc., can be shared. This reduces the farm’s operational costs. You can allocate resources effectively and minimize waste.

Promotes Sustainability

A single barn building has a smaller footprint than multiple structures as it requires less energy for heating, cooling, and upkeep. You can easily manage organic and packaging waste.

Flexibility

A combined metal farm building can accommodate changing needs over time to suit various agricultural needs. Insulation and ventilation can prepare the barn structure for future use and ensure long-term viability.

Design Options For Metal Barns For Equipment Storage & Livestock

Split Level

You can opt for a taller barn, where the upper loft area can serve as tools and equipment storage while the lower area can be divided into individual stalls or pens for horses or cows. A Seneca metal barn is suitable for this type of layout. This type of design is suitable if you have few livestock and equipment that isn’t that heavy.

Side-By-Side

Here, the building is divided into two sections, one for keeping tools and equipment and the other for housing livestock. A Carolina style metal barn has two side sections [lean-tos] connected by a central unit for easy feeding of animals and cleaning manures. This type of structural layout allows easy access and management of the farm.

Open-Air Shelter

Here, a part of the building has an open side or is partially enclosed to allow light and air circulation for livestock while keeping equipment locked away. A Carolina steel barn with an open center, an open lean-to, and a fully enclosed lean-to on the other side is best for this type of layout.

Considerations For Ventilation And Natural Lighting

Size & Layout

The type of vent and insulation you choose will depend on the size and layout of your barn. A larger barn will need more vents to cool down and remove foul, moist, and warm air.

Ventilation System

Most livestock are warm-blooded animals that need to retain body heat for healthy living. For example, a horse barn must have 1 sq. ft. vent per 300 sq. ft. of floor space [mechanical vents]. For best results, place 60% of the vents at a lower height for air intake and 40% of the vents at a higher level.

Insulation

It helps retain the temperature inside the farm barn. We offer single/ double bubble and woven R17 as an affordable insulation for your livestock cum storage metal barn.

Doors & Windows

Metal structures allow you to install a large and wide door without adding extra support. The door should be placed so animals can get in and out without bumping into the door frames. Strategically placed windows allow fresh air and light to come in.

Importance Of Durability And Weather Resistance

Metal barn buildings are highly durable and structurally robust by nature. It can bear daily wear & tear easily. At Viking Steel Structures, we provide certified steel buildings that can withstand top wind speeds of up to 180 miles per hour, snow loads of up to 80 pounds per sq. ft., and tolerate hail storms.

Cost Comparison With Traditional Building Materials

The initial cost of setting up a metal barn might be higher, but the overall cost is lower than that of traditional barns. The general cost is about:

• Steel Barn Building: $10 To $25 per sq. ft.
• Wooden/ Stick-Built Barn: $20 To $50+ per sq. ft.

Other costs associated with installing a barn on your farm are:

• Insulation
• Site preparation
• Type of foundation
• Location [affects labor & shipping]

Overall, a turnkey steel building will cost you $25 to $45, which includes the cost of raw materials, concrete slab, delivery, and construction. Note that we don’t provide a foundation, so your site must be prepared before our construction crew arrives.

How Is Steel Barns Cost-Saving In The Long Run?

With our steel barn structures, you can save money on the following:

• Regular pest inspection and control [metal is anti-fungal]
• Energy bills [by including natural light & vents]
• Annual re-coating or re-painting [metal barns only need touch-up and re-painting once or twice in a decade]
• Certified steel building [easily get LEED certification]
• Insurance premium [up to 30% less premium for steel barns]

Trust Us For Quality Equipment Storage & Livestock Shelter

At Viking Steel Structures, we ensure that high-quality steel buildings are delivered to all our customers with excellent craftsmanship. Our prefab metal barns reduce the time and effort required during construction and upkeep. Overall, metal buildings are practical, functional, and sustainable ways to shelter livestock and farm tools & equipment.

Call 877-801-3263 to get a quote on metal barns for livestock and equipment today and check out the exciting offers we have in store.