With rising awareness about sustainability, most businesses and individuals are shifting towards eco-friendly options to protect nature, other living creatures, and our home planet. By choosing custom metal barns, farmers and ranchers can save on energy bills and monthly maintenance, lower their operational costs, and get access to the building early. Let’s look at some compelling eco-friendly reasons for choosing a metal-built barn.
Why Should You Choose Custom Steel Barns As An Eco-Friendly Option
1. Durability
Resistant to Rot & Decay: Metal custom barns are immune to rot or decay as they are made using inorganic material. Metal is also non-porous and does not absorb moisture from air or rainwater. This promotes its longevity.
Resistant to Pests: Where wood attracts pests like a magnet, a metal custom built barn does not attract termite colonies to rest or nest. Its dense panels deter rodents from chewing through to enter the barn, thereby protecting hay bales, feed, and crop bags.
Resistant to Molding: Wood is an organic material that serves as a food source for mold spores, and its porous surface allows spores to penetrate deep into it. With insulation, ranchers can reduce the chances of mold or mildew formation inside custom metal barns.
2. Cost-Effectiveness
Steel Price: With the rising cost of timber, steel is becoming a more lucrative choice that comes with minimal upkeep needs and stays put with passing seasons.
Long-Term Savings: Since metal farm barns do not rot, decay, twist, warp, or bend with time, farmers need to spend less on repairs and replacements, which significantly reduces the operational cost of running a farm or a ranch.
Clear Span Design: One can design a large barn without any internal obstructing columns using clear span custom metal barn design to allow smooth flow of all farm operations under one roof. A wooden barn, on the other hand, is limited due to the low tensile strength of timbers.
3. Energy Efficiency
Reflective Coating: Adding reflective paint to the roof will reflect most sunlight, keeping the indoors cooler than the surroundings. This will help create free stall barns for cattle with a cool shade.
Easy Temperature Regulation With Insulation: There are multiple insulation options for a steel farm building that farmers can add to control indoor temperature. Insulation prevents condensation and moisture build-up and reduces humidity levels.
Easy To Incorporate Solar Panels: A 12-gauge steel frame can easily bear the load of solar panels over the roof. It requires minimum drilling, which reduces the chances of leaks or structural damage, whereas a wooden roof may need reinforcement.
Tax Credits: A farmer can qualify for domestic content bonus credit, local and state incentives, etc., when using a sustainable material.
4. Eco-Friendly Production Process
Low Carbon Footprint: Innovations like hydrogen-based steel production and the use of electric arc furnaces help in reducing the carbon footprint in steel making. Being a 100% recyclable material, it reduces energy consumption and emissions for new production.
Less Water Wastage: Modern methods like closed-loop systems with recirculating water within the production plant reduce the need to use fresh water. Moreover, according to WorldSteel.Org, about 90% of the water used in steel production is returned to its source cleaner.
5. Reduced Maintenance
Less Upkeep Than Traditional Materials: A wooden barn requires rot & decay prevention, timely pest control, annual painting & sealing, and structural reinforcement, while when using a metal farm building, farmers don’t have to worry about rot, warp, decay, cracks, and adding support to prevent sagging.
Galvanized Steel Is Rust Resistant: A 100% galvanized steel is coated with molten zinc that makes it rust resistant. Structural steel is more durable & less prone to structural issues than wood.
Easy Cleaning: Wood can absorb dirt & grime, so it requires intensive cleaning. It is also prone to molding in humid environments [like livestock shelters], thereby needing regular anti-fungal cleaning. On the flip side, the metal surface is easier to clean & takes less effort. It also doesn’t require frequent painting or staining like wood.
6. Fire Resistance
Steel is Non-Combustible: Due to its non-combustible nature, farmers can get a low insurance premium on steel Carolina barns. Steel can also effectively handle lightning strikes, reducing the risk of fire compared to wooden barns.
Reduce Fire Risk: A steel farm building is resistant to fire, which helps protect valuable farm assets like tools, equipment, livestock, and harvest, reducing the risk of total loss during fire breakout.
7. Recyclability
Structural steel is 100% recyclable and about 98% recycled per year in the US. It can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality or strength. By choosing a custom steel barn, farmers and ranchers can contribute towards a sustainable future and increase their property’s value.
8. Customization Options
Steel allows for unique designs and layouts. You can choose one that fits your needs, preferences, and budget. Here are some common custom features that will increase the functionality of your metal farm barn and make it look appealing:
- 14/ 12 gauge steel frame thickness for extra durability, stability, and longevity
- Corrugated metal panels vertical/ horizontal with 29/ 26 gauge thickness
- Various roof styles to suit your needs & match with existing building
- Insulation options with a range of R-values based on location and budget
- Extra protection with wainscoting for long-lasting wall panels
- Option for clear span design that doesn’t have columns or internal obstruction
- Customizable width, length, and height depending on local codes, available land, & budget
- Adding custom doors and windows for light air and a wide entrance
- Adding colors to the exterior to match it with an existing building or an aesthetic look
- Additional lean-to for an open shaded space on either side of a barn or on the front
Some metal building dealers even provide matching colored screws for a seamless look.
Various Applications Of Steel Barn Buildings In American Farms
| Livestock HousingEquipment StorageDairy FarmHay & Feed StorageCrop Storage | Horse BarnWorkshops & Maintenance AreaEvent VenueFarm-to-Table RestaurantRiding Arena | Metal Barn with Living QuarterGreenhouseFarm StoreAnimal Processing FacilityFood Processing Plant |
Where Sustainability Meets Strength In Every Barn For A Greener Tomorrow
As you can clearly see, custom steel barns not only outperform traditional barns but also contribute towards saving energy for farmers and nature for future generations. Investing in steel barns is suitable for all kinds of farm operations, be it storage, shelter, or agribusiness. So, what are your thoughts on metal farm buildings? Share your thoughts with us and our readers.