As anyone in the agricultural industry can tell you, a working farm or ranch is a serious business and you need a building that can meet this challenge. While agricultural buildings (including barns, stables, riding arenas, feedlots, equipment and storage barns, and so on) have traditionally been constructed with wood, metal has been the material choice for over 60 years now, and this popularity can be attributed to four main aspects:
- Durability
- Cost efficiency
- Interior details
- Ease of expansion
Durability
The day-to-day conditions of life on a farm are extreme, and a metal building is capable of easily handling these conditions. High-strength steel withstand inclement weather, such as hail, wind, and snow, providing protection for your equipment and animals. Furthermore, metal buildings are virtually kick-proof, meaning that your building won’t be damaged by animal kicks to the wall, which have been known to compromise the integrity of a building.
Unlike wood, metal does not support the growth of mold or decay. It is additionally resistant to fire, which provides more peace of mind when it comes to protecting your livestock and equipment.
Cost efficiency
An investment in a metal building is extremely cost-effective and will save you money in the initial costs associated with installation and labour. Every building owner considers facility maintenance costs and lifespan for the long-run, and this is where metal has yet another advantage over wood. Virtually maintenance-free, metal walls and sloped metal roofing are self-cleaning and require little upkeep, leading to low operating costs for the lifetime of the building.
Interior details
Metal buildings can be designed to meet your exact requirements and local buildings codes. Column-free interiors can provide uninterrupted floor space that can include cubicles or stalls with brisket board and neck rails. High ceilings help promote proper ventilation while lofts can be added for additional storage space, increasing the functionality of your facility.
In addition to stellar performance you can expect from your facility, metal components also offer aesthetics and timeless finishes. As mentioned, while metal panels require almost no maintenance, they are easy to clean when needed. Cupolas and dormers can also be detailed in to open up the facility to natural light and create a stylish design.
Ease of expansion
Metal building solutions offer the ability to expand and add on in an easy and attractive way. This design flexibility and limitless scalability allows for changes and the ability to accommodate any unexpected expansion of your agricultural operations. Increasing the length of an engineered building system is easily done by removing an end wall, adding additional frames, wall, and roof panels, and finally reattaching the wall.
It comes as no surprise that more and more people are opting to use metal for the agricultural facilities. The durability, cost-efficiency, details, and ability to easily expand allows metal buildings to stand the test of time. And that fact has people in the agricultural industry keeping an eye out.