Metal Farm Buildings: Essential Structures for Modern Agriculture

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2023, 1.89 million farms were reported, and 879 million acres of land were employed in agriculture. Agriculture plays an important role in the American economy, and there has been an increasing surge in the need for farm buildings, whether for storage purposes or protecting livestock.

Farm buildings have helped farmers by offering cutting-edge solutions tailored to their specific requirements. These structures are also futuristic and can accommodate several modern agricultural elements because of their ability to integrate the latest technology.

Types Of Metal Farm Buildings Available For Different Agricultural Needs

Metal Barn Buildings: These versatile agricultural structures are made of strong, galvanized steel and can efficiently store feed, house livestock, and shelter equipment. Metal barns are comprised of one center unit and two attached lean-tos. Depending on their designs and farm requirements, they can incorporate different sections or huge open spaces.

Metal Farm Sheds: Metal sheds are smaller structures primarily used to store tools and daily essentials to carry out farm operations. They have a single-room layout. They can have a small setup for farmers, including shelving, workbenches, and hooks for organizing their tools.

Metal Livestock Shelter: These protect farm animals from predators, environmental factors, and other elements. They are properly ventilated. However, they can be structurally different in design depending on whether they are side-opened or enclosed and if they are modular. These can also be used as loafing sheds for horses.

Modern Agriculture Applications Of Agriculture Buildings

Controlled Environment Agriculture: According to the US government, controlled-environment farming has surged 100% in recent times. As time passes, the areas accessible for widespread farming are limited, but the demand is higher. This requires farmers to find modern ways of growing crops.

With steel farm buildings, farmers can build greenhouses for year-round cultivation of crops. In cases of limited space, farmers can also repurpose metal buildings for vertical farming.

Workshops: AG buildings offer storage facilities and space to repair equipment on-site. They can be customized to turn into maintenance workshops, making farming easier. Not just equipment, farmers can also turn these metal buildings into proper repair stations for their tractors and heavy machinery.

Agrotourism: In this evolving world of social media, farmers are influencers too. They can choose to convert metal barn buildings into visitor centers, providing insight into farm operations to the public. They can also host events like farm tours and workshops.

Cold Storage: Steel farm buildings can be modified and turned into open-space or closed cold storage to store perishable goods, extending their shelf life. They can also have built-in temperature control facilities to grow crops in specific temperatures or humidity.

Cost-Effectiveness And Durability Of Metal Farm Structures

Steel buildings cost between $10 and $30 per square foot, which is higher than their alternatives. However, after proper insulation, these buildings save about 25% on electricity and other utility bills, which eventually reduces their long-term costs.

The maintenance cost of metal farm buildings is 40% less than that of wood over a 10-year period. Moreover, a well-maintained steel structure has a life expectancy of about 50 years, which makes it highly durable.

Due to reduced risks, even the insurance premium cost for metal buildings is 25% lower than that of other wooden structures. Metal agricultural buildings have low depreciation value and last long, so their resale prices are higher than alternatives.

Customization Possibilities In Metal Buildings For Modern Agricultural Use

Doors and Windows: The standard width of metal building doors ranges from 6 to 12 feet. Farm structures have various types of doors, such as roll-up doors for large equipment access, sliding doors for metal barns, and walk-in doors. The selection depends upon the purpose for which farmers use the farm buildings. These doors range between $500 and $1,500, depending on their size, color and type.

The windows can be fixed, sliding, or casement in style, costing between $150 and $400 based on customization requirements.

Color: Numerous color options in metal farm structures can be accommodated per your farm’s aesthetic. Along with standard colors like grays, reds, greens, and blues, several metal farm building sellers offer multi-tone color options for walls, roofs, and trims. Customizing colors adds extra to the final barn building price.

Insulation: Insulation coatings are applied to maintain the temperature inside steel buildings. The R-value of insulation can differ depending upon the type—single-bubble or double-bubble. A higher R-value is advised for metal structures to control temperatures.

The cost of single-bubble insulation ranges from $1.50 to $2.00 per square foot, and for double-bubble insulation, it is from $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot. The latter offers enhanced thermal protection.

Roofs: Three types of roofs can be installed in metal farm buildings: regular, boxed eaves, and vertical. These cost between $4 and $10 per square foot, with regular roofs being the most economical and vertical roofs being costlier due to their high durability.

Energy-Efficient And Sustainable

The American Iron and Steel Institute reported that over 80 million tons of steel are recycled annually in North America. Moreover, according to the World Steel Association, the energy required to produce steel has reduced significantly.

These offer a great insight into how metal farm buildings are highly sustainable and energy efficient compared to wood structures. Prefabricated metal buildings also significantly reduce the wastage of constructing them and have reduced environmental impact.

The U.S. Department of Energy states that proper insulation can also reduce the energy consumption costs of these buildings by up to 50%.

Maintenance Tips

• Check Drains Regularly
• Keep The Metal Building Clean
• Immediately Repair Any Wear And Tear
• Oil Door Hinges Regularly
• Check Insulation Routinely
• Wash The Exterior
• Touch Up Paint
• Watch Out For Leaks

Modern agriculture is technology-driven and advanced. To keep up with new farming techniques, farmers need to invest in highly flexible, adaptable, inexpensive, and durable storage and animal protection units. Metal farm buildings have all these properties and are also futuristic. They can easily integrate new technology, helping farmers save time and effort.

So, modern farm buildings are the right investment if you are looking forward to entering the agriculture industry. However, it’s highly recommended that you find the right steel building dealer near you that lets you choose the right structure that matches your customized needs.