Why Buy a Prefab Barn?

Since 2017, over 4 million animals have lost their lives in barn fires throughout the United States.

Livestock and machinery are expensive commodities for both commercial farmers and hobbyists alike, and a burning barn can result in thousands of dollars worth of losses.

So, if you’re considering building a new barn, you’re probably wishing there was a better way to house your livestock and implements.

There is. Keep reading to find out about the many benefits of constructing a metal prefab barn.

A Prefab Barn Reduces the Risk of Fire

Prefab metal barns have high fire-resistance ratings when compared to conventional pole barns. That’s important when you’re storing highly combustible materials like hay, straw, shavings, fuel, and grain.

The ASTM recognizes steel framing as a noncombustible material.

Steel doesn’t ignite or allow fires to spread. It only loses its structural integrity at over 1,500 °F. So, when you opt for a steel prefab barn, you greatly reduce the chances of a barn fire. Prefab metal barns have high fire-resistance ratings when compared to conventional pole barns. Pole barns are traditionally made of wood, so prefab metal barns offer better fire protection. However, it is a bit more expensive to invest in insulation for your prefab metal barn, than in insulation for pole barns.

Prefab Structures are Versatile

Since they’re pre-built offsite, you might think that prefab barn structures offer limited design options. That’s not the case.

Modern prefabricated buildings offer a host of choices when it comes to design and functionality. You can choose from the following types of structures:

• Horse barns
• Barns for heavy machinery
• Undercover animal pens
• Workshops
• Carports

You can mix and match your interiors with extras like partitions, kickboards, and a host of other conveniences. Exterior finishes come in a huge range of colors and styles to suit the look of your yard.

Manufacturers keep pre-made stocks of all the most popular components for barns. So, most times all they need do is place everything together when you order your custom barn.

This saves a lot of time and hassle when it comes to building exactly what you want. You’ll also get the same high-quality workmanship with every barn you order from these outlets.

Modular Barns Offer Cost Savings

When you first start comparing prices, you might think that a pole barn comes out the clear winner when compared to a prefab structure.

Yet, once you look at the cost savings offered by a prefab barn, you’ll realize it works out more affordable in many cases. Most often, your order includes all the interior amendments you’ve selected.

Once you start adding the cost of interior fittings to your pole barn, a different picture emerges.

You’ll also pay less on land preparation costs and labor when you opt for a prefab barn. Ongoing maintenance costs for prefab structures are low and warranties are long.

One final saving comes in the form of reduced insurance premiums for buildings with high fire-resistant properties.

A smart landowner shops buildings for sale online to compare prices before committing to traditional constructions. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples when you start looking at prices.

Modular Barns Are Durable

You never need to worry about termites when you have a metal barn. Modular barns are insect resistant and can stand up to severe weather conditions.

The integrated panels resist high winds, heavy snow loads, and even earthquakes. The tightly-sealed roof panels won’t leak in heavy downpours.

When you opt for galvanized metal, the components won’t rust or require ongoing maintenance. Many of these materials carry warranties of 40 years or more.

You needn’t set aside time for sealing, painting, or repairing your prefab barn, all it takes is a good rinse with a hose to keep the structure looking good as new.

What’s more, steel doesn’t rot or harbor harmful bacteria that could make your animals ill.

Due to its extremely durable nature, steel’s almost infinitely recyclable. If you want to get rid of your barn, you can sell it. The new owner can simply arrange to have it disassembled and installed on their property.

You Can’t Beat Prefab Barns for Convenience

Good things don’t always take time.

When you opt for a conventional on-site wood barn, it takes weeks to get it operational. You’ll need to put in almost as much foundation work as you do for a house.

Some of the steps involved include:

• Staking out the area for your build
• Removing undergrowth
• Clearing the topsoil
• Bringing in material like gravel or sand
• Building the fill up to 12 inches above the surrounding grade
• Grading the site
• Drilling the post holes

After that, the arduous construction process begins.

That means you’ll have various contractors on your property for the next few weeks. Then you’ll still need to manage the clean-up operation afterward.

When you install a prefabricated barn, you should clear and level the site with an excavator before your barn arrives and make sure it’s level afterward too.

You’ll need to place some concrete pillars at the corners of the building and every 10 to 12 ft in between them. These should extend below the frost line and be at least 18 inches wide.

Once your site’s prepared, the contractor delivers your barn and completes the installation within a few days. There are no subcontractors involved.

Depending on the style of your barn, it’s easy to enlarge it by extending the roof and adding a few more modular units. You can also take it apart and move it to a different location on your property if desired.

Expand Your Options

A prefab barn can open doors to extra business and leisure opportunities, as well as savings. So, think beyond the wooden box when considering your options for livestock farming, equipment storage, equestrian pursuits, or more. Make sure to check Real Industries Canada for livestock equipments

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