Steel Buildings for Farm and Agricultural Uses

Barns, storage buildings and other outbuildings are a vital part of any farm’s production. An agricultural operation requires garaging for vehicles and equipment, housing for animals, storage for grain, dormitories for workers and many other uses. Whether you’re building new or replacing an existing structure, steel buildings offer many advantages over wood frame construction for farm buildings and agricultural uses.

Stable Construction

Steel construction is ideal for the size and scope required for most farm buildings. Metal buildings with reinforced steel frames are highly weather-resistant and sturdy. Stability is key, especially when you’re housing thousands of dollars worth of farm equipment or providing shelter and housing for your livestock. Quonset buildings construction, in particular, is extremely stable, even in high winds.

Versatility

From small storage sheds to buildings the size of two football fields, arch frame construction provides stability without taking up space. Wood frame construction requires beams to support weight, and often in awkward places. Many styles of steel buildings require no internal supporting beams, making them among the most versatile types of construction for nearly any use. With no interior obstructions, you can easily maneuver heavy equipment in and out, and adjust storage space as needed. Steel buildings provide a versatile frame for barns, milking sheds and stables as well, because you can easily build enclosures within the building without regard for construction beams.

Cost

Steel buildings are extremely economical and use less materials than traditionally framed construction. Most are made of powder-coated steel, which is rot-resistant, rust-resistant and resistant to termites and other insect infestations, so you save on maintenance costs for years. In addition, you’ll save on energy costs because these buildings are easy to insulate and weather-tight. Finally, you’ll save on insurance costs because metal buildings are fireproof, as well as resistant to other types of deterioration.

Longevity

When you erect a metal building, you can be assured that you’ll use it for decades. Most steel buildings come with a 20-year warranty, but that’s barely scratching the surface. Keep in mind that there are steel Quonset huts put up after World War II that are still in daily use on farms throughout the West and Midwest. Metal is also recyclable, and many of the steel building kits on the market are made with recycled steel. Finally, because of the way steel buildings are assembled, you can often disassemble them and reassemble them on another site if you choose to reconfigure the use of your land. This is far less expensive than demolishing a standing building and building another one from scratch.