Are you running out of space in your current barn or planning for a new one? As you expand your farm and ranch operations, the old traditional barn can barely keep up with your growing needs. Thus, an upgrade becomes a necessity. Here, you can opt for a metal custom barn dimension known for its unmatched durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. And getting the right metal barn size is one of the critical needs to ensure long-term functionality and productivity.

Start With Assessing Your Needs And The Purpose Of The Barn

What’s The Primary Purpose Of Your Barn?

 

Having a clear primary use will help you pick the right size that fits your needs. For example:

 

• For a livestock shelter, you can shelter a horse, cows, sheep, pigs, and poultry and account for extra space like a feeding area, tack room, cleaning area, birthing zone, etc., for each type of animal.
• For storage needs, you can choose a size that fits tractors, combines, ATVs, planters, and trailers. You can include space for easy maneuvering, vehicle repairs and servicing, storage for hay & feed, and for tools.
• For workshop and multi-purpose use, you must have enough room to accommodate all tools, equipment, and machinery by prioritizing functionality and efficiency.

Current And Future Barn Operations

 

Assess the space you have and whether it is enough for your present requirements, including any limitations. For example, planning to expand herd/ flock, extra room for equipment in the next 5 or 10 years, and a new venture that’s on the horizon. This will help you choose the correct size of farm barn.

 

Factors To Consider For Size And Steel Barn Dimensions

1. What Should Be Barn’s Length?

 

A longer barn will give more storage space, allowing you to create multiple bay areas and sections. Ranchers can install more rows and stalls to shelter multiple animals in a metal livestock barn. A longer barn facilitates workflow and reduces congestion when handling livestock-related work or accessing tools and equipment.

 

You can opt for a modular steel barn with removable end walls to increase length in the future. Moreover, a longer metal farm barn costs less than a wider one due to less material and roof support needs.

2. What Should Be Barn’s Width?

 

Choose the proper width to ensure enough space to maneuver vehicles without bumping into walls. A wider barn can store crop dusters and tractor attachments like sprayers, combiners, etc. A wider layout lets dairy farmers create space to shelter, head-to-head and tail-to-tail, for efficiency.

 

With steel buildings, agribusiness owners can opt for a clear span design that can span up to 300 ft. wide, giving enough space to install all machinery, processing plants, and long conveyor systems under one roof.

3. Eave And Central Height Requirements

 

The eave height is the sidewall height, while the central height is the peak of the barn. Both are important as taller eave & central height provide easy entry and exit for tractors, combines, etc. With steel Carolina barns, farmers can install vents for better airflow and natural lighting.

 

A taller barn lets you stack hay bales, effectively taking less floor space and leaving room for other activities. You can also install a mezzanine floor for extra storage or create a loft area.

4. Door Dimensions

 

Steel barns offer plenty of door styles, like sliding, roll-up, hinged, walk-in, etc., for different types of machinery, equipment, and vehicle storage. Having multiple access points improves the efficiency of a multi-purpose barn.

 

Some metal building dealers also offer customizable doors and frames based on your unique farm needs.

5. Storage Capacity

 

Address your current and near-future needs when selecting the dimensions of a barn. You can calculate space based on the volume of hay bales, feed containers, or grain sacks to ensure proper stacking and better organization.

 

You can customize it by adding shelving, workbenches for metal workshops, overhead storage for winter/ summer gears, and supplies.

6. Climate And Weather Considerations

 

Finally, don’t overlook your local weather conditions. If you live in a windy area, opt for vertical roof metal barns with 12-gauge steel frames that can withstand high-speed winds, while choosing a high-pitch vertical metal barn for snowy regions.

 

You can add insulation to a steel farm barn to control weather, reduce heat transfer to and from the building, and decrease moisture and humidity levels.

 

Choose The Correct Layout For Your Custom Barn

 

1. Single Purpose Vs. Multi-Purpose Layout – A single-use barn will have a simple design, such as a barn for livestock shelter or for storing equipment, reducing the initial cost and streamlining operations. However, you can choose a multi-purpose layout for use, such as a livestock shelter, feed storage, tack room, milking parlor, etc.

 

2. Customization Options – An open floor plan will give you flexibility, especially for large-scale storage and machinery/ vehicle repairs. Farmers can opt for partitioning to maintain organized space.

 

3. Efficiency In Design – It is important to design a layout for a smooth workflow for daily tasks like feeding, cleaning, entry/ exit of vehicles, etc. Ensure to properly place doors and windows for easy accessibility and natural lighting during the daytime.

 

Budget And Financial Considerations Before Selecting Metal Barn Dimensions

 

1. Cost Per Sq. Ft. – On average, a steel building costs about $15 to $25 per sq. ft. However, the overall steel barn size will determine the total cost, which includes materials, design, labor, structural reinforcement for areas like tornado alleys, and the location of installation.

 

You can balance the dimensions of a barn with a budget with the following tips:

• Assess current & future needs to avoid unnecessary sq. ft.
• Choosing an efficient layout.
• Comparing final quotes from various providers for the best deal.

 

2. Cost Of Customization – Custom features for steel farm buildings increase their functionality and aesthetic appeal. To balance costs, choose essential custom features first, such as doors, windows, insulation, lighting, vents, etc., and then go for external colors, wall styles, facades, etc.

 

Site Consideration And Regulation For Custom Barn Dimension

 

1. Available Land – Factor in setbacks from property lines, roads, and any existing buildings to know the actual space you have for a construction project. Be mindful of terrain limitations for slopes, drainage, and low-lying areas to avoid flooding or waterlogging.

 

2. Local Zoning And Building Codes – Ensure you have all necessary permits from your local authorities before starting the barn project. Failing to comply with the rule may lead to penalties, construction delays, or demolition of the structure.

 

3. Future Expansion Space – Even if expansion is not part of your current plan, you can leave some room for future additions to avoid frequent construction costs. This will help save time and money in the long run.

 

Tailor Your Steel Barn Dimension For Your Success!

 

Choosing your perfect metal barn size is not just about meeting immediate needs. It is an investment in the future of your farm operations. You can consider factors like storage, livestock shelter, versatile design, and available space to buy a metal farm barn that not only fits today’s needs but also has room for future growth.

 

Author Bio

Meet Betito Ochoa, SEO & content marketing head at Viking Barns. With a passion for crafting engaging and informative content, Betito utilizes their expertise in writing to deliver captivating articles that resonate with readers. Whether it’s covering industry news or providing insightful analysis, you can always count on him to deliver quality content that keeps audiences engaged.