Steel has become a popular building material for agricultural businesses, partly because it’s durable and low maintenance. The long life span of steel makes it an economical choice, too. The steel prefabrication process makes for fast and safe construction because most of the assembly takes place at the manufacturing plant. And you can customize your steel agricultural buildings as much as you want. Many farmers choose to represent their brand with colored panels and accents.
Heavy-duty farm buildings like dairy buildings and cold storage facilities are typically made from preengineered steel components. Outbuildings that don’t require much insulation or a concrete foundation can be made with cold-formed steel, which is very lightweight and economical. Almost any type of agricultural building can benefit from a durable metal roof. These can be sealed with finishes that reduce reflective heat so they’ll be safe for animals to perch on.
This article features 10 different types of steel farm buildings that can make an excellent investment for your agricultural business.
10 types of agricultural steel buildings for your farm
A few different types of steel framing structures are commonly used for agricultural buildings. Many are steel portal frame structures or post-frame constructions, which you might know as pole barns. Others use steel truss structures, like the classic red barn with a gambrel roof. Finally, Quonset huts and lean-tos can be cost-effective options for agricultural uses because they don’t require much material to build.
Keep reading to learn more about 10 steel farm building styles you’ll be able to use for decades.
- Livestock stable or animal shelter
Brooder houses, dairy buildings and barns that house other kinds of animals need to be designed with particular functions in mind. You may need a particular type of ventilation or a concrete foundation with a drainage system. It’s easy to combine steel with other materials like glass, wood, concrete or stone. You can also choose steel panels with different textures to get the look you want.
When you work with a company that specializes in commercial-grade steel prefabrication, you have design experts partnering with you to make sure your steel farm building will do exactly what you need it to do.
- Pole barns
Pole barns are some of the most common steel farm buildings you’re likely to find near you because they’re so versatile and economical. With a basic frame structure and lightweight steel panels, the most basic pole barns won’t need a continuous foundation. You can use concrete slabs or even a natural dirt floor.
You can use a steel pole barn for almost anything, but your intended uses will inform some of the choices you make, for instance, whether you want to use insulated metal panels or siding panels with no insulation. Farmers have used pole barns for housing livestock, storing feed and hay, storing equipment, workshops, retail space, and many other applications.
- Cold storage facilities
Dairies, livestock farms and farms that produce other food products need cold storage facilities to store their product. These can be a place to store foods before and after processing, and you can include blast chillers or flash freezers in your designs. You’ll likely need a loading dock with extra-wide doors to make shipments easily. Like animal shelters, steel cold storage facilities need to be highly specialized according to your specific needs.
- Equipment storage
Some of the biggest concerns when it comes to equipment storage are security, accessibility and safety. Some types of farm equipment, like combines and hay wagons, may need extra-large doors and plenty of space for visibility.
If you’ll be working on your equipment during off-seasons, you may want to opt for some insulation. But it’s not always necessary. Your equipment storage building might be something you use every day, or it might hold equipment for several months during a specific part of the year. It depends on the climate in your area and what type of farming you do.
- Greenhouse
Many plant nurseries, produce farms and orchards need climate-controlled greenhouses to get their seeds started. For some, the entire growing cycle takes place in a greenhouse. Steel alloys can be formulated with the perfect weight, strength and ductility to provide a stable framework for your greenhouse. For a bit more protection, you can add skylights to a steel pole barn. Another option is to create a split building with one side covered in glass windows and the other made of insulated steel paneling.
- Riding arenas
Quonset huts and pole barns are popular designs for steel riding arenas. Both building types can be filled with sand or soft dirt for a surface that’s soft on your horses’ hoofs. Combine stables with your riding arena to house your horses or make some extra income from boarders. Make sure you build plenty of storage space into your plans for tack, equipment, an awards display case, or hay and feed. Depending on where your farm is and when you’re using the riding arena, you may need some insulation in the exterior walls and roof.
- Farmhouse or barndominium
Steel is becoming more popular for private residences because homeowners are looking for more economical alternatives. It’s usually possible to get more square footage for your dollar when you build with steel. You can go with a rustic barndominium look or add a facade to make your steel home look more like a traditional home. Add a steel home to your farm property for yourself, your employees or your guests.
- Hay, seed and grain storage
Getting a watertight seal on your hay, seed and grain storage buildings is critical for keeping your stock fresh. Prefabricated steel components are designed to fit together with laser precision, so you’re unlikely to have any cracks or gaps where moisture can get through. Dry storage and silos can be made from lightweight steel, so these don’t take much time to build. Because all the cutting, sealing and prep work is done during prefabrication, all that’s left to do on-site is some simple field seaming and assembly with bolt fasteners.
- Food manufacturing
A prefabricated steel building can make a cost-effective solution for any processing and packaging you do at your farm. We specialize in commercial-grade and industrial steel buildings, so there’s no project that’s too big for steel components.
- Multiuse farm buildings
Of course, you can combine many of the above building types to create a custom multiuse farm building, for example, adding a cold storage facility to a food manufacturing space or a riding arena to a horse stable. Adding a steel building to your farm property will ultimately increase its value, and it’s likely to last as long as you have a use for it.
Start planning your steel farm building with National Steel Buildings
A steel farm building could be the investment that takes your agricultural business into your next phase of growth. Get more ideas about what’s possible when you build with steel in our agricultural archives.
We’ve built hundreds of steel farm buildings across the United States. We can manage the entire process for you, from drawing plans to sourcing material, prefabrication and construction. Because we distribute and build on a national level, we can get you some of the lowest prices for your steel agricultural buildings in the industry. And you can take pride in your investment knowing that your steel farm building components are American made.
What projects and expansions are on the horizon for your farm? Contact our team today for more information about our steel building options and pricing.