Farm equipment has changed dramatically in the last 100 years. From tractors to irrigation, advances in technology have improved yields for American farmers and significantly influenced the agricultural industry.
This evolution also applies to the antiquated image of the red wooden barn. These days, most farmers choose the modern dependability and affordability of a metal farm building over a wooden structure.
If your farm is experiencing growth and you’re expanding your acreage, you probably need a spacious area to safely store equipment or livestock. That’s where a custom metal farm building comes in.
Wooden barns were popularized throughout the United States when Europeans started settling in the 1700s. These simple structures served their purpose for many years, providing shelter and storage space for early agricultural workers. But advances in technology made a wide variety of new machinery essential for the modern farmer. As a result, barns needed a bigger footprint to accommodate numerous machines, from cream separators to threshers and gang plows.
Wooden barns were often plagued by termites, structural issues, and flammability. They also became structurally unstable after reaching a certain height, and ultimately failed to keep up with the agricultural technology boom. During the 19th century, most farms chose to replace their wooden barns with brick barns.
Now wooden barns evoke a quaint pastoral image, but they are largely a relic of the past. Most metal building farm homes today are made from reliable steel—and for good reason. Read on to learn why contemporary farmers are increasingly choosing steel barns over wooden structures.
Metal farm buildings are the favored structure for the modern farmer for a number of reasons. Most importantly, they are not susceptible to termites, carpenter ants, fires, or natural disasters. A well-made metal farm building will last generations.
You can count on a high return on investment from a metal barn because they stand up to the elements and require minimal repairs. Many people are concerned about the price of metal farm buildings, but their lifetime cost is much lower than other materials. For example, wooden barns may have lower upfront costs, but they require continuous maintenance and eventual replacement.
Construction is also much more difficult for wooden and brick buildings and may require hundreds of hours of labor. Prefabricated metal farm buildings are easy and efficient to install. A qualified team can usually build a metal barn in less than a week.
Farmers know that agricultural buildings serve a wide variety of uses. Here are a few potential ideas for your new metal farm building.
Regardless of your needs, metal farm buildings make a great addition to virtually every property. Depend on the strength and affordability of steel as you future-proof your farm.