If you love horses and equestrian activities, investing in a metal barn might be the right choice for you. Building a barn on your property will allow you to house and ride horses and conveniently enjoy your hobby. For the best results in designing this new structure, review the following tips.

A Guide to Building a Metal Barn

1. Assess the Site

The ground where you’re planning to build your barn needs to be solid and level. Building on higher ground will also prevent pooling or standing water from storms that can negatively affect the structure.

Ensure the location is easily accessible, so you don’t have a hard time caring for your animals. If you plan to hook up water or electrical fixtures, check with your utility company to ensure the plot should is accessible to local utility lines.

2. Determine the Size 

When determining the size of your metal barn, take into consideration the aisle and the stalls. The aisle should be wide enough to accommodate a horse making a full turn—a 12-foot-wide aisle should be sufficient.

The size of your stalls will depend on the type of horses you plan to house. Most adult horses average between 57 to 61 inches tall. Experts recommend a 12-by-12 design to ensure plenty of space.

3. Consider Insulation & Ventilation

During colder weather and winter months, you’ll need to ensure the barn can retain heat well enough to protect your horses’ health. Using space heaters is a fire hazard, so it’s important to make sure your barn is well insulated.

Sufficient airflow is also crucial to your animals’ health. Install overhangs with vented soffits, doors and windows, or an overhead fan to provide ample ventilation throughout the barn. Ask your contractor about more options for roof and wall insulation and ventilation systems. 

If you’re ready to design a metal barn to house your horses, turn to the team at Trinity Metal Buildings in Slocomb, AL. These professionals are proud to help both home and business owners with a broad range of metal building and construction services, including sheds, commercial building spaces, and residential carports. Visit them online to learn more about their services. Call (334) 886-9078 to speak with a friendly team member and schedule a consultation.