How Metal Barns Are Replacing Traditional Wood Barns Across The U.S.

For a long time, when people thought of a farm, they would imagine a big red wooden barn standing in the middle of a lush green field. It was a classic symbol of American farming, but today, a quiet new revolution across the States is happening.

Most farmers and ranchers are switching from wood barns to metal barns. Why? The unpredictable nature of weather in recent decades, high maintenance of wooden buildings, and constant efforts to keep them clean have led to this change.

Farmers are now looking for a stronger, safer, and cost-effective farm building. In fact, the steel framing market in the U.S. is projected to reach $25.3 billion in 2025. This includes commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors. This blog will explain why metal prefab structures are becoming the smart choice for modern farms. 

Let's see how it saves money, last longer, and makes farming easier.

[The Big Shift] What's Driving The Move From Wood To Steel On Farmlands?

From rising cost of timbers to labor shortage and expenses, there are a lot of factors that have been fueling metal farm buildings in the recent decade. We have explored all of them in detail below.

1. Weather Resistance And Durability Of Steel Farm Barns

Steel structures are built to handle tough weather and last for decades. Let's break down why they are so strong and reliable.

1.1. Unmatched Strength And Resilience

Steel frames are made using 12-gauge thick tubular steel that doesn't warp, crack, bend, or twist with time. Neither do they burn readily when in contact with fire or spark, making them a safer choice for animals and equipment.  With good care, your steel hay barn can last for 50 to 100 years.

But, that's not it! A metal structure can stand up to strong winds, heavy snow, downpour, storms, and earthquakes. You can opt for a certified steel building that can withstand up to 180 mph of wind speeds, and for a snowy region, you can choose certified vertical roofing that can stand up to 80 PSF of snow load. 

1.2. Pest And Moisture Control

A common problem with a wooden structure is that it attracts bugs and mold. Steel, on the other hand, is an inorganic material offering no food or shelter to pests. Metals also don't absorb moisture, so they don't rot over time nor let mold spores penetrate deeply into the material. In fact, wood will start to decay if the moisture content is over 20%.

Since there are fewer hiding spots and no chewable surfaces, rodents and nesting pests find it hard to get inside a metal farm building for resting or nesting. With these advantages, steel structures need less maintenance and fewer pest treatments compared to their wooden counterpart.

2. Use Case Of Metal Structure Across The U.S.

Not just strong, steel structures are also versatile buildings for farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses, and can be used as:

But why does a metal farm structure work so well? Here are the top reasons:

• Clear Span Interior: With no supporting beams, you get a wide and open floor plan to design and storage farm tools and machinery as per need.
  Note: A clear span design can be as wide as 300 ft. without any obstructing columns or walls.
• Custom Layouts: Each unit can be designed to fit a farm or ranch's specific needs and budget.  
• Fast Setup: Prefabricated barns' parts make the construction process quick and simple. 

3. Steel Prefab Barns Are Cost Savings Over Time

3.1. Initial Costs

A metal farm structure may seem a little expensive than a wooden one, but it's the overall cost over time that makes it more affordable than a traditional structure. Let's break it down:

Tip: You can choose prefab steel in standard sizing to cut costs without affecting its quality. 

3.2. Lower Upkeep

It's no surprise that a wooden barn needs more care, such as painting, pest control, fixing warped boards, etc. Here is some common maintenance work:

3.3. Less Insurance Premiums

Metals are non-combustible materials that don't burn easily. Not only does this make a farm metal structure more reliable (esp. in areas prone to wildfires), but reduces the insurance premium. You can get up to 30% cheaper insurance for a fire-resistant material [source: vikingSteelStructures]. Plus, certified buildings with wind-resistant designs further lower risk and cost related to sudden fire spread and accidental fires.  

4. Speed And Efficiency Of Steel Agricultural Buildings

4.1. Fast Construction Time

Prefab parts are made in factories under strict conditions and are ready to be shipped. This translates to fewer delays and quicker setup with fewer labor needs. In general, it takes half the time to install a metal prefab barn compared to a wooden one. 

4.2. Less Waste

Since prefab parts are made in factories and only need assembling on-site, it reduces on-site wastage of materials. Plus, if there are any metal pieces or shavings left after installation, they can be sold to the nearest scrapyard for recycling. The on-site wastage produced during metal prefab barn construction is generally 2 to 3% only, while for wood, that's about 20%.

5. Customization And Expansion Of Metal Farm Buildings

5.1. Customization Options

Want big doors for tractors? Need windows for lighting and airflow in a livestock shelter? Whatever your need is, steel builders can design it as per your budget, purpose, and local building codes. You can choose custom size, layout designs, doors and windows, side lean-tos, insulation, and more. 

These customizations don't make the design complex and keep pricing under control. 

5.2. Easy Expansion And Reconfiguration

As your farm grows, so do your needs. With steel agricultural barns, you can easily expand and add more sections to streamline farm operations. You can:

• Add sections by increasing length
• Reconfigure internal layout (esp. with a clear span design)

The cost to expand a steel farm structure is also lower than wooden ones.

Invest In Strength, Save On Maintenance – Go Metal Today!

Metal barns are not just some new trend, but a smart investment for the future of farming. More and more farmers are choosing them due to higher durability, lower long-term costs, better safety, fast construction, and the versatility of the buildings. It's a smart move that helps your farm run better today and stay strong for decades.