With the third most diverse agricultural economy in the US, North Carolina has more than 80 crops and large livestock farms. From sweet potatoes & dry beans to broilers, eggs, dairy, and turkeys, the state boasts a wide variety of agricultural products and livestock businesses. All these farms and businesses require a reliable and sturdy building to house animals, crops, equipment, and their processing facilities. And what better structure could it be if not metal buildings?
Yes, that’s right. With its durable structural strength, robust &cost effective material & design, and low maintenance requirements, farm metal buildings have become one of the favorites of farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. Let’s see how steel structures are helping them out.
How Are Metal Buildings Helpful For Businesses & Farms?
Many agribusiness and regular industries have started using steel buildings as retail outlets, warehouses, cold storage, office buildings, restaurants, and manufacturing set-ups. The reason is they come prefabricated, which is easier and faster to install than traditional brick-and-mortar buildings.
In addition, steel buildings can be designed to expand easily in the future. You can talk to your metal builder, who will provide you with the removal of end-support walls. This can be removed in the future by adding more side walls to increase length. Hence, you can extend the current one instead of building an entirely new structure.
Farm metal buildings are great for harvest storage and sheltering livestock. They are free from mold, pests, mildew, and other predators that can’t break into them to steal chicks or calves. They are even resistant to harsh weather conditions. With significantly shorter construction time, farmers can install it and use it to park heavy vehicles and keep hay.
The Highlights Of Farm Steel Buildings
Customizable
Want a taller structure? Steel can be up to 40 ft. high. Want a wider structure without any internal support column? Steel can be clear-span (without internal support columns) up to 300 ft. in width. Want a color that matches your existing building? That can be done, too, as many metal builders offer over a dozen color ranges.
Some common sizes of metal barns used in farming are:
| Type | Width x Length (in ft.) | Height (in ft.) |
| Metal building | 26 x 40 | 10 |
| Metal combo unit | 20 x 50 | 10 |
| Metal barn | 42 x 40 | 12 |
| Commercial building | 42 x 72 | 12 |
| Commercial metal building | 60 x 65 | 16 |
Longevity
Metal neither rots nor decays with time. They remain unaffected by seasonal changes. Opt for galvanized steel for the best and most long-lasting farm metal buildings. They are coated with zinc that resists rusting for the longest period & keep your metal safe from any degradation.
Resistance
Be it thunderstorms, snowfall, heavy rain, or hurricanes, steel buildings can be designed to hold endurance against all of them.
i. To Fire
In general, metal does not catch fire like timber, as its melting point is high. Certified metal structures can tolerate fire for up to 4 hours.
ii. To Wind
Certified steel can be designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 170 miles per hour. This is usually the range of most tornadoes and hurricanes. These structures will stay put unless there is a direct hit, which can cause nothing to survive.
iii. To Snow
Certified metal can tolerate snow loads up to 40 pounds or more per square foot on the roof. You can further opt for corrugated vertical metal roof panels with a pitch of 5:12, 6:12, 7:12, or even 9:12 (for heavy snowfall). This will help shed the snow faster.
iv. To Pests
Various pests and animals can get attracted to stored crops, fruits, and animal feed. That’s no good as these creatures will eat away and infect the food, making it unfit for human and livestock consumption. A metal barn will drive them away effectively.
Metal is dense and does not allow hosting for termites and other pests. Farm metal buildings can be truss-free, which won’t provide resting and nesting places for birds.
v. To Moisture
Steel buildings are non-porous, so they do not absorb water content. When insulated properly, they do not allow moisture to build up or promote mold and mildew growth. It is suitable for areas with heavy rainfall. Metal offers the least friction to water, so it runs toward the ground quickly when angled.
Efficiency
Insulated steel buildings don’t just reduce condensation but also aid the HAVC system to work effectively. It helps decrease the heat flow from and to the building. This lowers the utility cost for farmers and businesses. It also helps lower the overall carbon footprint.
There are many tax benefits for farmers, agribusiness, and industry for lowering their carbon footprint. Once used up, they can be dismantled, recycled, and used again.
Fast Installation & Easy Care
Most metal structures are prefab (also called pre-engineered) in the factory. They are pre-cut, pre-drilled, and pre-designed before being shipped to the site for installation. At the construction place, only assembling is needed. That’s not the case with stick-built structures.
Overall, farm metal buildings are easy to care for. To clean, you will need a regular garden hose with a nozzle (pressure washer for larger commercial buildings), a ladder (to reach the roof), mild detergent, and water with a cloth. If you notice any stain or minor rusting, scrub it off with a soft bristle brush, apply metal primer & then paint on top.
In The Light Of These Facts
It is becoming evident that North Carolinians are making an affordable and sustainable choice for their business and farming. This large shift is due to fast construction and early accessibility of the steel buildings. It is a trend that is set to see growth in the near future.
North Carolina is a beautiful state with all four seasons and diverse businesses and farming opportunities. You can, too, get a steel structure and embark on your agribusiness or ranching journey.
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