Beyond Barns

Buildings on the farm have seen dramatic changes over the years. What used to be a shed with large doors now looks more like an accent to accompany the house. Steve Bohlman, national sales manager with Wick Buildings, says people are really dressing up their buildings.

"In the past it was about utility, how it functioned and how it was used. That is still important, but now people are adding the bells and whistles," he says. "They are making their farms look more attractive."

Producers are building larger storage sheds, shops, and even adding on offices. One of the big goals is to become more energy efficient to save on heating costs.

Steve Olson, manager trainer for Morton Buildings, says accessories to dress up buildings have grown over the years. "With all the new accessories, it has really forced people to think about the building type," he says. "One thing that has made a significant difference is the fact that so many facilities are being built to look like high-end houses."

With all the accessories producers can add, Olson says prices can be as much as $200,000 up to $1.5 million. "People think differently about the types of buildings they want to use," he says.

Olson explains that he sees larger buildings along the East Coast. "It's a geographical thing. In the Northeast, there is a higher percentage of high-end buildings compared to the Midwest," he says.

"As the farm equipment becomes larger and more expensive, farmers want to keep more equipment inside," says Ken Neff, Midwest regional sales manager with Morton Buildings. "We offer farmers what suits their particular needs."

These needs have expanded from a traditional slide door to bifold doors, from barely insulated walls to insulation similar to a house. Buildings have become more than just a place to store and work on machinery. They have become a place that works with an overall theme for the farm and family.

Because each building is customized for the individual, prices have a dramatic range. Contact your local building dealer for specific pricing information.

Keep birds out
It's not uncommon to find some means of keeping pesky birds from nesting in your shop building. Steve Olson, Morton Buildings, says the main thing is to add protection from the top of the end of the rafter or truss to block out birds from coming in the overhang. A 1 1/2x1 1/2-inch block sits behind the columns and keeps birds from nesting there. Also, columns are cut at an angle to match the pitch of the roof. "This is one of those things we don't talk about enough," says Olson. "So many buildings are finished off on the inside in some way that you lose the need for this other than the pieces on the end."

Protect the building
Protecting your building from structural damage caused by machinery can be simple by installing doorjambs. They come in 4- or 7-inch-square protectors and help prevent farm equipment from being driven into large doors. The larger of the two sizes is used most commonly for tractors and farm implements; the smaller size is used for cars and trucks. The doorjambs come in colors that complement the paint of the building.

Choose the right insulation
Over the years, Olson has seen insulation change. It used to be simple sheet insulation, and now he says most people are insulating buildings like they would a house. In most buildings he sees, Olson says there is 6 to 9 inches of insulation, which is more efficient. Another new type of insulation is the spray-on foam that covers all exterior surfaces.

Deciding on how much or what kind of insulation to put in is a personal preference, says Bohlman. The goal, he says, is to be energy efficient in all spaces, whether it's a shop, office, or living space.

Swing open with ease
Bohlman says the biggest trend he has seen is bifold doors. "The attraction to them is the wider, clear span to fit a taller piece of machinery," he explains. "They are very durable." Although bifold doors cost more than sliding doors, he says the advantage to them is they don't take up room inside the building.

Reflect the sun's rays
Keeping costs low is important, and Wick Buildings offer a cool roof option to help. Bohlman says the colors help to reflect sunlight and heat away from the building, which helps to keep the building cooler and reduce cooling loads. There are 12 color options to choose from. "The characteristic that helps reflect the sun is the improved hardness with reflectivity," he says. It is estimated that this option can lower the roof surface temperature by 100 degrees Fahrenheit. "A vast majority of people are putting this on," Bohlman says. The roof is also Energy Star approved.

Install in-floor heating
Although the option is more expensive than other heating methods, Olson says he has seen a spike in the installation of in-floor heating. The system is double the cost of a regular heating system, but over several years you can actually save money.

Olson says the downside to in-floor heating is how long it takes to regulate heat. "It is the same temperature 24 hours a day," he says. "You have to decide the optimum temperature for day and night."

Provide adequate ventilation
With more shops being heated, vented overhangs are the easiest way to provide ventilation. "They help prevent moisture problems and mold," says Bohlman. "Another benefit is that the material keeps birds from roosting." Vented overhangs reduce heat buildup in the summer and keep the air dry in the winter. "Vented overhangs and vented ridge caps are an important part of keeping a machine storage building from sweating. The air movement through the overhangs and vented ridge helps to prevent stagnant air drawing moisture into your building," says Ken Neff, Morton Buildings. " Vented overhangs may not completely stop moisture, but they will certainly help detour it."

Decrease sound volume
Are you performing tasks in your shop that make your ears ache? You might consider installing perforated steel. The steel has tiny holes in it to absorb sound, which will improve the sound quality in the building.

Another benefit is that perforated steel is resistant to wear, corrosion, and a wide range of temperatures.

Protect the siding
 Another popular addition to a building is wainscoting, which is installed around the base of the structure. In addition to adding a personal touch to the outside of the building, wainscoting comes in a variety of options, such as steel or brick. It also is an easy and economical way to replace steel panels if they are damaged.

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