Barn Authority

AZ Barn and Fence Pros, LLC will have an exhibit at the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show that will occur Feb 15 through Feb 24.  The event is being held at Westworld in Scottsdale, Arizona which is located at 16601 N Pima Rd.

This is the 53rd year for this horse show featuring the Arabian and Half Arabian Horses.  Arizona Barn and Fence Pros, LLC will have variuos barn wall exhibits, Big Ass Fan exhibit, information of Ultra Cool Roofing and new fencing materials will be on display. Other vendors will be there with something for everyone. 

If you can attend, make sure to ask for Cindy at the AZ Barn booth. 

For more information go to the website www.scottsdaleshow.com

This coming week Arizona Barn and Fence Pros, LLC will have an exhibit booth at
the AZ Sun Circuit Horse Quarter Horse Show. Arizona Barn and Fence Pros, LLC
with have various barn wall exhibits, information on Ultra Cool Roof, “Big Ass” Fan information and new fencing materials will be on display and for sale. Other
vendors with various items such as tack, equine supplements, horse trailers,
jewelry and clothing will be there. The dates for the show and exhibits are Jan 25
thru Feb 3, 2008

Stop by our booth and say hello to Cindy, your exlcusive representative.

For more information visit their website
www.azqha.org/scc_index.html

When choosing a wall for your barn, you might feel confused about all your choices. There are many barn wall material types available to meet your individual style, needs and budget. Options range from traditional wood to innovative plastic lumber and composite materials. There are so many options that making the decision can be overwhelming.

In order to obtain objective information about the options available, you must do a little independent research. First talk to experts and manufacturers and get input from them. Look at neighbors’ barns and ask them if they are satisfied or what they would do differently.

Most barn companies only manufacture barns that utilize one or two wall types and naturally tout these as the best but there is more available.
 
Pros and Cons

Barns have traditionally been manufactured using wood in either a Pole Barn or Wood Frame structure. All-wood barns offer an attractive appearance with the ultimate ability to customize. However, they typically demand the most time and expertise in design and engineering. They also generally have the highest initial and ongoing maintenance costs and are prone to major damage and danger to horses from fires. Wood burns. Steel does not. Wet hay is subject to spontaneous combustion as well as providing fuel in a regular fire.

New Solid wall modular barns used by some manufacturers are most commonly constructed with steel laminated on CDX plywood on the exterior and interior walls and are the best walls on the market. Some barn manufacturers use lower quality materials and have problems with the steel delaminating from the plywood.

Option of tongue-and-groove (T&G), T1 11 plywood, or textured panel materials on the exterior walls are available. These solid wall barns boast the strength of steel and a kick-through warranty. In addition, they are chew-proof, have a zero-percent fire spread rating, low maintenance and a good value in terms of cost and durability.
 
The new Solid Walls come with several options for grill work for ventilation. FCP offers vertical, horizontal grills and welded wire walls. They also offer fully grilled stall doors and grilled divider walls to allow for maximum air flow, methane gas and ammonia management. Ventilation and air-movement is vital for the health and comfort of the horses. Their stall fronts are 1 5/8” galvanized pipe for vertical grills and 1 7/8” galvanized pipe horizontal grills. Some barn manufacturers use pool fencing for stall fronts or smaller pipe tack welded.
 
FCP constructs their walls with culvert channel on the bottom of the wall. Culvert Channel has a G200 galvanized coating and is used in culverts (large, galvanized buried pipes) around moisture. Utilizing this type of material will increase the longevity of barn where barns have the most wear due to moisture from urine and water. Less durable G 60-90 galvanized coating is the choice for most other barn manufacturers.
 
FCP’s connector column is one solid piece and supports the roof structure. To install the stalls FCP has engineered their walls to dovetail the walls into a C channel that is welded to a connector column. This provides a more solid wall system without wind gaps.
 
Tongue & Groove Stack Walls are manufactured with premium quality 2 x 6 wood stacked between steel channels. These walls are attractive, allow for easy replacement of damaged boards and the initial cost is competitive. There is an additional cost to stain and seal boards after installation and boards will require resealing as frequently as every 18 months depending on location of the barn. Stack walls do not met fire code requirements in certain areas.

Plastic Lumber Stack Wall barns are constructed much like T&G walls but with virtually maintenance-free plastic boards. They are guaranteed to last 50 years and require no sanding, painting, sealing or staining. Plastic lumber is impervious to moisture, insects and the acids contained in animal waste. It resists splintering, chipping and rotting, and is made from recycled resources. The initial cost is higher than T&G but the lower maintenance costs provide payback within a few years.

The traditional pre-engineered Metal building uses metal sheeting for walls only. This is a low-cost approach for a fully enclosed building. While the surface maintenance costs are low, it can dent and bend easily and has weak wall strength and be dangerous for horses unless supplemental stall walls are used in the stalls. Solid wall modular barns, most commonly constructed with steel laminated on CDX plywood are the best for a kick-proof but safe wall for horses. There is strength, yet some give.
 
Finally, Concrete walls are constructed using cinder blocks or tilt-up concrete structures. Used only for unique situations, they can be expensive. Concrete walls are very strong and keep the stall cooler; however, the lack of flexibility can be dangerous to animals. Concrete walls cannot burn but they will absorb smoke like a sponge, make it necessary to replace the walls.
 
Ultimately, the decision on which wall you will choose for your barn should be based on individual needs and must take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of each type of as they apply to your unique situation. Only after careful research and consideration can the best choice be made from the wide range of options available. You will enjoy your new barn for years to come knowing you made the right choice for your horses.

When you decide to build a barn incorporate fire safety as well.  Heat from a fully engulfed wildfire will burn almost any barn material except possibly masonry.  Masonry absorbs smoke like a sponge and would likely need to be replaced too.

Some Building Codes won’t approve tongue and groove stack wall barns due to the increased fire danger.  Wood is the most burnable material.  There is “fire-retardant lumber” available and can reduce combustibility, but it is expensive.  Metal is far less flammable.  A solid wall metal barn may cost a little more, but is worth it.

Consider installing a sprinkler system.  A sprinkler system can control the initial fire and allow you time to remove your horses.  While the initial investment may seem high, check with your insurance agent as some companies may cut your annual premium by as much as 50% if you have an acceptable system.

Retrofitting an existing barn with sprinkler system can cost as much as $5.00 square foot depending on the structural circumstances and water availability, but can be less expensive if included as part of new construction.

Make sure to include plentiful exits in your barn design and install a grounded lightning rod system for protection during electrical storms. Cage all electrical fixtures. Don’t use extension cords; if necessary, use an industrial grade cord and don’t overload it. Try to have both water and power supply installed outside of your barn.  Keep a hose attached to your external water supply.

Innovation benefits the environment as well as barn owners’ comfort and budgets.
Heat is one of the major problems facing a barn owner, especially in Southern regions.  Excessive heat is not only uncomfortable for the horse and owner, it can also increase the potential for illness and disease.  Now there is a way to have a cooler barn with the added bonus of helping the environment.  A new system developed by BASF is called Ultra-Cool® roofing materials.  This innovative new system reflects solar energy to keep your barn 25 – 45% cooler.
The heat problem is a simple principle:  A barn’s roof is significantly heated by sunlight or solar energy, more so than the surrounding ambient air temperature.  The roof’s ability to reflect that energy greatly reduces the amount of heat being transferred to the barn’s interior.
In the past, heat reflectivity can only be achieved by using a light-colored material.  Ultra-Cool roofing increases heat reflectivity without sacrificing color choice.  The revolutionary coating increases the reflectivity of colors, particularly medium to dark colors, thus promoting cooler interior spaces.
UltraCool not only increases a roof’s ability to reflect the sun’s energy, but also then quickly emits any energy that it does absorb.  This greatly reduces the barn’s interior temperature and expands the life of the roof. 
Metal roofs already have generally recognized benefits such as fire-resistance, a light weight, seamless integrity, a wide variety of color choices, and longevity.  Cool roofs have all the same benefits as metal roofs and are available in the same colors and styles.  Large industrial fans or insulation could be added.  Ultra-Cool is 100% recyclable material.   It provides cooler interior spaces, longer roof life and lower environmental temperatures helps reduce smog levels. Conscious of building trends due to the increasing concerns about global warming and high energy costs, green building codes and organizations will continue to grow in regocnized importance.  Legislators in certain energy conscious districts are including cool roof requirements in their energy conservation programs and it is likely that all building codes will soon require cool roofing.  Conscious of this trend FCP Barns and Buildings is the only barn manufacturer that offers Cool Roofs on their pre-engineered barns and buildings at no additional cost.  A cool roof is not only a good idea it is a responsible idea.  As our world strives to become more “green” every barn owner can do their part not only for themselves, but also for the earth. 

Contact us if you have additional interest in this roofing material for your barns.

We have briefly discussed the styles of barns and the advantages of each style.  This article will begin to discuss features available in barns.  Some are for the appearances.  Some are for convienence.  Some are for the comfort  or safety of the horse. Understanding all the options when you are designing a barn will prevent regretting their consideration after the barn is built. 

Lets begin with the stall fronts.  The stall walls are usually 4’ tall and then have grill work on top.  Barn manufacturers or contractors offer some type of either horizontal or vertical grillwork.  Some manufacturers use either 1 3/8”, 1 5/8” round tubing and some use pool fencing materials.  Vertical grills are more suited for barns with higher turnover or more high strung type horses.  Many people just prefer the appearance of vertical grill work.

Others prefer the looks of the horizontal grillwork but it has another advantage.  Horizontal grills allow you to see the horses easier.  If you stand at the end of your barn and look down the aisle you will be able to see the horses easier than with vertical grills.  The horizontal grills are spaced close enough together so a horse cannot rub out his mane.  For horizontal grillwork 1 5/8, or 1 7/8” pipe and some use 2” square tubing.  Horses can see each other better too.  It is ideal for barns that have more docile horses or barns that don’t have a lot of new horses in and out.   

Once you have decided on the type of grill work then you can decide if you would like to add a dutch door, a yoke door or a stall guard so the horse can hang his head out of the stall front. 

Another type of stall front is the tapered stall front with various finishes such as hardwoods.  Since this stall front is only 4-6’ tall the doors are hinged instead of on a sliding track.  The doors are low enough so the horse can hang is head over the door way.  Welded wire panels are also used for stall fronts.  In areas that have hot summers we recommend some type of  fully grilled stall door to within 6” to 12” the bottom of door or a stall guard.  This allows as much fresh air to enter the horses stall from any type of air movement inside the barn such as natural breezes or from fans etc.   Another benefit is when doing inspections inside your barn it is easier to view the whole horse, foal, mare and foal or  mini with this type of door.  

There are different barn styles ideal for your location, property, budget and taste.

Gable barns are economical and ideal for colder weather. RCA barns provide increased ventilation and natural light. Shedrow barns save space and provide great visibility. If you’re thinking about building a new barn, you’ve probably been dreaming about how it will look, how it will be set up, and how it will meet your needs as a horse owner. When choosing a style for your new barn, your vision must be the first consideration. Another important consideration is the layout of your property. Of course, your needs and budget should guide any barn construction decision. Fortunately, there are many style options from which to choose and one is certain to match your vision, property layout, needs and budget.

The most popular barn style among a variety of horse enthusiasts, the Raised Center Aisle (RCA) barn features attractive architectural lines and a traditional look with a two tiered roof. This style provides a secure and closed environment for your horses, protection from the elements and easy access to service areas. An RCA barn allows for greater visibility for horses to socialize across the aisle and greater efficiency in the use of space within the barn. Maximum light and air circulation is possible even in adverse weather conditions due to venting between the roof linesand the option of sliding windows, which are inset between upper and lower roof lines. If you choose this style of barm, it is common to include paddocks on either side of the barn so plan for these areas in your barn footprint as well. An RCA barn also allows for a hayloft to store hay and extra feed.

A Gable barn is an attractive yet economical choice with only one roof line. This design allows a cost-effective way to have a center aisle and still have ventilation throughout the barn, while keeping it warmer during the cold winter months. This style of barn can still be closed completely with breezeway doors.

The Shedrow barn style can be the best fit if you have a narrow lot. It is an excellent choice for areas with limited space or warmer weather conditions. When space is restricted and location is limited, this style provides a smaller barn footprint in most cases. A particularly flexible style, a Shedrow can be configured in a variety of forms such as a straight line, L-shaped,  or U-shaped. A Shedrow barn provides the traditional gabled roof line with a generous protective overhang, available in a variety of sizes, to the front of the structure. This overhang option allows for protectionfor your horse but also plenty of workspace around your barn. The Shedrow style provides excellent ventilation, allows owners an unrestricted view of their horses, and has the advantage of turnout of all horses from the same side.

If your budget is tight and you need to decrease the price per stall ,this style could fit your needs. A Back to Back style provides the maximum stalls in the least amount of space by basically building two barns under one roof; this results in two rows of stalls in the center that share a common back wall.

As a horse owner, you want the best for your animals. That means thinking about and planning for the barn style which will best suit your needs and dreams. Whether it is a Raised Center Aisle, Gable, Shedrow, or Back-to-Back style, you can build the barn of your dreams if you take the time to research and plan ahead for your specific needs or seek assistance from a professional.

Author, Don Keas, is a licensed contractor/owner of AZ Barn and Fence Pros, LLC.  Don’s experience includes Industrial Engineer as well as a Plant Foreman for several major corporations.  His background includes development designing in the Arizona White Mountains and with individuals planning their home sites.  You may contact him at AZ Barn and Fence Pros, LLC at 480-488-5705

Welcome to Barn Authority. We are your complete source for full barn structures. We also supply high quality fencing and big ceiling fans for your barn.

Stay tuned for more information on barns and equipment.