Choose The Right Dimensions For Your Custom Steel Barn

Getting the right size for your steel farm barn is crucial for its functionality and longevity. A barn that’s too small can quickly get overcrowded & inefficient, while a barn that’s too large will lead to waste of space, unnecessary costs, and occupy lot area. With its rise in popularity among farmers & ranchers, the right placement with the correct metal barn dimensions is something that is mostly sought after.

Standard Dimensions Of A Barn

We will discuss standard sizes based on the use of metal buildings.

For Farmers: A livestock barn usually ranges from 40×60 ft. to shelter animals, feed, crop, and store basic equipment. However, for storing machinery, the common barn sizing is about 60×80 ft.

For Ranchers: A horse barn dimension is generally 36 ft. wide with a 12 ft. wide stall on either side and a height of 10 ft. Note that the exact size will vary with no. of horses. Further, operational space, such as tack room, drive bay, etc., can be of size 12×12 ft. depending on needs.

For Agribusiness: Farm businesses usually require large clear span metal buildings customized for specific operations such as 50×100, 100×100, or 100×200 ft. With no internal obstruction, all machines, cold storage areas, and large processing units are organized under the same roof.

5 Factors Affecting A Steel Barn Dimension

Before selecting the dimensions of a barn, it is important to have a few things clear to get the barn of your dreams:

I. Purpose Of The Barn

What is the primary use of your steel farm barn? Is it for crop storage, keeping hay or haylage, or for livestock shelter? If so, the barn size will depend on the amount of grain bags, no. of hay bales, or no. of animals you want to keep. You can also determine the size based on storage needs, such as equipment like tractors, hay size, feed, etc., or workshop space.

You can even opt for a large barn with tools & feed or crop storage and cattle shelter to increase farm efficiency.

II. Livestock Considerations

One of the top uses of steel farm buildings is for keeping cattle or horses. The minimum space requirement for each animal varies with species. Some examples are:

• 12×12 ft. stall per horse
• 30 sq. ft. per adult cow
• 16-25 sq. ft. per sheep
• Coop space of 2-3 sq. ft. per chicken

You can calculate the amount of indoor space you will need to shelter these animals. Include an area for workers, tack room, hay & feed storage, etc., for easy feeding, cleaning, and maintenance. Ensure to have proper ventilation for horses, cattle, & other animals for their productivity & well-being.

III. Equipment Considerations

Check the dimensions of each farm machinery, tools, and equipment for storage. Here are some common sizes for farm vehicles & tools:

• Compact Tractors: 72×72 inches
• Large Tractors: 120×144 inches
• Combine Harvester: 25 to 35 ft. wide
• Plows: 14 to 20 inches
• Seed Drills: 10 to 30 ft. for larger ones
• Balers: 6×6 ft. [round], 14×18 ft. [square], etc.
• Shovel, Fork, & Spade: 40 to 48 inches
• Wheelbarrow: 60 to 100 liters
• Tractors-Mounted Sprayer: 8-12 ft. wide x 15-25 ft. long
• Small Grain Bin: 15 to 25 ft. in diameter & up to 30 ft. tall.
• Large Grain Bin: 30 to 40 ft. in diameter & up to 60 ft. tall or even more.

IV. Land Availability & Restrictions

How much land do you have for metal building installation? Subtract necessary setbacks, pavement, etc., from the total land to get the exact site area you have for working. Consider local building codes, zoning laws, and restrictions before choosing a design. 

Consider local climate & terrain, including wind direction & snow accumulation during winters. For instance, a barn in a warmer climate zone should have proper ventilation to avoid moisture, humidity, & molding. You can invest in 12 gauge steel buildings with certification against strong winds of up to 180 mph & heavy snow loads of up to 80 lbs. sq. ft.

V. Future Expansion Plans

Many farms start small. Thus, it is important to consider future needs like an increase in the number of livestock, an extra crop storage area, the integration of technology like automation or equipment upgrades to boost farm efficiency or the addition of a new processing unit. All this will need extra space.

With steel barn buildings, you can choose removable end walls. At the time of expansion, you just need to remove it, add more sidewalls to increase the length, and place the end wall back. This modular expansion saves time & money while creating less disturbance to daily farm operations.

Common Metal Barn Dimension

Small Barns: These are perfect for small-scale operations like storing tools and equipment or sheltering livestock. It suits those with limited space or who are just starting out. With temperature control in livestock barns, farmers can easily start small workshops or keep animals.

Examples of small barns are 20×30, 30×40, etc.

Medium Barns: Mid-sized barns are suitable for storing large equipment, hay bales, and large livestock. Moreover, it strikes a balance between space & affordability. These size barns are popular among ranchers and growing agribusinesses as they offer ample space, businesses can place large machinery, and they have room for storage.

Some common mid-size barns are 30×50, 40×60, 50×70, etc.

Large Barns: Large-scale barns are ideal for livestock farming, horse riding arenas, and commercial applications. These provide a diverse use, from storing large quantities of hay bales & haylage to setting up a food processing unit on a farm.

Some common sizes for large-size barns are 60×120, 100×150, 100×200, or even larger.

Custom Barn Dimension Features

One of the crucial things when planning for a metal building is to choose the right accessories & custom features that increase the functionality of your farm barn and give it a nice appeal. Some common features of steel farm barns include:

Material Thickness: You can choose between 12 or 14 gauge frames and 26 or 29 gauge metal panels depending on budget, local building guidelines, and size. We recommend choosing 12 gauge for larger barns as it gives more structural stability & durability.

Height: A custom barn dimension generally has a vertical length of 20 ft., but it can be as high as 40 ft. or more, depending on your needs & budget. Note that a taller structure will need a deeper foundation.

Width: What’s the purpose of your barn? We can help make more tailored suggestions based on its use. For example, a carolina style barn is ideal for sheltering livestock with its wide & tall aisle space that enhances ventilation and natural lighting. For agribusiness, a clear span barn with an obstruction-free interior is ideal.

Roofing: We offer three roofs based on size & budget. For smaller size barns or metal outdoor sheds, a regular roof is an affordable option, while for larger Seneca barns, a vertical roof is best as it demands less frequent cleaning & is highly durable against harsh weather.

Foundation: You can choose a gravel bed, asphalt, concrete slab, or pier with our metal barn buildings. Note that we don’t offer a foundation with our metal structure. Your site must be prepared before our installation team arrives.

Color For Barn: Farmers or ranchers can choose colors based on aesthetics, existing buildings, brand identity, or based on weather patterns. The best tip for choosing the right barn color would be to look at the surroundings of the barn & the purpose it serves.

Sidewalls: We offer corrugated metal panels in two styles for metal barn gable ends & sidewalls – vertical & horizontal. You can choose between either based on your taste & preferences.

Custom Doors/ Windows: We provide customizable doors, roll-up & walk-in doors, frameouts, and windows with all our steel buildings so you can select one based on the size of livestock, farm vehicles, or agribusiness daily needs.

Ready To Find The Perfect Steel Barn Dimension?

Explore our prefab metal farm barn to fit your unique needs & to future-proof your farming, ranching, and agribusiness. You can even customize our durable & low maintenance farm barns based on your needs.

Partner with Viking Barns today to design your ideal barn space. Call (704) 579-6966.