Agricultural structures like barns really do get a battering. They are subject to harsh environmental elements, filled with all kinds of stock and livery, used for several purposes and provide housing for all sorts of machinery and livestock. They really do need to be built out of materials that are strong, durable, and resilient. There are several options available when it comes to choosing a material for your barn construction, therefore it’s important to understand the options in order to make the best choice for you. By considering the materials out there, as well as thinking carefully about the purpose that the barn will fill, it is possible to construct a building that will last. Let’s look at a few options:
Wood
When you think of barns, you automatically think of wood. It is the time-tested material for building structures of all kinds, being used for various purposes by many builders and engineers for several centuries. It is naturally resistant to fire, easily adaptable, offers great thermal insulation, is long-lasting and easy to manufacture. For these reasons, and others, it’s easy to see why wood is such a good option for building a barn. 6 x 2 treated timber is the go-to material when it comes to creating a carcass for a building project. Often the timber can be sawn to the lengths that you need and treated with substances that stop the growth of fungus and protect against attack from insects. This protects the integrity of the structure and is a reason why treated timber is so popular. Foundations and structural elements are often made from hardwood, such as oak, maple or beech. On the other hand, inner features like doors are often made from softwood such as cedar, fir, or pinewood. Clearly, there is a suitable wood for every project and its benefits make it easy to see why it is such a popular option.
Blocks and Bricks
For a sturdy, durable building, bricks, and blocks are a great option. These rectangular units, traditionally made from clay or more recently made from soil, sand or concrete, boast great strength as well as resistance to heat. These bricks, fire or unfired, are fantastic when it comes to building barn walls, pavements, or fireplaces. The only issue with bricks is that they are hard and brittle, meaning that they are vulnerable to breakages in the event of an earthquake.
Stone
Stone barns make for quite a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing structure. Stones are strong, hardy, resistant to fire and naturally available. There are different types of stone used in the construction industry and each bring different qualities that make them suited to different applications when it comes to building a barn or agricultural structure. Flooring, roofs and window frames can be made from stone, and they prove to be longer lasting than the elements made from other materials. The biggest disadvantage of using stone for barn construction is the expense. However, as expensive as the material may be, stone has the added benefit of being the most durable therefore the investment may be worth the extra cost.
Cement
For thousands of years, the powdered material of cement has been used as a binder in construction projects. It is one of the oldest, and most used materials in the whole construction industry and barn construction is no different. Flooring, walls, and ceilings can all be made with strong cement, joints for drains and pipes are commonly made from this material, and it can also be added to other substances to form different construction materials. Cement is a very versatile thing!
If you think it’s time to build a better barn, perhaps the information considered today will help you get started in the right direction!
