Every farmer faces the same inevitable challenge: their buildings won’t last forever. Whether it’s a 30-year-old dairy barn showing its age or a storage facility that’s outgrown its purpose, the question isn’t if you’ll need to build or replace, it’s what you’ll build when that time comes. Today’s farmers have more options than ever, but the choice often comes down to two fundamentally different approaches: traditional wood construction or modern steel arch buildings.
Key Takeaways:
- Steel arch buildings are engineered to withstand moisture, rot, warping, and pest damage far better than wood
- Steel barns require fewer materials, go up faster, and save significantly on long-term maintenance and repairs compared to wood.
- Clear-span steel arch designs provide 100% usable interior space, so it’s easier to store equipment, livestock, and supplies.
- Steel barns are easy to assemble with pre-cut parts and minimal labor, while wood construction is more complex and time-consuming.
- Steel arch barns last longer. Steel can last over 75 years, while wood barns typically need major repairs or replacement after about 30 years.
- Steel barns can be insulated to match or exceed the comfort and energy efficiency of wood.
Steel Barns vs. Wood Barns: How Do They Match Up?
Durability and Weather Resistance
Steel arch buildings: Steel is made to last. Heavy-duty GALVALUME® sheet steel, to be more specific, withstands the elements like moisture, rot, warping, fire, and pest damage. The arch design isn’t just for looks, either. It helps reduce stress on the structure by deflecting wind and snow.
Wood barns: Wooden barns, on the other hand, rely on extra support systems like trusses and beams, which can weaken over time.
Cost Efficiency
Steel arch buildings: Steel arch buildings use fewer materials and thus can be assembled quicker and for less money. They also require little to no maintenance, which eliminates the need for ongoing upkeep and repairs that come at a cost.
Wood barns: While wood may initially seem cheaper, wooden barns take you longer to build and often require skilled contractors and heavy equipment. They need regular maintenance (painting, sealing, and repairs for rot, mold, and pest damage), which adds up over time.
Utilization of Space
Steel arch buildings: When you’re hauling in tractors or storing seed, you want every inch of space to count. Clear-span steel arch design provides 100% usable interior space with no posts, beams, or trusses to get in the way.
Wood barns: Traditional wood barns have support posts and beams that cut into your working space. It can feel tight fast, especially when trying to store large equipment or maneuver inside.
Assembly and Construction
Steel arch buildings: Easy to assemble with pre-cut, pre-punched parts that require minimal tools or skilled labor. With help from friends or family, a steel barn can be assembled in days. And if you ever need more space, expansion parts and options are available.
Wood Barns: Require professional contractors, heavy equipment, and favorable weather conditions. The construction process is more complicated and time-consuming, often taking weeks or months. Expanding a wooden barn is a much bigger job.
Longevity and Return on Investment
Steel arch buildings: A one-time investment that can last more than 75 years with minimal deterioration. Steel barns hold their value and can even boost your property’s worth!
Wood Barns: Typically 40-60 years with proper care before needing major repairs or replacement.
Addressing Common Concerns
Aesthetic Concerns
Some folks worry that steel buildings don’t have the classic look of a wooden barn, and that’s fair. But modern steel buildings can be customized with different siding options and colors, so you can still get the look you want. You can even choose finishes that mimic wood.
Insulation Considerations
Yes, it’s true that wood has some natural insulation. But with the proper insulation fasteners, a steel building can match (or even outperform) it.
In Summation
When that inevitable moment arrives, when your barn needs replacing or your operation needs expanding, the choice you make will impact your farm for decades to come. The farmers who’ve made the switch to steel arch buildings haven’t done so for the sake of change; they’ve done so because the advantages are undeniable. Steel arch buildings have proven themselves in the field, offering a level of durability, cost efficiency, and versatility that wood simply can’t match. The question isn’t whether you’ll need to build eventually; it’s whether you’ll choose the solution that works hardest for your operation’s future.
Why AgriBilt?
Steel Arch Buildings Made in the USA
If you’re looking into agricultural structures for your farm, chances are you’re weighing a lot of factors: cost, durability, ease of construction, and how well it’s going to work in real farm life.
We’ve taken all of that into consideration and designed steel arch barns that are practical and long-lasting. For example, our made-in-the-USA structures are crafted from premium materials and backed by a team committed to your satisfaction. The standardized hardware and pre-engineered components mean you can assemble your barn quickly, even without specialized skills or heavy equipment.
Want to learn more? Check out our product brochure and call (888) 622-4645 for additional details on pricing and delivery.
