From Stable to Studio: Customizing a Metal Barn for Your Needs

Custom metal barns are a popular choice for farmers and hobbyists alike, and here at Armstrong Steel, we understand that your barn is more than just a building — it’s a crucial part of your operation. This is why we offer a wide range of customization options to ensure that your barn perfectly suits your agricultural needs and aesthetic preferences.

Not sure how to customize a metal barn? This blog has all the tips and recommendations to help you get started.

Why customize a metal barn?

Customizing a metal barn allows you to create a secure and efficient space for your crops, livestock, tools, and equipment. Our building consultants will collaborate with you to design a barn that perfectly fits your agricultural operations.

In addition to storage, custom metal barns can be used as greenhouses or a facility to house your farming equipment. At Armstrong Steel, we have designed, engineered, and manufactured many durable, attractive farm buildings that are easy to customize.

The basics of customizing a metal barn

Metal structures offer layout and design flexibility. Whether you prefer a modular or clear-span configuration, our buildings can be customized to suit your exact needs. With minimal interior columns, you can enjoy wide-open spaces perfect for storing large equipment or creating dedicated work areas. Plus, our structures are designed to grow with your operation — you can easily add lifts or expand the building horizontally or vertically to accommodate future needs.

At Armstrong Steel, we carefully tailor custom metal barns to suit the specific needs of every customer. You don’t have to settle for uninspiring cookie-cutter designs that limit your ability to maximize the space. Our goal is to help you create the perfect agricultural structure that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Tips to customize metal barns

Choose your construction materials and finishes

Thankfully, steel-frame barns are easy to customize. Our pre-engineered metal building systems suit almost every design and can be incorporated with virtually all construction materials. Steel buildings can accommodate any exterior or interior finish to meet your aesthetic requirements. This means you can make them look like a traditional red wooden barn.

Do you want a more industrial look? Our custom metal barns support all roof and wall designs, including metal panels.

How about a rustic-looking structure? That’s possible with brick and shingles. Armstrong Steel agricultural steel buildings can also be customized with stucco or CMU, ensuring your barn looks exactly as you want.

Pick appropriate openings

Pre-engineered custom metal barns have flexible interior layouts that allow you to have larger door openings. This makes it possible to use overhead, sliding, or rolling doors to move large pieces of farm equipment and vehicles easily.

Aside from creating a large opening, consider adding walk-in doors to provide easier access for smaller equipment and people. This can be handy if you have an office inside your barn. Additionally, walk-in doors can help ventilate your building to make it more comfortable for working.

Don’t forget the insulation

Metal barns are more energy-efficient than traditional wood structures, especially with the right insulation methods. Our custom metal barns are easy to insulate with any solution to regulate indoor temperatures, ensuring your livestock and workers are comfortable. Insulating materials include spray foam and fiberglass, but be sure to choose a suitable material for your climate and building.

Leave room for windows

Another way to improve ventilation and save energy is by adding windows. These openings will provide natural light and help with air circulation, making your barn easier and more comfortable to use without electricity. Plus, windows can improve the barn’s aesthetic appeal.

Paint it

Steel buildings may be durable, but the right coatings can add more to their lifespan. Besides, painting custom metal barns enhances its overall aesthetics and appeal, ensuring they complement the rest of the property. Try using attractive colors for the roofing and trim and consider eye-catching color combinations.

Another reason to paint your metal barn is to enhance its longevity. Some coatings like Galvalume will keep rusting at bay, effectively increasing the lifespan of steel panels. At Armstrong Steel, we also provide a 40-year paint warranty to give you more peace of mind knowing your barn will remain aesthetically pleasing for many years to come.

Maximize its use

How will you use your metal barn after customizing and improving it? Here are some applications that could inspire you to make the most of your structure besides using it as storage and parking:

Recreational areas

Your metal barn can be the perfect venue for indoor activities. It can be a recreational area where friends and family can play games or enjoy indoor sports. Plus, it can be a yoga studio or a personal gym.

Extra room

A custom metal barn can be a farmhouse where you can accommodate guests or new family members. Our steel barndominiums can easily incorporate open-concept living spaces and are easy to expand down the road.

Workshop

Custom metal barns are perfect as workshops where you can focus on personal projects. Whether you’re a hobbyist or creating things to sell, the barn will provide a conducive space that promotes creativity and productivity.

Customize your metal barn with Armstrong Steel

Let our building experts bring your dream custom metal barn to life. Call 1-800-345-4610 or get a quote by clicking ‘Price My Building.’ Whether you need a basic structure or an elaborate design, we will ensure your barn is tailored, fabricated, and delivered to your property on time.

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