Why Is Steel the Sustainable Choice for Building Custom Barns?
Reasons Why Steel is a Sustainable Choice for Custom Barns
Top 7 Reasons To Choose A Custom Metal Barn
Steel is the most recycled material on our earth. It is 93% recycled and 100% recyclable. You can say its supply chain is truly circular. So, if you run an agribusiness and need customized barns for storage, housing livestock, and other reasons, choosing steel barns can be a sustainable choice.
Moreover, starting a new agricultural business comes with many challenges, and choosing a durable and affordable barn is also important. Each farm business is different, but one thing is common that they all need, which is the building. Without a physical space, agribusiness processes can’t be handled.
Metal structures are those physical spaces that also allow you to be careful about the planet.
Let’s explore the information below and understand it thoroughly.
7 Reasons Steel is a Sustainable Choice for Custom Barns
Many reasons make a steel barn a sustainable choice for farmers across various regions of the world. Here are the most important ones. You can go through them and understand why steel is the best choice if you want custom metal barns and want to focus on sustainable business practices.
1. 100% Recyclable & Eco-Friendly:
Building manufacturing factories causes carbon emissions, which is not good for the environment. The emission increases as the demand for buildings increases. It creates a lot of waste and landfills when the structure is of no use anymore. Steel, on the other hand, can be recycled, so it creates less waste and leads to no landfills.
A custom steel barn can be used for at least 50 years if maintained properly. So, till this period, there will be no need for a new building. There is no new demand, no construction, and no carbon emissions.
2. Reduced Deforestation:
Wooden barn construction requires wood cutting. It can lead to deforestation and habitat destruction. The increasing demand for wood leads to excessive tree cutting. It negatively impacts the ecosystem. You can preserve forests by choosing steel agricultural structures. It might be a small contribution, but when it comes to saving the planet, minor contributions also matter.
You can help to maintain biodiversity and contribute to a more sustainable future. And for this, you will not have to compromise the barn’s durability, longevity, designs, and structural integrity.
3. Long Lifespan with Minimal Waste:
Barns require frequent repairs and replacements, which leads to material waste over time. You have to invest time and money to maintain them. However, steel barns can withstand decades of use. They need low maintenance because of their resistance to corrosion, pests, and weather conditions. A longer lifespan means less waste, and fewer materials end up in landfills. So, with minimal resource consumption, a steel barn can become an environmentally responsible building.
4. Energy-Efficient Construction:
Steel barns can be insulated easily with single bubble, double bubble, woven R-17, and other insulating materials. It helps steel structures maintain inside temperature in all months. The inside environment of the barn remains cool in summer and warm in winter, so livestock, workers, and anyone and anything can feel comfortable regardless of the weather.
This energy-efficient process will reduce your electricity bills. Moreover, you will not need to add extra systems to maintain comfortable temperatures inside the barn. However, choose the insulation options carefully after analyzing your region’s climate.
5. Resistance to Pests, Fire, & Weather:
Wooden barns are vulnerable to termites, mould, and decay. Excess moisture can cause rot and damage to the wooden barn. You will need to invest in pesticides to get rid of termites and other insects. However, you can be free from these steps when you choose a steel barn because it is resistant to pests and fire. It doesn’t warp like wood; instead, it stands firm against all weather conditions.
But for such a sturdy structure, choose the best quality steel. Select thicker steel components if you farm near a coastal area, tornado-prone region, or heavy rain climates because then structures should be strong enough.
6. Lower Maintenance & Fewer Repairs:
Steel is also a sustainable choice because of its low maintenance. Unlike wood structures that can warp and rot over time, steel’s quality remains intact. You can clean the prefab barn easily, requiring few materials and tools for cleaning. It creates less waste for the earth and helps to maintain sustainability.
Likewise, you will not have to buy new parts for repairs, causing less stress on resources. With fewer repairs, you can keep the customized steel barn in better condition for several years.
7. Faster & More Efficient Construction:
Steel barn construction takes 50% less time than traditional barn construction. Pre-engineered steel components are the main reason for quick construction. Workers do not have to construct parts on-site; they just use the prefab components and join them as per the client’s specifications for the building. It creates less or almost no on-site waste.
Cutting, fitting, and adjusting the metal barn happen in a factory. Then, these parts are assembled on-site. That’s why they can be installed quickly and put into service faster and more efficiently.
Benefits of Sustainable Farming Practices
Until now, we have learned that steel is sustainable. But what are the benefits of following sustainability in agribusiness? Let’s understand this so you do not get confused while deciding on a structure.
● Improves Soil Health:
Crop rotation and organic fertilizers are sustainable farming practices that many farmers follow not only in the USA but also in different parts of the world. This is because healthy soil retains nutrients and moisture, which is important for better yields. And when you pair it with a steel barn, which requires minimal ground disturbance during installation, you avoid excessive soil compaction. It leads to preserving soil structure and fertility.
But, when you install a prefabricated structure, ensure minimal excavation. It will help to protect the soil’s integrity, which often gets affected due to deeper excavations. So, choose the right anchors and opt for foundations that don’t disrupt the natural soil layers.
● Conserves Water:
We all know water scarcity is a big concern. If you use smart irrigation, it will help reduce water wastage by up to 60% (FAO Report, 2023). Steel agricultural structures with a vertical roof style help in better runoff management. You can store this water and use it for irrigation. Moreover, you can easily integrate rainwater harvesting systems into steel buildings, which will also control water wastage.
With customization options, you can plan the structure while keeping water conservation in mind. Add features that ensure your building design captures and stores water efficiently. Steep roof slopes will help you achieve the same. It enhances water flow toward storage tanks to maximize water conservation.
● Promotes Biodiversity on the Farm:
Sustainable farming practices also help in promoting biodiversity on your farm. Practices like integrated pest management and creating habitats for pollinators boost farm productivity. Moreover, metal structures do not release harmful chemicals into the surrounding environment like concrete and wood. It makes your land suitable for flexible designs so you can integrate green spaces easily.
This way, you can leave space for native plants and natural habitats. They can flourish around your farm and make it more favorable for the natural growth of flora and fauna. It encourages biodiversity on the land, which will make the land even more fertile for different crops. More yields mean more profit.
● Helps in Climate Change Mitigation:
According to the USDA, sustainable farming can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% to 20%. Steel buildings support this goal by being 100% recyclable. It reduces deforestation and promotes energy efficiency. Insulated structures and reflective steel roofs can lower cooling costs. And hence, they help in reducing energy consumption on the farm.
To install such a structure on the land, you need to find a reliable metal building dealer. It provides the best quality steel structure that stands the test of time and is energy efficient. The right partner helps to keep energy costs low and reduce the carbon footprint of your farm.
● Reduces Farming Costs:
You must be thinking about how sustainable practices reduce farming costs. In the long run, sustainable farming reduces input costs while boosting yields. As you know, prefab barns lower maintenance costs, reduce energy bills, and have a lifespan of 40+ years without major repairs.
So, you save money not just through farming practices but also by choosing the right, eco-friendly structure.
For this type of structure, you will need to search for durable steel structures with low maintenance requirements. They will save on repairs and energy costs. Also, consider customization options so you can modify the structure as needed without investing in one more new structure when the business grows.
Choose the Right Step Towards Profit with Sustainability
Steel Barn can be the right step towards sustainability because of the reasons covered above. It allows you to reduce the environmental impacts of construction projects. Its building parts are manufactured in a factory, so they cause fewer landfills. Their lifespan is way longer than traditional barns, they require low maintenance, and withstand harsh weather conditions; everything contributes to your commitment to sustainability.
Running an agribusiness is difficult, and focusing on sustainability can be even more difficult while maintaining profitability. Steel structures help you come out of this dilemma. It might seem a small step, but it gives you a sense of satisfaction that you are not exploiting resources like others and can still run the business effectively.
