When you build a horse barn, you expect that the barn will protect your horse from the elements. But have you thought about what you should be doing to protect your barn from those same elements? Rain, wind, and snow can take a toll on any structure. Here are some tips to help protect your barn during inclement weather!

Protecting Your Barn From Wind

There are a number of ways that you can protect your barn from wind. Protecting your barn begins with its initial construction. When you’re deciding where to position the barn on the property, you may want to find an area which is somewhat sheltered from the wind, if possible. It’s also important to consider the wind’s path when deciding on which direction to position your barn – you may wish to take advantage of the wind’s path by positioning your barn so that the wind travels down the aisle to keep things cool during the summer.

You probably won’t want wind traveling down the barn aisle during the winter, so invest in heavy-duty heavy-duty barn end doors which are appropriately sized and which fully cover the barn entrance when closed. Additionally, nail down any shingles that may come loose on your barn or roof. Good maintenance can help to avoid serious problems down the road!

Protecting Your Barn From Rain

In protecting your barn from the rain, you will want to make sure that your barn is appropriately painted in order to protect the exterior wood from moisture. Depending on the conditions in your area, you may need to repaint the barn every four or five years. Make sure that you always use a quality paint to protect your barn.

Good drainage can also help to protect your barn from rain. Rather than allowing the rain to pool around the barn’s base, install plenty of drainage to direct the rain away from your barn. Water sitting against the base of your barn can cause the wood to rot and can even flood into the stalls, so make good drainage a priority whenever you build your barn!

Protecting Your Barn From Snow

In areas which receive heavy snowfall, you’ll need to take additional precautions to keep your barn protected. When you first build your barn, discuss which pitch of the roof would be appropriate for the area with your builder or contractor. A properly pitched roof will help to encourage snow to slide off of the roof, but in particularly bad storms, you may need to use a roof rake to help with snow removal.

By protecting your barn from the elements, you can help to keep your barn in great shape for years to come!

Original Source: Protecting Your Barn From the Elements