Deciding on purchasing a horse barn to accommodate your horse can be difficult. We understand that your horses are important to you and that you want what’s best for them. That’s why we wrote this article to help you make the right decision.
Do Horses Really Need Shelter?
Not all horses need shelter, this depends on a few factors. Things like environment, horse breed, and the horse’s health all play a role in whether a horse requires shelter. Here are some scenarios where it would make sense to utilize a horse barn:
Thin-Coated/Clipped Horses
Certain breeds like Arabian horses, thoroughbreds, as well as any clipped horses can have difficulty tolerating cold temperatures. This is where a horse barn can be beneficial as you can provide some protection from the cold.
Extreme Weather
If you live in an area where temperatures can get extremely cold or hot, you want to be sure that your horse(s) can tolerate the climate. You can ensure their comfort and safety with a horse barn, whether it’s keeping them cool in the shade, or indoors away from the cold, horse barns can aid your equestrian friends.
Donkey Accommodation
Accommodating a donkey can prove to be difficult as donkeys don’t have a waterproof coat and therefore shouldn’t be kept outdoors.
Protection
Horses are susceptible to many things in the great outdoors that can be harmful to their comfort and overall well-being. This includes things like wind, flies, and the sun. Wind can make a horse skittish, as well as impair their ability to hear.
Flies can cause all sorts of issues for your horse like biting and causing sores, depositing larvae, and spreading disease. Also, horses can be susceptible to photosensitivity and sunlight can cause redness, scabs, and other health issues. Horse barns can keep your horses away from the wind, give you a place to hang up fly traps, as well as keep your horse in the shade.
Horse Age Accommodation
When horses are at a very young age or at a very old age, they need extra care and attention. Young horses, for example, are susceptible to the cold and will be better off indoors. Older horses also have increased vulnerability to wind and precipitation, so giving them a place to stay dry is recommended.
Sick/Injured Horse Accommodation
If your horse becomes sick or injured, it will require extra care. This will include many things from changing their diet, to raising their feed and stabling them. A horse barn can help you keep your horse indoors and safe as they take the time they need to rest and recover.
Horse Barn Benefits
A horse barn can be a great investment for you and the livelihood of your horses. From weather protection to extra storage, let’s go over the benefits of horse barns.
Early Training
When your horses are young, they can be a bit difficult to manage. A horse barn can help you with their grooming as well as early training until your horse is ready to roam free on their own.
Easy Monitoring and Protection
Whether you’re keeping track of your horse’s feed consumption or manure production, a horse barn can help you immensely, not to mention, when it’s time for cleanup, everything is in the stall. Aside from keeping track of your horse’s overall health, it also protects your horse from potential predators.
Weather Protection
Depending on the climate you live in, the weather can have a negative effect on your horse’s well-being. If you live somewhere particularly hot, it may be a good idea to provide your horse with some shade to prevent overheating. Also, being outside during rain, snow, or high winds is not favorable for your horse either. A horse barn can help you with all these scenarios.
Extra Storage
A horse barn isn’t just great for keeping horses, it can also double as a storage space. Store anything from equipment to extra feed and supplies.
Horse Barn FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about horse barns.
What Type of Shelter Does a Horse Need?
In order to provide your horse with optimal protection from the outdoors, your horse would need at minimum, a 3-sided, well-constructed shelter. Check out our horse barns for some options.
How Big Does a Horse Barn Need to Be?
Depending on the size of the horse the recommended size of your horse barn stalls will vary. According to an article from Penn State University, the recommended stall sizes for a horse barn stall range from 10×10 to 12×12. You can check it out here!
Do Horses Need a Heated Barn in the Winter?
While you may think that heating your horse’s barn in the winter seems like a good idea, this is far from the truth. To heat an enclosure, you require an almost airtight space, this is the opposite of what the horse needs. Just keep the winds blocked by barn walls and your horse will do fine in a horse barn so long as the air circulation is good.
Keeping your horse barn well-ventilated allows for the reduction of moisture buildup, saving your hay, as well as keeping mold at bay.
How Long Can Horses Stay in the Barn?
Properly maintaining your horse is very important to your horse’s well-being, this includes giving them enough grazing time and not leaving them unattended for too long. Even though a horse can live in a stall 24/7, this is not good for the horse.
You should give your horse a minimum of 12 hours of outdoor grazing time and remember to not leave your horse unattended for more than 10 hours. It is important to interact with your horse and spend quality time to build stronger relationships and keep your horse happy.
How Much Value Does a Horse Barn Add to a Property?
The amount that a pole barn can add to the value of your home varies. According to many different appraisers, they can all agree that you can expect an increase in value anywhere from 50%-80% of the cost of the horse barn.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, whether your horse needs a barn or not depends on many factors. This can range from the climate you live in and the state and age of your horse. Not every horse needs a barn, but a horse barn can be beneficial to your horse. At the end of the day, it’s your decision to do what’s best for your horse. Feel free to explore our site and see our variety of horse barns styles, tips to design your own horse barn, and more!
Shed Row Barns: A Helpful 2-Question Guide
Imagine you’re at a horse race. The crowds are cheering. Colorful banners are waving. You now see the horses come onto the track. The crowd erupts as their favorite riders appear. Horse racing is a great sport and highly entertaining. However, financially, racetrack owners want to maximize efficiency. This arouses the problem of how to keep the horses in stalls that don’t cost a lot of money and at the same time provide enough air for the racehorses’ lungs. Shed row barns are the answer.
What Is A Shed Row Barn?
In simplest terms, a shed row barn is half of a traditional barn. A traditional barn is basically two rows of horse stalls separated by a spacious center aisle. A shed row barn is basically just one side of horse stalls, often including an overhang to protect the horses from the elements. It’s been an efficient way of housing a lot of horses in a small amount of space, while at the same time not cramming horses in tight stalls. Most likely due to their efficiency and simplicity, shed row barns have been used for many years as a way to house horses.
2 General Types Of Shed Row Barns
Basically, there’s two types of horse shed row barns: single shed row barn and double shed row barn. The only difference is that a double shed row barn has 2 sides open to the elements (front and back) while the single shed row barn only has 1 side (front) open to the elements.
The Different Shed Row Barn Designs
As with most types of horse sheds, there’s plenty of different designs to choose from. Let’s break down several of the main designs.
L-Shaped
There’s a couple of advantages to the L-Shape design. One is privacy and the other is management. An L-Shaped horse barn can offer more privacy than a single-line horse shed row just by it’s simple wraparound. If you’re one that enjoys not having others watch your horses all the time, an L-shaped barn may be a good option.
The other advantage is management. As a trainer or owner, you can easily view all your horses at the same time, allowing for easier management.
U-Shaped
A U-Shaped shed row barn is basically an L-Shaped barn but with an additional shed row.
There’s not too much to be said for this design other than that it is also a great way to stay involved with all the activity of what’s going on at the stables.
Square-Shaped
The square-shaped design is great if you have a lot of horses but still want to have easy management over them.
Single Line-Shaped
The single-line horse shed row is definitely the simplest and cheapest option. It’s a great way to house a couple of horses while at the same time not spending the extra money for an L-Shaped or U-Shaped design. It’s also not as expensive as a full-scale traditional horse barn. However, if you live in an area that doesn’t get very cold, a single-line barn is a great and affordable option.
What We Offer
Fisher Barns offers single line shed row barns that start at around $6,000.
Some of the standard features include white pine board and batten siding. In case you’re not familiar with board and batten siding, this type of siding is an older siding type. Featuring vertical boards of siding instead of horizontal, board and batten siding gives a different look than a lot of siding options. What also makes it even more unique is its small vertical strips of wood that cover the seams. Historically, in order to keep the air out of the building, these thin strips of wood were attached along the seams. Of course, with newer methods of keeping a building airtight, the thin strips of wood covering the seams serve a more decorative purpose now.
Another standard feature that we offer on our shed row barns are lifetime architectural shingles, providing quality protection from the elements.
Each stall also comes standard with one door and one window. This allows for your horse to receive plenty of fresh air and ventilation.
Although we didn’t cover all of the standard features, this should give an idea of what our shed row barns include. Of course, you can always learn more about our horse shed row barns by visiting our Shed Row Barn Page.
What’s more, is that you can also customize a horse shed row with our different customizable options in our 3D Horse Barn Designer.
From the type of door to the color of the exterior siding, our 3D Horse Barn Designer has many different customizable options that allow you to create your horse barn.
The Overhang
Horse shed row barns often have an overhang. The overhang size can vary depending on the type of shed row barn. Some horse shed rows have a built-in, open walkway passing in front of the stalls. In this case, the overhang could be several feet in length to cover the “breezeway.” However, if there’s no open walkway or “breezeway,” the overhang could be much smaller.
Although the overhang does not provide complete protection from wind, rain, cold, and other elements, it does provide ample protection from the brunt of Mother Nature. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper to have a roof overhang than to have your entire walkway or shed row enclosed.
Door Types
This is something that will vary depending on your local horse barn dealer. Several of the different door types out there for horse barn rows include sliding doors, dutch doors, split sliding doors, and swing doors. We offer split sliding doors, dutch doors, as well as other options that can be added to your shed row barn.
Tack Room
A tack room is often an option that comes with a shed row barn. It’s much more efficient to have the tack room right by the stables. Of course, a tack room is something that can be included on our shed row barns.
Pros And Cons
Although we may have mentioned some of the pros of a shed row barn already, here’s a quick overview of the pros, as well as some cons, to a horse shed row barn.
Although prices will vary from company to company, shed row barns roughly cost somewhere between $4,000-$24,000. Of course, there may be pricing that is higher or lower than the price range just mentioned, but this should give you a rough idea of cost. Keep in mind, customizable options and add-ons will affect the cost as well.
As we mentioned earlier, we offer shed row barns that start at about $6,000.
Wrapping It Up…
Well, there’s a basic overview of what a shed row barn is, including the different designs, pros/cons, and basic costs. To put it in perspective, a shed row barn is a great option if you need a horse barn large enough to house several horses, but still cost-effective. If you would like to design a one with our customizable options, click the button below. Of course, shed row barns are not the only type of horse barn that we offer: see our horse barn page or read an article outlining our best horse barn styles. If you’re interested, we also have a helpful article on modular horse barns and another article on horse lean-to’s. Plus, we do more than just horse shelters. We also offer storage sheds, pre-manufactured garages (learn more in this article), and more! And as always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us! Happy horse barn hunting!
As Mitch Hedberg once said, “It’s hard to fight when you’re in a gazebo.” Although this may be a rather abstract connection, gazebos are often associated with peace, happiness, and just simple tranquility. Gazebos also add beauty to a backyard; instead of simply having a flat lawn, a gazebo can add culture and variety to a backyard while also changing the environment of your yard into a haven of rest and relaxation. In this article, we’ll take a look specifically at 10×12 gazebos, although a lot of this information may be relevant to other gazebo sizes as well.
For the one or two nerds who may be reading this article, here’s a brief history of the word gazebo. The word “gazebo” seems completely abstract and random, but it’s history is very fascinating. The meaning of the word is found by breaking up “gazebo” into two words “gaze” and “ebo.” “Gaze” means simply what it means in modern English: to look steadily or intently. In Latin, “ebo” means “I shall.” To sum it up, the word “gazebo” means “I shall gaze.” And gazebos do just that: they add beauty and value to a backyard like few outdoor structures can.
Back to 10×12 gazebos, hopefully through this short post, you can better understand the backdrop of 10×12 gazebos and also be able to learn more about different types of gazebos and different gazebo sizes as well. Hopefully, we can also answer some questions that you may have regarding 10×12 gazebos as well. So if you want to learn more…let’s dive in!
Is It Cheaper to Build Your Own Gazebo?
Before we get into specifics, keep in mind that it is very difficult to pinpoint specific prices because there are many different variables that can affect the price of a gazebo. Some of the factors that affect pricing include size, type of material (which we’ll talk about later), shape, site preparation, customization, and more. For example, there are many different shapes of gazebos ranging from fully round to oval to dodecahedron, which is a 12-sided gazebo. We’ll now look at the price differences between buying a gazebo kit, buying an actual gazebo, and building your own.
Buying A Kit
Typically, buying a kit can range from $1,500-$10,000 although you could possibly buy a gazebo kit for as low as $325. Although price can vary drastically, you’re probably going to spend somewhere under $5,000. There are different opinions related to what exact pricing might be for a gazebo, but the general idea is that gazebo kits can be on the more affordable end; however, you still have to keep in mind whether you want a contractor to assemble it for you or if you will build it yourself.
Buying A Gazebo
Simply purchasing a 10×12 gazebo and having it delivered and installed at your property is probably the simplest way; but then again, it isn’t the most cost effective. According to HomeAdvisor, a 10×12 gazebo could cost about $3,000-$7,500, which is fairly affordable, considering a structure that is durable and spacious. We’ll talk more specifics about the potential for a 10×12 gazebo later. Generally speaking, Backyardscape puts the average cost for a gazebo at $6,400, while kompareit puts the cost of buying a gazebo between $2,000-$10,000. Of course, we offer 10×12 gazebos on our website as well. If you want to see specific pricing for our 10×12 gazebos, click here to fill out a quote.
Building Your Own
Generally, on the low end, the cost to build a gazebo yourself might be around $1,500-$2,000 although it can of course cost much more.
Conclusion
Typically, building a gazebo on your own is the most cost-efficient way to purchase a gazebo. One of the ways cost is cut is that instead of paying a contractor for labor costs, you’re putting in the labor yourself. Keep in mind, however, that you most likely are not a professional at building gazebos, leaving the door open for mistakes such as wrong measurements or other blunders. Depending on how bad you blunder, you could be paying a lot of extra money to have the problem solved. Plus, it leaves room for potentially having a less durable gazebo, simply because you may not know all the ins and outs of how to strengthen a gazebo or may just miss adding some support to the structure. On the flip side, if you want a DIY challenge and feel like you’re capable of building a gazebo, the money saved in the end and the satisfaction of building a gazebo by the sweat of your own brow may make the hard work well worth it.To check out more price specifications, HomeAdvisor offers a lot of information on gazebo costs and homepromag writes about things to consider before purchasing a gazebo for yourself.
Why A 10×12 Gazebo Is A Good Size?
Gazebos come in all shapes and sizes, so figuring out what the best size gazebo is for your backyard can be difficult at best. Here’s a couple of the sizes that we’d like to highlight, but we’ll especially talk about the 10×12 gazebo. On the smaller end, there’s the 8×8 gazebo, which would be useful for smaller backyard ideas. Then there’s the larger 12×12 gazebo, which if you’re looking for the standard gazebo size, the 12×12 gazebo fits the bill.
10×12 Gazebo
10×12 gazebos are extremely practical and also spacious, providing for a small getaway place where you can comfortably invite your friends and family and enjoy a good time together while also not overspending on a massive gazebo that could cost thousands of extra dollars. Bigger than the smaller 8×8 gazebos but also not quite as large as a 12×12 gazebo, 10×12 gazebos give you the ability to dine comfortably in the middle of your backyard. A versatile gazebo size, the 10×12 gazebos could be used either for your barbecue or grill haven or a quaint chill place where you can relax and socialize with others. On the flip side, you may need a larger backyard for your 10×12 gazebo to fit to your backyard.
Conclusion
A good question to ask yourself is “What will I use my gazebo for?” If it will be used just by you or your family, it may be a good idea to buy a smaller gazebo. Of course, if you’re looking for a place to socialize with friends or cook and dine, a larger gazebo is your best bet. We recommend looking at the 10×12 gazebos because of their versatility in use and function.
How Do I Know What Size Gazebo I Need?
There are several factors to consider when thinking about what size of gazebo you need for your backyard.
Ask yourself the question: “What will I be using my gazebo for?” If it’s for dining or socializing with friends, a 10×12 gazebo or any size higher would probably be in your best interest. Narrowing it down even further, find out how large your social gathering might normally be or how big your family is (or will be) to find the right-sized gazebo. Also, think through what kind of environment you want to have in your gazebo. Do you want the gazebo space to be compact and small, yet quaint and orderly; or do you want your gazebo space to be spacious and roomy for many people.
What Type of 10×12 Gazebo Is Best?
There are several different types of gazebos. We’ll quickly show you a couple pros and cons for several types of 10×12 gazebos and then tell you what we offer.
10×12 Wood Gazebo
Wood gazebos are aesthetically pleasing and definitely give more of a rustic and attractive feel to your property. On the other hand, your 10×12 wood gazebo will require maintenance and several restains or repaints down the road. Also, if you give a poor maintenance job, your 10×12 wood gazebo may eventually become weaker over time.
10×12 Metal Gazebo
Typically, gazebos in this category are either made from steel, aluminum, or wrought iron. Some of the perks of purchasing a 10×12 metal gazebo include affordability and low maintenance. Usually, aluminum is the type of metal that is used for metal gazebos, which provides strength for your 10×12 metal gazebo. According to HomeAdvisor, several downsides of 10×12 metal gazebos are that they are not as protected from the weather conditions compared to vinyl or wood.
10×12 Brick Gazebo
The Pluses of a brick gazebo are that they are durable, they can survive against impacts, and in cold climates they can save heat within your 10×12 brick gazebo. On the flip side, brick gazebos are higher-priced and also if there is a foundation shift, cracks in your 10×12 brick gazebo may result.
10×12 Vinyl Gazebo
10×12 vinyl gazebos don’t need much maintenance; plus, the little maintenance that is needed is simple. On top of that, 10×12 vinyl gazebos won’t break overnight and will last you for a long time. A pitfall for a vinyl gazebo is that its appearance may not have the same appeal as a 10×12 wood gazebo may have.
What We Offer
We offer customizable gazebos that can be made with either wood or vinyl. Of course, we have a variety of gazebo styles, shapes, and sizes to meet your needs. Also, you can choose from designs that feature wooden columns and decorative trim, or designs with metal roofing. If you want to check out our gazebos page, click here.
If you’re looking for more information on the pros and cons of different types of gazebos click here.
Wrapping It Up…
If you’re wondering whether purchasing a 10×12 gazebo is worth it here’s a few things to consider. A 10×12 gazebo is a perfect place to relax and dine with others. On top of that, remember the added aestheticism that a 10×12 wood or vinyl gazebo could add to your backyard. Finally, your property itself will become more valuable with the addition of a 10×12 gazebo. On another note, a 10×12 gazebo may just be another place of happiness where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of work or house chores and simply enjoy a good evening with friends and family. Remembering back to the words of Mitch Hedberg, “It’s hard to fight when you’re in a gazebo.”
Anyway, if you’re looking toward more information on gazebos or are interested in downloading a brochure click the left button below. Or if you’re looking to design your own gazebo, click the right button below to submit a gazebo quote request now!
The 2024 Portable Garage Guide Everything You Need to Know About Portable Garages
This blog post is all about portable garages. If you are homeowner, a portable garage enthusiast (I just made that one up), or you’re just wondering what in the world a portable garage is, this post is for you. By the time you finish reading this, you will have answers to some of the biggest portable garage questions. If you are only looking for an answer to a specific question, take a look at the quick links below.
A portable garage is simply a garage that is not attached to your house, allowing it to be movable. This enables portable garage owners to place their garage in the most ideal location. Portable garages can be very convenient and much cheaper than a full out garage.
Within the portable garage category, there are different types of garages. Some of these portable garages are more portable than others. Below is a list of the three most common types of portable garages.
The Car Canopy
The first type of portable garage is the car canopy. This is the most portable type of portable garage. It is generally built with a metal frame that is covered in a fabric. The car canopy provides protection from sun, rain, and even snow. However, it is not generally designed to handle any harsh weather conditions. We do not offer car canopies here at Fisher Barns.
The Carport
The second type of portable garage is the carport. Carports vary in style. Some are designed with metal frames and fabric roofs and others with metal frames and roofs. Some have completely open sides and others have completely enclosed sides. Fully metal carports are very sturdy and provide protection under some the harshest weather conditions.
Wooden Portable Garage
The third type of portable garage is the wooden portable garage. The whole structure is built from wood with either a metal or shingle roof. They are the strongest and most durable of all portable garages and can withstand very harsh weather conditions. Because they are fully enclosed, they make great garages and storage barns. Fisher Barns custom builds wooden portable garages.
What is the best portable garage?
Choosing the right portable garage for you depends on your individual needs. There are several things you should consider when determining which portable garage is best for you.
Location
Depending on where you live, it may be necessary to get a sturdier portable garage. For example, areas with high wind or heavy snowfall may be too harsh for car canopies and you may need a heavier duty carport or wooden portable garage. Areas with high rainfall may also require a more protected structure. If you don’t know the average rainfall, snowfall, etc. of the place where you live, check out this website for information on state and city weather averages.
Intended Use
Your intended use for your portable garage will affect what type of garage you should purchase. If you only plan on using it for protecting your car, a car canopy or carport may be enough. But, if you plan on using your portable garage for storage of other items, a wooden portable garage or fully enclosed carport will be your best option.
How much does a portable garage cost?
As you would expect, prices vary depending on whether you are purchasing a car canopy, carport, or wooden portable garage. Prices also depends on size and other added features that you can request.
A 12×20 car canopy will cost anywhere from $300-2,000 while a 14×28 will range from $500-2,500. This price of course varies and some car canopies may be more or less than the these prices. However, most well-built car canopies will fall somewhere within this range.
A Fisher Barns economy two car carport starts at $1,185. Prices then increase depending on style, size, and additional features.
A well-built portable garage will last for a very long time. A quality car canopy can be expected to last anywhere from 10-20 years. A poorly built one will last a much shorter period. Carports from Fisher come with a 30-year minimum warranty and are expected to last much longer. Wooden portable garages come with a 5-year warranty and can be expected to last 25+ years.
Do I need a permit for a portable garage?
There is no simple answer to this question due to the variety of state and county laws. In many locations, no permit is required, and you need no permission to place a portable garage assuming you own the property. Elsewhere, you may be required to get a permit depending on the size of your portable garage. Your best option is to check with city or county authorities to get direct answer. By going this route, you avoid the inconvenience of having to pay a fine due to faulty information.
How do I reinforce my portable garage?
If you purchase a wooden portable garage or fully metal carport, no extra reinforcements should be necessary. However, in order to get the max out of your car canopy, it is often a good idea to add additional support.
Reinforced Floor
Reinforcing your car canopy floor is only necessary if it is set on a dirt or grassy area. In these situations, you have several options. One is to build a wooden floor. This is a great way to keep the items inside your garage from getting damp when it rains. Another option is to lay down gravel. This is much easier than building a wooden floor and can also help to prevent rain damage.
Reinforced Roof & Walls
Reinforcing the roof and walls of your car canopy will help it to better withstand bad weather like wind and snow. There are several ways to do this. One of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is with PVC pipe. In this video, a YouTuber shows you how to reinforce your car canopy in this way. Another option is to use wire or nylon rope to support the walls and roof. Visit this website to see how this is done.
If you are interested in purchasing a portable garage, check out the links below to get a quote or use our 3D Shed Builder to design your own.
It’s Time to Shine
So that’s it. Now you too are an expert on portable garages. Now get out there and show off your awesome knowledge. If you’re interested, we also got an article on pre-manufactured garages. If you are interested in purchasing a portable garage, check out the links below to get a quote or use our 3D Shed Builder to design your own (information on garage building permits in GA and garage building permits in SC can be found in our article).
Are you tired of clutter, sick of tripping over things, and wishing you just had more space. At Fisher Barns, we provide great storage solutions so that you can worry less about clutter and focus more on what’s important. Find your perfect structure today.
