Written by Rocky Mountain Metal · Reviewed by Micah Hostetler, Owner · Based in Penrose, CO, serving Colorado.
Ventilate a livestock barn; don't seal it. Animals constantly produce heat, moisture and ammonia. In Colorado's dry climate, cool air in at the eaves and warm air out at the ridge keeps it fresh without drafts.
Key takeaways
- Ventilation removes moisture and ammonia, which matters more than warmth.
- A ridge vent plus eave openings is the backbone of a naturally ventilated barn.
- Dutch doors, end doors and windows give you control season by season.
- Orient the barn so the prevailing wind crosses it, not straight down the aisle.
- On a steel roof, control condensation; don't insulate to make the barn warm.
Why do barns need to breathe?
A horse gives off a lot of water vapor every day through breath and manure, and cattle more. Add ammonia from urine and dust from hay and bedding. In a closed barn humidity rises, condensation forms on the underside of the steel roof and drips back down, and respiratory problems follow. Animals tolerate cold far better than damp, stale air. A barn only a little warmer than outside with good air is healthier than a warm, closed one.
How does natural ventilation work?
- Ridge vent along the roof, where warm, moist air rises and leaves. Use a vented ridge made for metal roofing that keeps snow out.
- Eave intake. Openings or vented closures at the eaves let cooler air in low, which pushes warm air up and out. Screen them.
- Cross ventilation. Dutch doors on stalls, windows and end doors let you open the barn up in summer and close it down in a blizzard.
- Additional roof vents on longer barns add exhaust area.
Warm air rising works even on still days, and wind adds to it. Together they exchange the barn's air many times an hour without a fan.
Ask about vent and window options when the building is planned. They're far easier to include in the order than to cut into a steel building later.
How should I orient the barn and place openings?
- Set the barn so prevailing wind crosses the building. Wind straight down an open aisle is a winter wind tunnel.
- End doors on both ends give you a summer breeze and the option to close one in winter.
- Put stall Dutch doors on the lee side where possible so horses can have the top open more of the year.
- Windows and translucent panels where available add light without much heat.
How much insulation does a livestock barn need?
Only enough to keep the steel roof from dripping. A condensation-control layer or modest roof insulation keeps the underside of the panels above the dew point. Don't insulate the walls and seal the barn to make it warm; you'll trade a cold, healthy barn for a damp, unhealthy one. The tack room, feed room and any plumbed space are the exceptions. See how to stop condensation in a metal building.
When do I need fans?
Most small Colorado barns don't. Fans help in a barn that can't be opened up in summer heat, over stalls in still weather, and in a fully enclosed arena. Keep fans and wiring away from hay and dust.
What changes in winter?
- In a blizzard, close the windward openings and leave the ridge and lee eaves working.
- Don't pile snow against eave vents.
- Frost on the underside of the roof means the roof is too cold for the moisture load; add ventilation or roof insulation.
- Keep aisle doors closable but don't seal the barn. A cracked door on the lee end keeps air moving.
How do I get airflow designed in from the start?
Rocky Mountain Metal sells steel-framed metal buildings only. We look at your site, talk through how you keep your animals, and plan door, window and vent placement with you before we place the order with 1st Choice Metal Buildings and Carports. The manufacturer's crew from Texas installs the building, and we oversee the project. See agricultural buildings and our service area, then request a free quote. Related: how big should a horse barn be?
Frequently asked questions
Won't a ventilated barn be too cold?
Animals with a dry coat and no draft handle Colorado cold well. Damp air and ammonia are what hurt them. Ventilate, and blanket a horse that needs it.
Do I need a ridge vent on a metal roof?
For a livestock barn, yes. It's the main exhaust for warm, moist air. Use a vented ridge made for metal panels.
How do I stop the roof dripping in the morning?
That's condensation. Add roof insulation or a condensation-control layer and increase ventilation. See how to stop condensation.
Should stall fronts be solid or open?
Open grills or bars above a solid lower wall let air move through the barn and let horses see each other, which most do better with.
