Category Archives: Uncategorized

How To Prevent Pole Barn Condensation

Monday, 16 December 2019 07:33

Ashley Johns

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No matter what you store in your pole building in Ohio, whether it’s livestock or antique cars, a dry interior is essential. Problems with insulation include things like mold and mildew, ice dams, trapped moisture, and especially condensation. Here are some tips on how to prevent pole barn condensation, according to our custom post frame builders in Ohio.

Ventilation

For starters, condensation occurs when warm air comes in contact with a cold surface. The level of condensation depends on temperature and dew point. One crucial aspect of condensation control is ventilation. For farm buildings in Ohio, a vented soffit and ridge are both great solutions for proper ventilation.

Insulation

The next crucial ingredient in preventing barn condensation is insulation. Without adequate insulation, farm buildings in Ohio can experience many structural problems such as rusting metal and wood rot. To help avoid condensation, insulating your barn with spray foam, for example, can really help.

Vapor Barrier

A vapor barrier is another great solution to condensation control. It is a material that retards water vapor migration and is typically installed on the inside surface of insulation. Vapor barriers can also be installed under the concrete slab, which helps avoid mold, cracks, and radon gas. There are many vapor barriers to choose from, but many builders for agricultural buildings in Ohio suggest Americover’s polyethylene plastic sheeting, Thermax insulation, or OSB.

With over 30 years of experience building custom pole barns in Ohio, MQS Structures will help you build the barn of your dreams from start to finish. For additional questions on how to prevent pole barn condensation, feel free to give our builders a call or by leaving a message on our website. If you’re ready to start the construction process for a pole building in Ohio, you can receive a free price estimate on our website as well.

Building Tips for Snow Loads

Monday, 09 December 2019 06:11

Ashley Johns

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When custom post frame builders in Ohio build a pole barn, one thing they always keep in mind is snow load. If you plan on constructing a pole building in Ohio, here are some building tips for snow loads.

What are Snow Loads?

Snow loads refer to the amount of force from snow a building can withstand, with one cubic foot of snow weighing anywhere from 10-20 pounds. Obviously, the more compacted and wet the snow is, the more it will weigh. Snow loads also vary based on region.

Risks of Snow Loads

There are quite a few problems that can occur on a building that is not built with snow loads in mind. The first, and most dangerous, risk of snow loads is a collapsing roof. If your farm buildings in Ohio aren’t adequately built for snow loads and heavy snow is left on your roof for too long, there is the possibility of it collapsing.

A less extreme, but still detrimental, risk of snow loads is the formation of ice dams. This happens when a pole building in Ohio doesn’t have proper insulation. Basically, if the heat from inside rises to the attic, it will melt the snow on top, which will flow down towards the eaves and refreeze. When this occurs, the dam will start to grow and eventually drip through the roof.

Building Tips

• Purlin Spacing – How far apart you space purlins will depend on how much snow your region typically gets during the winter. The closer spaced = purlins are, the more weight the roof can hold. Additionally, closer spaced purlin transfer snow more evenly.
• Drainage – A good drainage system will help you avoid ice dams and prevent melted water from pooling around your building. Additionally, make sure you clear your gutters from debris to prevent it from freezing.
• Consider Snow Distribution – The direction of your agricultural buildings in Ohio and where rooflines join are important considerations for the distribution of snow. Because of wind, snow doesn’t fall straight down, which means an uneven distribution of snow on some parts of the roof. To avoid this, you’ll need to pay close attention to the building orientation.

The best way to ensure your building can handle snow loads is by hiring professional custom post frame builders in Ohio. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. You can also request a free price estimate for custom pole barns in Ohio right on our website.

Tips for Winterizing Your Pole Barn

Tuesday, 03 December 2019 06:58

Ashley Johns

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With December here, it’s crucial that your pole building in Ohio is ready for the cold weather of winter. There are a few important steps to take and things to check to ensure your barn can handle the inclement weather and keep you warm. Here are some tips for winterizing your pole barn, according to custom horse barn builders in Ohio.

Clean the Gutters

Clogged gutters during the winter put your farm buildings in Missouri at risk for forming ice dams. It’s crucial to remove any debris from gutters so that melted snow has a way to runoff and so water doesn’t freeze within the debris and cause damage to the gutter system.

Check the Ventilation

No matter what you use custom pole barns in Ohio for, ventilation is essential. A good ventilation system provides necessary airflow to a building for healthy indoor air quality for you and your animals. Without ventilation, the air will become stagnant, and mold and mildew issues can arise.

Check the Insulation

During the winter, adequate insulation is essential for the contents and/or animals inhabiting your agricultural buildings in Missouri. Without insulation, you can damage your equipment, machines, and create inhumane conditions indoors.

Stall Mats

Stall mats are always a great addition to any pole building in Missouri that house animals during the winter. These rubber mats protect your floors, allow you to use less bedding, make cleaning your floors easier, and help reduce ammonia levels.

For more information and tips on winterizing your pole barn, give MQS Structures a call. Your farm buildings in Missouri are important for the safety of your animals and other equipment dwelling inside. Give it the attention it needs this winter to ensure you and your animals have a healthy winter.

Four Maintenance Tips for Pole Barns

Friday, 25 October 2019 06:37

Ashley Johns

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Pole barns are excellent buildings for many reasons; one of those reasons is that little maintenance is needed. However, just like any building, problems will arise if not appropriately maintained. There’s no reason why a pole building in Ohio shouldn’t last forever, and by taking care of it, you can guarantee that it does. Here are four maintenance tips for pole barns according to custom horse barn builders in Ohio. 

1. Roof Inspection

One of the best things anyone can do to a building they own, whether it is residential, commercial, or even a pole barn is to inspect the roof annually. Doing so will allow you to catch any leaks before they become a bigger problem and avoid needing expensive repair on your custom horse barns in Ohio. 

2. Check the Siding

Along with inspecting your roof, it’s also recommended that you check the siding of your building too. From weather to debris, it’s easy for the side of farm buildings in Ohio to get dented. An easy way to prevent more damage to siding is to install wainscot. It is much easier and cheaper to replace wainscot than replacing an entire wall.  

3. Clean the Floors

No matter what your floors are made of, whether that be dirt, gravel, or concrete, it will require cleaning. However, the cleaning process will be different for each. For example, dirt and gravel flooring will need to be resurfaced every few years. This is especially true for a horse barn where muck seeps through and begins to smell.  

4. Fix Damage Early

Lastly, the best way to maintain the overall structure of your agricultural buildings in Ohio is to fix the damage early enough. Like we mentioned earlier, by completing roof inspections and checking for leaks, you can make any necessary repairs before it becomes a more serious problem. 

For more tips on maintaining the quality of your farm buildings in Ohio, contact the pole barn specialists at MQS Structures today. Our custom horse barn builders in Ohio will be glad to share more tips and tricks with you so you can keep your pole barn in tip-top shape.  

Benefits of Using a Pole Barn for Storage

Wednesday, 16 October 2019 05:32

Ashley Johns

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A pole building in Ohio can be used for practically anything of your choosing. One thing a pole barn can be used for is storage! Everyone can benefit from having more storage room in their life, and there are many benefits of using a pole barn for storage.  

Save Money 

As custom post frame builders in Ohio, we believe the first advantage of using a pole barn as a storage unit is the cost savings. You may be wondering, “Why would I build a barn for storage when I could just rent one? I’d save so much money that way.” While paying a monthly rate to rent a unit at your local U-Haul may be much cheaper upfront than constructing a pole building in Ohio, think about how much you will save in the future when your pole barn is paid off.  

Space 

Obviously, the main reason why you would get a pole barn built on your property is for the space. Custom pole barns in Ohio offer great additional storage space. This is especially true if you own a farm, warehouse, or large equipment or vehicles.   

Convenience 

If you currently rent a storage unit somewhere, can you imagine how much more convenient having a storage barn right on your property would be? No more paying monthly bills, no more driving to and from the rental facility, and easier access! 

Customizable  

With pre-built storage units, you are typically limited to specific sizes and shapes. However, if you get a pole barn built by custom horse barn builders in Ohio, you can customize it according to your specific needs! Along with size, you can customize it even more by adding features like attic space.  

If you’re tired of traveling to and from your current rental unit, want more storage room, save money, and have a space customized to your liking, the team at MQS Structures can help! With our custom pole barns in Ohio, we guarantee you’ll be wishing you’d contacted us sooner. You can view our gallery of previously built farm buildings in Ohio on our website, as well as receive a free estimate!