- January 11, 2024
One of the US states that barely receives snow and has fairly moderate weather all year round has to be Tennessee. The state is one of the highest producers of soybean, corn, hay, cotton, and wheat. And all these harvests need a proper storage space to give lasting value to the farmers. Though humans do not consume hay, it is the number one food source for livestock. So, a proper hay shed becomes a necessity.
Factors To Pay Attention When Buying A Hay Storage Shed In Tennessee
External Factors
Building Codes
Local zoning laws and building codes can be stringent and vary with place. Small sheds, like 8 x 10 or 6 x 8, do not require any permit in some areas. Larger ones may have to follow zoning restrictions. You can visit your county/ city website or office for more details.
Since Tennessee has active seismic activities, building codes require a design that can withstand earthquakes. Read Chapter 22, Steel, Tennessee Building Code 2012, available online for more details.
Setback From Other Buildings
A setback is the distance that must be left from property lines and other existing buildings when installing a new hay shed. Usually, it is 5 ft. from the rear and 2 ft. from the side property line. A large metal hay barn with a height of more than 10 ft. must follow zone setbacks.
Though steel sheds resist pests, a minimum distance from other structures will also ensure that pests such as termites or rodents are not transferred from one building to another.
Note: Failure to comply with any rules may lead to demolishing the entire structure. So, plan accordingly.
Road Access
If you don’t own livestock, you probably store hay for sale. Therefore, it must be accessible from the road for easy loading and unloading into the vehicle. After all, you wouldn’t want to carry hay bales over large distances. Having easy access to the road will save time, effort, and money in the long run.
Privacy
While selling and dispensing hay bales will bring in a lot of guests. So, your metal hay shed must be at a specific distance from other buildings like a farmhouse or barn for privacy. This will maintain a comfortable environment inside the living space while you sell your hay bales.
Space For Base
Plan your metal storage shed in advance. Remember that the foundation will be at least 8 to 10 inches larger in width and length than the main shed. As a rule of thumb, you can leave the size equal to your shed in front of the steel storage shed. This will allow enough space for building any vehicle’s foundation and entry or exit.
Size Of Metal Hay Shed
We are sure you have a budget when buying a metal shed. Go ahead and plan for size and design as well. It will help you avoid any surprises like hidden costs.
Here are some of the steel shed dimensions listed below:
| Common hay shed size(1000 to 4500 bales) | For 1000 bales ~ 59 ft. wide x 105 ft. long x 20 ft. highFor 2000 bales ~ 79 ft. wide x 158 ft. long x 20 ft. highFor 3500 bales ~ 89 ft. wide x 184 ft. long x 25 ft. high |
| One large round bale | ~ 30 sq. ft. floor space per ton (if stacked two high)~ 20 sq. ft. floor space per ton (if stacked three high) |
For example, an 11 ft. wide x 11 ft. long x 9 ft. tall steel storage shed can hold up to 4 tons of hay. We have noticed a growing trend for larger hay sheds as it allows easy loading and unloading.
Internal Factors
Ventilations
Tennessee has a mild climate year-round. So, hay bales must be kept in a dry place away from moisture. Any buildup of humidity can lead to mold development. This will decrease quality and lead to a loss of nutrients and inedibility. Heat production can lead to fire breakout.
Type Of Foundation
Dirt and gravel are the most inexpensive solution for hay sheds. You can also opt for concrete blocks, piers, and pavers. You can select a concrete pier and beam or concrete slab as a base for a large steel hay barn.
Tennessee has flooding and thunderstorms, so do not forget to raise the slab or foundation for better drainage.
Other Storage Items
Are you planning to store other equipment, machinery, or a few farm tools with hay? Hold on to that thought. It is best not to store any combustible items along with hay bales. Machines with no circuit breakers must not be kept with hay bales. Even a small spark can lead to fire within a few minutes.
Customization
With a metal hay shed, you get the freedom to design and customize the interior. For instance, you can get a clear span shed with no internal support columns. Steel sheds can be up to 40 ft. high, so you can easily stack more hay bales in less space.
Opt for siding that matches the existing building for a seamless curb. Since steel sheds are durable and robust, you will save money over time with low upkeep costs.
Will You Need Utility?
Place your steel shed near the utility line. This will reduce the cost of plumbing and electrical work to a great extent.
Consider Future Expansion
Your farm needs can vary with time. You may need more places for storing hay bales as your harvest increases. Metal hay bales can be easily designed to be expandable to fulfill future needs.
End Your Storage Struggles Now With Metal Shed
Get a steel storage shed for long-lasting durability and a quality structure that stays intact with time. Call Viking Metal Garages at (704)-741-1587 to book your steel storage shed today. We also offer a range of colors for our steel shed that you can match with an existing building to complete the look.
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