Have you ever thought about what you'd do if you ran out of space?
Most people would eliminate a few items or send things over to the donate pile. Though, it might be different when running a farm operation.
We know that sometimes it's necessary to build a new pole barn or add to an existing structure, because it’s important to protect your equipment.
Yet the question we'd all like to have answered is, “What kind of post-frame building is right for me?”
In this article, we'll discuss four factors to consider when deciding between a farm shop or cold storage building.
Cold Storage vs Farm Shop: 4 Factors to Consider
1) What's the Difference?
Look no further if you've ever wondered about the difference between a cold storage building and a farm shop.
Even though all post-frame construction is unique, each building type serves a different purpose. One will benefit you more than the other.
Cold Storage
A cold storage building is an important asset to any farmer because it's a safe place to store machinery.
Typically, a cold storage building is used to store farm equipment, and and not too many additional features get added. Think of a post-frame building with large sliding doors, gravel flooring, and space to store farm equipment.
*A bonus of the cold storage style building is the cost-effectiveness. Price points can increase when you begin to add more bells and whistles.
Farm Shops
On the other hand, farm shops tend to have more of a finished look and feel. With insulated walls, interior liners, concrete flooring, and a heating/cooling system, it's no problem to spend an afternoon in the shop making repairs because it's a comfortable place to be.
Farm shops can be a great place to tend to equipment, and it's always nice to have a place to work year-round.
Ultimately, your farm shop would have a finished interior with insulated walls, electricity, and more.
2) Your Biggest "Need"
You're bound to find a post-frame building that’s right for you, but it may depend on your needs. Whether you're looking for extra storage, a place to work, or both, we’ll help you learn about all three possibilities.
A Place for Storage
If you've considered building cold storage, it can be helpful to check out some of our previously designed buildings.
Many farmers need a place that'll protect their equipment for years to come, and if that sounds like you, cold storage may be the way to go.
Our online design tool allows you to customize the floor plan, adjust the building dimensions, and find the right color.
A Place for Work
If you've thought about building a new farm shop, you've most likely considered how nice it'd be to have an indoor place to work during the hot summers and cold winters.
Farm shops are more than just storage places; they keep a farm running. We say this because there's always upkeep or repair, and your shop is can be a good place to do this.
Simply put, your farm shop can sometimes have everything that you need.
Work Space and Storage Space
If you're looking for the best of both worlds, you can design your post-frame building as a farm shop with cold storage.
Sometimes it might make more sense to build two separate structures, but there can also be benefits to building it all at once, and we want you to know that you have that option.
3) The Size of Your Post-Frame Building
It’s always important to consider the future of your farming operation. What could it look like 10 years from now? You'll want to build a structure that provides enough space for growth.
Equipment
Consider the amount of equipment that you'll be storing in your new post-frame building. We know that there's always a chance of needing more space, so it can be good to research what size building you'll need.
We find it easy to believe that every farmer will buy more equipment at some point, and it's always a worthy investment to protect that equipment with a cold storage building or farm shop.
Dimensions
Even though the dimensions will vary from person to person, we recommend considering every last detail when deciding on the amount of space needed.
Most commonly, farm shops range anywhere from 60 to 80 feet wide to 120 to 160 feet long.
Layout
The layouts are often different if we consider the purposes of farm shops vs. cold storage buildings.
Cold storage buildings are meant for storage. They're simple and to the point, so we'd most likely see a pretty straightforward layout.
Farm shops may have different tool rooms and office areas that can make their layouts a bit more unique or complex.
4) Features to Consider Adding
As we continue to look back and forth at cold storage buildings or farm shops, you'll need to determine what building features to include in your post-frame building.
The features of a cold storage building will be different from the ones in a farm shop, so it can be helpful to learn about your options.
Doors
One of the most important assets of your farm building are its doors. With several options, there are ways to save money and make your farm shop easily accessible.
The type of doors that we can recommend are:
- Sliding Doors
- Overhead Doors
- Walk Doors
Sliding doors are a more cost-effective choice when building any pole building. This type of door works well for oversized equipment and is also low maintenance.
Overhead doors can accommodate large vehicles, and they conveniently open and close with the push of a button in some cases, but they may be more fitting for a farm shop rather than a cold storage building.
Like walk doors, all your entries must be strategically placed. It's common for agricultural pole buildings to have a large door on each end. It makes the process of moving equipment around a bit easier. That way, nothing gets stuck in a corner without moving everything around.
Outlets
You'll want several outlets in farm shops and cold storage buildings. If repairs are needed, you'll need a place to plug in your power tools.
It's recommended to have an outlet for every four feet of working space or three to five feet throughout the room. That may sound like a lot, but it can be a lifesaver in the long run.
Lighting
Another important feature is lighting. Windows make a great light source, but a lighting sytem may be necessary if you plan to work during the evening.
If you'd like to use windows as a source of natural light, it's important to remember that windows result in a loss of heat during winter. For cold storage, this may only be a small concern.
If you're preparing to light your farm shop, we recommend seven different types of lighting:
- Standard "A" Bulb
- Tungsten Halogen
- Straight Tube
- Compact Fluorescent
- HID Metal Halide
- HID High-Pressure Sodium
- LED Light
If you're looking to maximize the exterior space of your pole building, lean-tos are a great way to add more usable space.
Whether you'll use your lean-to as a porch or as a place to park extra farm equipment, this addition can be great for a growing farm.
Storage Lofts
Have you ever considered building a storage loft? We don't see these as often in cold storage buildings, but they're a beautiful way to create more space.
Storage lofts are very versatile, and they're a helpful way to keep miscellaneous items off of the floor. Ensure enough headroom in your storage loft for anyone using it.
Office Space
Lastly, depending on your farming needs, it can always be worthwhile to consider adding office space, a breakroom, or a bathroom inside your farm shop.
Often, these farm shops and pole buildings become highly prioritized places on the farm, and we want to make sure that they'll best fit your needs.
Which Building Style is Right for You? Get a Free Quote.
The design online tool is a helpful way to visualize everything you want or need inside your pole barn. We'll give you a free quote after submitting your plan.
Ready to take the next step in the building process? Please call us at (800) 552-2981 or reach us online to determine your pole barn estimate.
Do you need to know if your idea is worth pursuing? You can request a rough ballpark quote without 100% committing to a post-frame project.
Do you have more questions about farm shops or cold storage buildings that are not covered in this article? If you need help designing and planning, please contact FBi Buildings at 800.552.2981 or click here to email us. If you're ready to get a price, click here to request a quote, and a member of our Customer Engagement Team will help you determine the next steps of your project.