No matter the purpose of your barn, it’s important to maintain a comfortable interior temperature during warmer weather. With a few tricks and tweaks, you can make sure that the inside of your barn stays cool all summer long.
Choose Location Wisely
If you’re building a new barn, be sure to choose the location with temperature in mind. When it comes to keeping the interior cool, the location of your barn can have a significant impact. If possible, try to place your barn near large trees so that the structure will be shaded throughout the day.
Additionally, it’s beneficial to build your barn in an area that tends to get more of a breeze on summer days. That way, air will flow through the barn more easily when you have the windows or doors open.
Open Windows and Doors
One of the easiest ways to keep your barn cool during the summer is to open up the windows and doors. Try to open as many windows as possible, as this allows for more breezes to flow through your barn.
You can also open up the barn’s doors to further maximize and circulate the airflow. If your barn has doors on either side of the building, try opening them both to let the air pass through the barn from one end to the other.
Install Fans
Another method for keeping the temperature inside your barn at bay during the summer is to install some fans. Fans do a great job of circulating fresh, cooler air throughout the barn, as well as pushing hot air out of the building.
Without a proper ventilation system, the interior of your barn can become full of humidity and condensation, and fans are effective at preventing this from happening. If you keep animals or livestock in your barn, a ventilation system is even more important. It’s crucial to keep your animals healthy and comfortable during the summer heat.
Insulate the Building
Insulation is key when it comes to regulating the temperature inside your barn. While many people think of insulation as a way to keep a structure warmer during the winter, it can also help to keep your building cooler during the summer.
In addition, insulation is especially important if you store items in your barn that can be damaged by extreme heat. Adding insulation to your barn’s roof, floor, or walls can work wonders when it comes to preventing hot air from entering the structure and cool air from escaping.
Use Air Conditioning
If you plan on spending a lot of time working inside your barn this summer, air conditioning may be necessary to keep yourself (and others) comfortable. Depending on the size of your barn, there are a few different options when it comes to air conditioning.
If your barn is on the smaller side, a window A/C unit or two will likely be enough to keep the barn at a comfortable temperature. However, for large barns, duct systems are usually best, especially if you host events in your barn.
Keep in mind that if you decide to add air conditioning to your barn, you’ll probably need to insulate it as well. That way, the cool air from the A/C will stay indoors.
Add Awnings
Installing awnings over your barn’s doors and windows can significantly reduce solar heat gain during the summer. In fact, window awnings can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows.
Opt For Lighter Paint Colors
Just like the way darker-colored cars get hotter in the summertime, barns with a dark paint color will do the same. To prevent your barn from absorbing more heat, consider using a lighter paint color for the roof and siding.
This isn’t to say that you need to repaint your whole barn. However, if you’re building a new barn or think it’s time for some fresh paint on your current one, a lighter-colored paint will help your building’s roof and siding to reflect the heat from the sun rather than absorb it as darker colors do. As a result, the interior of the barn won’t get quite as hot.
With a few adjustments, you can keep your barn cool and increase the comfort level during hot summer days. In the market for a barn shed? Check out our Signature High Barn, Signature Mini Barn, and Compass High Barn.