Modern farm sheds have come a long way from their rickety wooden ancestors. In fact, the structures currently being built in farms and agricultural businesses around Australia are designed with practicality and durability in mind.
If you’re adding one or even a few hay sheds to your farm, you may be looking for the best materials to create a sturdy and functional structure. In these instances, many individuals are opting for the skillion roof designs that are gaining popularity across Australia.
Understanding the Skillion Roof Concept
When you start shortlisting potential hay shed options, you’ll soon see that the most recommended structure involves a skillion roof. What exactly is a skillion roof and how does it differ from a traditional roof option?
Typically, a skillion roof involves a design that’s made up of only one slope. This means that the structure has a higher pitch than that of a traditional roof. This higher pitch creates a more distinguishable slope, which has numerous benefits. The most significant of these are highlighted below.
1. Skillion Roofs Offer Much More Space
For most people, the number one reason to install a hay shed is to create an effective storage space for everything from hay to farm machinery. In some instances, a person may not want to use an extensively large space to create a shed, which makes skillion sheds the best option.
These shed types can easily be set up flush against an existing building’s wall, minimising the need for a larger shed space. This shed design is also perfect for narrow spaces next to the garage or house. Without the extra wall needed, your shed also uses less space in its structure.
2. A Wide Variety of Customisable Features
A simple search of shed designs will quickly emphasise that not all modern options come in all shapes and sizes. While some feature three walls with the fourth side open, others have windows, shelves, and even glass sliding doors to double as more complex storage structures.
Some of the more common skillion sheds can be customised by adding any of the following features:
- Glass sliding doors
- Windows
- Personal access doors
- Roller doors
- Roof ventilation
- Concrete or natural flooring
- Roof insulation
- Fibreglass skylights
3. Quick and Simple to Set Up
Sheds that are easy to assemble are always a popular option. Since skillion shed structures generally only use one panel, they can easily be attached to an existing house or garage wall.
Furthermore, there are fewer materials required to build the necessary trusses and braces as the roof doesn’t have the standard ridges and joints. In addition to making the installation process simple, load distribution is more stable.
4. Perfect Solutions for Rainwater Harvesting
With water shortages in several areas across Australia, many farmers are resorting to rain harvesting. Typically this is the process where barrels are used to gather rainwater from roofs to later be used in gardens and crop fields.
Since skillion roofs slope, you can easily add a gutter to create a conveyance system that allows the water to run into your barrels. While this may not be your primary reason for using a skillion roof, it can certainly benefit your farming processes.
- Installation Can be Very Cost Effective
Erecting a regular building on your farm can be very costly. However, the use of fewer materials makes the overall cost much more cost-effective. In general, these structures are much cheaper than hip, gable or flat sheds. Keep in mind that you’ll also use fewer membranes in the construction process, leaving some funds in your budget for a few customised features.
6. Can Easily Accommodate Solar Panels
An effective way to approach modern farming is by using more sustainable methods in various farming processes. In some cases, this involves using solar panels to harness the sun’s energy.
If you already have a solar setup on your farm, you’ll be delighted to learn that the slope design on your roof means you can add additional solar panels. These will generate considerably more solar energy, making your system more efficient.
7. Creates a Streamlined Aesthetic
A modern farm setup is usually designed to be functional and well-organised as this makes operations run more efficiently. Skillion roof designs are streamlined and fuss-free which means they’ll easily fit into your farm setup. In addition to a simplistic design, you’ll also be able to choose a colour that blends in with your current architectural décor.
8. Weather Resistant
Another impressive feature of the skillion roof structure is that they are weather resistant, making them ideal for the Australian climate. Made with materials that boast a Category 2 Wind Rating, your shed will easily withstand storms, cyclones and any other harsh weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve already decided to add a shed to your property, you’re well on your way to a more organised space. The slope design offered by a skillion roof offers better drainage, impressive drainage and of course a streamlined aesthetic. The benefits of adding a skillion roof will ensure that you have a practical, cost-effective storage solution.