7 Key Components of an Agricultural Warehouse

Agriculture is one of the most incredible lines of work: but if you don't have the right setup, you could be doing a season's worth of work for nothing. The modern farmer has turned to warehouses for storage of not only their crops but also their supplies and vehicles.

These are the main things you should want in your agricultural warehouse and why each of them matters so much.

Weatherproof Exterior

The main issue some people have in the long-term with poor quality agricultural warehouses is that they didn't pay enough attention to the exterior of the building. This means ensuring the structure can handle any rain, storm, heat, or other problem that may otherwise cause trouble.

Of course, you can build a 20,000 sq foot warehouse out of steel to ensure that it’s inexpensive, but the roof that’s on it, and the quality of the construction, should be high enough that you don’t have to worry about putting in countless dollars to repair or upgrade it.

Ways to Drain Moisture

Moisture can ruin anything that you want to store inside your warehouse. Whether that's crops, machinery, or raw materials, if water gets into it, you could run into some issues.

To ensure moisture is kept out, it’s a good idea to include things like continuous insulation throughout the building to create a barrier against moisture. Your warehouse should also have drains that allow any runoff water from machinery or goods to drain in a clearly marked space. Failing to do this can lead to severe moisture issues and damage that can be costly to repair.

Ample Space for Storage

When building your agricultural warehouse: ensure that it's larger than you initially need it to be. Not only will this ensure that you don't have to worry about growth over time, but it also means that if something happens with your crops and you need to keep separate sections in your warehouse: you have the ability to do so.

Always build within budget, but give yourself the room your business deserves so it can grow in time without you having to eventually build another agricultural warehouse.

Following Local Building Codes

The building codes of the area you're in will make a huge difference in how and what you can build. Look into your area's laws and ordinances, and make sure you're not breaking any by building. This includes following any rules about adding industrial pipe insulation, any height laws, and whatever storage rules are in place for your type of agricultural business.

Every area is different, and some are far sterner about their laws than others, so it's vital that you get to know what you should expect before you start building. Otherwise, you may have to take it down or face a major fine.

An Interior That’s Temperature Safe

The weather has been getting more unpredictable in recent years, so even if you've lived in a moderately comfortable area, it's a great idea to create a warehouse that's temperature-safe from the get-go. This is especially important if this warehouse is meant to hold vegetables and produce that need to be kept at safe temperatures before transit.

You can boost this further by paying attention to things like the placement of windows, your u value to r value, and how much insulation is in your roof and walls. Keeping the inside of your warehouse as temperature-controlled as possible can be a lifesaver.

Security Options for Peace of Mind

Your security is vital to ensuring that you can depend on your goods and machinery to be safe at all times. Having simple things like cameras and locks that few have the key to will make a world of difference in who can access your items. This warehouse is going to store a large portion of your livelihood, so it's vital that you take the time to ensure it's safe from trespassers and theft.

Plenty of Access for Vehicles

Vehicle access is a must for any warehouse. Not only is this useful for dropping off and collecting goods, but it's also vital for the storage of some vehicles if you don't have anywhere else for them to go. This will make it easier to load and unload goods and materials, as well as ensure that you don't have to worry about building a second warehouse for storage.

Make sure that if you decide to do any aerial storage, you use high-quality load-bearing metal studs and materials that can handle it. Although this may seem obvious, a misstep can be incredibly expensive.

Your Agricultural Warehouse Can be a Game Changer

When you're planning your property or deciding to add something to a property you already work on, it's vital that you create safe and usable storage space. Agricultural warehouses give you the chance to turn everything around, so get the most out of them that you can.