New American Barn - clear roof panels? Yes or No?

[beth2304]

I am in the process of building a new American Barn (3 stables) with attached individual run outs - so two doors to every stable, plenty of air, a very high roof & not a large commercial building.

I am just not sure whether to have clear roof panels? The front sliding doors will hopefully be half-glazed (they are very expensive!) Whilst I love the feeling of light I am worried about solar heat gain in the summer as it isn't in a shady spot. Thoughts anybody?? Thank you!

 

[Tiddlypom]

No.

Lovely and light in winter, roasting hot in summer.

 

[beth2304]

No.

Lovely and light in winter, roasting hot in summer.

Thank you - my thoughts were this. Or maybe just a couple near to the entrance but then I'll have light from the half glazed doors so probably not needed.....

 

[marmalade76]

No.

Lovely and light in winter, roasting hot in summer.

Agreed. Plus they deteriorate quicker than the rest of the roof IME.

 

[ycbm]

Definite no, for TPs reasons. They are also much weaker than solid panels, we have to double up the clear ones to stop them breaking in the wind.
.

 

[Meredith]

Also I have heard that horses are more frightened during thunder and lightning. I’m afraid I don’t know if it is true or why.

 

[PurBee]

I agree, no, not clear - way too hot.

Also consider the flies…midges and horseflies in particular do not go into the depths of my horses barn. Its dark in there. Dark and cool in summer. The most annoying biting bugs hang around the entrance and dont like the dark/cool interior, as my horses go in there to escape them.

To keep it cool in summer, whatever roofing you go for, go for the lightest colour to reflect sunlight and minimise solar gain, so the stabling keeps cooler, in the hottest weather.

The difference in colour is astounding for solar gain. I’ve painted a shed, that was externaly faced with OSB light brown board, with dark green paint. The difference in heat in there since painting it darker is amazing…really hot like a greenhouse!

So if you could go for white/light green/light beige roofing….you wont regret it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

No, I learnt that from my first wooden stables! Like an absolute furnace, nice in winter but I paid extra not to have them when we moved and have to buy more! I’m so pleased I made that call!

 

[hollyandivy123]

for preference i like barn which do not have solid walls, they have vertical spaced out slats from about 2/3rd up the solid wall, permits better ventilation and in the winter you can add wind break material to stop excess in the winter.

this brings in more light

 

[windand rain]

No but if it is an apex roof I would have a lot of ventilation in it, and add opening vents if affordable

 

[beth2304]

Thank you for all of your input! Solid roof it is, no clear panels Really appreciate your time leaving comments!

 

[beth2304]

No but if it is an apex roof I would have a lot of ventilation in it, and add opening vents if affordable

Roof trusses & membrane already in place so can't do that, although I do love the look of them!

 

[beth2304]

for preference i like barn which do not have solid walls, they have vertical spaced out slats from about 2/3rd up the solid wall, permits better ventilation and in the winter you can add wind break material to stop excess in the winter.

this brings in more light

Hi, we have this in our old stables & due to our location (high/very windy/rainy) it didn't work so well - lots of wet bedding.....Great idea for less exposed sites, though.

 

[beth2304]

I agree, no, not clear - way too hot.

Also consider the flies…midges and horseflies in particular do not go into the depths of my horses barn. Its dark in there. Dark and cool in summer. The most annoying biting bugs hang around the entrance and dont like the dark/cool interior, as my horses go in there to escape them.

To keep it cool in summer, whatever roofing you go for, go for the lightest colour to reflect sunlight and minimise solar gain, so the stabling keeps cooler, in the hottest weather.

The difference in colour is astounding for solar gain. I’ve painted a shed, that was externaly faced with OSB light brown board, with dark green paint. The difference in heat in there since painting it darker is amazing…really hot like a greenhouse!

So if you could go for white/light green/light beige roofing….you wont regret it.

 

[beth2304]

Thank you - hadn't thought colour would make such a difference! Great to hear your experience

 

[Surbie]

I'm in a barn with some clear panels - or they perhaps used to be. They are now orange, so when the morning light hits them my bedding is ALL orange. I can't muck out till the evening when I can see what is clean and what is dirty...! That's my excuse anyway.

It IS lovely and cool though - half the rear wall is slatted with trees along the outside so rain is mostly caught on the foliage but the wind still gets through.

The first DIY yard I was on closed & has now reopened with a new shell on its barn. I guess for cost saving it now has no windows behind the stalls and is a dark green colour. It's pretty hellish in there when it's hot.

 

[rabatsa]

I went for an insulated roof on my stables and it was well worth the extra pennies.