Buying and developing property for homesteading is becoming increasingly popular with people wanting a more sustainable lifestyle. When you purchase homestead property, it will likely need upgrades, such as to the building frames, water-collection systems, or food-production systems. Here are four ways you can use steel structures and fabrication to develop your homestead.
One of the first upgrades you will likely consider is structural. Most of the buildings on the property will likely be made of timber trusses, beams, and frames. This timber, though stable, can be improved upon with steel beam reinforcement. This upgrade comes with several benefits.
The leading advantage of steel beam reinforcement is improved durability. In addition to standing up to high winds, steel also will not mold or rot. You can also benefit from the steel reinforcement since steel does not allow termites and similar destructive insects to burrow and cause damage to the beams and trusses.
When rainwater collects in traditional guttering, or is allowed to run off naturally, it can cause issues. For example, if you have cheaper metals as a material for your guttering, standing water can cause rust and damage to the guttering. If water stands in areas around the roofline during a natural runoff, it can get under shingles or along roof lines and cause wood rot.
Steel guttering helps reduce some of the issues. Steel gutters, when coated with zinc, can make rust less likely and allow your guttering to last longer. This guttering option, though sometimes more expensive, can add to the building’s durability and reduce repair costs that you may normally face without them.
Water collection and reuse is a process that many small farms are using. The process of rainwater collection and gray-water use helps to reduce costs for agricultural businesses, allowing them to push budgeting in other directions. If rainwater collection and storage is on your list of things to accomplish, then a steel water-collection tank may be ideal.
Steel water-collection tanks have several advantages. One of the main ones is the durability of the tank. It can withstand various weather conditions. The steel tanks can also keep water safe and store it for long-term storage or for quick use.
You can also have the steel water tanks placed above ground and connected to the guttering system you have in place. Consider adding additional features like lids, hatches, ladders, and spouts to the steel water tanks.
You may have certain areas of the homestead set aside for seasonal farming, gardening, and food production. In addition to these areas, you may want to create areas where high tunnels will be built. These high tunnels allow you to grow crops year-round in various climates and through climate changes. They also allow you to house food-production systems, such as hydroponic systems.
These high tunnels can be built from different materials, depending on your needs. One of the options is to use steel supports. Just like with other buildings, the steel supports will hold up to winds and help protect the production inside of the high tunnel. The steel can also help support heavier equipment like watering systems and systems connected to large hydroponic production without the concern of bending under the weight.
As a steel services, fabrication, and supplies provider, Morgan & Slates Manufacturing & Supplies can offer you several services to help you upgrade your homestead. If you are ready to move forward with your plans, contact us today and we can help you design and build custom steel parts and equipment.
