Open-Sided · Enclosed · Ventilated · Commercial
From $3,795 · Rent-to-own, no credit check · Free delivery & installation
Most buyers shopping for hay barns think the job is simple: a roof, four posts, keep rain off the bales. That's half right. A proper hay barn also has to manage airflow (hay keeps curing for weeks after you stack it, generating heat and moisture), ground drainage (wet floors ruin the bottom layer of bales), UV protection (direct sun degrades hay nutritional value within weeks), and pest control (hay attracts rodents that attract snakes). Get any of those wrong and you'll lose 15-40% of your hay's feed value — or worse, face a real fire risk from wet hay heating up in a sealed barn.
Bulldog Steel Structures builds metal hay barns engineered specifically for how hay actually stores — from 12×24 single-bale shelters up to 60×80 commercial metal barns capable of storing 1,500+ round bales. Every hay barn ships with stamped engineering drawings, includes free delivery and installation in 30+ states, and qualifies for our rent-to-own program with no credit check.
Freshly baled hay is not 'done.' Even hay baled at the recommended 15-18% moisture continues to cure for 2-6 weeks after stacking, releasing heat and water vapor the entire time. In a well-ventilated barn, that moisture escapes into the air. In a poorly ventilated barn, it settles into the bottom and middle layers of the stack — where it can trigger microbial growth, mold, and in extreme cases, spontaneous combustion.
This is why hay barns are different from general storage buildings. A sealed-up metal shed works great for lawn equipment or workshop tools — it's a disaster for hay. Our hay barn designs lead with airflow, then add weather protection as a secondary priority. Specifically:
The standard hay barn setup. Maximum cross-ventilation. Bales lose residual moisture to the air rather than into neighboring bales.
Hot moist air rises and escapes continuously. Critical on enclosed or semi-enclosed designs.
Cross-ventilation at the ends of the barn. Included standard on all our enclosed hay configurations.
Separates bottom bale layer from ground moisture. The single biggest preventable cause of hay loss.
Hay doesn't need direct wall protection in most climates — but it does need the stack kept dry from rain blowing in horizontally. 2-4 ft overhangs handle this without sealing the barn.
Hay storage capacity depends on bale type, stack height, and whether you're storing with aisles for retrieval. Here are the practical numbers for the most common operations.
| Barn Size | 4×5 Round Bales (3 high) | 5×5 Round Bales (3 high) | Large Square Bales (3×4×8) | Small Square Bales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20×30 | 60-80 bales | 45-60 bales | 20-30 bales | 400-600 bales |
| 30×40 | 150-200 bales | 110-150 bales | 55-75 bales | 1,000-1,400 bales |
| 40×60 | 350-450 bales | 260-340 bales | 130-175 bales | 2,400-3,200 bales |
| 50×80 | 800-1,000 bales | 600-750 bales | 300-400 bales | 5,500-7,500 bales |
| 60×100 | 1,200-1,500 bales | 900-1,200 bales | 450-600 bales | 8,000-11,000 bales |
All prices include free delivery and professional installation on prepared level ground within our 30+ state service area. Rent-to-own available on every size with no credit check and no interest.
| Size | Configuration & Hay Storage Capacity | Starting Price* |
|---|---|---|
| 12×24 | Small open hay shelter, 288 sq ft, 15-25 round bales | $3,795 |
| 18×24 | Open hay barn, 432 sq ft, 35-50 round bales | $5,495 |
| 20×30 | Open hay barn, 600 sq ft, 60-80 round bales | $7,295 |
| 24×30 | Standard farm hay barn, 720 sq ft, 85-110 round bales | $9,495 |
| 24×40 | Medium hay barn, 960 sq ft, 120-160 round bales | $11,995 |
| 30×40Most popular | Standard farm hay barn, 1,200 sq ft, 150-200 round bales | $13,995 |
| 30×50 | Mid-size hay barn, 1,500 sq ft, 200-275 round bales | $17,495 |
| 30×60 | Mid-size hay barn, 1,800 sq ft, 250-330 round bales | $20,995 |
| 36×48 | Large hay barn, 1,728 sq ft, 250-330 round bales | $22,495 |
| 36×60 | Large hay barn, 2,160 sq ft, 320-420 round bales | $26,995 |
| 40×60 | Commercial-grade hay barn, 2,400 sq ft, 350-450 round bales | $29,995 |
| 40×80 | Large commercial hay barn, 3,200 sq ft, 500-650 round bales | $37,995 |
| 50×60 | Commercial hay barn, 3,000 sq ft, 500-625 round bales | $35,995 |
| 50×80 | Large commercial hay barn, 4,000 sq ft, 800-1,000 round bales | $49,995 |
| 60×60 | Commercial hay barn with wide entry, 3,600 sq ft, 700-875 bales | $42,995 |
| 60×80 | XL commercial hay barn, 4,800 sq ft, 1,000-1,250 round bales | $54,995 |
| 60×100 | Full commercial hay facility, 6,000 sq ft, 1,200-1,500 bales | $65,995 |
| 80×100 | Industrial hay operation, 8,000 sq ft, 1,800-2,200 bales | $89,995 |
*Starting prices for open-sided configuration (3 walls or fewer), 14-gauge framing, 29-gauge painted panels, standard anchors on level prepared pad. Enclosed configuration adds 25-35%. 12-gauge framing upgrade +15%. Vertical roof upgrade +25% (strongly recommended on sizes 30 ft wide and larger). For buildings outside this range, see our extra large metal sheds (up to 50×80 enclosed configurations) and metal barn prices (full barn category pricing).
The biggest decision in hay barn design isn't size — it's whether to enclose it. Open-sided barns save 25-35% on cost and provide dramatically better ventilation, but they expose hay to driving rain, pests, and livestock. Enclosed barns protect hay but need proper ventilation design to work with hay chemistry.
| Factor | Open-Sided Hay Barn | Enclosed Hay Barn |
|---|---|---|
| Price (30×40 barn) | $13,995 | $18,995 |
| Ventilation quality | Excellent (natural cross-flow) | Good with proper ridge vents |
| Rain protection | Good (top and sides covered; driving rain can reach stack edges) | Excellent |
| Theft prevention | Low | Good (with secure doors) |
| Livestock access | Livestock can reach hay (problem for shared pastures) | Blocked |
| Rodent / wildlife access | High | Low with sealed walls |
| Snow buildup risk | Low (snow slides through) | Moderate (roof load matters) |
| Best for | Small-to-mid farms in mild climates | Commercial operations, severe weather, theft zones |
Yes. Bale shape changes how much protection the stack needs, how many bales fit, and how much aisle space you leave for retrieval.
Round bales shed water well on their own (the round shape sheds precipitation) and don't need the same density of overhead protection as square bales. Open-sided hay barns work excellently. Key consideration: aisles for tractor retrieval. Each round bale needs about 8 ft of maneuvering space when being placed or removed. A 30×40 barn holds 150-200 bales but typically includes 10-14 ft wide aisles for tractor access.
Square bales stack tighter than round bales (no wasted space between round edges) but they absorb water aggressively if ANY part of the stack gets wet. A single bad water event can ruin an entire stack. For square bale storage, consider enclosed designs or at least 4 ft overhangs on all sides. Capacity is dramatically higher per square foot for square bales — a 30×40 barn holds 1,000-1,400 small square bales (vs 150-200 round bales).
Many farms store both. Our 30×50 and larger hay barns can be configured with a divided layout: one section open for round bales, one section enclosed or more sheltered for square bales. Partition walls add about $8-$12 per linear foot.
Five engineering details that decide whether a barn protects your hay for 50 years or fails in its first big windstorm. Also read: Understanding the Top Barn Roof Styles.
Open-sided barns face very different structural stresses than enclosed buildings. Wind loads hit the roof and exit the open sides — a properly engineered open hay barn uses heavier-gauge framing or additional bracing to handle this. Shortcut-engineered buildings fail in high-wind events.
Standard metal building eave heights (8 ft) don't work for hay operations. You need 10-12 ft minimum to accommodate tractors with loaded front-end loader buckets, large square balers maneuvering into the barn, or stacked round bales reaching 15+ ft high in center. We default to 12 ft eave on hay barns 30 ft wide and larger.
Site prep for a hay barn matters more than for most buildings. The pad should slope 1 inch per 10 feet AWAY from the barn center toward the perimeter, so any water that enters (driving rain, snowmelt) drains away from the bales rather than pooling under them. Our installation crew works with buyers on site prep requirements before delivery.
A hay barn interior needs to be column-free for the length of the span. Our pre-engineered frames achieve 30 ft, 40 ft, and larger clear spans with no interior support posts that would block bale stacking or retrieval.
Wood pole barns rot where posts meet soil, exactly where hay meets the ground. Steel posts anchor to the concrete or auger-anchor system without buried wood. 50+ year lifespan with basic maintenance (see our metal building maintenance guide for details). Wood pole barns require post replacement every 15-25 years.
Hay loss is the hidden cost of inadequate storage. Round bales stored in the open field (no cover) typically lose 25-40% of their feed value to weather exposure over a storage season. A $150 round bale that loses 35% to weather is $52.50 in lost feed value — per bale, per year.
| Storage Method | Typical Loss Per Bale | Cost on 100 Bales ($150/bale) | Years to Pay for 30×40 Barn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor, uncovered | 25-40% | $3,750-$6,000 lost/year | 2-4 years |
| Tarped / plastic wrapped | 12-20% | $1,800-$3,000 lost/year | 5-8 years |
| Open-sided metal hay barn | 2-5% | $300-$750 lost/year | — |
| Enclosed metal hay barn | 1-3% | $150-$450 lost/year | — |
No credit check
Hay barns don't pay for themselves if you can't afford the upfront cost. Our rent-to-own program solves that: no credit check, no interest, and every monthly payment builds equity in a barn you'll own outright.
Approval based on income verification, not credit score. 15-minute application, same-day approval typical.
Total cost is a reasonable markup over cash price — no compounding interest, no hidden fees.
36-month, 48-month, or 60-month plans. Monthly payments on a 30×40 hay barn typically run $300-$465.
We work with small farmers and ranchers who often have seasonal cash flow. RTO lets you spread the cost across good and lean months.
Pay off any time with no prepayment penalty.
Five kinds of operations, and the barn sizes each one typically orders. Also read: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Rent-To-Own a Metal Pole Barn.
The largest buyer segment. Typically a 20×30 to 30×40 open-sided hay barn for annual hay operation. Often ordered alongside a general-purpose equipment shed or workshop. Often combined-use with livestock shelter — see our Modular Horse Barns if your operation includes horses needing stalls.
Horse operations typically use a 24×30 to 30×40 hay barn separate from the main stable, placed 50-100 ft from the stable for fire safety separation. Many boarding operations order the hay barn and the horse facility together as a combined-build package.
Larger operations needing 500-2,000 bale storage. Typical builds: 40×60 to 60×100 enclosed or semi-enclosed hay barns with equipment pass-through designs. Often configured with a livestock feeding bay alongside the main hay storage.
Commercial hay operations need large-scale storage (1,000+ bales) with easy loader access. Standard builds: 50×80 to 80×100 enclosed hay barns with 14-16 ft eave heights, commercial roll-up doors, and sometimes concrete flooring in the equipment access zones. Often paired with a small office area.
Smaller operations storing 20-80 bales annually for a few animals. Standard build: 12×24 or 18×24 small hay shelter, often combined with a general storage area. These buyers frequently combine hay storage with general equipment storage in a single building — see extra large metal sheds for larger combined-use builds.
Standard framing, panels, and a ventilation package on every hay configuration — plus the upgrade path for wind, snow, and loader clearance.
14-gauge galvanized steel standard (10-year warranty) or 12-gauge upgrade (20-year warranty, +15% cost, strongly recommended for open-sided hay barns 30 ft wide and larger where wind loads are concentrated on the roof and columns).
29-gauge painted steel standard (20-year paint warranty) or 26-gauge upgrade (40-year paint warranty). Barn red, white, forest green, and galvalume are the most popular hay barn color choices.
Same panel specs as roof. Partial walls (3 or 5 ft kickwall) available for semi-enclosed designs that preserve ventilation while blocking livestock access.
Ridge vents along the peak + gable-end louvers on all hay configurations. Cupola upgrades available for premium ventilation ($295-$895 each).
10 ft minimum on standard hay barns, 12 ft recommended, 14-16 ft available for commercial builds with loader access needs.
Mobile home anchors (for concrete pads) or auger anchors (for dirt/gravel pads). Hurricane-strap anchoring available for severe-weather zones.
90-170 mph depending on roof style and gauge. Open-sided hay barns benefit most from the 12-gauge + vertical roof combination in windy regions.
20-50 psf depending on roof style. Vertical roof upgrade strongly recommended for snow country — our complete barn roof styles guide covers climate-based roof selection.
10-20 year framing warranty, 20-40 year paint warranty depending on gauge selections.
Prepare a well-drained pad, and our 2-4 person crew handles the rest. You can start moving hay into the barn the day installation wraps.
Order placed, specifications confirmed, pad prep begins on your end.
Factory manufacturing.
Materials arrive at your site. Installation crew assembles in 1-5 days depending on size.
For most small-to-mid farm operations in mild climates, open-sided wins. Ventilation is dramatically better, cost is 25-35% lower, and hay loss from occasional driving rain is less than the ventilation benefit over a season. Choose enclosed if you're in a severe-weather zone, have theft concerns, need to block livestock access, or store primarily square bales (which absorb water aggressively). Our complete breakdown is in the 'Open-Sided or Enclosed' section above.
Freshly baled hay continues curing for 2-6 weeks after stacking, releasing heat and moisture. In a well-ventilated barn, that moisture escapes into the air. In a sealed building, moisture settles into the bale stack, triggering mold, feed-value loss, and in extreme cases spontaneous combustion (830+ hay barn fires per year nationwide). All our hay barn configurations include ridge vents and gable-end louvers standard to prevent these problems.
The metal barn itself won't catch fire (steel doesn't burn), but the hay inside can. Spontaneous combustion risk comes from hay being baled too wet (above 18-20% moisture) combined with inadequate ventilation to let the heat and moisture escape. Properly ventilated metal hay barns with ridge vents, gable louvers, and appropriate stack spacing make this risk effectively zero. Steel's fire resistance means that if a fire DOES start in the hay, the barn structure survives and firefighters have a stable structure to work in — critical advantage over wood construction.
A 24x30 or 30x40 metal hay barn handles 100 round bales comfortably. The 24x30 ($9,495) holds 85-110 bales depending on stacking — perfect if you have exactly 100 bales annually with little growth expected. The 30x40 ($13,995) holds 150-200 bales — recommended if your operation might grow or you want aisle access for tractor retrieval.
In most agricultural zones, hay barns are exempt from building permits (treated as agricultural accessory structures). In zones that do require permits, we provide stamped engineering drawings showing exact wind rating (90-170 mph), snow load (20-50 psf), and structural specifications. Always verify local requirements with your permit office or county extension before ordering.
Both can store hay effectively if properly designed. Key differences: metal (steel) hay barns cost 30-45% less than wood pole barns at comparable size, install in 1-5 days vs 4-8 weeks, resist fire/rot/termites that compromise wood construction, require $30-80 annual maintenance vs $200-500 for wood, and last 50-60+ years vs 25-40 for wood. Wood pole barns retain an aesthetic appeal some buyers prefer; metal wins on every practical factor.
Yes. Our open-sided hay barns are engineered to accept wall panel additions as a later upgrade. Add kickwall (3-5 ft) for livestock blocking at $4-$7 per linear foot, or full enclosure walls for 25-35% of the original build cost (typically $4,000-$12,000 for retrofit on a 30x40 to 40x60 barn). Many buyers start open-sided and enclose later as their operation grows or weather needs change.
Yes — common combinations include hay + equipment storage, hay + horse stalls, hay + workshop space. For horse operations needing stalls and hay together, our modular horse barns are designed with integrated hay loft or adjacent hay storage options. For hay plus general equipment or workshop combinations, extra large metal sheds accommodate mixed-use configurations well. Partition walls to separate hay from other uses cost $8-$12 per linear foot.
Bulldog Steel Structures delivers metal hay barns throughout 30+ states covering the East Coast, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, South, and parts of the Southwest. Free delivery included for all addresses within our service area. Call with your ZIP code to confirm your specific delivery zone and timeline.
3-6 weeks later, our crew is at your prepared pad building your hay barn. You're stacking bales inside by the end of install week.
Reference the pricing table above. Most small-to-mid farms land on 24×30, 30×40, or 40×60. If you're unsure, size up — the marginal cost of a larger hay barn is minimal vs the cost of outgrowing it in year 2.
Call or submit the online form with your ZIP code, selected size, and open-sided vs enclosed preference. We confirm delivered pricing within 24 hours.
Cash buyers place a deposit. Rent-to-own buyers complete a 15-minute application (no credit check) for same-day approval.
Delivering to 30+ states. Check your service area
I'm really happy with the way my building turned out! Due to living in city limits I had to make changes to my original plan but working with Bryan made it easy. He was great to work with!
Bulldog Steel Structures is fantastic. We had a 24'x40' garage built with two 10' garage doors, an entry door, two windows and fully insulated for under $16,000. The whole experience was so easy. Our salesman was Bryan Valadez. Bryan was so helpful and was easily available to answer my questions. Rebekah Aldridge handled all the documents and signing of them. The whole process was great. The building is well constructed and the crew that erected it were courteous and cleaned the worksite afterwords thoroughly. They did an excellent job in a time efficient period. Our experience with Bulldog Steel Structures was just great and we highly recommend them.
I'm in early stages, just put deposit on building. I reviewed about 10 quotes and worked with many vendors in the space to assess. Constance from Bulldog Steel Structures made the experience fabulous and was key in our decision making. It's so refreshing to see a company like this have such outstanding client facing service. We are excited and huge shout out to Constance and the team. Bravo!
I have purchased two structures/buildings from them and have been greatly satisfied. From "idea to implementation" it has gone smoothly. I love the idea of having one single point of contact (Noah) for any questions or concerns. The install crew comes in and gets right to work and the quality is the best I have seen. Highly Recommend!
I worked with Bryan Valadez in putting together my bids for a 2000 SF shop/garage. He was great to work with, very quick to respond and answered all my questions and concerns during several very thorough conversations regarding my project. I recommend you give Bulldog a shot when searching for your next building, their pricing was very good compared with some of the others, and they just seemed to have it very together for their process. Great Job, thanks Bryan. Jason
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I called and spoke to Bryan. With some back and forth he helped me finalize the design (40x100 foot print). I placed my order and had to wait for my King County building permit to be issued. Once the slab was completed the installation team arrived with all the pieces. They got right to work and the building was completed in 8 days !!! I would highly recommend Bryan and Bulldog to any one :) Many thanks john in the pacific northwest
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Great to deal with. Building went up with no problems.
I had a great experience with Bulldog Steel Buildings. The representatives were able to help me move from the online design to an actual building design to meet my goals. They set up the delivery and installation which turned out great. Installation was scheduled quickly after the foundation was done; and the building was completed within 2 days. Pricing was reasonable, and I'm very pleased with my new building.
Bryan was great- honest, helpful, responsive and knowledgeable. I will call him if I ever need another steel building
This company is the real deal. They go over and beyond to satisfy their customers. It is a joy to work with them. They are very knowledgeable and efficient. I looked forward to finishing my project with them.
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Hey folks - these people at Bulldog are real. Noah helped me all the way through - extremely patient and knowledgeable. He answers most often and when he doesn't it's easy to get another HUMAN to speak with. I looked at several companies for this project - I settled on the right one. If you wind up doing business with Brian - you're in luck there to. Outstanding work - worthy of trust.
I purchased a 26x32 Garage from Bulldog Steel Structures they had it finished in two days. It looks really nice and the install crew was great. I’m thinking of getting another building and I will definitely contact Bryan Valadez again at Bulldog.
Great experience from start to finish. The sales process was easy and Casey helped me revise my plans several times to get the right building for my needs. Communication was excellent! The build crew was on time, friendly and professional. Beto took the time to understand what cutouts I needed and why I needed them in the sizes planned. Exceptional work. Highly recommend. Thank you!
I would recommend Bulldog Steel Structures highly. They are very professional and accommodating. Want to give special thanks to Randall Hall and also matt preslar. They were very accommodating and helping me fill out paperwork and handling things when a timely basis. The building we were very satisfied with and the installers also were very polite and had things done on a timely basis. Thanks again Randall and Matt you`ve got my five star rating
Bulldog has been great to work with. They explained everything from beginning to end. I live in the mountains of New Mexico and the staff made sure that my garage had the right support needed for this area of the country. I would highly recommend them for anyone building a new carport or gaeage!
Good design tool on their website. Great customer service.
Have had nothing but a positive experience with Bulldog! Bryan was super helpful and still is after our install! He still responds super prompt and helpful. No complaints about our structure, as it looks amazing! Installers did a great job and picked up very nicely after they were done. Highly recommend!!
I have now had my building in place for 3 months and I want to say that the whole team at Bulldog was very helpful throughout the entire process. My salesperson, Matthew, was extremely responsive. He was very helpful with the design phase, where we went back and forth with 3-4 different designs before settling on the perfect one. He always got back to me right away when I had a question. Although the delivery was delayed, understandable with the pandemic, he helped interface with Carolina Carports when I had delivery questions. So far I have no issues with the completed building. No leaks and all the doors are functioning perfectly. I would highly recommend using Bulldog for all your metal building needs.
Frank Rangel was very helpful and respectful. Also very understanding. I was pouring a concrete driveway and trying to put my down payment down. I may of got a little frustrated in the middle of it all. I could see the smile on Frank`s face the whole time! Thank you sir!
This is my second building from bulldog and I`m buying the same building , just different colors. They are great buildings that are strong and economical.
Excellent customer service during my order process, answered all my questions and they were very patient.
The website was very flexible and helped me customize my carport. The Bulldog staff was very prompt and helpful throughout the process.
Put up a RV cover for me on a concrete pad. Turned out great and the guys cleaned up after the work. Very satisfied. Would recommend these people.
I love my “She Shop.” It was amazingly easy. I sent an email, made 2 phones calls and it was done. The installation went even easier. Three guys showed up one day and finished the next. They were polite and cleaned up after themselves. My husband’s friends are all very impressed with the construction and materials used but were amazed at the reasonable price. I could not be more pleased. Thank you
I visited their website and used the 3D estimator and was able to see my building with doors, window placements, colors,and overall look. When you add or change any feature, including size, you can immediately see the result and change in price (if any). You can rotate the structure to see the overall look and framework. Once I placed my order, it was quickly and efficiently handled and the cost was lower than the estimate on the website The installers showed up early one morning and by noon the next day they had completed the structure. Everyone that comes by remarks on how nice it looks. I am very pleased with every aspect from ordering to installation.