As we welcome the warmer days of May, it's the perfect opportunity to enhance your barn with well-designed windows that add both functionality and aesthetic appeal. At American Stalls, we offer custom-built barn windows that cater to the specific needs of your equine facilities. Here’s a closer look at the options available and the benefits they bring to your barn and horses.
Essential Benefits of Barn Windows
Installing the right windows in your horse barn can profoundly influence not just the structure's aesthetics but significantly improve the health and well-being of the horses housed within. At American Stalls, our window solutions are custom-designed and built to maximize these benefits effectively. These benefits include:
Increased Natural Light:
- Regulation of Bacteria and Mold: One of the less obvious yet critical benefits of natural light in barns is its ability to help regulate bacteria and mold growth. Sunlight acts as a natural disinfectant, killing bacteria and reducing the development of mold, which thrives in darker, damp environments. This not only helps in maintaining the structural integrity of the barn but also ensures a healthier environment for the horses.
- Boost in Vitamin D and Overall Health: Just like humans, vitamin D is crucial to your horse's happiness and health. Exposure to natural sunlight increases vitamin D levels in horses, which is essential for bone development and overall immune system. Moreover, sunlight exposure has been shown to enhance mood and energy, contribute to deeper REM sleep, and improve recovery rates, which is particularly beneficial for competition horses.
Improved Ventilation:
They flood stalls with natural light, boosting the well-being of horses and ensuring a fresh, airy environment.
- Impact on Lung Health: Effective ventilation is crucial in a barn setting to prevent the accumulation of stale air and harmful gases, which can affect the respiratory health of horses. Our windows, especially when fully opened, allow for maximum airflow. We achieve this by increasing cross ventilation that helps to keep the air fresh and reduce the risk of respiratory issues.
- Temperature Control and Comfort: Proper airflow in a barn also aids in temperature regulation. Keeping the barn cooler in the summer months and preventing the buildup of excessive heat and humidity, which can contribute to discomfort and health issues among horses.
Aesthetic Appeal:
Windows add significant visual charm to barn structures, enhancing the overall look of your property.
Meeting Your Budget:
Adding windows is generally less costly than installing exterior barn doors such as Dutch Doors. This is simply due to the amount of steel that is being used since Barn Windows (4'x4') are usually half the size of our Dutch Doors (4'x8'), yet it effectively enhances the barn's functionality and comfort.
Customizable Window Options from American Stalls
Dutch Windows:
We refer to our single-window design as our "Dutch Windows." These barn windows can be filled with either our lumber options or a pre-installed tempered glass. They are simple in design, yet exceptionally versatile, making them a popular choice in our barn projects.
Below are examples of our Dutch Windows featuring our tempered glass design. Please note that all of our glass designs include a safety grill guard to ensure your horse cannot access the glass with their hoof, nose, or face. Below, you will also find our beautiful hardware included in our Dutch Windows – including stainless steel hinges, our door handle, and hold back latches.
French Style Shutters:
These split, hinged shutters provide a dressy alternative to our Dutch Windows. Similarly, our Shutters can be equipped with lumber or tempered glass glass. In lumber, we offer our Southern Yellow Pine, Brazilian Hardwood, and recycled HDPE in-fill. Our Barn Window shutters offer a flexible and elegant window solution that can be tailored to match the architectural style of your barn.
Window Yokes:
These are designed to pair seamlessly with our hinged windows and shutters, allowing horses to enjoy the outside view while safely contained within their stalls. They add functionality and safety, making them a popular choice for horse owners who wish to provide their horses with visual enrichment and interaction opportunities. Our Window Yokes can be custom built in different heights, yoke bends, and much more.
Fixed and Hinged Window Grills:
For owners who prefer more controlled access, we offer custom-built grills. Fixed window grills keep the windows secure and restrict the horses' direct access to the outside, maintaining safety without compromising on ventilation and light. This is particularly well suited for breeding facilities, vet clinics, and even large boarding barns.
Considerations for Your Barn
- Made to Order: All our barn windows are custom-built to fit your existing openings. We simply use your rough openings and custom craft your windows, ensuring a perfect fit and streamlined installation.
- Durability and Ease of Use: Our windows feature 304 stainless steel hinges that are adjustable. Additionally, they include seamless steel angle frames that allow for a tight fit to your exterior. The custom nature of our windows coupled with our hardware ensure your windows to open full 180-degrees, maximizing ventilation and providing optimal airflow for cross ventilation.
- Style Flexibility: We can create windows in any style to seamlessly integrate with your barn’s design. Whether you need arched shutters or custom designed barn windows or even different choices in hardware, we have just the solution for you!
Maximizing Barn Functionality with American Stalls Windows
Choosing the right windows can drastically improve the functionality and appearance of your horse barn. With options to suit different climates and architectural styles, our team is dedicated to providing high-quality, longlasting solutions that meet the unique needs of your equine companions. Choose our customizable window designs to ensure your horses enjoy a comfortable, safe, and beautiful living space year-round.
Are you ready to get started on your barn project? If you can dream it, we can build it! Contact us today if you may have any additional questions or would like to speak to someone from our expert design staff. You can contact us for your upcoming Barn Windows project at (855) 957-8255 or email us at sales@americanstalls.com. We look forward to bringing your barn vision to life!
