Ready to take your business to the next level? Whether you’re looking for a heavy-duty workspace or a place to conduct your business operations—or both!—the versatile barn workshop kits from DC Structures are a durable and cost-effective solution to your company’s needs.

This spacious home business workshop outside Seattle, Washington is a shining example of how our barn workshop kits can help small companies grow. Starting with a Powell monitor barn kit, these clients opted for several modifications and upgrades to satisfy the requirements for their business operations.

In addition to widening the structure by 10 feet for additional square footage, this workshop is reinforced with double-wall constructions. A heavy timber frame center-aisle loft makes for a great vantage point to oversee production, as well as extra storage space.

See more photos here! 

Thinking about a barn workshop kit for your own home business? Request a digital catalog and start building your dreams today!

The process of designing and building a new structure is a lot of work, but it’s not all doom and gloom! Personalizing your structure with barn home accessories is where the fun comes into play, as no house or horse barn would be complete without them.

Barn home accessories can be both functional and aesthetic, allowing you to individualize your project both internally and externally. From barn toppers and ventilation to the lighting fixtures that illuminate your structure, we make it easy to make your kit your own.

Cupola

Cupolas are an iconic addition to any barn or barn-style structure and are often an identifying feature for classic barn designs. Serving as an extra skylight, cupolas provide more opportunities for natural light to pour into the space. If positioned appropriately, a small spiral staircase can lead up to the cupola, which will then double as a lookout.

Weather Vanes

An alternative or accompanying barn topper to cupolas, weather vanes are also a symbolic barn identifier. Weather vanes are purely decorative, and can be customized to suit your building’s desired aesthetic. Whether you choose the traditional rooster or a quirkier icon such as a pineapple or a mermaid, your weather vane will inevitably add character to your barn or home.

Lighting

A big trend in building is to optimize natural lighting. Not only is this a more cost effective way to think about lighting a space, it’s simply more attractive. Skylights and large windows strategically placed throughout your barn or barn-style home will keep your structure safely well lit. Once the sun goes down, though, we’ve got plenty of options to point you toward for durable and attractive lighting fixtures.

Ventilation

A well ventilated barn is key to your horse’s health. If you choose to use the top of your barn for storage, we’d recommend opting for Barnstormer fans to keep the air circulating.

Horse Proofing Your Barn

Animal safety should be the number-one consideration for any barn. Our horse barn accessories are non-slippery, safe and easy to clean, and will go a long way toward keeping your horses happy and healthy.

Thinking about barn home accessories for the structure you have yet to build? Request our digital catalog to get started on your dream building today!

This beautiful Michigan workshop with living quarters is a stunning example of the versatility of our post and beam building kits. Starting with an Oakridge 60’, this apartment barn design was modified to serve as a functional home base during hunting season.

This heavy-duty workshop with living quarters features a five-door garage that provides ample work space and storage on the ground floor. Upstairs, 1,800 sq. ft. of cozy living space includes a bunk area, wet bar and gaming area.

Thinking about your own workshop with living quarters? Request our digital catalog to get started on your dream building today!

When you choose between siding options for your house or barn, you’re deciding on the first impression of that building for years to come. What kind of message are you trying to send?

Nationwide barn kit company DC Structures boasts an innovative line of flexible and functional post and beam building packages. We fully support your individuality, which is why we offer a versatile selection of options and upgrades that enable you to personalize your structure. That includes siding options for the exterior of your barn or barn-style home!

There are two general routes people go when choosing their siding: wood or Hardie. Wood sidings tend to require more upkeep over time while Hardie is generally more low-maintenance. If you’re willing to put in the effort to maintain it, the benefits of wood siding are all in the rustic elegance it imparts. That said, the siding you choose should work for your desired aesthetic and lifestyle.

Wood Siding Options

Cedar Board and Batten siding package

Cedar board and batten siding is the standard offering for our barn home and apartment barn kits. This beautiful and durable siding choice features 1” x 10” visual-grade, tight-knot Western red cedar boards and 1” x 3” battens with smoothed edges.

Doug Fir Tongue and Groove siding package

Doug fir tongue and groove siding is the standard offering for all our horse barn kits, and is frequently selected as an upgraded covering for interior walls and ceilings. This beautiful wood siding works well with a range of vibrant stain colors.

Cedar Tongue and Groove siding package

Cedar tongue and groove siding is offered as an upgrade from the standard Doug fir tongue and groove package. Western red cedar is celebrated for its rich color, straight grain and its natural resistance to the elements.

DC Barnwood siding package

DC Barnwood siding is new cedar that has been treated to resemble reclaimed barn wood. Less expensive than actual recovered barn wood and easier to obtain in large quantities, DC Barnwood is available in more than a dozen colors.

Hardie Siding Options

Hardie panel siding package

Hardie panel vertical siding is available in four textures, including stucco. More fire resistant than wood, Hardie panel requires less maintenance over time. With dozens of colors to choose from, this siding option comes with a 30-year transferable warranty.

Hardie plank siding package

Hardie plank lap siding is available in dozens of textures and colors. Requiring less maintenance over time, Hardie plank is also more fire resistant than wood. This siding option comes with a 30-year transferable warranty.

Curious to know how you can make one of our kits your own? Request our digital catalog and imagine the possibilities!

Arena footing—sounds easy enough, right? Decisions surrounding the footing you choose for your riding arena are a lot more complicated than you might think. Poor footing will subject your horse to an increased risk of injury and long-term degenerative problems. As such, footing selections call for an informed and measured approach that takes a variety of factors into consideration.

When evaluating any arena footing material, ask yourself the following questions:

• What kind of maintenance will this footing require?
• Do the pros of using this material outweigh the cons?
• Does this footing make sense for its intended use?
• Will this material interact well with the natural environment?
• Is it possible to combine this footing with additional materials for a better effect?

If it sounds complicated, that’s because it is. Of course, any equestrian knows that caring for horses is no easy task! So long as you are guided by the will to create a safe environment for horses and their riders, everything—including dirt, sand, and wood—will settle into place just fine. That said, some aspects of your arena footing are non-negotiable.

All arena footing must be absolutely:

• Free of holes and uneven or shifting surfaces
• Stable yet shock absorbent
• Non-slippery and well-tractioned

Arena footings that meet these three necessary requirements can be comprised of a variety of materials—both natural and synthetic—as well as a combination of footing types. While there are countless products and formulas on the market, the most common footing materials are made from clay- or silt-based dirt, sand or wax coated sand, and wood products or natural and synthetic fibers. The arena footing materials you choose should be right for your regional environment and equestrian discipline.

Before you even think about choosing an arena footing, you must have 100 percent confidence in your riding arena’s base. Solid arena bases adhere to high standards for the three D’s: drainage, durability and depth. If you live in a wet region or know your arena will be getting lots of traffic, it may be necessary to go beyond standard recommendations.

• Drainage: Opt for a strong base that will enable water to seep into the ground rather than flood the surface.
• Durability: Make sure your base is compacted above a 90 percent density so it will hold its integrity and keep rocks from creeping to the top.
• Depth: Keep your base layer at no less than four inches deep and up to one foot deep if your equestrian activities call for more support.

Thinking about a horse arena of your own? DC Structures offers two covered riding arena kits for year-round equestrian enthusiasts. Check out our Prairie arena kit and our Canyon arena with stables package. Request our digital catalog so you can get started on your dream arena.