The practice of matrimony has been around in some form or another for thousands of years, so it’s safe to assume your wedding and event business has some longevity to look forward to. Below are five tips to help your wedding barn business find a happily ever after of its own.

Buy Real Estate Online

Whether people are searching for wedding and event venues or a new place to grab happy hour nearby, they will undoubtedly turn to an internet search. Make sure your business is well represented on the internet with an attractive and informative website. Splurge on a custom build or DIY with web-design services from sites like Squarespace—with so many accessible options, there’s no excuse!

Invest in Spectacular Photography

Wedding day pictures are worth thousands of words—and thousands of dollars, as well! More than anything, prospective clients are looking to understand how your event space can transform into the perfect wedding venue. Make it a priority to spring for high-quality photos that will spark excitement and imagination in brides and grooms to be.

Generate Buzz on Social Media

Whether you’re personally on social media networks or not, your business needs to be. Maintaining a social posting schedule can seem like a daunting chore, but there are plenty of low-maintenance ways to stay present in followers’ feeds. Allow your guests to be a part of the online conversation with reposts and hashtags, and use that killer photography you paid for to push promotions and tell stories. Who knows, you might even find social media to be fun!

Offer a Variety of Prepackaged Options

Some clients will want to plan their entire wedding by themselves, and some will be looking for a little or a lot of help. Either way, customers will appreciate that you are thinking about how to connect them to relevant resources. Build relationships with other vendors and find ways to collaborate on packaged service offerings.

Check in With Your Guests

This probably goes without saying, but always make sure your clients are happy with what they are paying for. A little communication can go a long way, so don’t be afraid to show your guests you care about their special day by making sure they are content throughout the process. When people are happy with the service they receive, they are more likely to leave positive reviews, tell their friends about your services and bring their business back for the next event. Word of mouth is one of the most trusted and effective marketing tools, so make sure people are saying great things!

Ready to take your wedding and event business to the next level? Request a digital catalog to get started on a wedding barn today!

Church weddings aren’t for everyone, but a wedding barn ceremony could be! Imagine a rustic barn on a hill, with fabric, flowers and lights draped over exposed wood beams made from the Pacific Northwest’s finest timbers. You can smell fresh cedar in the air, and hear the buzzing sounds of nature just outside. For many people, this is church; and for some, it’s even better.

Wedding barn ceremonies like this have been trending upwards in recent years, but the atmosphere they provide is timeless. Whether you’re looking for a barn in which to say “I do,” or for the crown jewel of your up and coming wedding and event business, DC Structures has flexible wedding barn designs that can work for you.

Wedding Barn ‘I dos’: Make Vows in Style

Summer weddings have always been popular, which means finding a venue during those warmer months can be difficult to do. That’s without the stress of securing an event space that fits the wedding party’s desired aesthetic. Few spaces can offer the ability to customize a ceremony in the way that a wedding barn does.

Far more permanent than a simple pop-up tent, wedding barns are dependable spaces that can be utilized for a number of special occasions. Wedding barns impart an elegant balance of tradition, fun and creativity to anyone’s special day, all in a memorable setting that is sure to dazzle. Barn wedding ceremonies can be as casual or classy as the bride and groom choose, with modern amenities that make logistical planning a piece of wedding cake.  

A tasteful space with bucolic flair, barn-style wedding and event spaces offer a great business opportunity for entrepreneurs and landowners alike. Designed in our signature post-and-beam style, a wedding barn from DC Structures is a long-term investment that will give the gift of wedding day memories for a hundred years or more.

Thinking about a wedding barn for your scenic property? Request a digital catalog to get started today!

Nationwide barn kit company DC Structures has apartment barn projects under construction all over the country. We guarantee our clients builder support throughout the duration of their build, but we also keep in touch simply because we enjoy watching their plans take shape.

Building relationships with the people who buy our apartment barn kits is a cornerstone of our business model. If you’re looking for a company to sell you a pre-engineered materials package and never contact you again, DC Structures probably isn’t the kit company for you.

Learn more about our process here!

Lake Elsinore Apartment Barn

Southeast of Los Angeles, California is a large freshwater lake known as Lake Elsinore. While L.A. calls to mind scenes of bumper-to-bumper traffic and smog-saddled skies, Lake Elsinore and the town that shares its name offers a departure from city life that is pleasantly serene.

Coming soon to Lake Elsinore’s scenic landscape is one of DC Structures’ most popular designs: an Oakridge 60’ apartment barn.

This hybrid barn home features all the necessary equestrian amenities on the ground floor—including one horse stall, feed and tack rooms, as well as a laundry room, office and half bath. Upstairs sits a large three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, replete with an additional office.

Thinking about an apartment barn for your own property? Request a digital catalog and start laying the groundwork today!

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.

DC Structures’ post and beam building kits are designed to bring you closer to your passions—literally! Guided by the idea that where you live and what you love should be one in the same, we offer flexible and functional packages that can be modified to suit your unique lifestyle.

This garage with upstairs living quarters in Bend, Oregon is a shining example of the ways in which home can effortlessly combine with hobby—all without sacrificing on luxury. Adapted from an Oakridge 60’ barn home kit, this stunning barn-style house features a large garage and storage space on the ground floor and sweeping open-concept living quarters upstairs.

Watch the full video tour here!

Ready to turn your hobbies into a lifestyle? Request our digital catalog to get started on your dream building today!

Remember the good ol’ days when you could avoid the humdrum of homework and chores by escaping to your backyard tree house? Or, if your own childhood was devoid of tree house adventures, then perhaps you secretly long for the return to innocence that was those easier times. Either way, a backyard party barn could be just the thing that’s missing from your property.

Party barns are what you make of them, and can serve a range of purposes from work space and man cave to backyard bar and gaming room. Just think of it as a place you’d like to unwind after a long day of grinding away at your regular 9-5, or the place you’d like to practice your craft after hours.

DC Structures’ flexible line of post and beam barn kits are easily reimagined for a number of party barn ideas. Our designs can be modified to include anything you think would add to the personalization of your backyard getaway.

This backyard party barn in Damascus, Oregon is the perfect mix of your favorite pastimes and some much needed relaxation. Starting with a Columbia 24’ barn kit, these floor plans were modified to include a workshop, man cave and upstairs loft. A custom bar and handcrafted timber frame stairs add to the rustic aesthetic, while upgrades to the sweeping deck make this structure the perfect all-seasons hangout.

Are the wheels of inspiration turning for your own party barn ideas? Request our digital catalog for more!

For the team at DC Structures, building relationships is just as important as helping customers build their dream barn or barn-style home. We take pride in the quality of our product and service offerings, making client connections a priority both during and after completion of their projects.

One of the many benefits of maintaining an open and honest line of communication with our customers is that they are happy to share their thoughts about what it’s like to work with DC Structures. We can sing our own praises for days, but we know the most valuable insights will always come from clients themselves.

Sustainable Living at its Finest: Apartment Barn Testimonial

The apartment barn is an efficient structure that makes good use of space with its hybrid design. Combining home with hobby, our apartment barn kits offer the benefit of bringing you closer to the things you love the most. Not to mention a reduced carbon footprint!

This sustainable apartment barn in Cornelius, Oregon boasts two horse stalls and two dog kennels on the ground floor, and a cozy living space upstairs. Modified from an Oakridge 36’ apartment barn kit, this functional and attractive structure boasts an array of energy-efficient upgrades. Skylights optimize natural lighting for the upstairs living quarters while a solar panel and electric car charging station reduce energy consumption.

Hear what the owners of this sustainable apartment barn have to say about working with DC Structures in the apartment barn testimonial below!

Thinking about an apartment barn for your own property? Request our digital catalog and get started on your dreams today!

Thinking about a remodel for that old wooden barn sitting unused on your property? Here are a few things to consider when planning for a barn conversion.

The idea of restoring an old barn into a rustic barn house might sound great in theory, but most of the time it’s a lot more costly and painstaking in practice.

The biggest barrier to a barn remodel is without a doubt financial. Hidden expenses will crop up in the form of things like fumigation costs and re-engineering fees. In other words, it won’t take long for the cost of the barn conversion to exceed the cost of an entirely new barn-style home.

If you’ve got an endless cash flow and a zen-like capacity for headache-inducing regulatory hiccups, then maybe a barn conversion is for you. If you’re like most people, however, you’ll probably prefer the path of least resistance.

Barn Conversion Woes: The Rotten, the Infested and the Costly

Before you begin to plan a barn remodel, it’s important to identify whether your barn is even worth converting. If your structure is a pole barn, don’t even bother.

Pole barns have short life spans because they rely on treated wood posts in concrete in lieu of a proper foundation. This means that, regardless of what chemicals are used to protect the lumber from the concrete’s moisture, the posts will inevitably rot.

As such, appraisers, banks and lenders do not always recognize pole barns as permanent structures. This complicates financing requests for your already spendy barn conversion. Further, many pole barns are not properly engineered to meet the structural requirements necessary for a residence. And good luck getting permits for that kind of project!

To add insult to injury, you’ll likely need to hire an architect or structural engineer who can create blueprints of the existing barn. If you don’t have the old plans, you can’t get permits or accurate bids for the new plans.

Even if the barn you’d like to remodel has a proper foundation, existing blueprints and adequate structural integrity, there is yet another roadblock to make you wary. Six-legged pests such as powder post beetles will wreak havoc on the timbers that support your barn.

Fumigation is expensive enough, but costs will be astronomical if you delay the process until after your old barn has been remodeled. Would the financial burden and logistical nightmare of vacating your residence be worth that rustic barn conversion?

The Post and Beam Barn House Alternative

DC Structures offers a diverse and highly modifiable line of post-and-beam building kits that will stay standing for two-to-three times longer than their pole barn counterparts. Whether you’re looking for a barn-style home, hybrid apartment barn, or a workshop or garage with living quarters, DC Structures has a kit to suit your lifestyle needs.

Our pre-engineered barn home kits are both efficient and cost-effective. We offer our clients the benefit of a rustic barn aesthetic that is built to last—all without the headache.

Request our digital catalog for a better sense of how we can make your barn house dreams come true.