Anatomy of a Barn: Common Terms & Styles

Throughout the process of designing and building a barn, you’ll encounter a sea of barn terminology. Some of which you may be familiar with, some you may not. While you don’t need to speak the barn language fluently, the more you understand the better you can communicate your vision to us and your builder. We’ve created this guide to familiarize you with the basics.

If there are any terms that you don’t understand or find in this guide, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Roof Styles

We offer two roof styles: Gable and Monitor (or Raised Center Aisle, or RCA.)  These are classic and timeless styles that will fit most needs.

Monitor and gable style roof lines provide different function and aesthetic purpose. Both can accommodate partial or full lofts for storage, as well as shed roofs and dormers for even more usable space. Where they differ is the center of the roofline and their loft space.

Monitor barns use a raised center aisle (RCA) to lift the center of the roof and create a grand silhouette. This makes for extra ventilation space inside the barn, as well as space for clerestory windows for more natural light. 

Gable barns feature a classic A shaped roofline and often have more loft space thanks to a steeper roof pitch and gable dormers. 

Common Barn Exterior Terminology

There are a number of exterior features that can be personalized to fit your vision. Understanding the common terms here is essential to achieving the functionality and aesthetics you want for your barn.

1. Width – The width of your structure does not include shed roofs. Barn Pros uses either a 12’ or 14’ grid to design our structures, so common structure widths are 24’, 28’, 36’, or 42’. The grid size that your structure is designed on will also influence the width of your breezeway. The narrowest width we offer is 24’. The widest is 60’.
   
2. Length – The length of your structure speaks to the measurement from front gable end to the rear gable end. Depending on the grid size of your structure, your structure length can be increased by increments of 12’ or 14’.
   
3. Front gable end – This is the front of your structure. Most structures are designed with two levels of siding here that can be mixed or matched to create the look you prefer. Breezeway doors are installed here, and most structures can accommodate roll-up garage doors as well.
   
4. Side wall and side wall height – This is the side of your structure and defines how much interior space you will have. The sidewall height speaks to the height of your building from the ground to the where your roof starts. You can personalize your side walls with different siding options that can be painted or stained, and by including Dutch doors, roll-up garage doors and man doors.
   
5. Upper siding – Upper siding is included on both the front and rear gable ends of your structure. This siding usually begins at the lowest point of your roof, above your breezeway doors and runs the width of your building. Upper siding can be personalized to match the lower siding, or to differ.
   
6. Lower siding – Lower siding is included on both the front and rear gable ends of your structure. This siding runs the width of your structure from the ground to just below the roof line. Lower siding can be personalized to match the upper siding, or to differ.
   
7. Clerestory – Clerestory space is applicable to monitor barns. This is essentially the wall of the raised center aisle and provides space for additional windows, which provide additional light and ventilation within the barn. 
   
8. Rear gable end – This is the rear of your structure. Like the front gable ends, most structures are designed with two levels of siding here that can be mixed or matched to create the look you prefer. Breezeway doors are installed here, and most structures can accommodate roll-up garage doors here as well.
   
9. Shed roof – Shed roofs are additional storage space that can be included in addition to the width of your structure. Shed roofs span the width of your grid – so either 12’ or 14’ depending on your structure model, and they can be designed to be left open, partially enclosed, or fully enclosed. Shed roofs are great parking options for trailers and vehicles, and open shed roofs also make great porch areas.
   
10. Dormers – Dormers create additional loft space and accommodate windows. Different models can be designed different dormer styles and sizes, and in residential models these often serve as egress windows.  
    
11. Cupola – Cupolas complete your barn silhouette and are installed on the roof of your building. Barn models include functional cupolas for venting air out of your barn. Residential models include cupolas that are aesthetic and do not provide ventilation. This is another opportunity to personalize your structure, as there are many styles and sizes to choose from.

Door and window package – These packages are included in all structures, and provide the exterior man doors and vinyl windows that come standard in our structure kits.

Updated or custom windows and doors can often be engineered into the design of your structure, assuming that they do not interfere with the structural posts and grid system. In these cases, the client will be responsible for purchasing and supplying the windows and doors.

Breezeway doors and hayloft doors are included in barns models. Dutch doors are included in additional stall packages.

Roll-up style garage doors can be engineered into the structure designs. Like the custom windows and doors, the client will be responsible for purchasing and supplying the doors.

Common Structural & Interior Terms

Take a look at some of these terms that also apply to many of our barns. Pay special attention to roof pitch and side wall height.

1. Side wall height – This is the side of your structure and defines how much interior space you will have. The sidewall height speaks to the height of your building from the ground to the where your roof starts. You can personalize your side walls with different siding options that can be painted or stained, and by including Dutch doors, roll-up garage doors and man doors.
   
2. Roof pitch – This speaks to how steep your roof is and is expressed as a ratio of the number of inches the roof rises vertically for every 12 inches it extends horizontally. When looking at a roof pitch ratio, the higher the first number is, the steeper your roof will be.
   
   For example, a Pioneer gable barn has a 9/12 roof pitch, which is steeper than the 5/12 roof pitch of a High Sierra gable barn. The steeper your roof pitch is, the easier it is for rain, snow and debris to be shed from the roof. 
   
3. Structural posts – These posts are what make our grid system so efficient. These are included every 12’ or 14’ depending on your structure model and support your barn, shop or living space. When your structure is designed with posts, load-bearing walls are not necessary, which means you are free to lay out your structure to match your vision. This design also lends itself to open living spaces and tall ceilings.
   
4. Breezeway – The breezeway runs through the middle of your barn space and provides access to stalls or storage and airflow. Depending on the model of your structure, your breezeway will be 12’ or 14’ wide. Large barn models such as the Equestrian and Grand Sierra feature double breezeways to accommodate large numbers of stalls, additional wash bays, tack rooms and office space.
   
5. Tack room with stairs to loft – Tack rooms are for storing equestrian equipment. Barn models with lofts can accommodate these storage spaces alongside the stairs from the first floor to the loft, or in seperate bays.
   
6. Loft – A loft is a second floor used for storage. Many models can accommodate partial lofts spanning 1/3 or 2/3 the width of the barn, or full lofts that run the full width of the barn.

Ridge height – The ridge height of a structure speaks to the vertical distance between the finished floor and the top of the finished roof – or the total height of the structure. Cupolas are not included in the measurement of a ridge height, as they are often considered accessories in many counties. These measurements are useful to know if your local building codes or HOAs have regulations regarding how tall buildings can be in your county.

Exterior Feature Options

Additional dormers – For more light and headspace in your loft, additional dormers can be added to specific structures. Gable dormers are available in 4ft and 6ft options, and shed dorms are available in standard style or Nantucket style.

Secondary shed roof – For additional covered storage, a secondary shed roof is available on certain models. Choose from open, partially enclosed or fully enclosed options. Open shed roofs make great spaces for parking vehicles and trailers, or for creating patio space. Partially enclosed or fully enclosed shed roofs are great for office space or indoor storage.

External Treatments

Breezeway doors – Barn end doors, or breezeway doors are one of the main focal points of your structure, and you have options when it comes to their style and. Choose between solid tongue and groove options, or include windows and steel accents. You can explore all your available door options here.

Dutch Doors – As with breezeway doors, you have options when it comes to the design of Dutch doors for your stalls. Choose standard tongue and groove for a classic, sleek look, or add steel crossbuck designs or windows for more functionality. View your Dutch door options here.

Hayloft Doors – For structures with haylofts, choose between square or triangle-top pre-hung hayloft doors. Solid-weld frames and weather tight jams withstand the elements while providing you exterior access to your loft storage. See the square and triangle top options here.

Siding – The siding of your structure will have the biggest influence on the look and style of your building. Barn Pros offers two options for siding; 2×6 Douglas Fir Tongue and Groove (T&G), or premium Cedar Board & Batten.

1. T&G is installed horizontally to provide a clean look and tight seal against the elements. Personalize your T&G with stain or paint.
   
2. Premium Cedar Board and Batten is installed vertically on the sidewalls of your structure and can be personalized with stain or paint.

Gable End Treatments – Choose between Douglas fir T&G or premium Cedar Board and Batten for the upper siding on the gable ends of your structure. Match your lower siding for a continuous look, or choose the opposite for added contrast.

Soffit Enclosures – For the section of your roof that overhangs the gable ends, choose to leave them open or enclose them with Douglas fir T&G.

Timber Truss Package – Add more timber detail to your silhouette with a timber truss package. These are non-structural aesthetic details that can be included on the front, rear or both gable ends of many models.

Interior Feature Options

Covered ceilings – Barns have the option to leave ceiling frames exposed for a more raw, working feel, or cover them with Pine or Douglas fir for a clean polished look. Barn apartments are engineered with covered ceilings to adhere to building and fire codes.

Loft Upgrades – Depending on your storage needs, multi-level barns can accommodate 1/3, 2/3 or full loft options. Or if you prefer tall ceilings and an airy feel, you can design your barn with no loft.

Speaking the Same Language

Now that we are speaking the same barn language, you can effortlessly communicate your design and functional needs with us and your builder. If you have any questions, or wonder about a term not shown here, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help!