7 Things To Consider Before Choosing Timber For A Horse Stable

There are a variety of materials you can choose for your barn, shed, or table. Brick, steel, and timber are all materials that are commonly used to build stables on a horse farm. Timber tends to be the most popular among all. You must remember that before opting for timber without a second thought, there are some factors you have to consider: the horse’s comfort, health, safety, stable maintenance, durability, appearance and more.

If you wonder if timber meets all of the requirements or at least important factors to make an ideal stable for your equestrian estate, then this article will tell you all you need to know. Otherwise, you can always contact or hire professionals at Easefix that know the ropes around tasks like building a stable.

To begin, here are 7 things to consider before choosing timber for a stable on your horse property.

1. Is it comfortable for the horses?

Timber is a natural insulator and a hygroscopic. It means that the material allows air and moisture to pass through. Timber does not feel confined and is breathable. Thus, this type of material for stables is always preferable by horse owners and horses themselves.

Unlike bricks and steel, timber provides horses with more comfort and coziness. Timber is also a natural insulator which means it can provide warmth during winters and coolness during summers.

2. Appearance

Timber is usually more visually appealing than other materials. They provide a natural aesthetic to the stables that fit right in with the beauty of horses. It adds texture and character.

Timber comes in many styles and colors, so if you want to style your stable to make it look more aesthetic, you can choose different kinds of timber with its various shades and textures.

Timber perfectly blends with the natural setting. You can easily add touches by painting the walls to your liking as well and adding other decorations.

3. Is it cost-effective?

Timber is among the most cost-effective options for your stable compared to steel or bricks, despite the rise in prices of all three materials. Timber is still an affordable alternative for many people. They are known to last longer and require low maintenance, which just means you will not have to spend money often to replace or repair damages.

4. Practicality

Before choosing your timber, it is wise to consider practicality. You would not want too dark or too light shades of timber because those are generally hard to clean up. The reason being is that it is more difficult to spot dirt or dust in dark or light shades. Try going for natural-coloured ones since those tend to be the best option. You can also consider solid colors with less texture. If the shade is too dull, you can always compromise on this and opt for shades that you like. As long as your barn doesn’t appear too cluttered.

5. Efficiency in the building process

Timber is more flexible to work with when it comes to designing, building and constructing.

They are portable and can easily be worked with on the site. This means they require less time for managing, less stress, short timescales, and you will have your stable ready faster than you think.

6. Durability

Purchasing materials for building a stable is a huge investment, so you would want your place to be durable, substantial and long-lasting.

Now, dent and scratches on walls or flooring depends on two things: the type of timber and the type of finish used (if any). Before choosing the type of timber, you can take samples and test to see if it is easily scratchable or stainable.

7. Longevity

While longevity is not the same as durability, they are dependent on each other. Durable material means it will last longer, but other factors must also be considered. It could also mean that the material does not have a long life. Luckily timber has a decent enough life span. This varies with the number of finishes and how many times it’s been sanded, but overall it is still the best option over other materials.

The bottom line

Your horses’ comfort should be your number one priority, so choose a material keeping them in mind. You would want something affordable and within your budget, so timber is just the material you need. Timber looks aesthetically pleasing, making it just perfect. Durability is essential because you will need your stable to withstand rough conditions. They are also efficient and much quicker to work with when building, so you will get your stable built faster than anticipated. Finally, don’t forget to consider practicality and longevity, and you’re good to go.

We hope this article proves informative and helps you choose the right timber for your horse stable. Thank you for reading!