Barn Kits Key Terms

Construct your way to a new outbuilding with barn kit terms

By Darcy Chadwick

Barn kits can save you time and money, as well as provide a secure structure for your livestock. Whether you plan to house cows, horses, other animals or even machinery and tools, ensuring that your building is up to code is essential. Knowing some of the key terms when searching for the best barn kits can give you peace of mind regarding safety and quality. Take a look at a few of these common terms before dipping into your wallet.

Dormer

A dormer is a small opening that resembles a window, perched high near the roof line. They add extra light and ventilation when open. They also give the barn a more traditional look.
Try: Visit The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to see a photo of a barn dormer.

Cupola

The cupola is a small decorative tower located on the roof. Although it looks like it should only be used for decoration, it actually serves a purpose. The cupola gets rid of the hot air inside the barn through ventilation.
Try: Visit BarnPlans to see a picture of what a rooftop cupola looks like and learn more about it.

Flashing

Flashing is the sheet metal that is formed and installed in areas where sides connect, such as where the roof meets the wall or a venting output, such as a cupola, to prevent water from seeping into the structure. Flashing is also used on houses, so it's not just an outside covering for barns.
Try: Learn more about flashing at The Old House Web.

Shed roof, or skillion roof

A shed roof is a single plane roof, or it's oftentimes called a skillion roof. This type of roof is used for a single row of stalls or one single stall. It's best for smaller structures or those that lean up against other buildings, since there is only one sloped roof.
Try: See some pictures of what a shed roof looks like at California Custom Sheds.

Gable roof

Unlike a shed roof, which has one slope, the gable roof has two sloped ridges. A gable is basically the triangle shape that is formed by the sloping roof. This roof is more common if the barn is large and not used solely for storage.
Try: Visit This Old House from Time to see a picture of a gable roof.

Siding

Siding is similar to flashing, although it is a construction element applied to the outermost area of an exterior wall. The siding is the barn's primary defense against weather, so it's best to make sure you don't skimp on this area. Using a cheap or inefficient siding can take years off your barn's life, ruining your hard work of putting the barn together.
Try: Learn how to properly maintain your barn's siding at The University of Vermont.