What is a good balance between insulation and ventilation in a horse barn? You want it to be cozy in winter, but it has to have good ventilation for horse health.

Check out the information from Heather Lewis, AIA, NCARB, AAA, a principle of Animal Arts architecture firm. That firm specializes in animal housing around the world. That includes veterinary firms to small animal rescues.

Should I Insulate My Barn?

This is a great question and not easy to answer. It depends somewhat on the climate that we’re discussing.

To make matters as simple as possible, uninsulated barns don’t always need to be as well-ventilated because they tend to breathe well on their own. Insulated barns always need to be ventilated because they are more tightly sealed.

So, does your barn need to be insulated? Answer these questions:

  • Does it remain above 50ºF on its own during the winter?
  • Does it stay generally cooler than the air outside in summer?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then it probably is fine with its current natural ventilation. 

Natural Ventilation

Hot air rises and creates a draft. Take advantage of this ‘chimney effect’ by using continuous vents or cupola vents on the ridge line of the roof. Provide openings low on the wall, such as at the perimeter stalls. Hot, soiled air rises, creating a draft for fresh air to enter.

In order for this type of ventilation to work, there must be enough height in the barn and a steeper roof pitch. A 6:12 or greater roof pitch is preferred. Cupolas should be large. Many pre-manufactured buildings have low roof pitches and small cupolas. Therefore, they do not ventilate properly.

Additional Barn Ventilation

If the barn needs more protection from the elements, then it should be insulated and more actively ventilated. For insulation that does not degrade or come apart, consider using a foam board insulation with reflective barrier on the top surface.

Once you have built your ‘thermos’ of a building, you’ll need to be sure it is properly vented. Natural ventilation can still be used when it is effective enough. But, if odor, humidity, or dust build up inside, it can damage your horses’ lungs and immune systems. 

Design the roof peak with an exhaust fan system to supplement natural ventilation, which will be necessary at certain times of the day or year. Design the system to provide at least four air changes per hour or 500 cubic feet per minute per horse, whichever is greater.

Final Words

Keeping the air fresh and circulating in your barn is the ultimate goal. Remember that the temperature in your barn needs to be suitable for your horses, not for your comfort. And aside from temperature, it is the purity of the air from the ground up that is critical to horse health.

If you have questions about air quality in your barn, get in touch with a barn contractor who could make suggestions on improving the air quality in your barn.

Further Reading