How to improve pole building for use a dog kennel? - Page 1

I didn't want to hi-jack user manoj's "kennel size" thread for my own gain, but I have a question on kennels, also. I have a 30 X 30 metal pole barn/building. I would love to use this for a kennel building, with indoor/outdoor runs, but it gets really hot inside during the summer. Does anyone know how this could be improved or converted, to make it useable for a kennel building? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Tari Jolin

Hey Tari, Put one or two exaust fans on the roof to blow out the hot air. If you also have one or two large fans at floor level to circulate the air you should be okay. I was just in Sam's club and they had a huge drum fan (4' radius) for just under 300.00US. Good Luck, Kyle

You can also insulate those metal sheds with the sheets of styrofoam and use a swamp type cooler as well. Swamp coolers are less expensive to run and add moisture to the air which is good when it's hot and dry. Those sheets of styrofoam come in 4x8 just like plywood so they're easy to work with and they are not terribly expensive, on the ground level's you'll have to cover them with something like plywood so the dogs don't eat them. It would keep it warmer in the winter having the insulation in place too. A place we visited a while back had converted a building simularly.

Hello Tari Jolin...I have just sent you an e-mail about building kennels... EchoMeadows...I think I read that you're building a new kennel someplace...where might that be...I mean what state?...Also have you used Styrofoam in your kennels before...?...And does this insulate the building (which I think it does) but does it also insulate it as concerned to sound...Are there other materials that you know of that can be used...? ~Bob~

Bob, Yes the styrofoam does work as insulation, It's obviously not the "best" available but it works pretty darn well. We are not building just yet, Yes someday hopefully within the next 2 years, we will purchase 160 acres from a friend here in Oregon. We want to build a "straw" house and "straw Kennel" Have you heard of them ?? Now talk about insulation !! LOL. The styrofoam works great in an already existing building which is why I suggested it. We were even thinking of building the house with a central kitchen and a large "family area" then building offshoots of the main house with living area, bath area, and sleeping area's. building in a fashion where several "families" could all live under one very large roof. There's a method behind my "madness" for one we just moved a friend of ours into our home, He had a stroke and can not live on his own anymore, He has family but has not spoken with them for 20 or so years, ( I have been in touch with them) Anyway for the last 8 years or so, we have been his family and so when he was ready to come out of hospital we fixed up our "family room" into like an apartment for him, I prepare his meals, do his meds, and his bloodwork, We have therapists come in for physical therapy, speach therapy, and baths. My hubby is learning the bathing thing as well so he can assist in the future. Anyway if we build this house like I'm talking about, our friend could go with us, and other friends who are "into the dogs" could also go with us, it would be a much easier "living arrangement" financially for everyone involved. We would build a training field, tracking areas and so on. It's a nice place we can actually lease out quite a bit for farming too. Well that's the plan anyway, we'll see if it works, LOL.