Anatomy of a Barn: Common Terms & Styles

IN THIS ARTICLE

Essential Terms and Styles
Roof Styles: Building Character and Function
Common Exterior Terminology
Common Structural & Interior Terms
Handcrafted Components
Additional Features
FAQs
Related Articles

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Essential Terms and Timeless Styles for Your Barn Building Project

Building your ideal structure starts with speaking the same language as your design team and builder. Over our 30+ years of creating premium barn packages, we’ve found that understanding key terminology makes the entire process smoother and helps ensure your vision becomes reality.

This comprehensive guide covers the essential terms and design elements you’ll encounter during your project. Whether you’re planning an equestrian facility, horse barn, workshop, or multi-use structure, these fundamentals will help you communicate your needs clearly so you can make informed decisions throughout the building process.

Roof Styles: Building Character and Function

Your roof style shapes both the look and functionality of your structure. We offer two proven designs that deliver both aesthetic appeal and practical performance.

Monitor Style: Added Height, Light and Ventilation

Monitor barns feature a raised center aisle (RCA) that creates an impressive roofline while providing practical benefits. The elevated center aisle allows for clerestory windows that bring natural light into the interior, and the extra height improves ventilation—especially important for horse barns and equestrian facilities.

This design works particularly well because the RCA naturally moves warm air up and out through vents, keeping the interior comfortable for both animals and stored equipment.

Gable Style: Classic and Practical

The traditional gable design offers the timeless appeal of a symmetric roofline. Our gable structures typically feature steeper roof pitches that maximize loft space while ensuring good water and snow runoff—something our founders learned firsthand during their building years.

Gable barns are excellent for creating generous overhead storage while maintaining clean, classic proportions that fit seamlessly on any property. This style works well for both barn apartments and equine facilities.

Common Exterior Barn Terminology

Understanding exterior features is essential to achieving the functionality and aesthetics you want for your barn project. Here are the key terms:

Basic Structure Measurements

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’.
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’.

Exterior Components
Front Gable End — This is the front of your structure. Most designs feature 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 structure.
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.

Additional Features
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.
Dormers — Dormers create additional loft space and accommodate windows. Different models can be designed with different dormer styles and sizes, and in residential models these often serve as egress windows.
Cupola — Cupolas complete your silhouette and are installed on the roof of your building. Agricultural or equestrian barn models include functional cupolas for venting air out of your structure. 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.

Common Structural & Interior Terms

Understanding these building terms will help you plan your structure effectively. Pay special attention to roof pitch and side wall height.

Key Structural Elements

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 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.
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 has a 9/12 roof pitch, which is steeper than the 5/12 roof pitch of a High Sierra gable. The steeper your roof pitch is, the easier it is for rain, snow and debris to be shed from the roof.
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 building, 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.

Interior Features
Breezeway — The breezeway runs through the middle of your space and provides access to stalls or storage and airflow. Depending on your structure model, your breezeway will be 12′ or 14′ wide. Large 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.
Tack room with stairs to loft — Tack rooms are for storing equestrian equipment. Models with lofts can accommodate these storage spaces alongside the stairs from the first floor to the loft, or in separate bays.
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 structure, or full lofts that run the full width of the building.

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.

Material Choices That Make a Difference

Siding Options: The siding of your structure will have the biggest influence on the look and style of your building. Barn Pros offers two main options for siding:

Douglas Fir Tongue and Groove (T&G): Our horizontal T&G installation creates tight weather seals while showcasing the natural beauty of your chosen timber. This premium material takes both stain and paint finishes well, letting you achieve the look you want while maintaining structural quality.

Premium Cedar Board and Batten: Installed vertically on side walls, this traditional approach offers distinctive visual texture with excellent weather resistance. Cedar’s natural properties make it ideal for structures built to last generations.

Rough Sawn Douglas Fir and Cedar Board and Batten: Also installed vertically on side walls, this traditional approach offers the same distinctive visual texture as Premium Cedar Board and Batten at a more budget-friendly price.

Gable End Treatments: Choose between Douglas fir T&G, Rough Sawn Doug Fir with Cedar Battens, 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 structure’s 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.

Handcrafted Components

Breezeway Doors: These focal elements reflect our commitment to quality craftsmanship. Choose from solid tongue and groove construction or add windows and steel accents—each Barn Pros option is handcrafted in our Monroe, Washington facility by craftsmen who understand both form and function. You can explore all your available door options here.

Dutch Doors for Horse Facilities: Essential for horse barns, our Dutch doors combine practical animal management with attractive design. Steel crossbuck patterns and integrated windows show how functional elements can enhance rather than compromise your structure’s appearance. Choose standard Barn Pros 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: Available in square or triangle-top styles, these access points feature solid-weld frames and weather-tight construction that withstand years of seasonal changes—another example of how our field experience guides every design detail. For structures with haylofts, these pre-hung doors provide weather-tight access to your loft storage. See the square and triangle top options here.

Interior Finishing Options

Ceiling Treatments: Structures have the option to leave ceiling frames exposed for a more raw, working feel, or cover them with Pine for a clean polished look. Residential models are engineered with covered ceilings to adhere to building and fire codes.

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

Door and Window Packages

Standard Packages: Door and window packages are included in all structures and provide the exterior man doors and vinyl windows that come standard in our structure kits.

Custom Options – Client Provided: 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.

Additional Features

Breezeway doors and hayloft doors are included in structure packages. 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.

Additional Exterior Features

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 dormers 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.

Getting Expert Support

Understanding these elements helps you communicate effectively with both our design team and your chosen builder. However, knowing the terminology is just the beginning of creating the perfect structure for your property.

Our project specialists bring decades of combined experience to every consultation, helping translate your lifestyle needs into practical solutions that exceed expectations. When questions come up during construction—and they will—your builder has direct access to our Build Support team and their extensive hands-on building knowledge.

Ready to bring your vision to life? Our team is here to guide you through every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barn Terminology

What’s the difference between a monitor barn and a gable barn? A monitor barn features a raised center aisle with clerestory windows that provide additional natural light and ventilation, making it ideal for horse barns and larger structures. A gable barn has a traditional symmetric roofline that maximizes loft space and offers classic proportions suitable for most applications.

What does “grid-based design” mean for my building layout? Our grid-based system uses structural posts every 12′ or 14′, eliminating the need for load-bearing walls. This gives you complete flexibility to configure your interior space—whether you want open areas, multiple stalls, workshop spaces, or living quarters—without structural limitations.

Can I mix different siding types on my structure? Absolutely. Many clients choose to mix Douglas fir tongue and groove with cedar board and batten for visual contrast. You can use different materials on upper and lower sections, or alternate between front and side walls to create a custom appearance that reflects your personal style.

What’s included in a standard door and window package? Our standard packages include exterior man doors and vinyl windows. Specialized doors like breezeway doors and hayloft doors are included in applicable models, while Dutch doors come with stall packages. Roll-up garage doors and custom windows can be engineered into most designs and will be provided by the client.

How do shed roofs add functionality to my structure? Shed roofs extend your usable space beyond the main structure width, adding 12′ or 14′ of covered area. They can be left open for vehicle parking or outdoor workspace, partially enclosed for weather protection, or fully enclosed for additional storage or office space.

What determines the ridge height of my structure? Ridge height is measured from the finished floor to the peak of the roof, excluding cupolas. This measurement is important for local building codes and HOA restrictions. Factors affecting ridge height include sidewall height, roof pitch, and any monitor sections.