Your animals are your lifeblood as a livestock producer. Many of them you may have raised from birth, you may spend every day caring for them, and they may help support your family. As a result, it's understandable that you want to give them the best care possible. You feed them the best feed you can make, you care for them when they're sick, and you keep predators out.

But are you taking good care of them by protecting them from the elements?

If you're looking into livestock barn curtains for the first time, or if you're looking to replace your current ones, it's essential to understand (or be reminded) why they're an essential part of livestock housing. Here are a few advantages of using livestock barn curtains:

Insulation

Temperature Regulation

Controlling the Light

These are all excellent characteristics of livestock barn curtains, but which ones should you buy? The options are limitless. It may be tempting to buy the cheapest curtains possible, but it is best to prioritize quality over initial cost and total cost of ownership over up-front costs.

Quality fabrics last a long time. Cheaper curtains deteriorate faster, cracking and rendering the film coating useless, allowing infiltration to occur. Quality fabrics can last up to 2-3 times longer than low-quality fabrics.

Installation costs are lower. The less frequently you must replace your curtains, the less often you must pay installation fees.

These reveal the truth about high-quality versus low-quality fabrics: Low-quality fabrics may be cheap up front, but the long-term investment for the more affordable materials is higher. High-quality fabrics are more dependable and result in lower overall replacement costs.

So, if you value quality, what should you look for?

Non-breathable fabric should be preferred over the breathable fabric. This may seem counterintuitive, but non-breathable fabrics are easier to install and adjust than breathable fabrics. High-quality material will have protective layers built in to keep the fabric intact for more extended periods and allow for greater ventilation control. However, if the fabric is insufficient, non-breathable curtains may be the same as breathable curtains. Make certain that your curtains are of high quality!

Make sure that your curtains are mildew and UV-resistant. This will give them the best performance for outdoor exposure.

RF Welding and Hems Radio frequency (RF) welding are used to create quality curtain hems by bonding materials together using electromagnetic energy.

Hems on the pockets. Pocket hems direct wear and tear to the fabric's strongest point, resulting in longer fabric life. Because of the mechanical bond of the stitch, pocket hem curtains are less likely to come apart than other designs.

Make the Most of Your Curtains

You can buy the best curtains in the world, but if they are not adequately cared for, they will not achieve their full protection potential. Here are some curtain care tips to keep them as practical as possible for as long as possible:

Best Cleaning and Maintenance Practices

On curtains, do not use a high-pressure sprayer system. High-pressure sprayers can peel paint off aluminum siding; the fabric isn't designed to withstand that level of water pressure and will deteriorate faster if used.

Once a year, clean with a garden hose sprayer. While high-pressure sprayers are not recommended, it is still best to clean the fabric once a year. While our products are waterproof and dirt-resistant, mold can grow on dirt stuck to the surface. Once a year, a thorough cleaning with a garden hose once a year removes the dirt that promotes mold growth, keeping your curtains and your animals healthier.

Use no cleaning products on your curtains. While cleaning is important for extending the life of your curtain fabric, harsh chemicals in cleaners can actually cause it to break down faster. To clean your fabric, all you need is water.

Avoid rodent damage. Rodent infestations can damage your curtains and cause problems with your livestock. To avoid this, take the following precautions:

Curtains should be cycled once a month. Raising and lowering the curtain once a week during the hot months will deter rodents from making your curtains their home.

Use proper rodent baiting techniques. Placing bait stations at 25-foot intervals around the barn helps to keep the rodent population under control. Check these regularly.

Weeds and other debris should be kept at least 18" from the barn wall. Because rodent traffic increases in grassy areas, cutting back or killing the growth of grass or weeds can reduce rodent activity around your facilities.

Also, make sure that your curtains are correctly installed. Curtains that sag or have their drive motors hanging at an angle will only last for a while.

You have the tools you need to determine which providers will serve you best for years to come now that you understand the importance and characteristics of livestock barn curtains in the health and safety of your livestock.

Remember that, regardless of fabric quality, proper care and maintenance is critical to ensuring the longest possible life. Consider the total cost of ownership over time rather than the initial investment in caring for your livestock, your bottom line, and, ultimately, your family.