Crete-Heat Insulated Floor Panels for Radiant Heat

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Rob

Crete-Heat Insulated Floor Panels make the most of any radiant floor heating system. They make the PEX installation a breeze and provide not only insulation from the ground below, but also contain a built-in vapor barrier, all in one panel.

Read our review of the panels below and visit Barn World today for more information, a quote, or for help planning your project.

What is a Crete-Heat

Crete-Heat insulated floor panels are pre-engineered, modular panels designed to provide insulation for radiant floor heat in residential floors, garages, driveways, and commercial buildings. These panels are made of high-density expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), which is a lightweight and durable material that has excellent insulating properties.

The panels create a grid to hold PEX tubing in place and keep the heat from being lost into the ground.

There are quite a few benefits to using Crete-Heat insulated floor panels with radiant heating systems, but first some broad benefits of using Radiant Heat in your floor:

Radiant Heat Benefits

Improved comfort:

Radiant heating systems provide more stable temperatures when compared to traditional forced-air heating systems. This is because the heat is evenly distributed throughout the floor, creating a steadily warm environment throughout.

There is no blowing air that surges into the room that can dramatically rise the temperature until the blower shuts off. As soon as the fan does stop, the air starts cooling and it’s only a matter of time before the thermostat kicks on the blower again to douse the room with hot air and continue the roller-coaster ride of temperate swings.

In contrast, the electric boiler provides heat to the PEX quietly and consistently to the PEX which heats the floor slab. The slab then silently radiates heat upward without any dramatic temperature swings in the room.

Energy efficiency:

The radiant heat is also more energy efficient when compared to forced-air heating systems because they operate at lower temperatures and do not require the use of ductwork. Crete-Heat panels are specifically designed to provide excellent insulation. It prevents heat loss into the ground and keeps it in the floor where it’s needed and designed to provide the most benefit.

Once you’ve realized the great properties of radiant heat, the use of insulated floor panels makes installation easy and maximizes your savings.

Ease of Installation

The panels are typically 2 feet by 4 feet in size, connect to one another with overlapping lips, and are available in insulating thicknesses of 1, 2, and 3 inches. Those thicknesses create insulating values of R-6, R-10, and R-15 respectively.

side view of a crete heat insulated floor panel for radiant heating

They are designed and cut to fit together like puzzle pieces making installation easy. Cutting the styrofoam panels to fit unique spaces is also straightforward.

Once installed, the panels provide a grid-like surface that contains 7/8” tall knobs to secure PEX tubing for design and also for pouring concrete. They may be walked on and PEX installation can be done with your foot as shown in the picture below.

installing pex into a crete heat floor panel

There’s no need for the time-consuming and laborious task of suspending wires or using foam staples to hold the tubes in place. With the panels, the PEX is pushed into the knobs and held in place.

pouring concrete on insulated floor panels

Versatile:

Crete-Heat panels can be used in a variety of building types, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings without the need for running ductwork. You can simply pour your concrete floor directly on the panels.

Cost Savings:

The panels are designed to maximize the cost savings on your heating bill. The insulating properties (R-6, R-10, and R-15) keep the heat from being lost to the ground and directed into the slab where it will radiate into the room. The built in vapor barrier will protect against rising moisture.

Not to be overlooked, the grid that allows for the proper placement and spacing of PEX tubing also allows for an evenly spaced design to put the heat right where you want it. You don’t need to measure to keep the PEX perfectly separated for an even distribution of heat. The knobs do it for you!

Crete Heat Floor Panels with pex installed

These insulated floor panels create an energy-efficient and comfortable heating solution for a house, workshop, or even driveway.

Contact Barn Word today to learn more about the benefits of Crete-Heat and how it can be customized for your specific needs and start saving you money right away!

Barn World Sales@BarnWorld.com (720) 238-2190

Cattle Oilers Protect your Animals and your Bottomline

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Rob

What is a Cattle Oiler?

A cattle oiler is a device used to apply insecticide, fungicide, or other types of oil-based solutions to the hair and skin of cattle, in order to protect them from external parasites and pests such as flies, ticks, and lice.

The oiler usually consists of a tank that is mounted on a vertical pole or suspended overhead. The tank contains an oil-based solution, which is dispensed through a series of mops, wicks, or rollers that the cattle rub against as they pass by. As the cattle move through the oiler, their coats become coated with the solution, which helps to repel or kill the parasites and pests that can cause both discomfort and disease.

SEE THEM ALL AT BARN WORLD

What are the benefits of using a Cattle Oiler?

Livestock Oilers are an effective way to protect your cattle from pesky and harmful parasites while also improving your bottom line. Here are some of the benefits of using a cattle oiler on your farm or ranch:

Protects your cattle from external parasites:

Cattle oilers are an excellent way to protect your cattle from external parasites, such as ticks, lice, and flies. The oil-based solutions used coat the hair and skin, creating a barrier that repels or kills these pests. This protection not only keeps your cattle healthy and comfortable but can also increase weight gain and preserve milk production as well.

These pests can carry and transmit many diseases that can affect the health of your livestock. Some of the diseases that can be spread by ticks, fleas, and mites include:

Lyme Disease
Anaplasmosis
Mange
Scabies
Salmonellosis
Spotted Fever
Pink Eye

It’s important for ranchers to control animal exposure to these pests and prevent the transmission of any of these diseases to their cattle. Using a cattle oiler with the proper pesticides is a fairly simple and effective step to managing these issues.

Cost-effective:

Investing in a cattle oiler is a cost-effective way to protect your cattle from parasites. Compared to other methods, such as pour-on insecticides or sprays, cattle oilers are less labor-intensive and require less frequent application, saving you time and money in the long run.

Gathering up your herd to run them through a chute to manually apply insecticide is very labor intensive, dangerous to both animal and man, and can cause undue stress which can affect eating habits and overall health. An oiler is an effortless means of making sure your animals are protected.

Easy to use:

Cattle oilers are easy to install and use. They usually hang overhead and as the cattle pass from one area to another, the mops coat their face and backs with the insecticide. There are many different types in use, but a traditional oil-based solution will be dispensed through a mop or wick that comes in contact with the animals and be ‘self-applied’! Your animals will be applying protection to themselves!

Environmentally friendly:

Unlike some other pest control methods, cattle oilers are environmentally friendly. They use oil-based solutions that are safe for the cattle and do not contaminate the soil or water on your farm or ranch.

Low maintenance:

Cattle oilers require minimal maintenance. Simply refill the oil-based solution as needed, and replace the wicks or rollers when they become worn.

Types of Cattle Oilers

Barn World carries many different types of oilers. All are effective and easy to use and a choice of which one to use usually comes down to personal preference.

Brush Cattle Oilers

The brush design takes advantage of the natural desire for livestock rubbing. Most animals will appreciate the itch relief and scratching action of the attached brushes and rub against them as they pass. So much so that the top brush of the oiler dispenses liquid when agitated and the cows rub it in themselves.
To supply the pesticide to the brush, a Poly Tank Cattle Oiler uses a polyethylene tank above the arms of the brush. The bottom of the tank has a hose that delivers the liquid to a nozzle in the brush.
The translucent tank allows a rancher to see the remaining fluid level and can easily tell when it needs to be refilled. The design is also available as a Steel Tank Cattle Oiler if preferred.

Mop Cattle Oilers

Mop Oilers also use a tank with a slightly different design. The tank has holes drilled in the sides so when it’s tipped by a passing cow, it releases a small amount of fluid. The tank is wrapped in felt to prevent any runout and drips gently down to the mop. The mop strings absorb the pesticide and hold it for the next application.

Because it won’t dispense without being tipped, the tank needs to be installed at a height where the back of the cow will tilt the tank as it passes. This keeps the felt and the mop saturated for future applications.

Cattle Oilers are so popular for pest and disease control that they’re even made for smaller animals like goats. The Goat Oiler uses a steel tank mounted above a curved brush for smaller animals to enjoy and protect themselves.

It’s extremely important to protect your livestock from pest-carried diseases that are easily transmitted by fleas, ticks, and mites. A cattle oiler can give your animals the protection they need in a fairly inexpensive and labor-free way.

Get a Cattle Oiler at Barn World today and keep your animals and your bottom line healthy all year long!

Barn World | (720) 238-2190 | Sales@BarnWord.com

The Benefits of using a Creep Feeder

Posted on February 23, 2023 by Rob

Keeping your animals healthy is essential to your bottom line. Providing the right nutrition to young animals is especially critical for their growth and development. One effective way to ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need is by using a creep feeder.

In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of using a creep feeder and how it can help keep your animals growing and healthy.

Click here for a complete lineup of Creep Feeders!

Creep Feeder Benefits

Enhanced Nutrition

A creep feeder allows you to provide supplemental feed to your young animals, giving them the additional nutrients they need to grow and develop properly. This is especially important for animals that are still nursing from their mothers, as it can take a toll on their mother’s health and lead to reduced milk production. By providing a steady source of high-quality feed, you can ensure they are getting the nutrition they need to stay healthy.

Improved Growth Rates

Proper nutrition is a critical factor in ensuring desired growth. A creep feeder can provide a consistent and easily accessible source of feed and extra nutrition to your animals. This can result in improved weight gain and growth rates, which translates to higher productivity and profitability for your farm.

Reduced Stress

Competition for feed can be a significant source of stress for young animals, especially in herds with mixed age groups. A creep feeder allows young animals to access feed without the stress of competing with larger, more dominant animals for food. This can lead to reduced stress and improved well-being for your young animals while ensuring they’re properly fed high-nutrient foods.

Cost Savings

A creep feeder can help you save money over time by reducing the time and effort required to supplement the diet of young animals. It can also help avoid overfeeding or underfeeding, which can lead to health issues and other animals being deprived of food.

A creep feeder is a valuable feed and nutrition management tool that allows for the maximization of productivity and profits. It provides a steady source of high-quality feed to young animals, resulting in improved nutrition, growth rates, and reduced stress. Additionally, it can help minimize the time spend feeding while ensuring your animals get the supplements they need.

If you’re looking for an easy way to ensure your younger animals get the proper nutrition and food they need for healthy weight gains and overall health, consider investing in a creep feeder today.

There are many different sizes and feeders designed for cattle, sheep, and even goats.

Contact Barn World at Sales@BarnWorld.com or call (720) 238-2190 and we’ll be happy to help select the right feeder for your animals!

Cattle Guards

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Rob

A cattle guard, also known as a cattle gap or a cattle grid, is a livestock deterrent installed in the ground. It’s commonly used in rural areas to prevent livestock, such as cattle, from crossing a fence line and wandering off.

It is typically made up of a series of parallel steel bars, usually spaced several inches apart, and set in a vaulted area across the road. The spaced-out bars create a gap that vehicles are able to drive over but are wide enough to prevent the animals from crossing.

The flat hooves of cattle have a very difficult time balancing on the small, rounded surface of the top rails which makes it physically challenging for the cattle to put any weight on their legs.

These common barriers are used to keep livestock from wandering out of pastures and fenced containment areas and becoming lost and entering harm’s way. This includes walking onto busy roads, private property, or other fields where they’ll need to be rounded up and returned.

Comparing to Gates

Cattle guards eliminate the need for gates to be opened and closed, which reduces the risk of animals escaping or getting injured by the gate itself. Gates can also be left open accidentally which can lead to cattle wandering away from their pastures. This is especially critical in areas that require public access for people who are not familiar with the importance of closing a gate.

Gates can be damaged by passing traffic, cattle, weather, or even fail from wear and tear with repeated opening and closing.

Gates can also be difficult to open and close in accumulated snow and sometimes will even freeze shut in icy conditions. Cattle guards, on the other hand, are fixed, do not need to be ‘operated’, and require very little maintenance to remain effective.

Imagine coming home at night to an open gate and a pasture “full” of missing cattle! Locating and rounding them up in the dark can be an unwelcome challenge!

Physical and Visual Barrier

Cattle Gaps even act as a visual barrier for these large animals. The open space and gaps between the top rails make cattle very hesitant to cross. Their eyes have trouble focusing on the top rails while ignoring the deep vaulted area below. This depth perception confusion creates an uncomfortable mental issue for the cow and the confusion is a deterrent all on its own.

The combination of both physical and visual deterrents makes these barriers highly effective without much maintenance and no mechanical operation at all.

These structures are also more durable and lower maintenance when compared to gates. They don’t need adjusting over time and there are no operational issues with the installed structure.

For worry-free livestock containment, a cattle guard can’t be beat! With a gate, you’ll need to stop to open it and then stop again to close it behind you. You also need to worry about others leaving it open allowing your cattle to wander off.

Consider installing a cattle guard on your property by clicking here. Barn World has multiple loading ratings for private driveways, public highways, and heavier-than-roadway-rated cattle guards for every type of use.

Please let us know if you’d like any help in planning your project, would like a quote, or if we can help with anything at all and we’ll be happy to help.

Barn World Sales@BarnWorld.com (720) 238-2190