There are numerous livestock barn curtains to choose from, but which should you purchase? What matters most is the fabric's quality.

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, care for them when they're sick, and keep predators away.

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 important part of livestock housing.

Benefits of Livestock Barn Curtains: Ventilation Insulation
Temperature and Lighting Control
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. High-quality fabrics can last up to three times as long as low-quality fabrics.Lower Installation Fees: The less frequently you must replace your curtains, the less often you must pay installation fees.These two factors reveal the truth about high-quality versus low-quality fabrics: while low-quality materials may be less expensive in the short term, the long-term investment for those same fabrics is higher. High-quality fabrics are more dependable and result in lower overall replacement costs.

Non-breathable fabric should be preferred over breathable fabric: This may seem counterintuitive, but non-breathable fabrics are easier to install and adjust than breathable fabrics. A high-quality fabric will have protective layers built in to keep the fabric intact for a longer period of time and will allow for greater ventilation control. However, if the fabric is insufficient, non-breathable curtains may be no different than breathable curtains. Make certain that your curtains are of high quality.
Make certain 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 is used to create quality curtain hems by bonding materials together using electromagnetic energy.

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

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

Avoid using a high-pressure sprayer system on curtains: 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.

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.

Rodent infestations can damage your curtains and cause problems with your livestock. There are several simple things you can do to avoid this.
Curtains should be cycled once a month: Raising and lowering the curtain once a week will deter rodents from making your curtains their home during the hot months.
Implement effective rodent baiting techniques: Placing bait stations at 25-foot intervals around the barn helps to keep the rodent population under control. Check these regularly.
Keep weeds and other debris at least 18" away 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.

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.

Just keep in mind 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 to ensure the care of your livestock, your bottom line, and, ultimately, your family.