Converted barns have become increasingly trendy and popular event spaces. The rustic details and high ceilings make these venues unique. However, preparing an old barn for a large celebration involves more than just flowers and music. Here are eight questions to ask yourself before delving into a barn conversion project.

1.) Do any structural upgrades need to be made to the barn?

The safety of your future guests is paramount. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is determine the structural integrity of the barn. Check for broken doors, cracked rafters, roof leaks and broken floorboards. Remember, you may need to make considerable repairs and upgrades to ensure the building meets code and/or reach out to a professional for assistance.

2.) Is the property zoned for a commercial business?

Farms are typically zoned for agricultural purposes. Therefore, if you want to turn your barn into a commercial event space, you will likely need to apply to have the building rezoned. Additionally, you may need to obtain a separate parking permit or liquor licence, depending on where your barn is located.

3.) How are the restroom facilities?

Restrooms are essential to making your event space usable and code compliant. If you have adequate space, you can install permanent toilet stalls. You may choose to rent portable restrooms for each event if you don’t have any room to spare.

4.) Are there sufficient power sources and outlets for lighting and sound?

Parties and events require ample indoor and outdoor lighting. Also, DJ booths and sound equipment require a significant amount of voltage. Therefore, when transforming your barn into a beautiful venue, ensure you have a stable power source and sufficient electrical outlets. You might need to invest in an electrical upgrade, and a professional electrician, if the barn was never connected to the grid.

5.) Is there adequate parking space?

Large venues host multiple guests. Therefore, parking is essential. You must figure out exactly how many vehicles can fit into the space you have on your property. If room is limited, you may need to consider alternatives like partnering with a local shuttle service or renting additional land.

6.) Are there any walking paths?

If you have ample outdoor space for guests to explore, you must consider how they’ll move around. For example, grass and dirt paths can get messy in poor weather. Therefore, you may want to consider laying paved or gravel pathways that won’t get rained out.

7.) Is there a kitchen or a food prep area?

If you intend for your barn venue to serve or prepare food, you must have a full-service kitchen or food prep area. If you don’t have the space, you can build a small outbuilding. However, you may simply want to provide outdoor space for food trucks and caterers.

8.) Is the property accessible for guests with disabilities?

In Canada, all public venues must meet specific accessibility standards. Therefore, it’s essential to hire a team that knows the regulations and can make adaptations to the property to ensure full accessibility. You may need to include ramps, automatic pedestrian doors and support bars next to toilets and stairs.

Custom Door Solutions

Lastly, a busy event space requires a stylish, reliable, and efficient commercial door. Creative Door ServicesTM carries FinDoor folding doors that can easily be customized for size, colour, and window configuration to meet the unique requirements of your venue.

FinDoor folding doors open sideways and tuck away into a space behind the door jamb, creating a wide entrance leading to your stunning outdoor area. Unlike overhead doors, FinDoor folding doors don’t take up ceiling space, allowing you to take advantage of a second floor or install a greater variety of lighting options.

If you need help designing a custom door solution for your unique event space, the team at Creative Door Services^TM is happy to help. In fact, in April 2016 we helped bring a barn to venue conversion to life at our local branch in Regina, Saskatchewan. Read more about our Barn Conversion In Weyburn, Saskatchewan.

Creative Solutions Across Western Canada!

If you need top-quality overhead doors and pedestrian doors to complete your barn conversion, Creative Door Services™ has you covered. We take pride in ensuring our customers get just what they’re looking for. From installation and maintenance, we only deal in the remarkable.

To learn more or to get a free quote, contact us today. We’re happy to serve you from one of our eight locations. You can find us in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.