Pallets Have So Many Uses!

October 9, 2010

We believe that there are so many ways we can be more ecolonomic in our life.  Here is just one more small example – reusing pallets!  What can you do with pallets?  Well there are so many things.  You can use them for gate panels, you can use them for pasture upkeep dragging them behind a four wheeler, you can build small housing from them, and you can use them for livestock housing. 

A livestock pallet barn in a temporary pasture at Mountain Sky Ranch

We have been using moveable pallet barns here at Mountain Sky Ranch for over six months with much success.  They provide protection from wind, rain and snow.  They are easy to move around, and they provide excellent sun protection in the heat of the summer. 

Our structures are about 9′ x 8′ and about 8′ tall in the front and 6′ in the back.  They are made from recycled pallets that we can obtain for between $5 and $8 each.  Only the steel roof of this structure is new material.  The total hard costs (excluding labor) for these barns is less than $150, a one person can construct one with a circular saw and a hammer in less than 4 hours.  If you value the labor time at say $20/hour then the cost of these very effective barns is less than $250!  I know you would pay almost $1000 for a commercial three sided barn.

You are also doing a great carbon balance act by recycling material that would often be going to landfills.  They are actually even better for animal care than hard sided barns because they “breathe” by allowing some air to flow through them, while still keeping out moisture for the most part.

Mountain Sky Ranch has many other examples of this sustainable use mentality.  We would love to have you come and visit us to see how you could make use of these types of technologies on your own property.  You can be lowering your carbon footprint and bettering the planet.  Come to our special Celebrate Sustainability Event on October 23, 2010 and see these pallet barns and many other cool agricultural practices.

98 Comments On “Pallets Have So Many Uses!”

  1. Lynn

    Did you attach the pallets to anything to make them stand? Are they nailed together? Would like a closer look. Would like a picture of the inside as well.

  2. joe huff

    do you have any type of prints for this 3 sided barn structure out of pallets?
    Saw this and started collecting pallets and now ready to build a couple of these
    Thank you
    joe

  3. Chandra Nielson

    Do you have plans for the pallet sheds? Id love to have a copy if you do!

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  5. Calvin

    Did you attach the pallets to anything? or did you just simple nail them together? did you use any 2×4’s to help with the roof? can I get some more pictures this is really cool and plan on trying it.

    • admin

      The pallets are screwed together. The roof is built with 2×4 framing and with the metal roofing. If you send me an email to [email protected], I will get you access to a set of plans. Thanks for your interest. Do you work at Minnehaha County? I was a professor at Augie?

      Wayne

  6. Ray Presson

    would love a set of plans for your livestock pallet barn. Looks like a great way to keep my mini donkeys dry and shaded!

  7. Joyce jackson

    Love the stuff that can be made out of old pallets Thank you

  8. Melissa Jones

    I need to know how many panels and plans to construct the free standing horse stands.
    So nice to see afordable sheds for animals especially horses.

  9. Dale

    What a great idea. I’d love a set of plans. They would be perfect in my various horse pastures.

  10. Randy sharp

    Would like a set of plans on this shelter thank you

  11. Randy sharp

    Love this

  12. Darlene

    I have miniature donkeys and this would work great for them. It is something I could do alone. Could you send me the plans.Thank you.

  13. Donna Stading-Smith

    Would love a set of plans for my horses in Nebraska.
    Thanks,
    Donna Stading-Smith
    K/B Stables

  14. rebecca

    I would love the plans I have pallets and the base but not sure how to attach and if I need framing materials.
    Thank you in advance

  15. Gwen

    Hi Wayne,

    Love the idea and look of the pallet barn in the picture. Great article as well. I was hoping if you might be willing to share your plans. I am trying to create a nice shelter that still has lots of airflow but provides shade during the summer heat and this seems perfect!

    Thanks in advance!

    Gwen

    • admin

      Gwen

      Thanks for visiting our site and for your interest in being ecolonomic (making the planet better and making or saving a little money doing it) by your interest in pallet structures. Check your email for some instructions on how to access our FREE plans for pallet sheds. Please come back to our site often and please subscribe so the internet gods will smile on us and give our site more visibility.

      Wayne

  16. heather

    I would love the directions. I want to build one for my garden tractor.

    • admin

      Heather,

      Thanks for visiting our site and for your interest in being ecolonomic (making the planet better and making or saving a little money doing it) by your interest in pallet structures. Check your email for some instructions on how to access our FREE plans for pallet sheds. Please come back to our site often and please subscribe so the internet gods will smile on us and give our site more visibility.

      Wayne

  17. Gena

    Please add me to your email list. I would love the plans for the pallet barn.

    Thanks,
    Gena

    • Staff

      Thank you for your interest! Check your email for some instructions on how to access our FREE plans for pallet sheds. Please come back to our site often and please subscribe – it really helps us to spread the word.

    • admin

      Thank you for your interest! Check your email for some instructions on how to access our FREE plans for pallet sheds. Please come back to our site often and please subscribe – it really helps us to spread the word.

  18. Angela

    I would love to see some plans for this shed!

    • Staff

      Thank you for your interest! Check your email for some instructions on how to access our FREE plans for pallet sheds. Please come back to our site often and please subscribe – it really helps us to spread the word.

    • admin

      Thank you for your interest! Check your email for some instructions on how to access our FREE plans for pallet sheds. Please come back to our site often and please subscribe – it really helps us to spread the word.

  19. Edith

    I would like plans for the shed THANK you

    • Staff

      Thank you for your interest! Check your email for some instructions on how to access our FREE plans for pallet sheds. Please come back to our site often and please subscribe – it really helps us to spread the word.

  20. Jo

    Hi, just saw this on pinterest and think its a cool idea and would like to build one. I’ve made a potting bench and also fenced in my compost bins with pallets, and hope to build some other things. I was wondering if you have a set of plans for this project?

    • Staff

      Thank you for your interest! Sounds like you have some great uses for pallets, yourself. Please feel free to share photos of them – email us: [email protected]

      Check your email for some instructions on how to access our FREE plans for pallet sheds. Please come back to our site often and please subscribe – it really helps us to spread the word

  21. Barry

    This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. A set of plans would be great. Thank-you

    • admin

      Thank you for your interest! Check your email for some instructions on how to access our FREE plans for pallet sheds. Please come back to our site often and please subscribe – it really helps us to spread the word.

  22. sheila

    Very interests in your wind break instructions and other pallet use for horses.

  23. Marcy

    Hi could I please get a copy of the
    plans on this shelter. Thank you!

  24. Pam & Kitty

    My daughter and I are planning to build your shelter for our two horses. If you would be so kind as to send us the plans it would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you for your generosity.

  25. Marcy

    Hi, I would love a set of plans for this shelter please. Thank you and great idea!

  26. Robin

    I have acces to lots of pallets. I need to make one for my sheep. I’m still not sure how you fasten pallets together end to end. I guess it depends on the orientation of the pallet. Pleas send me the plans. Thanks!

  27. Terrie Ingram

    Can you send please me the plans for the pallet sheds .

  28. sheila

    I love you ideas on pallets. I would love building plans. I have 23 sheep and 23 goats who would love these. Thank you,
    Sheila

  29. Alison

    Would love a set of plans! In Michigan. Thanks!

  30. Karen Oliver

    would love the plans to this shelter please. I love pallets

  31. Mary Swofford

    Could I also get a set of plans for the shed.
    I really like this idea, it is economical and useful.
    Great idea.
    Regards,
    Mary

  32. Stacey Shampo

    I’ve been looking for ideas on building a shelter to keep my horses hay dry. This is a wonderful idea and would work perfect. Please send me the plans for this.

  33. Daphne Arther

    I’m sure you get tired of answering all the emails about getting some plans for the horse barn,but I too would like to get the plans for that one!!! Great idea …..wish I would have thought if it myself!!!! Would it not be better to just post the plans on here as well….? It would make it easier on you …..less emails to go threw and send!!!!! Anyways thank you ,and God bless!

  34. BRITTNEY

    Love this pallet idea and would love to get the plans to build it 🙂

  35. ronni brackney

    Please share the shed/stall plans. We are trying to prepare a barn and stalls for two horses before winter.

  36. Marion

    I would love a set of plans. I have the pallets I’m just not sure how to attach them and support them upright. Thank you!!

  37. marcia

    Would love to see plans for various sizes of sheds. Thank you! Marcia

  38. Annette Johnstone

    Hi your stable is awesome. Would love the plans for it. And tips on building it. Thanks heaps Annette

  39. Jackie

    My name is Cindy and I am a miniature donkey….could you please send my Mum the plans for your pallet shelter so I can eat my dinner in the shade.
    Thank you
    Cindy

  40. Kelly caulk

    Interested in more info on 3 sided building sounds like a great way to repurpose a pallet..

  41. Kate

    GREAT IDEA!! Thanks for posting this…and I would LOVE a set of plans!

  42. Shari

    I think these are wonderful, I am a 4-H leader and therapeautic riding instructor and have several rescue horses, these will be wonderful in my pastures.

  43. Debra Naismith

    I run a small horse rescue. I would love a copy of your plans. I use pallets for cross fencing at my ranch and it is wonderful. I have unlimited access to pallets. thank you!

  44. Jennifer

    I am interested in the plans for your wood pallet shed. It looks just like what I have been looking for. Wood pallets are a great building material. Made my chicken coop from them.

  45. Dani

    Would love plans for these!

  46. David Pillet

    I would like to see the plans for this pallet shed. I recently purchased some mini mares, and I would like to construct something for them to get out of the weather.

  47. Laura

    i would love these plans.
    Thank you

  48. toni

    Love the pallet shed…plans please!!!! Thank you! Keep up the good work!

  49. Michael

    I too would be very interested to see your pallet shelter plans. Thank you and best wishes from Australia.

  50. Scott Booth

    I would love to see the plans for your pallet barn/shed? Please e-mail….

  51. Seamus B

    Hi
    I am planning to build a spring/summer fold shelter from pallets for my two donkeys and would love to get a copy of your shelter plans if possible.

    Thanks
    Seamus

  52. Clyde Damron

    I would like access to your pallet barn project. Thanks.

  53. shawn

    Awesome. Please send plan information

  54. Thia

    Would love a plan/instructions for the pallet run-in shed. Thanks!

  55. Debbie

    I would love to get a set of these plans I have pallets in my driveway screaming at me to make something out of them. We are planning on getting animal soon and this would work perfect for some shelter on those hot summer days to come!

  56. Julie k

    Plans please!

  57. Jami Bardshar

    Please email build plans for pallet lean-to. Thank you!

  58. Bev

    I am a Girl Scout leader and our girls are helping to create a community garden in our city. The garden is totally made of re-purposed materials, has no running water. We need plans to make a hut or lean-to to act as shade and collect rain water for the garden. I would really appreciate your plans to the movable pallet barn. It’s seems perfect for the project and something 8th graders can make with their dad’s rather easily.

  59. Regina Stafford

    hello. This barn is such a great design. Would love a set of plans on how to build one of my own.

    Thanks in advance for the info!

  60. Kevin

    I love this idea! Could I get a copy of the plans?
    Thanks!

  61. Kelly Labunski

    Love the idea of reusing pallets for out buildings. Thanks and keep up the great work.

  62. Nicole

    Thank you would love to see the plans!

  63. Kathy

    This would work great on a shorter level for our dog during those hot summer days. We can change the direction depending on the seasons which would be perfect. Are plans still available?

Comments are closed.