--- title: 5 of the Best Barn Flooring Options and How to Keep Them Clean description: Explore the best barn flooring options for durability and cleanliness. Learn how to keep them clean and maintain their quality over time. image: https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hubfs/Top%205%20Barn%20Flooring%20Options%20and%20Cleaning%20Tips.png --- - TF [855.497.750](tel:8554977508) - Email [info@slotdrainsystems.com](mailto:info@slotdrainsystems.com) [![SlotDrainSystems_withdivision](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SlotDrainSystems_withdivision.png?width=503&height=136&name=SlotDrainSystems_withdivision.png)](http://www.slotdrainsystems.com/) - [PRODUCTS](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/products) - [2000 SERIES Sleek Elevator Multi-Slot Drain](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/products/2000-series-multislot/) - [2000 SERIES Sleek Elevator Threshold Drain](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/products/2000-series/) - [4000 SERIES Drains for Tight Spaces and Against Walls](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/products/4000-series-slot-drain/) - [6000 SERIES Drains For Shallow Depth Requirements](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/products/6000-series/) - [7000 SERIES The Best Drain For Landscaping](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/products/7000-series/) - [8000 SERIES Simple and Durable](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/products/8000-series/) - [10,000 SERIES Sanitary and Strong](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/products/10000-series-slot-drain/) - [Accessories](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/product-category/accessories/) - [All Products](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/products/) - [APPLICATIONS](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/applications/) - [AGRICULTURE + ANIMAL](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/application/agriculture-drainage/) - [AUTOMOTIVE](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/application/automotive-drainage/) - [BREWERIES](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/application/breweries/) - [FOOD + BEVERAGE PROCESSING](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/application/food-and-beverage-industry/) - [INDUSTRIAL + MANUFACTURING](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/application/industrial-drainage/) - [LANDSCAPE + URBAN DESIGN](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/application/civic-drainage/) - [POOL + PATIO](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/application/landscape-drainage/) - [RESIDENTIAL](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/application/residential-drainage/) - [WINERIES](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/application/winery-drains/) - [RESOURCES](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/knowledge-centre/) - [CASE STUDIES](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/case-studies/) - [FAQ](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/faq) - [SPECIFICATIONS](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/specifications/) - [SPECIFICATIONS](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/specifications/) - [INSTALLATION](https://info.slotdrainsystems.com/installresources) - [ABOUT](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/about) - [BLOG](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com) - [CONTACT US](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/contact-us) - [OUR COMPANY](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/our-company) - [TESTIMONIALS](https://info.slotdrainsystems.com/slot-drain-customer-testimonials-installations) [REQUEST A QUOTE](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/request-a-quote/) ### Posts by Topic - [Slot Drain (13)](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/topic/slot-drain) - [Trench Drain (13)](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/topic/trench-drain) - [commercial (10)](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/topic/commercial-drains) - [Drain Design (6)](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/topic/drain-design) - [Residential (6)](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/topic/residential-drains) ![](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hubfs/Top%205%20Barn%20Flooring%20Options%20and%20Cleaning%20Tips.png) # 5 of the Best Barn Flooring Options and How to Keep Them Clean Pole barns are simple structures that can serve many purposes. While simple, building a pole barn still requires similar components to what you'd have in a home. It needs a foundation, posts, roof, trusses, and more. If you plan on housing animals, then you also want to consider floor options. Having flooring is essential for keeping animals safe and protecting them from injury. It also will make maintaining a sanitary barn easier.  ![Large hangar. Empty spacious large room, hangar.](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AdobeStock_322031533_web.jpg?width=1000&height=667&name=AdobeStock_322031533_web.jpg) ## What to Look for in Barn Flooring There are many flooring options you can consider for a pole barn. What you choose depends on several factors, including: - **Price**: Some flooring options, like dirt floors, can be free–or cost you virtually nothing, while other options, like concrete or rubber mats, can be much more expensive.  - **Availability/Geography**: Your geographical location also influences your choice. Some options are not great for certain areas, and others may not be readily available.  - **Safety**: All considered options need to prioritize the safety of the animals inside the pole barn. Concrete, for example, can be slippery without the proper precautions. ## Barn Flooring Options ![clean stable barn](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AdobeStock_62095628_web.jpg?width=1000&height=667&name=AdobeStock_62095628_web.jpg) Here are some common options for pole barn flooring. It is important to remember your needs and choose a durable and safe option for the animals living in the barn. ### **1. Concrete** Concrete is a popular option, which attracts less dust and moisture. It can be a great base for keeping the barn floors level and clean. For an additional cost, you can add aggregates to create a more interesting look. ### **2. Popcorn Asphalt** Porous options like popcorn asphalt are another popular option for barn flooring. It isn't as expensive as concrete, offers excellent durability, and allows water to go through. ### **3. Stone Dust** Stone dust is another of the pole barn floor options. It is more traditional and is also called washed or quarry sand. It needs a base layer, offers great drainage and works well with option coverings like rubber mats. It is a loose material that can create dust in the air if moved around, and it will also need to be re-leveled after a few years. ### **4. Dirt** Dirt is the cheapest option, but you must consider the potential for mud and unpleasant odors. Like other porous options, dirt needs a gravel underlayer to help with drainage and must be dug up every few years. ### **5. Clay** Clay is a widely available porous flooring that needs to be mixed with stone dust to ensure it is safe and can drain. ## Cleaning Your Barn Floor Maintaining a clean barn is vital to the health and safety of your animals. Dirty barns and floors can contain bacteria and viruses, which can make your animals sick. The first step of cleaning is preparing yourself; while not necessary for all animals, consider having a dedicated set of clothes for working in the barn to prevent introducing more bacteria–or carrying it to your home and other areas. You should also wash your hands frequently, and use antiseptic or Betadine soaps when dealing with barn messes. For cleaning, the first step is to remove dirt, manure, and old feed, and dispose of them properly. These steps will help you have full access to the ground so that you can scrub and disinfect it thoroughly and remove any bacteria. Once the barn floor is clear, scrub the ground with cleaning detergent and hot water. Rinse off the detergent with hot water, and then apply a disinfectant according to the label's instructions. Every surface requires the same level of attention to ensure that no lingering bacteria can create sickness for your animals. Cleaning needs to be done on a regular basis for this reason. Ensuring that your barn has proper drainage is also critical for the safety and hygiene of the space and animals inside. Some pole barn floor options offer drainage, but adding a proper floor drain system is a more efficient solution.  ## Why You Need Barn Drainage ![family farm](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AdobeStock_389437627_web.jpg?width=1000&height=667&name=AdobeStock_389437627_web.jpg) Having reliable drainage for your pole barn is important for a few reasons.  A floor drain system will help carry wastewater away from the surface and allow the ground to dry more quickly. This eliminates standing water, in order to help remove the risk of bacteria, mold growth, and slippery surfaces. It also minimizes the other damaging effects of standing water, like ground erosion. ## Choosing a Barn Drainage System ![horse stalls](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AdobeStock_577055619_web.jpg?width=1000&height=667&name=AdobeStock_577055619_web.jpg) When considering floor drain systems, you must choose a durable, sanitary system that is easy to clean. Slot Drain products like the [Slot Drain Systems](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/products) and [Trench Drain](https://foodsafedrains.com/categories/trench-drain-systems-product-category), use high-quality T304 or T316 stainless steel in their construction. Their ridge-free designs eliminate bacteria harbor points to ensure the sanitation of the system. [![6000 Series Slot Drain](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/6000%20Series%20Slot%20Drain.png?width=624&height=351&name=6000%20Series%20Slot%20Drain.png)](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/6000-series) The Slot Drain is unique because it does not require a drain cover, unlike the Trench Drain, which needs a cover to keep debris out. Both are heavy duty-systems that are easy to clean and maintain, with options for clean-in-place for automated, efficient cleaning and sanitation. They also offer ADA-compliant options that make them safe for people, animals, and equipment to pass over without concern.  ## Having the Perfect Barn Floors Pole barns are extremely versatile structures that can serve many purposes, including one of their original intended uses: housing animals. You want to choose the right flooring so that your animals have a safe surface to walk on where they won't get injured.  The barn flooring options you consider should also be easy to maintain and sanitize and work well with floor drain systems–another essential component of barn floors. A floor drain system, like the Slot Drain or Trench Drain, will further ensure you have a clean, sanitary barn where your animals can safely stay.  [Contact Slot Drain Systems today](https://www.slotdrainsystems.com/contact-us) to learn more about sanitary, safe stainless steel drainage solutions. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![SlotDrain-Product-Guide-232x300-2023-1](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2119739/interactive-140128665707.png)](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKljD81lu4Uz1zfoAcKhhi3fqrancAaRVo%2FqDjIjGqrYZZR5Zs6yfJEb2MmhQwFaKOwOCKjs3kINav5ep%2FQiw8mqvu%2B%2BkwIzvfUloNNAxavJRXy8wM5%2B9s9ROVBEQwCO5FsEuiniLW718k2P98uW2UjSm3AU4KNpG%2FRai6f531tBxKtfsKZdi8vYSoSKpplZNJqhh2jGetkSsd6obH%2BfRuWmrXZKq0l&webInteractiveContentId=140128665707&portalId=2119739) - ##### [![](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hubfs/SlotDrain-Nov2016/Images/selector-icon.png) drain selector](http://www.slotdrainsystems.com/compare/) - ##### [![](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hubfs/SlotDrain-Nov2016/Images/buy-icon.png) How to buy](http://www.slotdrainsystems.com/how-to-buy/) - ##### [![](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hubfs/SlotDrain-Nov2016/Images/chat-icon.png) TALK TO A SLOT DRAIN EXPERT](http://www.slotdrainsystems.com/contact-us/) ### [Compare slot drain](http://www.slotdrainsystems.com/compare/) Slot Drain is specifically designed to suit numerous market applications. From tough jobs that rely on strength and durability to aesthetically appealing landscaping applications. ### [drainage designs](https://info.slotdrainsystems.com/specifications) Drainage that's built to look good and stand strong. Slot Drain is available in stainless steel and galvanized steel. Slot Drain is customizable with elbows and transitions pits. ### [drainage accessories](http://www.slotdrainsystems.com/accessories) Each Slot Drain® system includes a specially designed cleaning kit specific to its application. To clean the drain channel, cleaning kit options include an easy cleaning paddle, Flush FloTM System for frequent cleaning facilities. ### [start your project](http://www.slotdrainsystems.com/contact-us/) Not sure where to start? Don't worry! That's why we have a dedicated team of drainage consultants to help find you drainage solutions. Schedule a call or informational session with a consultant today. ### [learning resources](https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/) Learn more about the most sophisticated drainage system available. Find out how Slot Drain has helped to provide drainage solutions for multiple applications. ### [our company](http://www.slotdrainsystems.com/our-company/) Slot Drain® Systems solved the issue of expensive installations, future workers health and maintenance wear and tear. Slot Drain® Systems was the world’s first slotted trench drain solution that excluded traditional grates. - - - - - copyright @ 2026 slot drain systems ltd. slot drain is a registered trademark of slot drain systems ltd. ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=906339316186602&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Slot Drain Systems", "url" : "https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/author/slot-drain-systems" }, "dateModified" : "2023-04-10T19:59:52.738Z", "datePublished" : "2023-04-10T19:59:52.000Z", "headline" : "5 of the Best Barn Flooring Options and How to Keep Them Clean", "image" : [ "https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hubfs/Top%205%20Barn%20Flooring%20Options%20and%20Cleaning%20Tips.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/barn-floor", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/hubfs/Logo-GDT.jpg" }, "name" : "Global Drain Technologies" } } ```