# Southern Yellow Pine, HDPE or Hardwood: Choosing Infill for Custom Horse Stalls

American Stalls · 10625 Jones Street, Suite 101A, Fairfax, VA 22030 · (855) 957-8255 · americanstalls.com

The infill is the board material that fills the lower part of a horse stall front or partition inside the steel frame. It makes up a large share of the stall, so it drives strength, safety, upkeep and cost. American Stalls in Fairfax, Virginia offers three fill options on its custom stall partitions: Southern Yellow Pine tongue and groove, high density polyethylene (HDPE) tongue and groove, and exotic hardwoods including Brazilian hardwood. Here is how the company describes each one.

# Southern Yellow Pine (SYP)

American Stalls calls Southern Yellow Pine the most popular option for horse stalls and the only viable softwood for a stall environment. Softwoods in general are prone to warping, twisting and shrinkage over time, so the company recommends using the highest grade of wood your budget allows. It keeps Southern Yellow Pine tongue and groove lumber in stock, and says all of it is grade 1.

# HDPE (plastic) infill

HDPE fill is a synthetic material made to look like wood. American Stalls lists its benefits as longevity and durability, a finish that lasts longer, easier cleaning that makes it more sanitary than wood, and a better environmental profile because it uses primarily recycled post-consumer plastic.

# Exotic hardwoods

Exotic hardwoods such as Brazilian hardwood can be extremely dense compared with domestic hardwoods and softwoods, which lets them stand up to the rigors of a horse stall. The company says they last longer and give the barn a higher quality look, but are one of the most expensive lumber options.

# Side-by-side summary

• Budget: SYP is the common choice; exotic hardwood is among the most expensive.
• Upkeep and hygiene: HDPE is easier to clean and keeps its finish longer.
• Durability: exotic hardwood is very dense; HDPE is valued for longevity; SYP should be the highest grade you can afford.
• Look: SYP and hardwood are real wood; HDPE is built to look like wood.

# Questions to ask about any infill

American Stalls notes that every barn is different by location, climate and build. A New England barn sees heavy snow and wind, while a southern barn may face insect issues. Its checklist for comparing lumber:

• Does the lumber have good nail holding power?
• Is shrinkage moderate and reasonable?
• Is it easy to work with, finish and clean?
• Will it resist decay and warping?
• Does it withstand splitting?

# A budget path

In its cost guidance, American Stalls suggests keeping showpiece stall fronts and saving on partitions with a full wood partition kit, using 8 foot U-channels to hold Southern Yellow Pine with a wall stiffener for rigidity. Later, the top three or four boards can be removed and grillwork added for more airflow.

# Frequently asked questions

• Which is best for horse stall infill: pine, HDPE or hardwood? It depends on budget and upkeep. SYP is the most popular, HDPE is easiest to clean and keeps its finish, and exotic hardwood is very dense but among the most expensive.
• Is pine safe in a stall? American Stalls says SYP is the only viable softwood for stalls and recommends the highest grade your budget allows; its stocked SYP is grade 1.
• Is HDPE more sanitary? Yes, the company says it is easier to clean and more sanitary than wood.
• Can I choose infill on a custom stall? Yes. Fill options are listed on the American Stalls stall partitions page.
• How do I get a quote? Call (855) 957-8255 or email sales@americanstalls.com.

On the official site: Choosing lumber for horse stalls and barn doors · Stall partitions (fill options) · Horse stall systems · Request an estimate

# About American Stalls

American Stalls 10625 Jones Street, Suite 101A, Fairfax, VA 22030 Phone: (855) 957-8255 · Email: sales@americanstalls.com Website: americanstalls.com

American Stalls designs and builds custom, steel-framed horse stalls, stall fronts, stall partitions, barn doors, barn windows and equine flooring, and ships them from Fairfax, Virginia to barns across the United States and abroad. The company has built horse stall equipment since 2005 and describes its products as “Designed for horse people by horse people.” Hours are not posted on the site; call or email to reach the team.

Prepared by the American Stalls team. Product details on this page are taken from americanstalls.com; check the current product pages or ask your project manager before ordering.