In recent years, barndominiums (or “barndos”) have become increasingly popular. They can be recognized by their metal or steel frame exterior. Early farmers converted barns into homes to live closer to the farm. In 2016, Chip and Joanna Gaines helped a family in Waco, Texas, transform their service building and working barn into a beautiful home they called “The Barn-dominium.”
Since then, DIY enthusiasts and home design lovers have made barndominiums a popular home trend. They can be found all over the United States, but mostly in rural areas in the Midwest and southern states. Barndominiums can be used for a variety of purposes and can have different design styles.
This blog post will provide a detailed introduction to the barndominium trend, including some of the benefits of living in a barndominium. In addition, if you are thinking of buying land to build your own barndominium, there are some things you should know.
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What is a Barndominium?
A barndominium is a building that combines living and working spaces. It can be used as both a home and a workplace. It has enough space for people to live and work. Some people use part of the space as a garage or workshop. You can also use it as a storage room or home office.
Adventurous types can store caravans, boats, and all-terrain vehicles in the “barn” part of the barndominium. On the other hand, there is also extra space in the barndominium that can be used as a home bar, games room, or sports area. Since these metal buildings have an open floor plan, they are very practical and have a unique and distinctive look.
Types of Barndominium
In the past, barndominiums were considered to be simple steel structures. However, in recent years, this type of home has taken on many different forms. They are no longer just metal frames for equipment. Now there are many options to choose from in terms of design, color, style, and layout. Here are some of the common types of barndominium today:
Steel Frame Pole Barn Style
This is the most common type of barndominium, and it is usually the first one you think of when you hear the term. This type of building is usually made of a steel or wood frame. It has a spacious open floor plan, just like a traditional barn. Metal Building Vs Pole Barn .
Homeowners can design it in a rustic or modern style to suit their preferences. And, most people now choose prefabricated steel buildings to build their barndominium. This is because the steel components can increase its strength and durability.
Barn Conversions
You can convert an existing barn into a practical living space. This is another popular type of barndominium. These barn apartments usually have a unique style. They may have original beams, exposed brick, or wood accents that add rustic charm.
Barndominium Kits
Barndominium kits are pre-planned and pre-built buildings. They can be delivered to the site and assembled. Prefabricated metal building kits are an affordable way for those who want to build their own barndominium. Because they come with all the materials and installation instructions you need.
Shipping Container Barndominiums
A recent trend in barndominiums is the use of shipping containers as the main building material. These materials can give your home a unique and stylish look. They are also environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Silo Barndominiums
Silo Barndominiums are an emerging trend in the housing industry. They are built in a similar way to containers. Old silos are repurposed and converted into unique living spaces. They offer a more artistic and unique way of living the barndominium life. You may see some silo barndominiums with a silo at the corner complementing the main house.
Barndominium Communities
In recent years, barndominium communities have become increasingly popular. They are usually a collection of several barndominiums built next to each other. These communities often have a rustic feel and give owners a sense of belonging.
Advantages of Barndominiums
Affordable
How much does it cost to build a barndominium? As a rule, the cost of building a barndominium is lower than the cost of building a log cabin. The construction costs depend on the size of the building, the materials used, the furnishings, and any special features such as a balcony or porch. On average, however, the price per square foot is between 94 and 120 US dollars.
On the other hand, the cost of building a standard home is about $175 to $220 per square foot. Therefore, the cost of building a barndominium is lower than the cost of a standard home. For example, if you want to build a 1,500-square-foot home at the lowest cost. Then the cost difference between the two construction methods will be nearly $121,500!
If you don’t mind using a fixed floor plan with only a few modifications, you can buy a barndominium kit. These prefabricated metal buildings are even cheaper, with a 1,000 to 2,000-square-foot barndominium costing less than $50,000 to build. And, it eliminates some of the uncertainty of building a home from scratch.
Durable
Because they are built with steel frames, barndominiums do not require as much maintenance as wood houses. With proper care, their steel frames are less likely to suffer from the rot, termites, and wear and tear that are common problems with houses.
In addition, steel buildings are environmentally resilient and can withstand the vagaries of the weather. Strong winds are unlikely to damage or destroy a steel barndominium or blow off its roof. Steel buildings can withstand winds as strong as those in a tornado.
Open Floor Plan
Moving around in a barndominium is very convenient thanks to the open layout. There is one large room that connects the kitchen, living room, and dining room. Your home will have more space and the rooms will feel connected. Barndominiums usually have high ceilings and windows that reach up to the sky. Even smaller barndominiums will make you feel big.
In addition, the open-plan layout of a barndominium allows you to design and adapt it to your preferences. So you can have a living room with high ceilings, but also several bedrooms or a studio. These differently designed rooms can reflect your personal preferences and lifestyle.
Energy Efficiency
When building your new home, do you place a lot of emphasis on energy efficiency? Thanks to their metal construction and modern design, barndominiums are renowned for their energy efficiency. When it comes to insulation, metal is a great choice. Depending on the season, it can keep a home warm or cool. Of course, you may still need to add insulation to the foundation, such as foam boards, insulation boards or spray foam.
As many barndominiums usually have plenty of windows. So there is plenty of natural light during the day, which reduces the need for artificial lighting. And because there are fewer walls between the rooms, there is better air circulation. This will help you save on heating and cooling costs. To use green energy, some barndominium owners even use the savings on construction costs to install solar panels.
Faster Construction
A typical house with a studded frame takes about eight months to build from start to finish. If you have a team of contractors to help you, building a barn apartment usually takes about six months, and we’ve compiled the top 5 metal building contractors here. If you buy a prefabricated barndominium kit, the construction time may be as little as two or three months. Of course, the construction time depends on your skills, the resources available, and the time you can spend on the project. In addition, if you add more features or make changes, it may lengthen the construction time.
Modern Amenities Included
Modern barndominiums can have state-of-the-art amenities. These can include high-end kitchen design elements, spa-like bathrooms, smart home technology, and other latest home trends. With a barndominium, you can have the best of both worlds by combining modern comforts and luxury with a minimalist, cost-effective design.
Extend Living Space
Barndominiums have open-plan living spaces that can easily be extended to the outdoors. They also have plenty of space for large windows and sliding doors. As a result, barndominiums can easily incorporate large porches, decks, or patio areas. This is perfect for those who love nature or who want more space for entertaining.
Different Things to Consider When Building a Barndominium
Are you ready to start building your dream barndominium? As with building a conventional home, there are a few things to consider before you get started. Here are some of the things you should know and prepare for.
Obtaining a Building Permit
Obtaining a building permit is the first order of business. In most cases, you need to obtain permission from the relevant local authority to build an additional structure on your property. You usually have 180 days from the time you obtain the permit to start construction and 24 months from the start of construction to complete it. In some areas, you can apply for an additional 180-day extension.
The cost of the permit depends on the area where you want to build your barndominium. However, in general, it can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the value of the building. It is important to note that if you want to convert an existing barn into a bar, you may also need a permit. Therefore, you should make sure that the building complies with building codes and has all the necessary permits. This way, you will know exactly how to convert your barndominium.
Zoning
Zoning regulations may differ from one region to another. Building a barndominium in a private residential area may be more problematic than in an open area. Zoning laws regulate how people use land within an area to make it have a more uniform look and feel. In some places, especially young neighborhoods, they have their house style.
Consequently, building a barndominium may not be permitted. This is because their house style does not fit in. If you want to be sure, it is best to consult the local authorities. They can help you build a barndominium and answer any questions you may have. However, make sure that you choose the correct zoning for your land.
Loans
This is one of the biggest problems people have when buying a home. When you apply for a loan to build your farmhouse, the lender will look at much of the same information as they would for a regular home loan. However, to be on the safe side, you should have a detailed plan for building the farmhouse and a quote from a contractor.
Lenders may want to see blueprints and floor plans. They will also want to know the details of the barndominium’s interior and an actual timeline for the estimated completion date. If you have a good credit history and can show that you have already invested a lot of time and effort in planning, then the lender is more likely to offer you a loan.
Resale Value
Before you start building, think about how long you want to live in your farmstead apartment. Will you stay in the barndominium forever? Or will you keep looking for more houses until you find one that meets all your needs?
Not everyone likes barndominiums. Some people prefer more traditional houses. There are people in the market looking for a barndominium as their own home. But this market is not as big as the market for timber frame houses. If you want to sell your barndominium, it may take longer to find the right person.
Despite this, a barndominium can be a great place to invest your money. This type of construction has roughly the same value growth as commercial property. Under normal market conditions, it appreciates by about 2% to 3% per year and usually doesn’t depreciate. The value of a barndominium depends on many factors, such as location, land type, size, and any features or variations.
Summary
Overall, the barndominium is a popular alternative living arrangement. More and more people are opting for this type of home because of its many advantages. Are you interested in building a unique country home that offers you more space and options? A barndominium could be the right choice for you. Now that you know more about barndominiums, it’s time to start looking for a building site.
