Exploring The Rise of Barndominiums: A Modern Twist on Country Living

Given the uncertainty in the US housing market, characterized by high prices and low inventory, many consumers are exploring alternative living options. One increasingly popular choice is the barndominium.

Barndominiums are becoming more and more popular due to their flexible design and functionality, as well as their affordability, low upkeep, and energy efficiency.

A barndominium could be the ideal choice for someone seeking a budget-friendly, easy-to-care-for home with versatile usage options.

This article will introduce you to the concept of a barndominium and provide you with essential information to help you determine if it is the right choice for your lifestyle.

What Is A Barndominium?

The term “barndominium” may be a relatively new word in the real estate world, but its popularity has quickly risen thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines. The dynamic duo featured a unique barndominium on their hit HGTV show Fixer Upper, where they transformed an old barn into a beautiful and functional living space. This episode sparked a nationwide interest in these metal constructions, leading to the rise of barndominiums as a popular housing option.

Originally coined as a play on words combining “barn” and “condominium,” the term has now evolved to encompass any metal construction that is used for residential purposes. These structures can range from simple one-story homes to sprawling, upscale properties, providing endless possibilities for homeowners looking for something out of the ordinary.

Barndominiums have become increasingly popular among those seeking a modern twist on country living. With their hybrid design of traditional barn elements and contemporary finishes, these homes offer the best of both worlds – rustic charm with modern amenities. They also provide an affordable alternative to traditional stick-built houses, making them attractive options for those looking to build their dream home without breaking the bank.

One of the main appeals of barndominiums is their versatility. Due to their open floor plans and wide-open space designs, homeowners have the flexibility to customize their living spaces according to their needs and preferences. This makes them ideal for large families or individuals who need specific spaces such as home offices or workshops within their homes.

Another significant factor driving the popularity of barndominiums is their durability. Made from sturdy metal materials such as steel or aluminum, these buildings are built to last even in harsh weather conditions. They are also highly energy-efficient due to excellent insulation properties – keeping utility bills low while maintaining comfortable temperatures inside.

In addition to being durable and cost-effective, many people are drawn towards barndominiums because they allow for easy customization and personalization. From exterior finishes to interior design elements, homeowners have a wide range of options to make their barndominium unique and reflective of their personal style.

The rise of barndominiums can be attributed to their unique blend of rustic charm and modern amenities, affordability, versatility, durability, and customizability. Whether it’s a simple barn conversion or a luxurious country estate, these metal constructions are quickly becoming the top choice for those looking for a non-traditional living space that offers the best of both worlds.

Barndominiums, whether built with wood or steel, have the roof system supported along the perimeter, creating a spacious interior similar to a warehouse. This open layout allows for a wide range of design options, and during construction, walls can be easily moved to adjust the layout and room sizes.

The living area offers all the comforts and amenities of a traditional home, including basic necessities like plumbing and electricity, as well as luxurious features such as a second story, open floor plan, vaulted ceiling, and a wraparound porch.

A barndominium’s working area can be tailored to suit a variety of needs, ranging from a basic storage warehouse with barn doors to a spacious workshop. It can be customized to accommodate your specific business requirements.

A steel barndominium is an affordable and efficient solution for maximizing your living and storage space in various aspects of your daily life.

How Long Does It Take To Build A Barndominium?

The construction time for barndominiums can vary depending on factors such as customization and size. While a simple barn home can be built in a matter of weeks, a custom barndominium may take over a year to complete. Typically, most barndominiums take approximately 3-6 months to construct.

Barndominiums come in a wide range of sizes, and this can significantly affect the time it takes to construct them. Generally speaking, barndominiums can be built much faster than traditional homes, often taking only about half the time to complete.

Barndominium Most Common Sizes

Barndominium floor plans, like traditional homes, can be customized to any size to fit your specific needs. However, certain sizes are more commonly used for barndominiums.

40×30 (1200 square foot)
40×60 (2400 square foot)
40×75 (3000 square foot)
60×60 (3600 square foot)
60×70 (4200 square foot)

The right size for you will depend on how much living space, as well as storage and workspace, you will need. The benefit of a barndominium interior is that you can maximize the space to use it any way you wish.

How Much Is A Barndominium?

The cost of a barndominium can fluctuate based on a variety of factors, such as the quality of materials and finishes, labor charges, custom features, location, size, and construction material pricing.

Barndos provide the option of either a basic barndominium kit with just the walls and roof, or a turnkey barndo that includes all the additional details such as cabinetry, windows, and flooring.

Do Barndominiums Hold Their Value?

Barndominiums are generally able to maintain their resale value and may even experience a gradual increase over time. However, it’s important to note that the value of a barndominium typically does not increase as quickly as that of a traditional home.

Barndominiums, while gaining popularity, are still uncommon in some regions. This is an important factor to consider if you plan on building one and selling it in the future. The scarcity of similar properties and appraisers’ unfamiliarity with these structures can make obtaining an accurate appraisal for a barndominium sale more difficult.

What Are The Advantages Of A Barndominium?

Affordability
Energy Efficiency
Longevity
Durability
Flexibility

Affordability

Barndominiums provide great value per square foot and are ideal for large families or businesses in need of ample workspace. Additionally, they typically have lower insurance rates and taxes.

Is A Barndominium Cheaper Than A House?

Barndominiums offer cost savings for potential owners who choose to act as their own general contractor and purchase a house plan directly online, with potential savings ranging from 15-20%. However, if a general contractor is hired, the cost of building a barndominium is similar to that of a traditional home.

Energy Efficiency

Insulating a metal building like a barndominium can greatly improve its energy efficiency by preventing air from escaping and reducing the strain on the heating and cooling system. As a result, this can lead to lower utility bills.

Longevity

Barndominiums benefit from the same advantages as metal roofing and siding, such as their long-lasting durability.

How Long Do Barndominiums Last?

If you regularly maintain the roof and siding of your barndominium, it is possible to enjoy it for 50 years or more.

Durability

Barndominiums are constructed from metal, providing them with a high level of durability comparable to steel structures. This allows them to resist mold, mildew, rot, termites, extreme weather, and fire, making them a safe and secure housing option. Their structural integrity also means they require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan than traditional homes.

Flexibility

When building a fully custom barndominium, the design and function are only limited by your imagination. You have the freedom to control the size of your living and work areas, and can even design your workspace to function as a garage, shop, or warehouse.

The disadvantages of a barndominium include challenges in finding financing options, potential difficulty in reselling the property, and zoning restrictions that may impact its use.

Financing For Barndominiums Is Harder To Find

In recent years, barndominiums have become increasingly popular, leading to more lenders being open to financing them. However, securing a loan for a barndominium can be more challenging compared to getting approved for a mortgage for a traditional home.

It is possible to secure financing for a barndominium, although it may be more challenging to do so through traditional housing lenders. However, farm credit lenders generally offer financing options for barndominiums.

You should gather as much information as possible, including interior details of your barndominium, materials list, subcontractor bids, and a timeline for your project, before discussing financing with a lender.

Custom Barndominiums Are Difficult To Resell

A barndominium is a non-traditional living space that is becoming more popular, but it may not be appealing to everyone due to its unique design and customization. Because of its niche market appeal and personalized floor plan, it could be challenging to sell in the future if you choose to do so.

Zoning Restrictions For Barndominiums

It can be challenging to find a suitable location for building a metal barndominium due to building regulations in cities and towns. Barndominiums are more commonly found in rural areas where the building code is more relaxed.

What Are The Best States To Build A Barndominium?

Barndominiums are increasingly popular across the United States, and Texas remains the top state for these unique homes. This is due to the abundance of land and flexible zoning laws in the state.

Barndominiums are versatile and can be built in almost any state and climate. In extremely cold weather, they may need additional insulation, which is typical for any type of home.

However, some areas are more favorable for barndominiums from a cost perspective. The south and midwest are areas with considerably cheaper labor and land which helps keep construction costs lower.

Is A Barndominium Right For You?

In conclusion, a barndominium offers an affordable and low maintenance living and working space that is perfect for those looking for a unique alternative to traditional homes. With its versatile design, customizable features and cost-effective construction, it has become a popular choice among modern homeowners. Whether you are looking to downsize or simply want a more practical yet stylish home, consider the option of building your own barndominium today. It may just be the perfect solution for your needs.