Everything You Need to Know About Barndominiums

The latest trend in hybrid living spaces has caught on aacross rural America. From an economical solution to providing flexible living spaces, you can find barndominiums in all shapes and sizes. But what exactly are they and why are they so popular? A barndominium is a barn-like building that hs been converted to include all the comforts of a home-like plumbing, heating, cooling, and stylish finishes.

What is a Barndominium?

There are no hard rules when it comes to trendy living spaces, but you’ll likely find that typical barndominiums are constructed from eco-friendly, cost-effective materials like metal panels. Barndominiums provide the ultimate space flexibility with wide-open spaces. They’re particularly well-suited to dual-purpose homes that include functional work or warehouse space under the same roof. The absence of center support beams also lends itself well to popular open-floor plans that feature common living spaces without walls between rooms.

Quick Construction

From breaking ground to move-in day, a barndominium can be completed in a fraction of the time that a typical residential home requires. For starters, the shell of the home is a metal pole barn that can be erected with a crew of four or five in a few weeks, leading to lower labor costs. Then, finishing out the living space can be scaled to meet nearly any budget by choosing different finishes. If the average residential home takes 7-8 months to complete construction, a barndominium can be completed in half the time, often between three and six months.

Flexible Space & Easy Additions

Another key benefit is the sheer flexibility available with barndominiums. Since the original structures are generally made from lighter-weight materials like metal panels, homeowners are free to use the interior space however they want as well as add on to the original structure however they want.

Low-Maintenance Durability

The steel panels that are often used to construct the shell of barndominium homes have the highest impact-resistance rating, ensuring that your home will stand up to intense weather like high winds and damaging hail. Homeowners also love the idea that these metal barns offer a low-maintenance alternative to wood siding that needs to be painted and sealed or asphalt shingle roofing that needs to be torn off and replaced every couple of decades.

Cost-Effective Housing Option

While individual design choices can impact the final price tag significantly, the possibility of putting up a livable housing structure with a small budget is easiest to secure with low labor, long-lasting building material. Costs continue to rise but, in many markets, a new home can cost upwards of $145 per square foot while a barndominium can cost between $30 and $125 per square foot.  

Sustainable Living Option

The barndominium design makes it easy to incorporate environmentally-friendly materials. These buildings typically use metal panels for walls and roofs, which are made from recycled material and will be fully recyclable once they’re replaced. Also, consider the long-term impact through lower carbon use to heat and cool an energy-efficient home as well as the absence of chemical run-off from petroleum-based shingles on the roof.

What Costs Should Be Considered Before Choosing a Barndominium?

Barndominiums are generally considered a cheaper alternative to traditional residential construction. However, costs can quickly get out of control. Here are the main cost areas to consider when choosing the level of finishes and planning your budget.

Price per Square Foot

The price per square foot is a comparison of the total cost to build to the size of the building. It’s an industry-standard method for cost estimation in residential construction. And, on average, the cost to build a barndominium can be as low as $30 per square foot, with the average falling around $62 – $75 per square foot. Compare this cost to traditional residential homes which are often upwards of $150 per square foot and a barndominium is an easy, cost-effective choice.

Exterior Costs

Drilling down further into the ballpark price-per-square-foot figures, you’ll need to make some key decisions regarding exterior costs. The exterior, or shell, of your barndominium is generally made using a metal pole barn construction which saves time and money while meeting sustainability goals. You’ll need to make a few decisions regarding the type of panels you want to use, color, and beam construction.

Interior Costs

The interior finishes get a lot more detailed. Here, you will need to decide the layout for your barndominium and calculate expenses for framing walls, running electrical and plumbing, and building out individual rooms. In the kitchen alone, you’ll need cabinetry, tile, plumbing, lighting, HVAC, and appliances. You can keep your costs low by opting for durable, neutral-colored finishes like almond-colored tile or woodgrain vinyl plank flooring and beige walls.

Higher-end finishes will produce a more luxurious look and feel to your barndominium home but they will also drive up the price tag considerably. For example, outfitting your kitchen with granite counters and your floors with terrazzo tile may suit your aesthetic preferences but a similar look can often be achieved with less costly materials if you’re willing to compromise to stick to a budget.

The Bottom Line on the Barndominium Trend

Barndominiums are becoming an increasingly popular housing trend, especially in rural areas. These buildings provide a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional housing options. Plus, they provide the perfect backdrop to embrace the modern farmhouse design trend. From a style choice to a convenient way to build a hybrid home and workshop, there are many reasons that homeowners are opting to embrace the barndominium lifestyle.

About Metal Sales

Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation is the premier nationwide provider of metal panels for the construction industry. Metal Sales works with architectural specifiers and commercial construction professionals to create inspirational design solutions. With the industry’s largest and most knowledgeable sales and technical support team, Metal Sales has the expertise to address today’s challenges in high-performance, sustainable and Net-Zero building. Metal Sales has outreach around the world. Delivering outstanding roof, wall and fascia metal panels from its 21 facilities throughout the U.S.

For more information, visit www.metalsales.us.com
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