BARNDOMINIUMS

One of the biggest misconceptions about barndominiums is that they are barns that are converted into living spaces. Although that can be true, you can convert a barn into a home but that’s not necessarily what a barndominium is. A barndominium is a style of architecture with an influence of country, farmhouse and modern design that draws inspiration from traditional barns. Just like ranch style homes, modern farmhouse or contemporary, barndominiums are in their own category of architecture. Just because you use the term barndominium, barn house, shophouse or barndo doesn’t mean you are building or plan to live in a barn.

Bankers, builders and building departments may all have a different opinion of what a barndominium is which can be difficult for the homebuyer. A banker may explain that they do not finance barndominiums while a builder may say they he doesn’t build barndominiums and a building department may state that they won’t approve a barndominium. Since the concept of barndominiums is still new it would be better to refer to the home you plan to build as a custom built home, because that’s really what it is. BuildMax has removed the word “Barndominium” off all their house plans because it causes confusion. Until barndominiums go mainstream and people fully understand that they are not barns and they are a style of architecture, misinformation will abound.

Another misconception about barndominiums is that they “must be metal buildings”, this is not true. There are plenty of barndos (short for barndominium) being built using a variety of methods including post frame, conventional stick-frame, ICF (insulated concrete forms), SIP (structural insulated panels) and in south Florida they even use concrete block walls to build barndominiums. No matter what you use to build a barndominium there are a few features that set them apart from the traditional home.

1. Wide open spaces with vaulted great rooms created by free spanning truss systems. Whether you plan to use steel, wood or post to build your barndominium many barndominium floor plans have 2^nd story lofts that overlook the great room and dining room. Since the trusses are supported by the exterior walls you have the flexibility to design any interior layout you desire.
2. Exterior and interior barn doors is another popular feature. The doors draw their inspiration from tradition barns and can transform the overall look of the home. A good example is the BuildMax BM2500. This unique design by BuildMax has captured the hearts of thousands of people with it’s simple gable roof, black metal siding and 10’ exterior barn doors. Interior barn doors are used to further enhance the barn influence.
3. These types of homes are typically easier to build than traditional homes with hip roofs, difficult foundations, and odd sized layouts. Most are designed as simple rectangles with gable roofs. Matter of fact barndos are the most cost-effective style of architecture because of these features. When you compare a complex foundation and roof design to a barndominium you will see how there is a tremendous savings in concrete, lumber and labor.
4. The design style of a barndominium is distinct. This style of architecture is instantly recognizable. Barndos can take on many different looks just like any other style of architecture. They can have wrap around porches like modern farmhouse design, attached and detached garages with breezeways and they can use dormers to extend the space.
5. Barn house plans or barndominium house plans are becoming much easier to find on the internet. A quick search for barndominium plans will yield hundreds of choices. Lot’s of plans have wrap around porches, attached garages and 2 story layouts.

BuildMax has introduced the industry to an array of ways to build barndominiums. For years metal buildings were the primary method for building a barndo, but a lot has changed over the years. A recent discussion with the owners of BuildMax (Tony & Arlene Golladay) revealed that most of their barndominium kits are being sold as convention wood-built frames using premium 2×6 spruce, metal siding and metal roofing. BuildMax answers thousands of calls a month and most people have the impression from the Internet that metal building homes are cheaper to build than wood. Although this may have been true a few years ago but at the time of writing this article the opposite is true. Wood has taken a steep dive in prices lately. Here’s a good example: at the peak of covid a sheet of 7/16 OSB cost $57.00 but today that same sheet is $9.08. This price is near pre-covid pricing. So, with that in mind let’s talk about how to build a barndominium out of wood and metal.

Most people these days are building on a slab, but crawl spaces and basements are still acceptable foundations when using wood framing. Barndominium kits and post frame kits have been popular for their convenience, price and availability. You can purchase a barndominium floor plan, order a building kit and find a builder using the BuildMax program. Barndominium kits include framing, roof trusses, siding & trim, roofing, windows, doors, screws and nails to get your home in the dry.

Hiring a builder is one of the most important parts to building a barndominium. BuildMax is building a nationwide builder network so they can offer a free builder locator service.

Financing a barndominium is another thing you may need when building a barndo. BuildMax has partnered with a couple lenders that do offer construction financing for barndominiums.

Barndominiums are not that much different than a traditional site-built home. Every item in a conventional build will be required in your barndominium. There are a few areas you can save on when building a barndominium but don’t let someone convince you that you can build a barndo for $75.00 a square foot, that’s just not possible these days. Barndominium costs can range from $90 to $200 a sq. ft. depending on what part of the country you live and how much sweat equity you put into the project. Be cautious how you describe your new construction, remember that builders, bankers and building departments may not be familiar with barndominiums and thus they may tell you they don’t finance, build or approve barns which is far from what you plan to build.