Barndominiums: Everything You Need To Know

Have you heard of the barndominium? If not, you’re in for a treat. These structures are changing the game. From modern home spaces to barns and event centers, barndominiums offer a unique and modern alternative architecture with impressive flexibility. 

Barndominiums boast an impressive architectural design. They are made of metal panels, and so they offer excellent sustainability for those who want to care for our planet. Plus, they’re extremely flexible, giving you free rein to design the interior just as you wish without concern about load-bearing walls.

Read on to learn more about what a barndominium is and why you might want one for your next construction build.

What is a Barndominium?

The concept of a barndominium means different things to different people. For example, if you live in the upper Midwest or the Rockies, you’re more likely to refer to this structure as a wood-framed barn, post-framed barn, or pole barn. A barndominium is a structure with an engineered wood truss system. 

However, if you live in the south or east part of the U.S., you’re more likely thinking about steel and, thus, a steel-framed structure. And all of these answers are correct. Any way you look, these structures are clad in sheet metal, either a corrugated metal siding panel or an R-panel.

Simply put, a barndominium is a building in which the entire weight of the roof system is carried along the perimeter. That’s why you have so much flexibility on the inside. As we said, there’s no concern about load-bearing walls taking space in less-than-ideal places.

So, aside from that, why are barndominiums so appealing? Well, consider that on the outside, a barndominium is a giant structure that can take on any appearance you want. We’re seeing these structures become increasingly popular for wedding venues, agricultural surplus stores, orchard operations, and, yes, even for homes.

But on the inside, that’s where the magic really happens. You have space to work with to do just about anything you want. All you need is a great designer and a great plan, and you can design your rooms and spaces exactly to your specifications without worrying about jeopardizing the structure.

 

Stylish Modern Barndominium

What are the Advantages of Building a Barndominium?

We get it -- you’re rightfully intrigued. If you’re not already thinking of building a barndominium, we’re sure that the following list of advantages will have you heading to the BarrierBoss product catalog to start your order for corrugated metal panels. But before we toot our own horn, let’s get to that list.

Energy Efficiency 

The very nature of a barndominium makes it highly energy-efficient. Steel buildings are created with minimal to no gaps, leaving little space for heat or cold to escape. Wood is known to settle and even twist from repeated exposure to the elements, but steel holds its form and shape longer. Further, those ridges and grooves in corrugated panels, also called tongue and groove, create a nicely insulated cocoon.

It’s also important to mention that BarrierBoss corrugated metal siding and roofing panels are made from 26-gauge galvanized steel panels. As you know, the lower the gauge, the thicker the metal is. While many steel structures are made from highly durable 29-gauge steel, or steel is stronger and heartier, making it far less likely to lose shape.

Ease of Maintenance

Here’s where things get interesting. With almost any other exterior, you must deal with maintenance and potential repairs or replacements. For example, vinyl siding is prone to damage from wind, hail, and even heavy snow.  While it is easy to clean (just use a mild earth-friendly dish soap and your garden house), vinyl siding lasts only about 20 to 30 years.

Wood siding, on the other hand, requires regular upkeep. You must wash your wood siding every two to three years to remove mold, mildew, and other debris. And, if your wood is painted, you may need to repaint every three to five years.

On the other hand, steel siding is built to stand the test of time. It is easy to maintain (use a similar approach as with vinyl), and repairs are rarely necessary. Not only that, but your steel products should last 40 years or more. We’re so confident that we even warranty our steel products for 40 years. 

Niche Market

Barndominiums appeal to a very specific and niche target market. Typically, you’re looking at someone with very modern tastes. These steel structures are also a great fit for people who work from home, have hobbies requiring a lot of space, or want 100% creative control over their home’s interiors.

Further, people living in barndominiums tend to enjoy nature and want wide open spaces inside. This might mean high ceilings and large living spaces. This same target audience also often likes a lot of window coverage to provide access to the outdoors. Think of it as a way to blend the indoors and outdoors. In fact, this is why so many wedding venues are opting for barndominiums as it is very easy to create that airy effect with large doors open to the external environment.

Resale Value 

If you build a barndominium, it's best if you plan to live or work in that space for years to come. While the design and look may suit your tastes, they might not work for someone else. This can negatively affect your resale value if the right buyer isn’t around when you’re looking to sell.

Living in a Barndominium

So, what’s it like living in a barndominium? As with any custom-designed luxury home, you’re going to love it. However, living in a steel house is different from living in a traditional home. 

Here’s what we think you’re going to love:

• Bright, open spaces with easy access to the outdoors (especially for barndominiums in rural locations)
• Spacious interiors allow you to live a life of luxury in a way that many people can only imagine
• Energy efficiency, especially if you added extra insulation and invested in energy-saving appliances and LED lighting
• Practicality and versatility because there are no load-bearing interior walls, which means your space can be redesigned easily, if needed and if your budget allows
• The knowledge that you made an investment that is good for the planet
• Peace of mind as steel siding and roofing is fire resistant 
• Being the talk of the town because all your neighbors will want to see your space and will love the curb appeal you brought to the community 

Are You Ready to Build a Barndominium?

If we sold you on the many benefits of life in a barndominium, now is the time to decide who your steel panel supplier will be. At BarrierBoss, we take great pride in offering high-quality materials at a competitive price. Not only that, but our customer service is second to none. We know what it’s like to work with challenging suppliers. So, we take out all the stops to provide a superior experience.

Ready to get started? Contact us today with your plan, and we’ll set you up with the materials to begin your barndominium project.

Bird's Eye View Of A Black Barndominium

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a barndominium differ from a traditional house?

Barndominiums are designed with the full weight of the roof and roofing components resting along the perimeter. This provides great interior flexibility compared to traditional homes with weight-bearing walls inside. Further, barndominiums have much higher ceilings, usually around 14’ compared to a traditional home's standard 8’ to 9’.

Is a black barndominium my only option?

While black barndominiums are very popular, there are actually 26 different colors to choose from. We use PVDF paint, known by the trade name Kynar 500®, for all of our painting projects, so you can expect a high-quality finish that will stand the test of time. PVDF is superior to the SMP paint that is used by many of our competitors.

How much does it cost to build a barndominium?

If you plan to hire a general contractor, the price of building a barndominium can be comparable to that of a traditional home. However, if you build independently without hiring a contractor, you can anticipate costs of $30 to $40 per square foot. Most traditional homes are $100 or more per square foot.

What is the average size of a barndominium?

A popular feature of a barndominium is that it can be built to your desired specifications. And if you choose a custom plan, the world really is your oyster. That said, most construction plans call for a barndominium of the following popular sizes:

• 40x30 (1200 square foot)
• 40x60 (2400 square foot)
• 40x75 (3000 square foot)
• 60x60 (3600 square foot)
• 60x70 (4200 square foot) 

How do I start the process of building a barndominium?

The first step is to determine your vision and align that with your budget. Once you do this, you can shop for plans, steel siding, and roofing suppliers like BarrierBoss. And, after you have all the supplies, building your barndominium can take as little as two or three weeks. Some projects, however, can take as long as three to six months.