Have you ever seen a barndominium? With the price of a standard home rising higher than ever before, people have turned their eyes towards alternative ways of living. Tiny homes, tree houses, and barndominiums are just a few entries on the list of new ways people are nesting.
If purchasing a three-bedroom home is out of your price range, a little research could open up new possibilities for the future.
You and your family deserve comfortable living, so dig into this brief compilation that will help you understand a little more about the barndominium revolution.
What Is a Barndominium?
A barndominium is a barn-style building made from wood, metal, or steel that can serve as a place to live with an area for work. They can be a more affordable way to live life, and they offer a wide range of flexibility when it comes to design. Think of a barn turned into a condominium, and you’ll understand its concept.
What Is the Difference Between a House and a Barndominium?
While a barndominium serves as a perfectly suitable “house,” there are many distinct differences between it and the build of a traditional house. For instance, a traditional house has a deep foundation. A barndominium doesn’t require one.
Houses are commonly constructed of wood and brick. Barndominiums can be built from steel, metal, or wood. They also always have vaulted ceilings, and houses don’t always have to come with those features.
With a barndominium, you usually have a wide-open space within the structure, and conventional homes can be quite restrictive. The two are definitely different, but your family can be just as comfortable in either setup.
Is a Bardominum Cheaper Than a House?
Barndominiums are easily more affordable than traditional houses, but there’s always a way to make it a more expensive build. The key is to take a special interest in the materials you choose for construction along the way.
The cost of building a traditional home often lies around $175 per square foot. On average, the price of building a barndominium hovers in the $70 to $90 per square foot range.
If you choose all high-end materials, the cost of a barndominium could be pretty comparable to that of a more traditional house. However, there’s plenty of room in the cost to get a very comfortable space to lay your head than what you’d pay for a house.
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How Long Will It Last?
If you choose to build your own barndominium, you won’t have to worry about finding another home anytime soon. A well-crafted one could easily serve as a home for 50 years or more.
Of course, the years you get out of the building will reflect the care you take as the years pass. Make sure to maintain the roof and siding of the structure to avoid any unnecessary structural damage over time.
What Are the Benefits of a Barndominium?
When exploring alternative housing options, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of the situation. You want yourself and your family to enter the situation with eyes wide open, and the process begins with the breakdown.
A huge pro of living in a barndominium is the flexibility of the space. An open design is pretty standard with barndominiums, and there’s a lot you can do with a blank slate.
Durability is another perk. Being constructed of metal or steel makes their shell strong. A metal or steel shell also helps create a more mold and mildew-resistant environment. The simplicity of the structure of a barndominium requires a little less upkeep to maintain as well.
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What Is the Downside of a Barndominium?
If you look at the perks of a situation, you must also consider the downside. The cons of owning and living in a barndominium begin with limited locations. You can’t always build your dream barndominium in the middle of a city. You’ll likely have to live in a more rural area.
It can also be a little tricky to get financing for a barndominium build. They aren’t classified as manufactured homes, so you’ll have to get the loan under more traditional outlines and prefaces.
Ultimately, you can’t overlook the sound challenges you might face. Living in an open concept, metal structure means that sound will travel quite nicely. That may not be a perk for everyone.
What Is a Good Size Barndominium?
There are a few sizes that seem to be fairly popular with buyers and builders. The 30 ft by 40 ft size offers 1200 square feet of usable space. The 40 ft x 75 ft offers 3,000 square feet of living space, and the 60 ft by 70 ft barndominium gives you 4200 square feet to utilize as you see fit. The best size for you and your family really depends on how you plan to use the space.
Are They Safe in Storms?
If you’re looking for storm resilience, there are plenty of ways to make your barndominium design safer for the family. Building the structure with reinforced steel, for instance, will give you a stronger defense against heavy winds and debris that may accompany a strong storm. A steel shell also gives you a better defense against water damage.
Can You Have a Basement With a Barndominium?
Typically, a barndominium doesn’t have a basement. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t have one. If you’re designing and building a whole new structure, there’s no reason why you couldn’t add a basement to the works.
Is a Barndominium a Good Idea?
Whether or not a barndominium is a good idea is strictly subjective. What’s more important is to have a strong understanding of what you and your family want in a home before making the decision to transition to barndominium life. Now that you know a little more about the options, call the family together, and stir up some good conversation over a hot meal.
Do you see yourself living in a barndominium? Tell us in the comments!
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