You can easily live in a barndominium. Barndominiums are a modern favorite because they have low build costs and open floor plans. They are completely customizable and can be modified to suit almost any family. However, they do cost money to build and may be hard to find depending on your location.

In the following article, we will define a barndominium and visit some real statistics on the number of people who live in them. Read on to learn what living in a barndominium is really like, and determine if it’s right for you.

What Is a Barndominium?

A barndominium is a type of metal container home. The word barndominium is a joint between “barn” and “condominium.” They can be large or small and are relatively simple homes constructed from steel bars and sheet metal siding that are usually used for barns. 

These homes can be repurposed from their original use as a barn or storage facility. The original barndominiums were usually created by adding a loft living space above a barn or factory. Nowadays, however, many people are now building barndominiums from scratch. 

Some companies offer prefabricated barndominiums. Think of these as sort of like Ikea for homes. You get all the pieces needed to set up your home shipped to you and simply need to put it together, or higher someone else to do it for you.

Once erected, you can then dress up the inside of your barndominiums like any other home, adding light fixtures, plumbing, painting and flooring, and, of course, decor.

Can You Actually Live in a Barndominium?

You may still be doubting the livability of barndominiums. It does sound like a pretty odd idea the first time you hear of it, but they are absolutely livable. Barndominiums have all of the amenities of a traditional home, including separate rooms, windows, decks, and garages.

In fact, some people find barndominiums even more customizable than traditional homes, because of the amount of finances that are freed up by choosing a barndominium.

Barndominiums are greatly customizable. They can be built to fill large properties, or made to fit smaller ones. They can have multiple floors if needed, or lofts. They are an ideal choice for someone who works from home and needs an office or workspace. You can create an area for all of your work or hobbies like painting, pottery, writing, woodworking, or anything else you can imagine.

Check out the full tour of this massive barndominium to see just how livable they can really be:

Where Are Most Barndominiums Found?

Barndominiums have been on the rise in Texas for a while, and they remain popular there today. There are at least 15 major barndominium builders in Texas. Any industry that can sustain that many large scale companies isn’t going anywhere soon.

The larger than life structures that can be easily achieved with barndominiums is part of the reason why Texans love them so much. For instance, this video tours a 10,000 square foot barndominium in Texas:

One of the top comments notes that “This is so Texas, everything all big and in your face, right down to the Longhorns outside yet you feel like you’ve just been hugged.”

Texas isn’t the only place that you can find barndominiums, however. One company, Worldwide Steel Buildings has provided prefab barndominiums to all 50 states in the USA. They have also shipped to many other countries and can ship almost everywhere internationally.

Though these “barndos” are a new concept, something called a “housebarn” has been built since prehistoric times. Like the Lutze Housebarn in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, people often built their barns connected to their homes. This is because “the heat from the animals [can] help warm the living area of the humans.”

These housebarns can be found in the USA and many places in Europe like Germany and Denmark.

How Barndominium Life Is Different Than Living in a Traditional Home

Almost everything about living in a barndominium is exactly like living in a traditional home. You will have all of the amenities available to you, like the kitchen, bathroom, living spaces, etc. The main difference between living in the two homes is the amount of home upkeep you have to do.

In a traditional home, you can expect to spend $10,000 USD per year on the maintenance of your home. But with a barndominium, there are many areas of maintenance that simply do not exist. For instance, you have to repaint the exterior of a traditional home once every few years. You will never have to repaint a barndominium.

Other areas that allow you to save are:

• No rot. Unlike wooden homes, steel won’t be affected by pests, mold, or rot because of the weather.
• Energy savings. One of the biggest cash drains of a traditional home is the air leaks that are caused by the house settling and moving- even slightly. Steel homes have much less movement, and won’t spring as many surprise leaks. This will make the home much more efficient.
• Cheaper insurance. Because steel homes are impervious to structural fires and can withstand storms and earthquakes really well, the cost of insuring your home can decrease immensely.

Because you will spend less time having to do home repairs and upkeep, living in a barndominium can provide you with more free time, and less stressful life. As barndominiums can last as long as 50 years with little to no maintenance, you’ll have more time to enjoy life.

The Perks of Living in a Barndominium

As we’ve learned, it is entirely possible to live in a barndominium. There are so many solid perks to choosing a barndominium over a traditional home.

• Faster to build. Barndominiums can take as little as half the time, or even less, to build as traditional homes. This will not only mean you can move into your new home sooner, but you will save money on the builder’s labor costs.
• Extremely durable. Barndominiums can last up to 50 years with little to no upkeep or repairs!
• Cheaper to build. The cost of building a barndo is significantly less than that of building a traditional home. Building a traditional home from nothing costs, on average, about $145 USD per square foot. Barndominiums cost about $90 USD per square foot.
• Save you money in the long run. Not only do barndominiums cost less to build than traditional homes, but you save a lot of money in the long run. There are fewer home repairs, and upkeep needed, and you’ll save money on insurance as well.
• Completely customizable. When you’re building a barndominium, you can create the house of your dreams. You can have a workspace and a living space, under one durable roof. Not only can you customize the space, but you also don’t have to have the same concerns as someone building a traditional home, because you don’t have to take into consideration the load-bearing walls and joints. In a barndominium, the sky’s the limit.

The Pitfalls of Living in a Barndominium

Though many of the perks of living in a barndominium are tempting, there are a few downfalls to consider.

• The exterior is not customizable. With a barndominium, whatever the color of the materials is, is what color your house is. Generally, the exterior walls and the roof are the same colour. Some people may not like the aesthetics of the metal walls.
• Lower resale value. Even though barndominiums are getting more and more popular, they are still not for everyone. If you do decide to sell your home, you may have more difficulties finding a buyer than with a traditional home.
• More money up front. If you’re looking to build or buy a barndominium, you may have difficulties getting a traditional mortgage. Since barndominiums are not yet classified as traditional homes, many mortgage brokers will not be able to take you on as a client. Over time, this will eventually change, as appraisers can see that barndominiums do hold their value, and are here to stay.

Summary

Living in a barndominium is almost no different than living in a traditional house. Building your barndominium from scratch will allow you to create a custom living space, exactly to your specifications. That means that barndominiums are extremely livable because they can be built to fit your personal needs.

The only real difference between living in a barndominium compared to a traditional house is the lower amount of home renovations and upkeep that you will be required to do. Living in a barndominium can provide you with more time to enjoy your unique home.

Sources

• Sunward Steel Buildings: Average Steel Building Cost Per Sq. Ft
• Barndominium Life: Barndominium Cost vs House
• Architecture Lab: What Are Barndominiums
• Allied Buildings: Barndominiums, All You Need to Know
• Barndominium Life: Barndominium Kits Texas
• Worldwide Steel Buildings: Worldwide Coverage
• Internet Archive: The Lutze Housebarn
• MoneySense: The Ultimate Home Maintenance Guide

You can live in a barndominium, as they’re a barn/condo combination. Barndominiums are cheaper to build, tend to be energy efficient, and are a low maintenance housing option. To live in a barndo, you’ll need a Certificate of Occupancy and “finish it out” (flooring, windows, cabinets, etc.).

It can be a little unusual to picture yourself living in a metal building. So, keep reading to find out what barndominiums really are and what it’s like to live in one. We’ll also go over things you’ll have to do in order to make them more comfortable and inhabitable by you and your family!

What Is a Barndominium?

The term “barndominium” is somewhat of a play on words, combining the concepts of a “barn” and a “condominium.” 

These metal structures typically have a “workspace” area that can include anything like horse stalls, an auto shop, an art studio, or a workshop. The other half of a barndominium is typically considered the “living quarters” and appears very similar to a typical spacious home with an open floor plan. Barndominiums tend to be more popular in America’s southern states, especially the state of Texas. 

Key Features of Barndominiums

It might be hard to picture yourself living in a barndominium, particularly if you’ve lived in a typical wooden home up until this point. What’s it like to live in a metal home? Let’s go over some key barndo features:

• A 50:50 split of workspace to living quarters (though, it could be more in either way)
• Open floor plans on the first floor
• Loft areas overlooking the living room or great room area (with cathedral ceilings)
• Individual rooms for bedrooms, bathrooms, pantries, and closets
• Exposed beams and poles, barn doors, and metal staircases for a rustic farmhouse feel
• Large windows that allow natural light to enter
• Either wraparound or front porches
• Typically two-story structures
• Completely finished kitchens, flooring, bathrooms, and fireplaces

The inside of a barndominium closely mimics a cliche farmhouse style home in the Lone Star state. They can also range greatly in size, with small varieties being just 1,000 square feet and luxurious barndominiums being 4,000 square feet or larger.

Looking to see what a barndominium could end up looking like when it’s fully finished? Then, check out this video that’ll walk you through a luxury barndominium out in Texas:

Making Your Barndominium Livable 

Simply building a structure somewhere in America doesn’t guarantee that you can actually live inside of it. You’ll have to put forth a little bit of legwork to get the appropriate permits and make your barndominium better, livable!

Let’s talk about what that might entail.

Finishing Your Barndominium Out

Don’t expect to move into your barndominium as soon as the steel frames are officially erected. Like a home, you want to be sure that you’re “finishing” your barndo before you pack up the moving truck and settle in.

A barndominium that isn’t finished out is basically steel beams, steel walls, and concrete floor. So, take a look at what will go into “finishing” your barndominium and actually making it livable:

• Installing windows and doors
• Putting insulation into all walls, flooring, and ceilings
• Painting walls and installing appropriate flooring
• Setting up electricity, plumbing, and gas lines
• Purchasing and installing appliances
• Putting in showers, toilets, sinks, cabinets, and all the other basics

No matter how cheap you purchased your barndominium shell for finishing the interior of this structure is what’ll cost you the most. It’s important to keep these additional costs in mind before purchasing the shell and putting it together.

Getting Your Certificate of Occupancy (CO)

Whether you’re planning to live in a barndominium or a conventional house, your state is likely going to require: A Certificate of Occupancy (also known as the CO). This is a legal document that proves your barndo is safe and legal to live in.

To get your CO, your barndominium must pass inspection and be approved by the town the structure is in. Take a look at a few things that may be checked with an inspection:

• Active gas, electric, and plumbing
• Functioning smoke detectors (located on all levels and in bedroom areas)
• Appliances hooked up and functional
• Hand railing on stairs meeting specific requirements
• Sturdy wall, ceiling, and floor construction (especially if a pre-owned barndo)

It’s important to note that each municipality has its own unique requirements when it comes to CO criteria. Be sure to contact the appropriate town officials before deciding to move into your brand new barndominium.

The Benefits of Living in a Barndominium

It’s clear that barndominiums are livable and, in fact, could be an affordable choice (as compared to other housing options). But, you still might be curious as to why you would want to choose a barndominium when there are thousands of pre-existing homes to pick from already.

Ready to find out what the benefits of living in a barndominium really are? We’re about to go over some of the greatest perks of living in a barndo.

Insulation & Temperature Control

It’s true that steel and metal homes tend to be a bit more durable. But, they can also be a nightmare when it comes to interior temperature control. That’s because metal roofing and siding attract heat and sunlight, which can send your indoor temperatures soaring well-above 37.8°C (100°F) in those hot Texas summers.

Luckily, this is all controlled, thanks to insulation.

Closed-cell spray foam insulation is considered a good option for all interior walls, ceilings, and floors in your barndominium. 

Just hire a professional to spray it on before installing your drywall, and your barndo is protected from sudden temperature changes. It’ll keep your HVAC system from working too hard and will even resist water leakage when it rains or snows.

Affordability

Did you know that it may really be cheaper to build a brand new barndominium from scratch than to build or buy a conventional home? That’s actually true! While an existing home costs $223,000 and a new home costs $289,415, barndominiums can be built and finished out for well-under $220,000. Finishing it out on your own, hiring your own contractors, and building it from a shell kit can save you even more money in the long-term!

Durability

You might be thinking that homeownership is a pretty simple task, but that’s just wishful thinking these days. Owning a conventional home comes with roof repairs (sometimes every 25 years), repainting the siding every decade or so, and making repairs when water or fire damage wreaks havoc on your abode.

Barndominiums are a bit of a unique story. Here’s why:

• Metal roofing only needs to be replaced every 40 to 70 years.
• Treated steel can resist leaks and fire better than a wooden home.
• Steel homes can last 50 or more years, while wood homes last about 37 years.

In the long run, owning a barndominium often comes with fewer repairs and greater integrity when up against heavy winds, snowstorms, and even fire. This can give you the most bang for your buck and peace of mind when it comes to raising your family.

Energy Efficiency

What you might not know is that barndominiums are quite a bit more energy-efficient than a conventional home in America. That’s because barndominiums are often built with energy-efficiency windows and doors installed!

So, what does that mean for you?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, investing in energy-efficient features can cut back on heat and energy loss by between 25 and 30% (on average). This can save you a great deal of money on your monthly electric bills, keeping more cash in your pocket!

What to Do With the “Barn” Portion

Not all barndominiums have a workspace portion, though that’s somewhat of a requirement when considering the concepts behind the portmanteau. You may be wondering what your options are with this extra space that you won’t actually be living in.

In reality, you can turn that extra barn space into anything. 

You may want to use that extra space to store your farm equipment, your favorite cars, or even a mass amount of motorcycles. Or, you may want to install a car lift and a few toolboxes and turn your open indoor space into a local auto shop.

That extra space can be used to house your farm animals indoors via horse stalls or a chicken coop. Or, you can even turn your workspace into your very own art studio or create cubicles to develop office space.

Conclusion

To say that you can live in a barndominium would be an understatement. In fact, many proud Texans have lived in barndominiums for decades, as they’re the perfect way to run your shop or place of work directly out of your family’s home. 

Keep in mind that a barndominium isn’t livable until you get the required permits within your town or state. It’s a good idea to have a hefty savings account in order to finish your barndominium out of pocket to cut costs long-term.

Sources

• Tiger Foam: Open Cell vs. Closed Cell Foam: Which Should I Choose?
• Elite Steel and Supply: Benefits of Metal Barndominiums
• The Balance: The Average Lifespan of a House
• Realtor: Far From a Boring Barn, These 9 Texas Barndominiums Offer Stylish Digs
• Wikipedia: Barndominium
• Wikipedia: Certificate of Occupancy