Barndominium Pros and Cons: Are They Dealbreakers or a Win?

If you are hunting for the ideal house to build, you might have heard of barndominiums. In a nutshell, barndominiums are buildings that look like barns on the outside but look similar to traditional houses on the inside. Some barndos are a combination of living spaces and workshops, garages, home offices, or man caves. They are growing more popular because they are excellent alternatives to those who want unconventional houses. 

Now that we’ve piqued your interest in barndominiums, the next question is, are they ideal for you? This article explains the potential pros and cons of barndominiums. This information will help you decide if you should build a barndominium as your next construction project.  

Is It Worth Having a Barndominium?

Barndominiums can be worthwhile investments, depending on your needs. We must admit that there are drawbacks to barndos; however, we believe that the advantages of owning a barndominium outweigh the disadvantages. If you are interested in building a barndominium, read on to find out what makes barndos great and what some owners don’t like about them. 

What are the Pros and Cons of a Barndominium? 

Let’s look at some of the benefits of having a barndominium. After that, we’ll check some of the not-so-good things about them to know what to expect before committing to a barndominium.  

Pros

Easy to Build

Barndominiums are easier to build than conventional houses. This is one aspect that attracts many homeowners to barndos. You can buy a DIY kit and build the rest if you want to. A DIY build can help you save money because a large chunk of construction expenses goes to labor costs. 

However, be sure you have the required building skills to ensure a durable and safe barndominium. Building a DIY barndo can also take longer to complete. For one, you don’t have the manpower that large contractors possess. If you have a full-time job, you will also have limited time for building. 

Cost-Effective

Barndominiums can save you money because they are cheaper to build than conventional houses. Since they are easier to build, they take less time to complete, leading to lower labor costs. As mentioned earlier, you can also be your own contractor when building a barndo, which can help reduce your labor costs.

However, barndos can also be expensive, depending on your chosen size and design. Needless to say, if you plan on building a barndominium with all the bells and whistles, then expect your barndo to cost more than a regular conventional house. Read our article on the cost of building a barndominium to help you prepare an accurate budget. 

Building a barndominium can also result in savings in other ways. If you are renting a house while waiting for your barndo to be built, the shorter construction time means savings in rental costs since you can move into your barndo faster. 

Lower Insurance Rates and Property Taxes

The amount you need to pay for homeowners insurance and property taxes depends on the assessed value of your property. Since barndominiums are cheaper to build, they also have lower assessed values, resulting in cheaper insurance rates and lower property taxes. These are annual expenses, so you’ll be saving the entire time you use your barndo. You can divert these savings to your college fund, vacation money, or towards building a larger barndominium. 

Durable

A barndominium is a durable structure, and you’ll be able to enjoy it for decades when built correctly. A metal barndominium can be just as safe and durable as a traditional house. One advantage of a metal barndominium is its ability to do well against earthquakes. Metal is a ductile material, so it will bend considerably before breaking. Unlike concrete, metals have the capacity to dissipate seismic energy, so they are not as brittle during earthquakes.

However, this is not to say that metal buildings are the only durable structures. Other buildings can be durable if built in accordance with the state’s building code, but metal barndos have the advantage of benefitting from the inherent strength of their metal. 

You can Repurpose Old Structures

If you have an unused old barn on your property, you can convert it into a barndominium. You will then have an authentic barndominium since the original barndos were repurposed old barns. This can result in huge savings because you can use the shell of the old barn instead of buying a new metal shell. Aside from saving money, this is also an eco-friendly approach since you limit the use of new materials during construction. 

However, this will depend on the state of your old barn. The best thing to do is hire an engineer to assess the structure and see if it is fit for conversion. You can then speak to an architect for design ideas. 

Aside from the shell, you can also check other parts which can be salvaged from the old barn. For example, you can use old wooden beams to make a dining table set. You can also use old wood planks from the barn to build kitchen cabinets. 

Barndominiums Resist Fires

A barndominium is an ideal structure if you live in an area where bushfires are common. Metal structures resist fires and won’t combust. If you opt for a barndo with a steel frame and metal sidings, your structure will be more resistant to fire than a timber building. Although steel can still weaken and melt under extreme temperatures, a steel barndominium will perform better against fires than a timber building. 

Although a metal barndo can perform well against fire, it is safer to safeguard your structure against fires. If you are going the DIY route, hire a licensed professional to install your electrical systems. If possible, install a sprinkler system inside your barndominium as added protection. Remember that although the structure’s shell is metal, your barndo will still have wooden components that are susceptible to fires. 

Barndominiums Look Unique

If you don’t want a structure that looks like every other house in your town, a barndominium is what you need. Its barn-like appearance makes it unique and helps it to stand out. Your barndominium will certainly be the talk of the town. It also makes for an interesting conversation starter when entertaining guests. 

Versatile

Most barndominiums utilize open-plan layouts that make them versatile. This type of floor plan allows you to easily reconfigure the layout of your barndominium’s interior. Since there are fewer permanent walls in an open floor plan, you can adjust the size of your living room, dining room, or kitchen according to your needs. You can add a new bedroom or home office if you want. Check our collection of floor plans to find one that will suit your needs. 

Barndominiums are Multi-Functional

While most conventional houses act as dwellings, you can build multifunctional barndominiums. In addition to the living spaces, you can have a shop or a garage. This can help you save money because instead of building a separate structure for your workshop, you can have both under one roof. This is a practical approach because you’re saving money from minimal construction costs. There is also no need to rent a commercial space for your workshop. You are also maximizing your time since there’s no need to travel to your workshop. 

Pest-Resistant

A barndominium is an excellent choice if you live in an area where termite infestations are common. A metal barndominium resists termites better than traditional houses. This can help extend the life of your structure because termites are notoriously aggressive in damaging buildings. However, it is still better to treat the wooden components of your barndo, like stairs, railways, or cabinetry, to ensure that they won’t attract termites. 

Easy To Maintain

Unlike conventional structures, barndominiums require minimal upkeep. You just need to repaint a barndo after every few years to maintain its pristine look. Ensure you inspect your barndo after severe weather conditions to take care of dents, dings, or holes. If your building is surrounded by trees, clean your gutters regularly to prevent the accumulation of leaves and other debris, as these can decay, resulting in leaks. 

Cons

Offers Limited Exterior Design Options

What makes barndominiums unique can also be a downside for some homeowners. Because of their barn-like appearance, you will have limited exterior design options while planning your barndo. Unlike traditional houses that come in all shapes and sizes, barndos share an almost similar exterior design. This might not sit well with some homeowners who have a specific design in mind for their house. 

However, there are steps you can take to make your barndominium distinct compared to others in your area. For example, you can go for a unique exterior color scheme instead of the usual monotone or two-tone ones for most barndos. You can also explore using external trims to give your structure character.

You can cover the metal sidings with pine paneling if you want a barndo that looks like a log cabin. You can also install faux stone sidings or stone veneer on the exterior walls to give your structure a country home vibe. Visit our Instagram account for exterior design ideas to help make your barndominium distinct. 

Financing May Be Challenging

Although many banks and mortgage companies support homeowners who want to build barndominiums, some financial institutions don’t offer loans for barndominiums. Some loan officers don’t recognize the term barndominium, so you might find applying for barndominium financing challenging. This is a minor hiccup; some owners recommend that you just avoid using the term barndominium when applying. Instead of a barndominium, describe your home as a custom metal home with a concrete slab foundation. Read our in-depth barndominium financing article to learn everything you need about financing your barndominium.

You Cannot Build Them Anywhere

Building any structure requires obtaining building permits, and barndominiums are no exemptions. Unfortunately, some cities and counties don’t allow the building of barndominiums in certain areas. For example, Arnold City, Missouri, prohibits building barndominiums and pole barn homes within city limits. 

Before you start breaking ground, head down to your county’s building and zoning office to check whether the local regulations allow the building of barndominiums. You can also take this opportunity to get more information about the requirements you need to fulfill to secure a building permit. If you own land in a gated community, check with your HOA because some don’t allow metal buildings within their communities. 

You May Need a large Plot of land

A barndominium may require a larger plot of land compared to a traditional house. This is because barndominiums are often single or two-story buildings. They often have layouts that call for living spaces to be spread out throughout one floor. If your land is too small, a barndo might not be your best option, and you might be better off building a conventional multi-story house to maximize space. You can also explore the possibility of acquiring an adjoining lot to expand your property or selling the small current land and buying a larger one that is more suitable for a barndominium. 

You May Experience Limited Cellular Coverage

Due to the metal sidings of barndominiums; you might experience limited cellular coverage. This can result in delayed messages. You might also experience garbled or dropped voice calls. There is also the risk of experiencing a weak internet connection. This should not be a deal-breaker, since there are ways to avoid them.

You can get a cell phone signal booster to improve the signal inside your barndo. Keep in mind, though, that the size of your building should dictate the type of booster system you need. If you get one intended for a small house, and you have a two-story 4,000 sq. ft. barndo, you will most likely experience poor reception in some areas. 

They Are Prone To Corrosion

Corrosion is the biggest enemy of metal buildings. If left unchecked, corrosion can cause severe damage to a barndominium. This can weaken the structure and pose a threat to the safety of its occupants. Corrosion results from the exposure of iron and other iron alloys to oxygen and moisture. However, there are ways to protect your barndo from the destructive effects of corrosion. 

One of the best ways to prevent corrosion is to use a protective coating. You can use anti-rust paint to keep corrosion at bay. These can prevent water and oxygen from reaching the metal components of your barndo. 

Another way of preventing corrosion is through proper maintenance. We’ve already established that water is one of the agents of corrosion, so it is best to ensure that the metal components of your barndo are not exposed to water. Regularly check for leaks and fix them immediately. Aside from protecting your structure from rusting, fixing leaks can also prevent water damage. 

Reselling Them Can Be Challenging

Although barndominiums are getting more popular, they still appeal to a niche market because most homeowners still prefer to build traditional houses. This means that you might encounter difficulties in the future should you decide to sell your barndo. You can find a buyer, but it might take longer compared to finding a buyer for a traditional house. One thing that you can do is join online groups of barndominium enthusiasts.

This is the best way to connect with other barndominium owners, and you might find a member who’s looking for a new property. Join our Facebook group today to receive more tips about building a barndo or just to connect with like-minded individuals. 

Conclusion

Barndominiums are great alternatives to traditional houses. They look unique compared to the cookie-cutter designs you see everywhere. They are more affordable than regular houses. They are practical to build and can function as combinations of dwellings and garages, shops, or warehouses.

There are also downsides to barndominiums, like the fact that you cannot build them anywhere or that they can be prone to corrosion. However, we believe that the benefits of barndominiums outweigh their disadvantages. 

Now that you’ve weighed the pros and cons of barndominiums, do you think it’s time to build a barndo of your own? If we’ve piqued your interest, visit our website for more exciting articles about barndominiums. You can also like and follow our Facebook page to get frequent updates about barndominiums and to help you build the best barndo in your area.