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Last Updated on February 19, 2025 by Paul Clayton
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Which is Going to be the Right Choice for You? Barndominium or a Home
Both options present unique benefits and challenges, ultimately depending on individual needs and desires. When weighing barndominiums vs homes, which is suitable for you, consider factors such as location, maintenance, customization, and long-term goals.
Key Takeaway
Choosing a barndominium or a traditional home depends on your needs and priorities. Barndominiums are cheaper and faster to build, durable, and energy-efficient. Traditional homes offer more customization options, broader appeal, and better resale value.
Summary
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- Barndominiums:
- Pros: Cheaper to build, faster construction, durable, energy-efficient, customizable.
- Cons: Expensive (still above $100,000), requires rural location, not ideal for large families (mostly single-story).
- Traditional Homes:
- Pros: More customization options, broader appeal, better resale value.
- Cons: Expensive to build, long construction time, requires more maintenance.
- Barndominiums:
Whether your lease is up or you’re just looking for a new environment, tons of unique housing options are available today.
Barndominiums vs Homes: Which is Right for You
Choosing the perfect home can seem overwhelming between RV life, barndominiums, traditional homes, and so much more.
Let this be your guide to all things barndominium homes and traditional homes as we cover costs, location, and the pros and cons of both. You’ll have your dream home in no time!
What are Barndominiums?
If barndominium isn’t part of your vocabulary yet, they are essentially barns converted into homes. You may also hear them referred to as “barndo house.”
Usually, they’re metal buildings that have inside living quarters instead of furry friends. These structures are made of solid wood timbers, steel, and metal components.
The strong materials used to make barndomniums make them a safe and secure option. The metal and steel protect structures against water damage, severe weather, and wear and tear.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Barndominium?
While every home reno will depend on your taste, budget, and lifestyle, barn homes are typically relatively affordable compared to other homes.
Barndominium costs can typically run around $120,000 to $500,000 based on what materials you use and how you go about the building process.
That’s still a considerable investment, but the energy-efficient makeup of barndos will save money when it comes to running utilities. Plus, they don’t take long to build, significantly cutting labor costs and barndominium prices.
Once you’ve built the outside, there are a few more things that you still need to work into the budget. It’s essential to consider wiring for electricity and plumbing. Another element of building a barn home is ensuring proper insulation.
Regarding furnishing the home, it’s typically less expensive for a barndo since they tend to be smaller and more open concept.
Refurbish pieces from your old space for that modern barndominium feel without all the new furniture and décor. Luckily, the barndominium in a budget style is all about that rustic, vintage feel!
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to Ash Lucero
Pros of Barn Homes
Overall, what can homeowners gain from switching to the barndominium life? One of the most incredible things about barn houses is their long-lasting materials.
If you build with metal and steel, the home has the potential to last for up to 100 years with little maintenance.
They’re also great because, with the unique build and ability to DIY, none of your dream home must-haves are getting booted off the list. Customize your home to be exactly how you want it.
Another great thing about building a barndominium is that it is less prone to flammability. This is just one more reason, besides its weather protection qualities, why it’s so safe! We know it’s cost-effective, but saving money doesn’t stop once your home is built.
They have energy-saving qualities, and their durability can help lower insurance costs. The best part? You can pass the long-lasting home through generations
Cons of Barndominiums
Just like any home option, white barndominiums aren’t for everyone. Let’s cover the cons for those readers who might not love barn life living.
One thing’s for sure: 100,000+ still isn’t cheap. Building even a small barndominium is a very costly investment that requires saving and hard work, so make sure it’s something you’ll love.
They’re not necessarily a quick and low-budget solution for a new home.
Another thing to consider is your location; big-city guys and gals are probably not suited for barndos. Building a barndominium house requires a lot of land in a rural area.
Some areas have regulations against building barn homes, so check your state’s building rules.
Also, most are only single-story homes, which can be an issue for more prominent families. A two-story barndominium is very uncommon.
How Are Traditional Homes Built?
One thing about traditional homes that cannot be denied is that there are many different building materials to choose from.
Houses are made with brick, stone, stucco, wood, vinyl siding, Hardiplank, and more. Building a traditional home can be a long process since there are many little steps.
The first step in building a home is finding the perfect plot of land. Once you’ve identified a dream home location, you must check the area’s restrictions and limitations.
Then, builders can construct a construction drawing to ensure it’s the ideal space for homeowners with the size of each room.
Once all the preparation is done, homes always start with the foundation. Concrete is poured into forms that reach down the frost line so they can’t move in freezing conditions.
After the foundation comes the house frame, which is the skeleton around which the rest of the home is built. Workers then put beams into the foundation to support the inside walls.
Once the house frame is complete, builders raise the walls. Then, the roof protects the home from the outside.
Once all the outdoor work is done, windows, doors, wires, plumbing, etc, still need to be installed inside. Building traditional homes can be a long and complicated process.
How Much Does It Cost to Build Traditional Homes?
The simple answer to this question is, “It depends,” but let’s elaborate. Costs for land vary greatly depending on the size, amenities, and location.
After purchasing land, contractors and labor will be another cost element. The size and state of the home are additional factors that affect the cost of home building.
On average, most homes will cost between around $111,980 – $484,293 to build.
Pros of Traditional Homes
The best thing about traditional homes compared to other housing options is the variety of choices to customize.
From the inside to the out, traditional homes offer a wider selection of building materials and styles. Classic style lovers can choose brick, while modern aesthetic seekers can choose stucco.
Although you can add a touch of “you” to any space, houses are the best way to get the most personalized experience.
What Are the Cons of Traditional Homes?
Let’s start by pointing out the obvious: building a home is expensive! Buying land, finding builders, and putting together a dream house aren’t exactly the easiest or cheapest tasks.
Plus, some materials aren’t as withstanding as those used in metal barndominiums, leading to more money spent on repairs in the future. If money isn’t your issue, perhaps the environment is.
Building and living in a traditional home can be taxing on the environment. From cranked-up AC to wasteful building materials, houses have the potential to break a hippie’s heart.
It can be difficult to stay eco-friendly while building a home. Nature lovers may be better off living in a barndo.
Barndominium vs. Conventional Home: Choosing the Right Option
Now that you know the good and the bad of barndominiums and traditional homes, it’s time to narrow things down and decide.
Will you enjoy a rustic barn life or live in a city or suburb? The most important factors to consider on your new home journey are location, budget, and personal style.
The last thing you would want is to plan a beautiful steel barndominium, only to realize they’re restricted in your city.
If you’ve chosen a specific location, ensuring that the home of your dreams can be built there is essential.
If a tremendous barndo spot is your main priority, some of the most popular states for them are West Virginia, Mississippi, Ohio, Michigan, Alabama, and Louisiana.
Cost is, of course, a crucial factor in the house debate. Are barndominiums cheaper than houses? Barndominiums could be great for those with a smaller budget because they still allow you to create your dream home.
Those looking to spend less money should choose a barndo over a traditional home.
Personal aesthetics and lifestyle have a lot to do with your environment. Those looking for a sleek and modern vibe would probably be best suited in a traditional house or luxury barndominium. On the other hand, rustic and natural style lovers would fit right in at a barndo.
The final lifestyle aspect to consider is your household’s size. Even if you love woodsy tones and farmhouse barndominium style, you might have to choose a house that fits the family.
What is the Most Expensive Part of a Barndominium?
Determining the most expensive part of a barndominium depends on various factors, including design complexity and material quality.
Commonly, the foundation and framing stage require a substantial portion of the budget, as these are essential for the structural integrity of the building.
However, as the project progresses, customization options and interior finishes become significant financial considerations.
High-end materials, bespoke designs, and luxury fittings can rapidly inflate costs, making these elements as impactful on the final cost as the initial construction phases.
Individuals must carefully plan and allocate funds to manage expenses throughout all stages of barndominium development.
Wrapping Up
Several factors merit consideration in the debate of barndominiums vs. homes, which is right for you. Cost efficiency is a significant advantage for barndominiums, as they are typically more affordable to construct per square foot than traditional homes.
This cost-saving aspect may appeal to those on a tight budget or looking to maximize their space without a large financial outlay.
When it comes to customization and flexibility, traditional homes often offer a wide array of pre-designed plans and customization options that cater to diverse tastes and lifestyles.
However, barndominiums also provide a high degree of flexibility, allowing owners to tailor the interior layout according to their specific needs and preferences.
Another critical consideration is construction time. Barndominiums boast a faster build time due to their more superficial structures, which can be a deciding factor for those who wish to move into their new home promptly.
Durability and maintenance concerns are less prevalent in barndominiums, which, unlike traditional homes, are less susceptible to issues like rot, mold, or termite damage—potentially reducing long-term upkeep costs and efforts.
Energy efficiency is another area where barndominiums excel; with fewer thermal breaks, they generally provide better insulation and energy efficiency than conventional homes, translating into lower utility bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
Lastly, resale value and market perception should not be overlooked. While traditional homes generally have broader appeal in the real estate market, the increasing popularity of barndominiums might challenge this norm.
In conclusion, when weighing barndominiums vs. homes suitable for you, prospective homeowners should carefully evaluate these factors in the context of their personal needs, budget, and long-term goals.
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