28 Nov What Is A Barndominium And Why Should You Consider One?

A barndominium, (barn + condominium) or “barndo”, is essentially a metal building that usually has room for both living space and a shop or garage area. Many are converted barns, but they are now increasingly ground-up constructions.

This style of home has been growing in popularity since their official inception in the 1980s, with styles that range from sleek to rustic. Most barndominium layouts feature a simple, large rectangular foundation perfect for flexible, open concept floor plans while also leaving an area for workspace.

The overall benefits of this home style are:

• Longevity: As long as you keep up with the roof and siding maintenance, you can expect your barndominium to last 50 years or possibly longer.
• Affordability: Barndominiums can be constructed in half the time of a regular house and can be half the cost or more with lower insurance rates and taxes. They even come in cheap kits.
• Durability: Due to their metal construction, barndominiums have similar durability to steel structures with amazing strength to weight ratio and resistance to mold, pests, mildew, rot, termites, extreme weather, and fire. Their structural integrity makes barndominiums last longer with less maintenance.
• Flexibility: not only is there tremendous flexibility with regard to the layout of these homes, they are easily expandable. 
• Energy Efficiency: Barndominiums are some of the most energy-efficient homes you can build. They tend to feature windows that are energy efficient, are usually made of prefabricated steel which decreases energy needs and upkeep expenses and it’s easy to create more metal partitions and rooms, which closes off living sections and increases energy efficiency

So, what’s the bad news?

• Financing: Finding a loan for a barndominium is more difficult than getting approved for a mortgage for a traditional home. This is because a barndominium is still viewed as a barn and not considered a primary residence in the eyes of many lenders. While it’s more difficult to secure financing through traditional housing lenders, it’s not impossible. Often, the solution can be as simple as going through a farm credit lender. 
• Difficult to sell: While barndominiums are increasing in popularity, they still do not appeal to the mass market. Since they are niche with highly customized floor plans, they may be difficult to sell in the future. 
• Zoning: Zoning regulations can be a problem as they are often not allowed in cities.

If you’re feeling a little adventurous and are looking for a living and working space for less cost and maintenance, especially if you aren’t tied to the city, a barndominium might be right for you. Call us today to talk about building your dream home! 319-929-4700

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