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Barndominiums are on the rise as the go-to metal and alternative home in rural areas.
If you are new to the barndominium trend or just want to learn more about this unique niche, we are going to go over all the details to help you decide if this is a good choice for you!
All About Barndominiums
A barndominium, or a barndo, is a barn that is converted into a residential home. These homes are post-frame structures, setting them apart from traditional homes.
Each building is authentic and customized to your liking. The exterior can look like a barn or a metal building, while the inside is more open and leaves room for you to think outside the box with your floor plan.
The open floor plan for living quarters, kitchens, and dining rooms allows for greater visibility and space, making them perfect for any size family.
Barndominiums are built from posts that are placed in the ground, making the building process much quicker and easier to construct. Each barndo is built on top of a concrete slab.
With the open space and the charming features, a lot of people have chosen to incorporate shops and workspaces in their homes. This makes it a great place to have your in-home business in a new, conventional way.
Benefits of a Barndominium
While construction material prices rise, most new builds have become unattainable for most homeowners or new home buyers.
Barndominiums offer a new opportunity to build a home you love while being overall cost-effective in the process.
Here are a few of the many benefits barndos have over a traditional home:
Adaptable Design. When you build a metal building, you no longer have to use load-bearing walls. This allows you to maximize your space and create any floor plan that you want. In contrast, many traditional homes have much more restricted floor plans, limiting your opportunities for customization.
Low Maintenance. Steel is very easy to take care of and is long-lasting. This makes owning a barndominium more appealing to homeowners.
Durability. You can choose to work with a contractor or even buy a kit to DIY your own home. Most building processes will meet or even exceed local construction codes. Furthermore, steel is resistant to termites, rotting, and is even fire-resistant. When compared to traditional wood, steel is much more durable.
Faster Construction. Brando's from start to finish can be completed in less than six months. With the right contractor, floor plan, and purchase of a kit, you can build quickly and have your dream home fast. Most of the building will be done off-site and pre-drilled.
Eco-Friendly. Lower carbon footprint, material waste, and energy savings are just some of the eco-friendly benefits of a barndo. You can be sure that your home will last longer, waste fewer materials, and require less maintenance over time.
Barndominium Kits
One of the many fun things about building or constructing a barndo is that you can purchase a kit and have all the materials delivered right to you. This cuts costs down tremendously and speeds up the building time. You also have the option of buying a prefabricated kit, which could save you up to 50% of the total cost rather than building from scratch.
Metal building companies will send you over the shell with the frame pieces all ready to go. All that is left for you to do is add it to your concrete slab.
This is a great option for buyers who want more direction on the layout and overall exterior aesthetic of their home.
Common Features of Barndominiums
Barndominiums, like many traditional homes, can be built with a wide variety of features. Most of them have many of the same features you find in a typical barn. These can include:
Wrap-around porches
9-Foot Ceilings
Barn doors
Energy-efficient windows
Concrete slabs
Although it may have a lot of similarities to a barn, you can make your home as luxurious as you want. The opportunities of these homes are endless.
Make Your Barndominium More Rustic
Once you have built your new dream home, you can start decorating each room to look just as good as the rest of it. Rustic Kitchen and Bath is the perfect place to get design ideas or items to tie your home together.
Below we have some items that will make a big impact on your open floor plan.
ZLINE Autograph Edition 48 in. Kitchen Package with Stainless Steel Dual Fuel Range, Range Hood, Dishwasher and Refrigeration with Champagne Bronze Accents (4KAPR-RARHDWM48-CB) is perfect if you want to go big or go home. When you are filling up a large open space, the bigger the appliances, the better.
ZLINE Autograph Edition 48 in. Kitchen Package with Stainless Steel Dual Fuel Range, Range Hood, Dishwasher and Refrigeration with Champagne Bronze Accents (4KAPR-RARHDWM48-CB)
$13,904.96
$14,299.80
Shop the ZLINE 4-Piece Appliance Package. Completely elevate your kitchen with the ultimate ZLINE kitchen appliance package. Save more when you purchase as a package and leave more in the budget for your dream home. This Bundle Includes: ZLINE Autograph… Read More
This large range will balance out your kitchen and give you plenty of space to cook the things you want, all at the same time. When you purchase a bundle, you not only save money but also have the confidence that everything will match. The stainless steel is also resistant to stains and corrosion, making this kitchen not only beautiful but also sustainable.
A copper bathtub is not only a statement piece but will add the rustic touch you are looking for in your barndominium bathroom. The Premier Copper 72 in. Hammered Copper Modern Style Bathtub (BTM72DB) is made from 100% handcrafted copper that will fight bacteria and keep your bath warmer for longer. This is the largest double slipper tub made from Premier Copper for the ultimate spa experience. Who wouldn't want this in their master bathroom?
Premier Copper 72 in. Hammered Copper Modern Style Bathtub (BTM72DB)
$5,071.00
Envelop yourself in luxury! Our freestanding copper bathtubs transform ordinary bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries. The richness of the copper coupled with its natural heat-conducting elements allow you to luxuriate in the tub longer, elevating bath time bliss and bathroom style… Read More
What better way to fill up space than an Empava 24 in. 127 Bottle Single Zone Wine Cooler in Stainless Steel (WC05S)? This built-in, full-sized wine cellar is designed to showcase your wine collection while evenly controlling the proper conditions for white, sparkling, or red. This is perfect for a home that loves to entertain.
Empava 24 in. 127 Bottle Single Zone Wine Cooler in Stainless Steel (WC05S)
$1,691.00
The Empava 24 in. 127 Bottle Single Zone Wine Cooler in Stainless Steel (WC05S) is a perfect combination of style and practicality. Constructed with 18-gauge stainless steel for exceptional resistance to corrosion and rust. The 12.3 cubic Feet capacity is… Read More
It is the little things that make all the difference. Rustic Kitchen and Bath has the perfect candles, wall art, and much more to add those finishing touches to your rustic barndo.
Our Home Decor Collection makes choosing easy, as all of our products are made just for you. Below are just a few of the items you can choose from.
Lynn & Liana Designs Cedar Resin Coaster
$59.00
We have paired small Cedar slabs with eco-friendly resin to create a stunning coaster that is sure to be a conversation piece among your guests. Not only do they protect your tables and countertops from spills and condensation, they are… Read More
Cedar is another great texture to add to your bardo. The Lynn & Liana Designs Cedar Resin Coaster is made from eco-friendly resin to create a coaster that will be the conversation starter with your guests. These coasters serve as an accent piece and a protector from spills and condensation.
Additional Space Added On
Another great benefit of barndominiums is how easily you can increase available living space when you need it. Building on is another option, as you can use other metal building structures to add a garage, shop, or other rooms. This makes barndominiums great for growing families, growing businesses, or someone who just wants more space to do the things they love.
Again, you are not limited when you choose a barndo.
Barndominium Disadvantages
When it comes to owning a barndominium, most things are looking up. There are some setbacks you could encounter when trying to build your dream barndo. These may include:
Difficulty reselling
Zoning restrictions
Problem finding financing options
Finding a loan for a barndominium is much more difficult than getting a loan for a traditional mortgage. Because it is still mostly seen as a barn and not a primary residence, you may have to do a little more research and digging when it comes to finding a mortgage lender.
Along with the loan, having a unique and custom home may make it difficult to resell. Most of these builds are not allowed within city or town limits due to building regulations. Generally, these are more common to find in rural areas and the countryside. Make sure to keep this in mind when planning your barndominium.
FAQs
What exactly is a barndominium?
A barndominium, often called a barndo, is a residential home built using post-frame or metal building construction, originally inspired by barns or agricultural structures. While the exterior often resembles a metal building or barn, the interior is fully finished and designed as a modern living space with open floor plans and customizable layouts.
How is a barndominium different from a traditional house?
Unlike traditional homes that rely on load-bearing interior walls, barndominiums use posts and steel framing. This allows for much more flexible floor plans, faster construction timelines, and greater customization, especially for large open living areas, workshops, or combined live-work spaces.
Why are barndominiums becoming so popular?
Barndominiums are growing in popularity due to their cost-effectiveness, durability, low maintenance requirements, and design flexibility. Rising material and labor costs for traditional homes have made barndos an attractive alternative for homeowners looking to build efficiently without sacrificing space or style.
Are barndominiums cheaper to build than traditional homes?
In many cases, yes. Barndominiums often cost less per square foot due to simplified construction, prefabricated materials, and reduced labor time. Purchasing a barndominium kit can further lower costs and speed up the build process.
How long does it take to build a barndominium?
Most barndominiums can be completed in under six months, depending on the design, contractor availability, and whether a kit or prefabricated structure is used. Much of the framing and drilling is completed off-site, which significantly reduces on-site construction time.
What are barndominium kits?
Barndominium kits are prefabricated packages that include the steel frame, exterior shell, and structural components. These kits are delivered to your site and assembled on a concrete slab, offering a faster, more affordable option for homeowners who want clear direction and reduced complexity.
Are barndominiums durable?
Yes. Steel construction makes barndominiums highly resistant to termites, rot, mold, and fire. Compared to wood-framed homes, steel structures typically require less long-term maintenance and offer greater structural longevity.
Are barndominiums energy-efficient?
Barndominiums can be very energy-efficient when properly insulated and designed. Many homeowners benefit from lower energy costs due to efficient building envelopes, modern windows, and reduced material waste during construction.
Can a barndominium be customized?
Absolutely. One of the biggest advantages of a barndominium is its adaptability. Open layouts allow homeowners to design custom kitchens, large living areas, workshops, home offices, and additional rooms without the limitations of traditional framing.
Are barndominiums only for rural areas?
Most barndominiums are built in rural or semi-rural locations due to zoning and building regulations. Many cities and towns restrict metal or post-frame residential structures, so it’s important to check local zoning laws before planning a build.
Is it hard to finance a barndominium?
Financing can be more challenging than with a traditional home. Some lenders view barndominiums as non-standard residences, which may limit mortgage options. Buyers often need to work with specialized lenders or explore construction loans.
Are barndominiums difficult to resell?
Resale can be more complex because barndominiums are highly customized and appeal to a narrower buyer market. Their rural locations and unique layouts may limit demand compared to conventional homes.
Can you expand a barndominium later?
Yes. One of the major advantages of metal building construction is how easy it is to add space. Homeowners can expand with additional structures such as garages, workshops, or living areas as needs grow.
Are barndominiums suitable for families?
Barndominiums can work well for families of all sizes. Open layouts, high ceilings, and customizable designs allow families to create spaces that fit their lifestyle, whether that includes home businesses, hobbies, or entertaining.
Is a barndominium right for me?
A barndominium may be a great choice if you value flexibility, affordability, low maintenance, and open living spaces, and if you are comfortable with rural living and unique home design. Carefully considering zoning, financing, and long-term plans will help determine if a barndo aligns with your goals.
