Barndominiums: Growing Popularity Explained

Dec 12

You’ve heard the term “barndominium” popping up all over the place, and you’re starting to wonder what the heck this craze is all about. If you live in Texas, Oklahoma, or another Southern state, you may even have started to see barndominiums popping up in rural areas.

So, what exactly is a barndominium, and why are they suddenly all the rage? In this article, we’ll answer your questions about barndominiums. What makes them an attractive living solution? How much do they cost? Can they be made more efficient or sustainable? Who should build or live in a barndominium?

What is a Barndominium?

The term “barndominium” originally referred to a large, outdoor building that had been converted into a home. Barns were typical candidates, as were warehouses and shops. Over time, more brand new barndominiums have been built from the ground up.

Today, “barndominium” refers to any large, usually metal building with room for living space and a shop, garage, or even a stable. You may also hear them referred to as “barndos,” “shophouses,” or “shouses.” Barndominiums exploded in popularity recently, partly because the popular network TV show Fixer Upper featured a barndominium conversion.

The interest has continued to grow in popularity over the years. YouTubers and off-grid enthusiasts, The Crockers, share how they converted a shop on their dream property into a shophouse living space. The Browns Family bought a homestead and built their own barndominium from the ground up. Many YouTube channels have been featuring tours of Barndos, showcasing the history and versatility of this alternative housing style.

Why Build or Remodel a Barndominium?

There are many reasons people like barndominiums. A barndominium with a shop is popular with people who work in the trades or run their own businesses and need access to a covered workspace close to home. The number one reason people love their shophouse is that it gives them easy access to a shop and a house!

Additionally, barndominiums are usually quicker and cheaper to build than traditional homes, have fewer maintenance requirements, and lower insurance costs. Because the outside is made of steel, it gives you the flexibility to do things with the architecture that you couldn’t typically do with a regular home.

For example, the typical barndominium ceiling is around 14 feet tall, whereas a conventional home can only achieve ceiling heights of 8 or 9 feet.

Many people simply love the style of the barndo. They have plenty of room for big families, and the farmhouse-style exterior makes them attractive both inside and out. Because they are cheaper to construct, people can get more bang for their buck with luxurious open-concept floor plans and can afford to spend more on interior design.

How Much do Barndominiums Cost?

Barndominiums are often cheaper to build than conventional houses due to the materials used and the ease of construction. The ultimate barndominium cost will depend on several factors, including where you build, whether you use a professional contractor, and if you use a prefab kit.

On average, the low-end cost for a small barndominium construction in the state of Texas is around $75 per square foot, and the upper end is about $135 per square foot. In contrast, a conventional home costs around $115 - $145 per square foot.

The final cost of your barndominium is greatly affected by your work on the interior. While the shell of a shophouse is much cheaper to build than a regular house, getting carried on by the expansive open floor plan can push you over budget and cost you as much as a conventional home.

Photo: Brian Corrigan Photography © 2019 Houzz

Barndominiums and Sustainability

For many, barndominium homes are attractive as a sustainable building solution. But are barndominiums any more sustainable than traditional houses? Yes! Barndonimiums are usually constructed from recycled steel and non-treated building materials, making construction very eco-friendly.

You might think that a barndominium house is difficult to heat due to its construction material and massive open floor plan. However, steel offers many benefits in cold climates, including better thermal conductivity, the ability to handle larger snow loads, and less shifting and settling, which leads to fewer cracks and fractures in the drywall and foundation.

When properly insulated and built with quality materials, a barndo makes a great starting point for those who want to build a “passive home.” They can be designed to leak very little heat in or out, so the interior will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Adding Solar to Your Barndominuim

A sustainable living plan is only complete by considering sustainable energy. Adding solar to your bandominium is a logical final step to ensuring your bandominium home will be sustainable for the long term. The benefits of adding solar to your barndominium not only include significant energy savings but may also lower or even eliminate your monthly electric bill if you qualify for solar tax incentives or net metering.

Solar power for your bandominium can even be tied into an electric vehicle charging station. Just imagine powering your entire home from the sun and then being able to drive your electric vehicle with power fueled by solar energy as well. Solar on your barndominium can easily be part of your sustainable living plan and empower your life in many ways.

Who Would Benefit from a Barndominium?

At this point, you’re probably thinking, “man, barndominiums sound great, sign me up!” However, a barndo build is not necessarily for everyone. Before diving into this new craze, there are a few things to keep in mind.

For one thing, financing a barndo is still more difficult than financing a conventional home. If you have an established relationship with a bank, excellent credit, a solid construction plan, and bids from reputable contractors, you will have a much easier time getting financing to build your barndominium.

Next, the barndominium style is a very specific look. If you’re not into big, spacious farmhouses and open-concept floor plans, or if you don’t like the idea of your house being made of steel, a barndo may not be for you.

Finally, if you don’t have space or the right kind of lot, you may not be able to build a barndominium. Zoning laws prevent barndominiums from being built in certain areas. Make sure to do your homework before purchasing a lot for a barndominium build. Check the local, county, and state regulations, as well as potential deed restrictions.

Barndominiums are great for tradespeople, big families, and people looking to save some money on their home build. Those wanting a cheap temporary home while they work on their permanent home could also benefit from a barndo. They are also great choices for those who want a long-term, low-maintenance sustainable living solution.

Array’s Solar Modules are Perfect for Barndominiums

We have good news: Array’s solar modules are the perfect complement for barndominiums and will help you meet your sustainability goals. After building your barndominium for less cost than a traditional home and using recycled materials for the build, why wouldn't you want to add renewable energy to your barndominium? Array’s modules are ideal for solar on metal roofs, which is a common roofing medium on bardos.

After you’ve qualified your barndominium roof for Array’s solar modules, you can find an installer and contact us to start the process.

Sierra Eberly