What are Barndominiums, and Why are They Gaining Popularity? 

Barndominiums, also known as barndos or barn homes, refer to residential buildings that combine the aesthetic elements of a traditional barn with the living spaces and amenities of a modern home. Barndos are gaining popularity due to their versatility, offering a unique blend of residential and multi-purpose space in the same structure. 

Barndominiums typically offer ample square footage, appealing to those seeking a more spacious living environment. These homes’ aesthetics are often inspired by a rustic farmhouse or barn, incorporating features like exposed wooden beams, metal roofing, and barn doors. Barndos can be customized to suit individual needs and preferences, allowing homeowners to design their living spaces and additional areas in relation to their lifestyle. 

Cost of Barndominiums

These structures are typically constructed with metal framing and roofing compared to traditional lumber, making them more affordable per square foot to build. Not only do they range around 20-30% less in cost than traditional buildings, but they are also quicker to build. Homeowners can build a larger home for the same price or save on construction costs!  

The size, location, and materials of barndominiums affect the total cost. Typically, it costs $30 per square foot to build the structure, and about $125 per square foot for a full-scale finish. To compare, traditional structures tend to be around $150 per square foot. A fully customized barndominium averages $250-300k.  

There are many types of metal roofing and siding that Fabral has to offer, but the SSR 150 and Grand Rib 3 Plus are the best suited metal products for barndominiums. 

Design Functionality 

 Barndominium designs allow for functionality between a work, play, and live atmosphere. They are designed to offer versatility by combining living spaces with flexible, open areas that can serve multiple purposes. This balance allows for the homeowners’ vision of what they want it to look like from interior to exterior. 

Fabral partnered with Sherwin-Williams to introduce its new WeatherXL™ color lineup, offering a more robust finish in 21 colors for wall and roof panels.   

Energy Efficiency 

The energy efficiency of a barndominium depends on the specific materials, construction methods, and energy-saving systems that are incorporated into its build and design. 

Metal can be paired with high-quality insulation, ventilation, and shaped to work better with insulated panels, helping homeowners maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while reducing energy consumption. 

Structural Integrity and Weather Resistance 

Barndominium structures are made from steel and wrapped with metal panels, sheets, and siding on the outside. These components provide extra protection from weather, reduce weak spots and enhance overall durability.  

Metal’s noncombustible characteristic makes it more resistant to fire, wind, and other weather elements. This makes metal an excellent choice for constructing barndominiums in areas prone to wildfires or where fire safety is a concern. 

Maintenance and Longevity 

When choosing Fabral’s metal roofing for a barndominium, homeowners can be assured that their product will stay vibrant and last 50+ years. Sherwin-Williams WeatherXL™ paint has a limited warranty that covers cracking, flaking, or peeling for up to 40 years.  

Building a barndominium with metal products instead of wood also virtually eliminates the concern of decay and rot. If the metal happens to show signs of aging, simply recoat the metal. 

Gambrel Roof Design on Barndominiums 

A gambrel roof design is characterized by two slopes on each side. The upper slope is positioned at a shallow angle, while the lower slope is much steeper. This unique roof style is a common sight on barndominiums, optimizing space that can prove useful.  

The steep sides of a gambrel roof give homeowners the ability to do more with the upper floors. You can add more rooms, lofts, or attic space! Also, the angle of gambrel roofs helps water and snow slide off, reducing the worry of water damage caused by leaks. 

The Dual-Purpose Design of Your Barndominium 

The open floor plan, metal structure, and gambrel style roof of a barndominium gives homeowners many options to blend industrial and residential aspects. Builders could leave portions of the interior exposed for a more industrial look, or finish parts with drywall, paint, and wood trim.  

Key Steps for Constructing a Barndominium 

When converting a traditional barn or constructing a new barndominium to serve as a residential space, it’s important to note the key factors.  

Before building, find out the zoning rules and permits to comply with local laws and regulations. Check the structural integrity of the existing building and assess if it needs reinforcements for residential use. Bring in utilities that the original structure may not have, such as plumbing or heating.  

Visualize Your Barndominium with Fabral 

Homeowners can trust our team at Fabral to help support what they want to accomplish. As a benchmark leader, Fabral’s metal building materials last 50+ years. Check out our Color Visualizer Tool to see how our metal panels will look on your barndominium! 

Let Fabral help you visualize your next project – the barndominium! Contact a Fabral representative today!