Barndominium Vs Conventional Home (Pros, Cons, Cost) (2024)

When you’re exploring the world of home construction, you may come across two popular options: barndominiums and conventional homes.

Barndominiums offer a unique blend of rustic charm and modern convenience as they combine a barn-style structure with living quarters.

These versatile homes are usually quicker and cheaper to build than traditional houses, with benefits such as flexible space management, lower maintenance requirements, and reduced insurance costs.

On the other hand, conventional homes maintain a more classic design and could be more appealing to a wider range of potential buyers.

1. Pros and Cons

When comparing barndominiums to conventional homes, you should consider various factors to determine which type of housing suits your needs best.

Here are some pros and cons of each:

Pros of Barndominiums:

• Affordability: Barndominiums generally have lower construction costs than traditional homes, making them a budget-friendly choice for many homeowners.
• Customization: With a barndominium, you can design the interior and exterior to fit your tastes and needs.
• Durability: Built with metal or steel framing, barndominiums are often more resistant to damage from natural disasters, pests, and rot.
• Lower maintenance: Due to their construction materials, barndominiums often require less maintenance than wood-framed homes.
• Lower insurance costs: The robust nature of barndominiums may result in lower insurance premiums and taxes.

Cons of Barndominiums:

• Financing difficulties: Financing a barndominium can be more challenging to secure due to its non-traditional nature.
• Limited resale potential: Barndominiums’ high customization may result in a smaller pool of interested buyers, potentially affecting resale value.
• Less familiarity: Since barndominiums are relatively new, some people may need to become more familiar with them, affecting community acceptance and integration.

Pros of Conventional Homes:

• Better resale potential: Traditional housing styles tend to have higher demand and a more extensive pool of potential buyers, which can positively impact resale value.
• More accessible financing: Traditional homes have more straightforward lending options.
• Familiarity: Conventional homes are well-known and established, making it easier to find design inspiration, contractors, and support in your community.

Cons of Conventional Homes:

• Higher construction costs: Building a traditional home may be more expensive than constructing a barndominium due to materials and labor costs.
• Longer construction time: Conventional homes often take longer than barndominiums since the 2×4 wood framing process can be complicated and time-consuming.
• More maintenance: Over time, wood-framed traditional homes require more maintenance to protect them from wear and elements.

2. Comparing Costs

Generally, conventional homes can cost between $100 to $200 per square foot, depending on the building’s size, materials, and location.

Smaller barndominiums (less than 2,200 square feet) typically cost around $50 per square foot, while larger ones cost up to $75 per square foot.

Remember that these prices can vary based on region and local market conditions.

It’s also important to evaluate construction costs for the two options.

For a conventional home, the estimated cost to build a 2,000-square-foot home is approximately $290,574, or about $145 per square foot.

Comparatively, a 2,000-square-foot barndominium averages around $200,000, making their cost per square foot around $100.

Barndominium kits can further reduce the cost per square foot to around $70, depending on the kit chosen.

Constructing a barndominium can be more affordable compared to a conventional home.

However, securing financing from lenders may be more challenging since barndominiums are still considered non-traditional residential structures.

It’s important to research the financing options available and consult with professionals to understand all your choices.

When working on your construction budget, take note of contractor costs. Hiring contractors for both conventional homes and barndominiums can be comparable.

However, barndominiums may require contractors with specialized knowledge and experience.

As you compare and choose contractors, ensure they have the necessary expertise and budget-friendly rates without compromising quality.

3. Construction Differences

Barndominiums typically have a steel structure, while conventional homes use wood framing.

Steel buildings are often prefabricated, making the construction process quicker and more streamlined.

You may notice that many barndominium builders offer prefabricated kits. These kits include the building materials for the steel structure, allowing for a faster construction time.

Prefabricated kits can make the process more manageable, particularly for those in rural areas where resources may be limited.

Moreover, the steel building construction tends to require less labor and specialized skills than traditional wood-framed homes.

On the other hand, constructing a conventional home involves a more complex process with 2×4 wood framing. This often requires more builders, specialized skills, and a longer construction time.

The materials used in building a conventional home can also be more expensive and require ongoing maintenance, especially in areas with extreme weather conditions.

In terms of building a home in rural areas, barndominiums are often more efficient and practical due to their simpler construction process.

They also offer greater flexibility in space management, which can benefit those looking to utilize the property for various purposes, such as storage or a workshop.

4. Efficiency and Comfort

Barndominiums utilize metal framing and sustainable building materials, often making them more energy-efficient than traditional homes. This can lead to lower energy bills and long-term savings for you.

In terms of comfort, barndominiums can offer excellent insulation options to maintain consistent temperatures within the living space.

Investing in proper insulation means that your barndominium stays warm during the winter and cool during the summer.

This also contributes to overall energy efficiency, as your heating and cooling systems won’t have to work as hard to maintain comfortable temperatures.

A barndominium’s metal structure also provides substantial protection against severe weather events such as tornadoes.

Compared to a conventional home, the metal framework can withstand high winds and storms, keeping you and your family safe during harsh conditions.

While utilities like power and heating might be similar between a barndominium and a conventional home, you may find additional savings in a barndominium due to its energy-efficient nature.

You could reduce utility costs by incorporating renewable energy sources like solar panels.

5. Maintenance and Durability

Barndominiums tend to havelower maintenance requirementscompared to traditional homes. The metal or wood exteriors are often more durable and weather-resistant.

These structures are built to provide superior protection against moisture, mold, rot, and pests.

You’ll find that barndominiums require less upkeep over time, which can reduce labor costs and the effort associated with maintaining a home.

While traditional homes may be constructed with durable materials, they often require more frequent repairs and maintenance.

Barndominiums are constructed using metal buildings, which can be more resilient in severe weather conditions, providing added peace of mind.

In contrast, traditional homes are typically made from wood or brick, which might be more susceptible to damage from the elements and pests.

To ensure the durability of a conventional home, regular maintenance is necessary.

In conclusion, if maintaining a durable and resilient home with low maintenance requirements is your priority, a barndominium might be more suitable.

Choosing a barndominium and a traditional home depends on your preferences, needs, and lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions