When making a choice about where to live, it is important to take different factors into account, especially money, your personal preferences, and your future well-being. The demand for barndominiums has increased dramatically in recent times, with more and more people wanting to have a one-of-a-kind way to live that is different from the typical types of homes that you would see. If you would like to find out how a barndominium would compare to a normal home, or you simply would like to learn about what is a barndominium, then please read this article to see what are the major differences between the barndominiums, what you can gain from living in a barndominium versus a normal house, and things you should consider when choosing to live in a barndominium.
It is extremely important to understand what makes these two types of homes different. When determining whether to build new or move into an existing house, you will want to look at important issues such as cost, durability, customization options, and how to finance your home. Barndominiums generally provide very large interior areas with modern-style living while traditional homes generally provide more comfort and have historical established value.
Some other key considerations in making your most informed decision include maintenance requirements, long-term energy efficiency, and meeting federal and local government regulations. More recently, due to the increased emphasis on environmentally friendly building practices, both styles of homes can offer an affordable solution if they are taken into proper consideration.
Building Costs & Timelines
One of the best benefits of barndominium construction is the low cost associated with constructing a barndominium. The average price to build a barndominium is $95 to $125 per square foot as compared to the average price of constructing a traditional home which typically ranges from $100 to $200 per square foot.
In addition to the low cost of material used when constructing a barndominium, the simplicity of building a barndominium allows for a shorter building time than building a traditional home. The average time to complete a barndominium is three to six months as opposed to a traditional home which may take eight to twelve months. Homeowners benefit by having quicker access to moving into their new house earlier, due to the reduced labor cost associated with the shortened construction timeline; however, when adding specialized finishes, utility connections, etc., building times may also increase if the home is constructed by an inexperienced builder. Building times associated with traditional homes may take longer, resulting in costly interim costs including rent or temporary housing until completion.
Flexibility in Design and the Ability to Customize
Barndominiums have an open floor plan with multiple possibilities due to the use of steel frame construction creating fewer walls needed for structural support. As such, barndominiums create ample space for large living rooms, kitchens, and combination workspaces which create easy ways to design homes that fit more modern lifestyles. This includes work-from-home opportunities and large family gatherings.
On the other hand, traditional homes provide a clear understanding of the layout, architectural styling and zoning limitations for prospective home buyer’s thus if you desire room separation for sound and function, traditional homes are the better option. Additionally, with so many external designs and finishes available, homeowners will find it easier to find a home that fits within the character of their neighbourhood and satisfies their HOA requirements. Homeowners looking for inspiration on various architectural styles can view extensive galleries through resources such as Architectural Digest where design experts provide helpful resources.
Durability and Maintenance
Barndominiums are generally constructed from steel framing and metal exterior; therefore barndominiums are less susceptible to termite, mould and fire damage than most homes constructed using wood materials and, in addition, are able to withstand moreMetal roofing and siding are designed to last for many years with minimum maintenance, giving homeowners peace of mind that their investment will maintain its value well into the future without incurring a lot of repair costs along the way.
Traditional homes are generally constructed of wood and masonry, which require a lot of maintenance. Homeowners need to inspect for wood rot, bug infestations, and water damage continually. In addition, homeowners must paint their homes regularly and repair roofs when needed. Because of this, many homeowners looking for continued low-maintenance costs prefer barndomiums over traditional homes, even though some components of the barndo might need to be rust-protected and sealed based on the region’s climate.
Energy Efficiency
Energy performance is becoming a top priority for many buyers today. When properly insulated with spray foam insulation, barndominiums provide exceptional energy performance by establishing an airtight building envelope. Metal rooftops also have a reflective quality that can greatly reduce heating and cooling costs throughout the year.
Traditional homes’ energy efficiency can vary greatly according to their age and type of construction. For example, older homes tend to have drafty windows and walls that are under-insulated. In contrast, newer homes constructed using advanced insulation and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can compete with or even exceed the energy performance of barndomiums. For more information regarding how to increase your home’s energy efficiency, refer to the resources offered by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Financing and Resale Value
Financing is one of the biggest barriers that many prospective barndominium owners face. Many lenders lack a significant level of understanding for the Barndominium property type, resulting in restrictive underwriting standards or requiring borrowers to utilize a specialized lender for alternative real estate lending. However, as Barndominiums gain popularity in the resale marketplace, particularly in rural or semi-rural areas, it has become increasingly difficult to establish comparable values for appraisal purposes due to their unique nature.
Conversely, the process of obtaining traditional residential mortgages is relatively simple with established mortgage lenders utilizing an extensive appraisal process to assist in determining a property’s value when selling. Therefore, when potential buyers evaluate the resale value of a traditional residential home versus a Barndominium, they will have access to an ample supply of comparable sales information, resulting in increased confidence in the resale value of the traditional home, and more likely to achieve a higher sale price faster than that of similar Barndominiums.
Zoning Laws
Compliance with local zoning regulations is one of the most important factors to consider in determining the type of Barndominium to build. Due to the restrictive nature of local zoning laws in suburban areas and HOAs that have stringent regulations governing development within their community, a Barndominium may not be able to be built as intended. Instead, many communities prohibit Barndominiums altogether or impose certain restrictions on what types of features can be included on the property, such as attached workshops and non-traditional exterior finishes. As a result, it is essential to always verify local municipal building codes and zoning regulations prior to commencing a custom-built residence to avoid delays and related costs.
In comparison to Barndominiums, traditional residential homes generally comply with existing residential zoning regulations and are therefore more likely to be approved by community association regulations; therefore, a traditional residential home is often the safer option if you are considering purchasing a property located in an area with a high concentration of residential development and strict building codes. No matter the construction method you choose, continue to conduct your due diligence and research applicable regulations for any community where you plan to build or purchase property.
Lifestyle And Functionality
The style of the Barndominium depends on individual preferences regarding the way people enjoy living. Therefore, Barndominiums offer flexibility and allow owners to implement a variety of creative design layouts that allow for the integration of work, play, and hobbies in one structure. Barndominiums have become increasingly popular due to their large open spaces that provide ample room for both housing and additional vehicles, storage, and workspace. Additionally, Barndominiums cater to families who either operate small businesses out of their homes or want to create a modern, communal atmosphere at home.
Individuals who enjoy a traditional residential floor plan or who seek a greater degree of privacy from family members may prefer the layout of a traditional home. Traditional homes continue to offer proven resale records, a wide variety of styles and designs to choose from, and a comfortable, well-segmented layout that caters to families and business executives.
Conclusion
There is no definitive answer regarding the decision to build a Barndominium versus a traditional home. The eventual design of a Barndominium should be based upon a purchaser’s financial capabilities and individual design preferences as well as the specific length of stay the purchaser intends to remain in the home. While Barndominiums offer significant advantages of affordability, durability, and versatility, financing a Barndominium may present difficulties depending on where the Barndominium is located and what type of jurisdiction will be using it to determine its future marketability. In addition, when compared to traditional homes, Barndominiums may face greater scrutiny and market instability due to a lack of comparable sales data. It is recommended that purchasers conduct thorough research regarding local zoning regulations and utilize reputable real estate professionals when selecting either a traditional or a Barndominium home. By conducting due diligence on all variables of the potential purchase, you can be confident that you have a good understanding of both your vision and your goals and therefore will be able to successfully select the home that best meets your criteria.
