So you’re stuck between building a barndominium or going with a regular house. Yeah, it’s confusing. Everyone’s got an opinion about which one’s better. But it depends on what you actually need and how you live.
The whole barndominium vs house pros and cons thing gets complicated fast because there’s no clear winner. Some folks love those wide open spaces and lower costs. Others can’t stand the thought of living in what basically looks like a fancy barn.
Let’s figure out which camp you fall into.
What are the Costs
Barndominiums usually win this round, sometimes by a lot. Building a barndominium often runs 30-50% less than a traditional house in the same area.
Most basic barndominium shells cost somewhere between $15-25 per square foot for the bones – frame, roof, and metal siding. Once you add everything inside, like plumbing, electrical, flooring, and all that good stuff, you’re looking at maybe $50-90 per square foot for decent finishes. If you want something fancier, then your budget should be around $90-150 per square foot.
Traditional houses start around $100-200 per square foot in most places, and that’s before you get too crazy with upgrades.
Barndominiums go up faster because you’re basically doing the roof, walls, and structure all at once instead of in separate stages like regular houses. Faster build times mean less money spent on construction loans and getting into your place sooner.
| What You’re Paying For | Barndominium | Regular House |
| Total cost per sq ft | $50-150 | $100-250 |
| How long to build | 3-6 months | 6-12 months |
| Lender options | Pretty limited | Everybody |
| Permits and fees | Usually cheaper | Standard pricing |
Living With Your Choice Long-Term
This is where barndominiums really shine. That metal siding isn’t going to rot, warp, or need painting every few years like wood does. Metal roofs last forever – okay, not literally forever, but 40-50 years without major problems is pretty normal. Compare that to regular shingles that need replacing every 15-25 years.
Traditional houses are maintenance hogs. Wood siding needs paint or stain every 5-7 years. Even brick and vinyl need attention eventually. When something goes wrong with the foundation or roof on a regular house, fixing it usually costs more than similar repairs on a barndominium.
Weather doesn’t bother well-built metal structures much. High winds, hail, crazy temperature swings – barndominiums handle it better than most regular construction. Ice dams and wind-driven rain cause way fewer headaches.
On the flip side, daily wear and tear repairs often cost less in regular houses. Patching drywall, replacing flooring, updating interiors – that stuff’s easier and cheaper when you’re dealing with standard construction methods. Plus, finding contractors who know how to work on regular houses isn’t hard anywhere.
Space and How You Actually Live
Barndominium homes give you the flexibility that regular houses just can’t match. Those huge open areas let you arrange things however you want, and you can change it up when your needs change.
Even a smaller barndominium feels bigger than a regular house with the same square footage. High ceilings and open floor plans trick your brain into thinking there’s more space than there actually is. A 1,800 square foot barndominium often feels roomier than a 2,200 square foot traditional house with normal 8-foot ceilings and rooms chopped up everywhere.
But some families need those separated spaces. Kids doing homework while parents watch TV, formal dining rooms for holidays, and home offices that actually feel like offices instead of corners of bigger rooms. Traditional houses nail this better than barndominiums.
Storage works differently, too. Barndominiums often come with massive garage or workshop areas that regular houses can’t match. Traditional houses usually have more built-in storage, though – closets everywhere, pantries, and basement space if you’re lucky.
What It’s Like Day-to-Day
Living in a barndominium appeals to folks who like open, connected spaces and don’t mind the industrial look. Families that hang out together a lot love being able to see and talk to each other from anywhere in the main area.
Traditional houses work better when people need their own space. Parents working from home want actual offices with doors. Teenagers need privacy. Formal entertaining makes more sense when you have distinct living and dining areas designed for it.
Noise becomes an issue in both types, just differently. Barndominiums can echo with all those hard surfaces and high ceilings, though good design fixes most of that. Regular houses give you better natural sound separation between rooms.
Heating and cooling costs differ quite a bit. Barndominiums have to condition larger volumes of air and deal with the heat rising to those high ceilings. Traditional houses usually cost less to keep comfortable because the spaces are smaller and more contained.
Selling Later and What People Think
The resale market for barndominiums keeps growing, but it’s still smaller than regular housing. That cuts both ways – less competition might mean faster sales in some areas, but fewer potential buyers could mean longer waits in others.
Regular houses have the advantage here. Everybody understands them – appraisers, real estate agents, buyers, mortgage companies, insurance companies. The whole system is set up for traditional housing.
Where you live makes a huge difference. Rural areas and farm communities often embrace barndominiums easily. Suburban neighborhoods with strict homeowner associations? Not so much. Some places specifically ban anything that doesn’t look like a traditional house.
Barndominium-style homes are getting more recognition as people figure out their benefits. Early adopters in growing markets sometimes see great appreciation, but it’s still a bit of a gamble compared to traditional houses.
Loans and Insurance
Getting a mortgage for a finished barndominium has gotten easier as more lenders gain experience with them. Construction financing during building still takes shopping around, though. However, for traditional houses, any bank will lend on those without thinking twice.
Insurance can be weird with barndominiums. Some companies treat them like commercial buildings and charge more. Others have figured out specific policies for residential metal buildings. Regular houses get standard homeowner’s insurance everywhere without any drama.
Property taxes depend on how local assessors classify your building. Some areas treat barndominiums as agricultural buildings with lower rates. Others tax them the same as houses. Traditional houses get taxed predictably everywhere.
Barndominium modular homes sometimes fall under personal property loans instead of real estate mortgages, depending on how they’re built and what kind of foundation they sit on. Site-built traditional houses always qualify for regular mortgages.
So Which One Should You Pick?
The barndominium vs house pros and cons comparison doesn’t have a universal winner. Your decision should match how you actually live, what you can afford, and what you’re planning for the future.
Go with a barndominium if you want lower building costs, fewer maintenance headaches, flexible interior space, and you’re okay dealing with specialized lenders and contractors. Rural locations with relaxed building codes make this choice easier.
Pick a traditional house if you prefer separate, defined living spaces, easier financing, broader resale appeal, and familiar construction methods. Suburban areas and neighborhoods with strict rules usually require conventional housing.
Think about how your family really lives instead of what looks cool online. Some people thrive in big open spaces, while others go crazy without privacy and separation. Neither choice is wrong – they’re just different ways to approach home design and living.
Ready to Build? Sky-Root Can Help
The team at Sky-Root understands the unique challenges both types of homes present and can guide homeowners toward the best solution for their specific situation. From initial planning through the final walkthrough, they handle every detail so clients can focus on the excitement of building their dream home.
Want to explore your options and get straight answers about costs, timelines, and design possibilities? Then schedule a consultation with us and take the first step toward building your perfect home.
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