The What and Why of Barndominium Style Homes
Barndominiums are a surging trend in real estate. The term “barndominium” was coined in the late 80’s, but have surged in popularity in recent years. This is probably because these homes generally have large living spaces that are very photogenic and easily shared on social media sites like Pinterest. At the same time, the style is very flexible and capable of providing great space.
The basic concept of the barndominium style is that you’re building a home that’s similar to converting an agricultural barn structure into a home. Of course, these are usually new builds from the ground up. If you’re not renovating an actual barn, you’re usually building a metal or wood pole building. These are structural types that have evolved to be a very efficient method of enclosing large amounts of space economically. They also do not have to look especially agricultural or industrial at the interior. Although we haven’t done a whole lot of these homes in the past, we’ve done something similar for the Lewes Car Care Center. For this reason, this style generally is great if you want large and very tall spaces. It also is a method that allows for extremely large windows or spacious lofts and mezzanines.
One thing people often assume, because it evolved from agricultural origins, is that it is a cheaper way to build. This is possible, depending on the choices you make, but it is not assured. It’s best to do this sort of home if you want the soaring 2-story spaces with huge windows. Simple forms work best as well, although the form is flexible enough to adapt to a lot of different shapes.
We strongly recommend getting a design professional involved in the construction. In many cases, contractors who are familiar with building these sort of buildings will offer these homes. They’re often marketed for their affordability, but that can be a false siren song. Having an experienced design professional can help guide the project towards the goals of the client is the best way to maximize the desired outcomes, be they budget, views, or space.
