Barndominium vs. House: Which Is More Affordable?

There has been a rising trend in homeowners opting for barndominiums (or barndos) over traditional homes. That’s because barndos capitalize on a nostalgic, farm-style aesthetic while integrating comfortable living quarters with lush and modern amenities.

Barndominiums have also carved out a well-deserved niche in the homebuilding scene because they’re affordable. 

What makes them so affordable? We’ll break down the numbers to compare new barndominiums vs. houses. Keep reading to discover what makes these two structures similar as well as what sets them apart. Plus, learn how you can save money while giving your home rustic appeal and durability using metal siding.

What Are the Pros and Cons of a Barndominium vs. a House?

When comparing barndominiums vs. houses, the biggest differences are their design features. 

A barndominium is a structure that combines the classic exterior of a barn with modern living spaces throughout the interior. Most barndos feature open-concept floor plans with large multi-purpose rooms that can be rearranged and used in a variety of ways.

Vertical wood-style siding is another key feature of barndominiums. In fact, this look is so popular that some traditional homes are also seeing a renewed interest in board and batten siding and other farm-style exteriors.

Traditional homes typically have a more established design aesthetic. While they can feature either closed or open floor plans, you’re more likely to find the usual areas, like dining spaces or great rooms, and less likely to have more unique features like lofts or vaulted ceilings with exposed beamwork. This familiarity means that traditional homes can be easier to sell with more financing options available — but they also often come at a higher cost and may offer fewer options for customization or unique layouts.

One of the perceived downsides of barndominiums is that the home will look like a commercial structure or a farm barn. But with modern materials, like wood-grain steel siding, the final result is “farmhouse chic” — not the “barnyard dwelling” look that comes with standard ag panels. 

In addition to the stylish, contemporary look of a barndo, here are some of its other pros:

• Can build one from the ground up or renovate an existing barn or structure
• Available ready-made barndominium kits to speed up the building process
• Often less expensive to build compared to traditional homes
• Faster construction process
• Typically require less maintenance

Is a Barndominium Cheaper to Build Than a House?

Yes, generally a barndominium is cheaper to build than a house. This is because they tend to be built with more affordable (but high-quality) materials. Plus, the open-concept layouts can be a barndominium cost advantage because you can create multi-use spaces that are useful for different activities, which cuts down the need for additional square footage.

Building a barndo can also be more cost-effective if you renovate an existing building or use a ready-made barndominium kit.

Ultimately though, costs can vary widely for both barndominiums and traditional houses depending on a variety of factors, including size, materials, amenities, interior finishes, and labor. Because of these factors, it can be difficult to calculate the cost of a barndominium vs. a house. 

But let’s take a look at some ballpark estimates:

• The average barndominium (around 2,400 square feet) costs between $225,600 and $288,000.
• On the less expensive side, homeowners can spend as little as $112,800.
• High-end builds can cost up to $540,000.

Compare that with the average cost to build a traditional house:

• The national average to build a house is $317,786.
• 1,000-square foot homes average between $100,000 and $500,000.
• 2,000-square foot homes average between $200,000 and $1,000,000.
• 3,000-square foot homes average between $300,000 and $1,500,000.

Is Financing Available to Build a Barndominium?

This is one area where traditional homes have the upper hand. The process for obtaining a new home loan is relatively easy. Banks and mortgage companies offer a variety of products to help homebuyers get financing on traditional homes. You can buy a prebuilt home with a mortgage, get a construction loan to build a custom home, or even secure financing on a manufactured home.

Where barndominiums are concerned, banks and traditional lenders are often hesitant to advance financing for these projects. Since it’s a non-traditional home style, there are fewer comparables on the market — and that makes it harder for lenders to accurately assess potential value. 

While there are some lenders who will finance these projects, in some cases, you may need to pursue separate financing options, like a loan for the land and development, seller financing for a barndominium kit, and financing for construction costs.

What Type of Siding Is Best for a Barndominium?

Metal siding, particularly steel siding, is typically preferred for barndos. For starters, it saves time and money over the long term because of its durability and low maintenance.

It’s also easy to install, which cuts down on labor costs during the building phase of your project. For example, TruLog’s board and batten siding, commonly used for modern barndo exteriors, simplifies installation with an easy-to-use design that allows individual panels to lock together securely. Compare it to brick and mortar home construction, for example, and the answer is clear: The barndominium’s siding won’t require nearly as much labor. Modern material swaps can save builders both time and money.

How Long Does a Barndominium Last Compared to a Traditional Home?

How long a barndominium will last compared to a traditional home depends on the construction materials used to build the home and how well it’s maintained over time.

But when it comes to durability and maintenance, barndominiums typically win. That’s because many barndominiums are metal structures that can feature steel siding and framing. Most traditional homes are wood-framed and have wood or vinyl siding.

Your siding is your home’s first line of protection. Steel siding typically lasts 40 years or more. Vinyl siding can last 20-40 years, but it’s more susceptible to weather and impact damage, which can lead to early replacement. Wood siding is the least durable option. The elements will cause both wood and vinyl to fade over time, and where wood is concerned, changing weather conditions also lead to cracks, rot, mildew, and more. Not to mention the fact that pest infestations can do serious damage to wood siding, too.

Barndominiums with steel siding are more fire-resistant, more durable against hail and extreme weather, and resistant to common sources of damage like wood rot or pest infestations. In fact, TruLog’s siding has a Class A fire rating, a Class 4 impact rating, and a 30-year paint coat warranty. 

Plus, on the upkeep side of things, barndos are the low-maintenance option. Wood siding in particular requires frequent repainting or restaining to keep it protected and looking good. Steel siding only needs to be rinsed off with a hose. This saves on both time and maintenance costs.

Does a Barndominium Have a Higher Resale Value?

Over the long term, a barndominium home is typically a great investment because this home style tends to hold its value well. In many areas, barndos even increase in value because they offer a unique rustic aesthetic paired with modern functionality and versatility. On top of that, potential buyers recognize that steel buildings are both more durable and require less maintenance, making them an excellent value proposition.

Our Pick: Barndominium Construction

All in all, when comparing barndominium vs. house building projects, there is an incredible amount of variation possible. But generally, barndos are more affordable than traditional homes. 

They’re growing in popularity, too. Many homeowners love the rustic, agricultural-inspired look of a barndominium while others enjoy the cost savings. 

For those who want to save money and prefer a more traditional look rather than something that resembles a farm building, steel siding is a great way to go. TruLog offers board-and-batten style siding, lap siding, and log siding. Any of these options will give your barndominium a beautiful, durable look while keeping your project more affordable. To learn more, download the TruLog catalog for details about our products.