Barndominiums, shouses (shop/houses) and post frame homes have become a true ‘thing’. As they have developed from bootlegged boxes to serious planning being given to them, there has been a rise in people wanting them over full or partial basem*nts, crawl spaces and multiple floors. In nearly every case, these floors are made of wood (because wood is good).
In my career, I’ve designed a plethora of wood floors for post frame buildings. I’ve never yet had a client question me about one thing which may later seem very important – how much will their floor deflect?
Barndominium buyers naturally take for granted a wood floor system in a new home will be safe and building code compliant – and rightly so. But buyers also have expectations for their floors unrelated to safety or building code. In particular, many clients are aware of their floor’s “vibration” in response to foot traffic and some people find annoying or disturbing.
Canadian building code includes limits on floor vibration, but U.S. codes don’t regulate floor vibration. So most U.S. builders design for deflection only—typically by holding deflection due to live load to a maximum of L/360 (where “L” is floor joist span), or perhaps a more restrictive L/480.
But what does L/360 actually mean? In a 12 foot span center of floor can deflect as much as 4/10ths of an inch, 16 foot span over half an inch. A 48 foot span (yes, our shouse has a 48 foot clearspan floor using floor trusses) 1.6 inches!!
Unfortunately, however, code compliance does not automatically equal customer satisfaction. Some components of a floor system greatly influencing a floor’s response to foot traffic—such as presence of a ceiling, floor sheathing, supporting beams or girders, and partition walls—are not captured in live-load deflection analysis required to satisfy code.
To make things even more complicated, floor vibration is highly subjective: A floor feeling fine for one person may seem annoying to another. For example, a client who previously occupied a slab-on-grade building may have a different performance expectation from one who has been living in the upper levels of an apartment complex. Additionally, problems not related to floor vibration, such as squeaks or sound transmission between rooms, often create a perception of poor vibration performance.
Subtle changes in floor usage or joist spans may also result in floor performance complaints. One common problem area is a kitchen with an island, where a homeowner may notice rattling dishes or ripples in a glass of water. A change in joist span at a bay window may also be a trouble spot, even if difference in spans would seem to be slight. A short stiff member will make longer spans feel softer.
Increasing joist depth (say 2×10 to 2×12) or increasing sheathing thickness improves floor response. Increasing both at once leads to a very high rate of customer satisfaction. But, reducing vibration requires joists be much stiffer than required by code.
Laboratory research at Virginia Tech has shown client perception of floor vibration is related to vibration frequency. Using lab built test floor systems built, researchers found people were particularly sensitive to vibrations of about 8 or 10 Hz (cycles per second). At higher frequencies, vibrations were perceived as less annoying. Field investigation in real homes confirmed occupants were not bothered once vibration frequency went above 14 Hz.
Increasing joist depth greatly improves client satisfaction rating. But you can achieve a comparable degree of improvement by increasing sheathing thickness, without increasing joist depth. And if you increase both joist depth and sheathing thickness, you can achieve a level of customer satisfaction approaching 100%.
Looking for a wood floor providing exemplary performance with a minimum of “bounce”? The solution is to specify an upgrade to a lesser deflection than Code required L/360. Ask your Building Designer about investment difference to increase stiffness to L/480 or even L/720. You might be surprised at how little the difference in price is!
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FAQs
The answer to whether you can put wood floors in your barndominium is a resounding yes. Wood floors not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a barndominium but also add to its functionality and overall value.
What kind of floor does a barndominium have? ›
Concrete flooring is a popular choice for barndominiums due to its durability, low maintenance and versatility. However, as with any type of flooring, there are pros and cons to consider before making a decision.
What is the life expectancy of a barndominium? ›
Longevity: Although they may not last as long as traditional homes, a well-maintained barndominium can provide comfortable living for around 50 years. 5. Durability: Barndominiums are built to withstand the elements, ensuring they remain sturdy and reliable over the years.
Is it possible to build a barndominium for 100K? ›
It is not an impossibility that you can build a barndominium for 100K. However, it is not too common. If you seek to go that route, you need to cut down on expenses and do most of the work yourself. You will need to find the right piece of land to erect your barndominium.
Where not to install hardwood floors? ›
Wood flooring can be installed in most of the rooms in a house, except a few places such as the kitchen, where the spills and moisture are to be expected, the basem*nts since they are prone to higher humidity levels and lastly, moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms, where you cannot avoid humidity.
How thick should a barndominium floor be? ›
For barndominiums up to 1,500 sq. ft., most recommendations fall between a 4” and 6″ thick slab. This accommodates moderate traffic and furnishings adequately without excessive concrete use. The steel perimeter beams of barndominium kits require less internal slab support than wood framing.
What is the most expensive part of a barndominium? ›
Steel framing, popular in barndominium construction for its durability and resistance to pests, can be more expensive than traditional wood framing. Framing costs can range from $20 to $50 per square foot, making it one of the most significant portions of the construction budget.
Is a barndominium cheaper than building a house? ›
Cost of Barndominium vs.
The most common estimate asserts that a new barndominium with basic amenities will cost about $30 to $40 per square foot to build, compared to the cost of building a traditional home is around $100 to $200 per square foot.
How thick are barndominium interior walls? ›
To be on the safe side, assume 5 inches for interior walls. Exterior walls for a barndominium can range from 5 inches to 20 inches depending on building style. If you have a 40×40 living area and 12-inch thick walls, your interior space is 38×38.
What are the negatives of barndominiums? ›
If you're considering building or buying a barndominium, consider this list of downsides before you sign your name on a dotted line:
- Location Limitations. ...
- Financing. ...
- Corrosion. ...
- Noise. ...
- UV Exposure. ...
- Wiring Challenges. ...
- Reselling.
Insurance can be complicated for barndominium homes. According to Barndominium.org, not all insurers cover barndos, especially if they're mixed-use instead of residential only, and those that do might have barndo-specific policies.
What do I wish I knew before building a barndominium? ›
Here are the most important things to know about building a barndominium.
- Obtain a permit for your project. Photo by Bridger Steel, Inc. ...
- Test the paint. Photo by Justin Doyle Homes. ...
- Prepare for surprise costs. ...
- Plan for electrical work. ...
- Choose your windows and doors wisely. ...
- Add insulation—it's important.
How big of a barndominium can I build for $200K? On the high end, barndominiums have an average cost of $150 per square foot. At that price, you can estimate a building of around 1,333 square feet for $200,000.
How big of a barndominium can I build for 300k? ›
Written by HomeAdvisor. Barndominiums cost between $120,000 and $540,000, with an average 2,400-square-foot barndominium costing $300,000 to build. The total cost to build a barndominium can vary significantly depending on the size, how much of the work you do yourself, and the finishes you choose.
Is it hard to sell a barndominium? ›
Selling a barndominium can present challenges, particularly regarding market perception and financing, but these challenges are not insurmountable. There is not much difference between selling a barndominium and marketing a custom-built home on today's market, the challenges are extremely similar.
Do barndominiums have to have concrete floors? ›
If you are planning to park large, heavy vehicles inside (such as trucks or larger RVs), you should consider making the slab 6″ thick, and using 4000-psi concrete. You may not need this for a kit home, but often times a barndominium may be used to store vehicles and heavy equipment.
Can you put a wood floor in a metal building? ›
With a steel exterior, the structure is designed to be cost-effective, highly functional, and worry-free. You want the floor to offer the same benefits. You can install wood, carpet, and tile successfully in a metal building.
Are there load bearing walls in a barndominium? ›
A barndominium floor plan is very different from traditional homes, which must be designed with load bearing walls that limit creativity and possibilities. A barndo's steel framing eliminates the need for load bearing walls, making it easy to split a home into flexible living quarters and working spaces.
Can you put hardwood floors in a manufactured home? ›
Nail down hardwood installations and stone and ceramic installations are possible if a manufactured home is situated on a fixed foundation and if it isn't likely to settle. The subfloor matters as well: installing a denser subfloor can help keep your hardwood installation flat.
Barndominium buyers naturally take for granted a wood floor system in a new home will be safe and building code compliant – and rightly so. But buyers also have expectations for their floors unrelated to safety or building code. In particular, many clients are aware of their floor’s “vibration” in response to foot traffic and some people find annoying or disturbing.