Is This Floor Plan Doable as a Post Frame Barndominium Kit?
This question was posed by Reader TIFFANY in HOPKINSVILLE. My answer is yes. Whether an existing floor plan or a custom design – virtually anything you can imagine, can be converted to a post frame barndominium kit, provided it is possible to do structurally at all!
When it comes down to it, your only limitations are – your imagination, budget and available space.
Here is an online description of this build:
“This design is of another stunning ranch-farmhouse which brings back a beautiful era. Country-style living is now becoming a trend all over America and there are many reasons why. Sometimes, a peaceful living space is all it takes for one to get a complete lifestyle makeover. The busy city can take a huge toll on one’s health, be it mentally or physically. It’s very hard to relax when you hear the loud honking of cars outside, parties in the next room and a ton of workload. Wouldn’t it be nice to move into a peaceful house where none of those things exist? This beautiful traditional ranch-farmhouse could be your dreamhouse.
A wrap-around porch and a steep roofline is among the many beautiful elements that this house has to offer. Having a traditional ranch-farmhouse for home doesn’t mean you’re going to totally eliminate any sense of modernity. The facade of this house can be tweaked and redecorated to perfectly suit the family. A family of around 5 members can freely occupy the three spacious bedrooms in this layout. Palladian head windows and doors are installed on the wallsto provide the house natural sunlight.
A large attic could be utilized as a storage room or a man-cave for hobbyist dads. It can also be turned into another bedroom for new members of the household. The space on the upper level is vast and ideal for any purpose.”
Stats:1,793 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage.”
I am a great believer in homes being custom crafted to best meet the wants, needs and budget of those who will live in it, as well as being tailored to best fit upon one’s property. With this said, I fear no canned plan is going to meet this.
In my humble opinion there are some less than ideal features in this plan. These would include:
Lack of accessible features – all doors should be three feet wide, hallways four feet. A step down to a dining room means those 10% of Americans who will be confined to a wheelchair at some point in their life will not be able to eat with everyone else. It is also a trip hazard, especially for guests. Sunken living or dining rooms were possible in he 90’’s but have mostly gone out of vogue. There is no accessible bathroom or roll in shower.
Upstairs bonus room – bonus rooms are not free space by any means. Nor are they accessible. Try to get anything of size around a corner and up those stairs would prove impossible. Dormers might be cute, however they do come with a premium price and are not adding to usable floor space.
My kitchen is my domain and I would feel shut in with this design. I would do away with the kitchen eating area and open up it and the dining room to create a big open space along with the current great room. Pantry barely big enough to be a small closet – give me a space I can get a second refrigerator and an upright freezer in. Those additional storage areas are priceless.
A design for secondary bedrooms including walk-in closets would be preferable.
Laundry location is going to make for a lot of steps to the master suite. Sitting area looks cute in plans, but how many of us are seriously going to utilize this space? Rarely do those garden tubs ever get used, ditch it for a tiled open shower with a rain head (and roll-in wheelchair accessibility). Soaking tubs or jetted tubs are also very popular.
What about this two car garage would work for anything but two cars? Most of us have stuff (bikes, work benches, golf clubs, ski gear and many more) and “stuff” needs a place.
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FAQs
Whether an existing floor plan or a custom design – virtually anything you can imagine, can be converted to a post frame barndominium kit, provided it is possible to do structurally at all!
What is post frame barndominium? ›
Post frame, pole barn, engineered truss system, Barndominium. Whatever you call it, this framing system will produce a building that is attractive, versatile, and durable. Barndominiums are built using either steel frame or post frame construction. They have reached widespread popularity only in recent years.
How hard is it to build a barndominium? ›
Barndominiums can be built by a licensed contractor, a remodeler, or even a do-it-yourselfer. Since barndos are often erected by machinery, the process tends to be quick and efficient.
What is the difference between a pole barn and a barndominium? ›
Defining the Purpose
They contain large open areas ideal for equipment functionality with smaller service spaces like tack rooms or wash bays. Pole barns are not outfitted for residential living. Alternatively, barndominiums are designed specifically as dwellings or hybrid live-work spaces.
What is the downside to a barndominium? ›
Pros of barndominiums include a cheaper cost, fully customizable space, and lower maintenance. They're also highly durable with lots of extra room and are a more eco-friendly housing option. Meanwhile, cons include higher upfront costs, difficulties finding financing, and not all cities allow them.
What is the best size building for a barndominium? ›
Just like a traditional home, a barndominium floor plan can be made to be any size and customized to your specifications. However, there are sizes that are more common for barndos: 40x30 (1200 square foot) 40x60 (2400 square foot)
What is the lifespan of a post frame building? ›
Post frame buildings can survive violent storms and high winds better than traditional building methods because the structure is anchored into the ground itself, rather than being attached to the top of a concrete pad with 2×4 or 2×6 stud wall plates. The average longevity of a pole barn is between 40 to 60 years.
Are post frame buildings strong? ›
Pole barn buildings can be used for many purposes, such as a storage shed, a workshop, a garage, or even a home. Pole barns that are constructed properly are incredibly durable and able to withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy snow, strong winds, and harsh temperatures.
Is post frame stronger than stick-built? ›
Pole Framing Advantages
The overall strength of the structure is much higher than that of smaller stick frames. They can be built much faster than stick frame buildings as well. The outer posts provide all the strength the building needs, including roof trusses, add-ons, and precipitation loads on a rather large roof.
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.
Getting a home loan for a barndominium can be tricky since many lenders are unfamiliar with these types of structures. However, it is far from impossible. You just need to be able to fulfill your lender's requirements as well as the stipulations set out by your particular loan program.
How long does it take to build a 2000 sq ft barndominium? ›
The construction time can vary based on size and complexity, but generally, barndominiums can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to build, which is often faster than traditional homes due to prefabricated elements.
Do barndominiums have load bearing walls? ›
Open Floor Plan.
Bardominiums are structurally sound and don't need load-bearing walls, which means you'll have an open floor plan to fully customize however you see fit.
Why not build a pole barn? ›
Pole barns are not allowed in some neighborhoods, or the permitting process is more complicated. You may not want to build a pole barn if your HOA or county does not allow them. Some require pole buildings to match the residence, which could add to the overall cost—more on that in number five.
Why are barndominiums so cheap? ›
Barndominiums have a quality that often makes them very customizable, which is that typical barndominiums are often constructed from a metal building. Metal structures are usually less expensive to construct than traditional buildings, which is one reason why they are used so much in commercial construction.
Is it cheaper to build a house or a barndominium? ›
The average cost of a barndominium is $150,700. That's a far cry from the average $295,300 sales price of a home in the United States. Barndominiums — also called “barndos” — are metal or wooden buildings that are fashioned to house living space.
Can you design your own barndominium? ›
How to Make Your Own Barndominium Floor Plans. A few years ago, there was only one option for developing floor plans, which involved hiring an architect or interior designer. Today, 3D technology has changed that, offering anyone the ability to draft their own plans with incredible detail and accuracy.
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.
