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Which is better: wooden barndominiums or metal barndominiums? This question has become quite popular as more and more people look for housing options that are low-cost and energy-efficient, not to mention easy to install in a hurry.
Barndominiums are large structures that were originally intended for storage but have been converted into a living space. In short, barndominiums are large barns with a living space added to them.
So, whats’s the deal with barndominiums (also known as “barndos”)? Where did barndominiums come from and why are they so popular?
We’ll answer those questions for you throughout this article so read on!
When Were Barndominiums Invented?
The concept of barndominiums started to become popular in 2106 after its appearance on the popular HGTV show, Fixer Upper, when Chip and Joanna showed off a fabulous barndominium conversion.
However, the term “barndominium” was first coined by Karl Nilsen in the 1980s. Nilsen, a real estate developer, was working on a new kind of planned community that allowed horse owners to live near their horses. It’s the same idea as a golf course community but applied to horses and their owners.
Why Barndominiums Are Popular
When you first hear about it, the idea of a barndominium might seem like it would only appeal to Texans. However, there are hundreds of people who choose to build a barndominium for reasons other than the red barn motif.
The open space means lots of room
If you have a large family or like to entertain big parties, you’ve probably thought to yourself at one point or another, “We need more room in this place!”. Because barndominiums are being repurposed from barns, which are designed to accommodate large storage needs, they are perfect for fitting large families who want to stay close but keep their sanity.
A quick way to get a connected garage
Barndominiums are also great for installing a covered garage next to your home. This can be handy if you want to keep your vehicle safe or if you use a covered garage for work purposes. For example, someone who fixes cars or has a workshop can keep their workspace near home. Imagine being able to walk a few feet to work and avoiding the usual traffic hassles in the morning!
A quicker build time
If you’re repurposing a metal barn into a barndominium, then the time it takes to build your new barndominium home will be much faster than the build timeframe of a regular house. In fact, most metal barn homes can be built within two weeks.
How is this fast build time possible? Well, when you build a metal barn home like a barndominium, you’ll use pre-assembled steel building kits. This means that all you (or your contractor) need to do is assemble the pieces when they arrive at the site of your new home.
Ideal for remote work setups
If you work from home, you know that it can be hard to get any work done. It’s common for those who work from their home to struggle with staying on task because there is no clear distinction between their home office and the rest of their home. A barndominium solves this problem by letting you build a home office that’s close to home, but separate enough to let you focus and get things done.
Energy-efficiency & eco-friendliness
Another reason people choose to build a barndominium for their home is that metal buildings can be a great option for energy efficiency. Most steel building contractors allow you to use environmentally friendly products as they build their steel buildings so you have the benefit of reducing your carbon footprint. Also, insulating a steel building properly can help you save on heating and cooling costs, lowering your energy bill each month. Features like energy-efficient windows will add to your metal home’s energy efficiency.
Are Wooden Barndominiums Worth It?
If you’ve been doing any research on your future barndominium, you’ve likely encountered the whole “wood or steel” question. It can be frustrating to try to sort out whether using wooden components or steel building components will be best for you.
First of all, it’s worth noting that the wooden components needed to build a barndominium are quite inexpensive compared to steel building components. When you buy the materials for a wooden barndo, you’re likely going to pay less than you would pay for a metal building.
Wood buildings are also much better at absorbing sounds than metal buildings because of it’s material composition and structure. In a metal building, outside sounds can creep in and can be distracting or annoying for those who live there.
Why Metal Barndominiums Are Better Than Wooden Barndos
Modern steel buildings allow for metal barns to be used as homes that combine the usual storage area with a comfortable living area, usually situated above or near the storage area. Unlike their wooden barn counterparts, metal barndominiums are constructed with steel frames and have steel metal siding. The large, open structural features make them an ideal choice for designing an interior living space that’s comfortable and modern.
Using a metal building for building your barndominium is a much better choice than wood because steel buildings are much easier to install and do not require repainting every couple of years as wooden barndos do.
Want A Metal Barn? Contact California All Steel!
Searching for the perfect metal building for your barndo? Call us or send us a quote request to learn about our superior steel buildings. As a leading West Coast manufacturer of steel buildings, California All Steel offers superior steel building products that provide you with a strong and durable option for your building projects. Contact us today to learn more!