A barndominium is a unique type of home that combines the best features of a barn and a single-family home. They can be less expensive, quicker to construct, and stylish and chic with a unique design.
While they can have basements, it depends on the location and design of your home. If you’re thinking about building a barndominium, here’s what you need to know about adding a basement.
What are barndominiums, and what are the benefits of owning one?
Barndos are homes that are trending upward in popularity, especially among rural homeowners with plenty of land to build on. They are a combination of a barn and a single-family home, offering the best of both worlds. The living quarters are typically upstairs, while you can use the downstairs for storage, a workshop, or even housing livestock.
This may seem like a strange concept, but barndominiums actually offer several advantages, especially if you like to have a lot of space.
They can be less expensive.
For starters, barndominiums are typically less expensive than traditional homes. This is because they make use of simpler construction methods and materials. You can also save money on heating and cooling since barns are typically made of metal or other durable materials with closed and open-cell spray-in insulation that can withstand extreme temperatures.
Quicker to build.
Another great advantage is that barndominiums can be built much faster than a traditional home. This is because the construction process is more straightforward, and the design lends itself to quick construction. However, besides the exterior framing, most of the construction is the same between traditional stick-built homes and barndos.
Stylish, chic, and unique design.
From my experience, most people love barndominiums because of their unique and stylish design. Depending on your preferences, they can be very chic and modern, or they can have a more rustic look.
Can barndominiums have basements?
This question comes up from time to time, and the answer is yes! Barndominiums can have basements, but it really depends on the home’s design and where you’re located. If you are planning to build a barndominium with a basement, consult with an experienced contractor to determine if it is feasible.
In my area (Central Texas), basements are not common due to the composition of the earth. It’s generally rocky with limestone and caliche, making it difficult and expensive to dig a deep foundation for a basement.
So can barndominiums have basements? Yes, but there are stipulations.
How can you determine if a barndominium is right for you?
Search around and look at different floor plans to see if the layout and design of a barndominium are suitable for you. You can also talk to a contractor or builder who has experience constructing this type of home. Some contractors will specialize in barndominiums, and if you’re looking to build in the Central Texas area, let me know, and I’ll give you a couple of names.
Be sure to ask about the costs since the prices of materials are constantly changing. One of the significant differences in cost between a barndo and a traditional home is the metal roof price. Metal roofs can be expensive, but they last a long time (50-70 years) and are very durable.
Final thoughts on barndos with basements.
Basements can be a great feature in a barndominium and provide a unique and ample gathering space, but they can also be tricky to build. It depends on the location and the design of your home.
If you’re thinking about adding a basement to your barndo build, consult with an experienced contractor to see if it is feasible. If basements are common in your area, there’s a good chance you can build your barndominium with a basement.
