Building a ranch barndominium is a fantastic way to get the home you’ve always wanted. My wife and I looked at so many options before we landed on this style, and I’m so glad we did. It mixes that rustic, wide-open barn feel with all the comforts of a modern home. Barndominiums are a relatively recent trend in home building, and their contemporary age makes them especially popular right now. These homes are a fusion of living quarters and workspace, often built from metal or wood materials. If you’ve ever seen an old barn and thought, “I could live there,” then you’re in the right place. We’re going to walk through what makes these homes special, from the floor plans all the way to the building process. Ranch barndominiums can accommodate a wide range of lifestyles and needs, making them a versatile choice for many homeowners.
TL;DR: The Quick Scoop
- What is it? A ranch barndominium combines a single-story ranch house with a barn’s structure, often using a metal frame. It gives you a spacious, open living area.
- Why choose one? They are usually cheaper and faster to build than a typical house. You get a lot of flexibility to design the layout exactly how you want it.
- Design: You can have huge open-concept living rooms, big kitchens, and features like large porches or an attached workshop.
- Cost: You can save a good chunk of money, sometimes up to 50% compared to traditional home construction.
- Maintenance: The metal exteriors are super durable and don’t require a lot of upkeep.
Design and Planning Your Barndo
When my wife and I first started sketching out ideas, the possibilities felt endless. As our ideas were laid out on paper, it became clear how a barndominium plan helps organize and clarify your vision, turning inspiration into a practical blueprint. That’s the beauty of barndominium floor plans. You aren’t stuck with a pre-set layout. You can create a home that truly fits your life.
Creating Your Perfect Floor Plan
We started with a big, open floor plan in mind. We wanted the kitchen, dining, and living rooms to flow together. This makes the house feel huge and is perfect for having family and friends over. Open layouts like this are also ideal for entertainment and hosting gatherings. Many barndominium designs boast open floor plans and outdoor living space, which help the plan feel larger than it actually is. We saw plans for a 4,000 sq ft home with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, which seemed like a great starting point. High, vaulted ceilings were a must-have for us to really get that barn-like feel.
“The best part of designing our barndominium was the freedom. We weren’t limited by standard room sizes. We wanted a massive kitchen island, and we got it!” – A fellow barndo owner
When planning the kitchen, choosing high-quality countertops was a key design decision for both function and style.
Sizes can be all over the place. I’ve seen smaller, cozy 20×30 ft plans that are perfect for one or two people, complete with a little laundry area. On the other end, there are giant 80×100 ft homes with attached shops, wrap-around porches, and enough bedrooms for a huge family. Larger barndominiums often have more bedrooms and bathrooms compared to smaller designs. We even considered adding a mother-in-law suite for when my parents visit. You can also add cool features like a mudroom or a loft for the kids. Some plans include an upstairs area for extra bedrooms or a play space.
Customization and Personalization
One of the top draws of knocking up a barndominium is the dead brilliant freedom you get to customise every single bit. Unlike your regular houses where you might be stuck with standard layouts that don’t quite fit, barndominium floor plans and barndo floor plans give you the power to design a living space that actually works for how you live. Whether you’re after a classic ranch style barndominium or something a bit more modern, there’s a house plan out there that can be sorted just for you.
We absolutely loved being able to go for an open floor plan with those cracking vaulted ceilings – made our place feel loads more spacious and welcoming than we’d ever imagined. The flexibility didn’t stop there either – we chucked in a proper laundry area, a home office, and even got ourselves a shop space for weekend projects and bits and bobs. With barndominium kits, you can get all these custom touches while saving yourself a fair bit of cash, since you’re not locked into those pricey, cookie-cutter designs that everyone else has got.
The best bit? You can change up your plan as your needs shift about. Maybe you fancy adding a mudroom, expanding your kitchen, or creating a cozy reading nook for a quiet cuppa. Homeowners get the freedom to customise their barndominium to match their vision of a proper dream home, whether that means more bedrooms, a bigger garage, or some clever storage solutions. The possibilities are endless really, and what you end up with is a home that’s as unique as the people living in it.
Construction and Building
I’m not a professional builder, so the thought of building a house felt a bit overwhelming at first. But a barndominium is a different story. The process is much more straightforward.
The metal roofing and siding panels are designed to go up quickly. This cuts down on both the time it takes to build and the labor costs. It’s a big reason why these homes are so popular. Installing quality exterior doors along with windows is essential for completing the structure, ensuring durability, and allowing for customization.
You can also purchase a complete kit that includes all the necessary materials for construction, making the process even more convenient. The construction process turns your house plan into a tangible reality.
Barndominium Kits Make It Easy
We ended up going with a barndominium kit. It came with all the main components: the steel frame, the metal siding, and the roofing. This took a lot of guesswork out of the project. It felt like putting together a giant, life-sized model kit. We hired a local contractor to help with the foundation and assembly, and they knew exactly what to do.
These homes are tough, too. The metal structure is built to last and can handle some serious weather. Barndominiums are constructed using durable metal, making them resistant to fires, mold, severe weather, and pests. Plus, you don’t have to worry about termites or rot like you do with a traditional wood-frame house.
Cost and Financing
Let’s talk about the money. This is where barndominiums really shine. Honestly, the savings were a major reason we went this route. Pricing for barndominiums can vary depending on current market trends and material costs. Understanding the current market can help you make informed decisions about building and financing your project.
For the most up-to-date pricing information or to request a quote, fill out the form on the builder’s website.
How Much Cheaper Is It?
On average, building a barndominium can be about 50% cheaper than a traditional home. Of course, this depends on the size, the materials you choose, and where you’re building. But the potential savings are huge. For us, it meant we could afford to put in higher-end finishes and a bigger garage. A metal roof is preferred for its longevity, weather resistance, and energy efficiency in ranch-style barndominiums.
Cost Comparison: Traditional Home vs. Barndominium (Example)
| Feature | Traditional Home (2,500 sq ft) | Barndominium (2,500 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | $20,000 | $15,000 |
| Framing | $50,000 | $35,000 (Kit) |
| Exterior | $35,000 | $25,000 |
| Interior Finish | $70,000 | $70,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $175,000 | $145,000 |
Note: These are rough estimates. Costs vary a lot by location and finishes.
Getting a loan for a barndominium is also getting easier. More banks and lenders are familiar with them now. We found a local credit union that was happy to work with us, and the process was pretty smooth.
Popular Floor Plan Options
There are so many different styles you can go for. You can find plans that are modern and sleek or ones that are super rustic and country. Barndominium plans are especially popular among residents in various regions, including Texas, because they can be easily adapted to local preferences and lifestyles.
- Open Floor Plans: This is probably the most popular choice. It makes the main living area feel incredibly spacious and connected.
- Split Bedroom Plans: This layout puts the main bedroom on one side of the house and the other bedrooms on the opposite side. It’s great for privacy, especially if you have kids or guests.
- Plans with a Shop: One of my favorite things is seeing plans with a large garage or workshop attached. It’s perfect for anyone who needs space for hobbies, a side business, or just storing outdoor gear.
You can find tons of floor plans online to get inspiration. We spent hours browsing different layouts before we settled on a modified version that was just right for our family.
Location and Site Selection
You can build a barndominium almost anywhere. We’ve seen them out in the country on acres of land, but we’ve also seen them in suburban neighborhoods.
Choosing the right spot is important. You’ll need to check local zoning laws to make sure you can build one. We had to make sure our property was zoned for residential use and that there weren’t any weird restrictions. Think about access to roads, water, and power, too. We found a nice plot of land just outside of town that was perfect.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Another cracking advantage of going for a barndominium is how dead simple it is to make your new place both sustainable and energy-efficient. Thanks to using metal framing and some proper modern construction materials, a ranch style barndominium can be knocked up to slash energy costs and cut down your environmental footprint—without giving up a bit of comfort or style.
Loads of barndominium plans come with features like massive windows that let in a good amount of natural light, spacious porches for outdoor living, and loft areas that help get the air moving about. These design choices don’t just create a stunning and inviting living space, but they also help keep your place cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which is brilliant for cutting down on utility bills.
If you’re after going even further, barndominium kits can be customised with energy-efficient systems, like solar panels, top-quality insulation, and even some recycled materials. You can have a go at different materials and construction methods to find the perfect balance between sustainability and your dream home’s look and feel. Whether you’re building a traditional ranch style barndominium or a sleek, modern barndo, you’ll find loads of options to create a home that’s both beautiful and environmentally responsible. Its a smart way to protect the environment, save a load on energy costs, and enjoy a spacious, well-designed living space for years to come.
Maintenance and Upkeep
I’m not the handiest guy, so the low-maintenance aspect of a barndominium was a huge plus for me. The metal siding and roof are incredibly durable. You don’t have to worry about painting every few years or replacing shingles after a storm.
A good power wash once a year is usually all it takes to keep the exterior looking new. Inside, it’s just like any other home. Because they are well-insulated, our utility bills have been surprisingly low. Many people also add solar panels to make them even more energy-efficient.
Building Codes and Regulations
This is the less exciting, but very important, part. Every area has its own set of building codes. These rules are in place to make sure your home is safe and built correctly.
Before you start, you’ll need to get familiar with your local regulations. We worked closely with our contractor, who handled most of the permits and inspections for us. It’s a good idea to talk to your local building department early in the process. They can tell you exactly what you need to do to make sure your project goes smoothly and legally.
