Whether the homeowner chooses to call it a barndominium, a pole barn home, or a Pole Shed House, a home constructed using post-frame building techniques is a little different from a normal house. As a result, landowners typically have a lot of questions that must be answered before they can decide if this unique construction method is right for them. Read on to find answers to just a few of the most frequently asked questions about building and living in pole barn homes
What Is a Barndominium?
A barndominium is a type of home built using post-frame construction. These unique homes feature durable materials, open floor plans, and impressive energy efficiency, which helps to explain why they are becoming so popular not just in rural areas but also in America’s suburbs.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Barndo?
Barndominiums take far less time to build than traditional homes. They require less site preparation, can be partially assembled off-site, and are made from easy-to-work-with materials. As a result, new homes can be ready for move-ins in as little as a few months.
Can Pole Barn Homes Be Customized?
Pole barn homes offer plenty of opportunities for customization. As long as homeowners work with companies willing to go the extra mile, they can design a structure with extra windows, extra-wide doors, custom finishes, and more. Plus, the floor plans are much more variable for barndominiums since interior walls don’t have to bear any weight.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pole Barn Home?
How much it costs to build a pole barn home will vary based on factors such as how large the structure will be, what kinds of custom features the homeowner wants, and how much site preparation will be required. Fluctuations in material and labor costs may also impact pricing. However, as a general rule, these homes cost less to build than stick-framed houses.
Does Building a Barndo Require a Permit?
Just like constructing a normal home, building a barndo will usually require a permit from the town. One of the great things about working with specialized pole barn contractors is that they know how to handle all of the bureaucratic paperwork for their clients. Even in places where there aren’t specific concessions made in the building codes for barndominiums, it’s typically easy to secure a permit with the help of a professional contractor.
Do Pole Barn Homes Require a Lot of Maintenance?
Pole barn homes require very little maintenance in comparison to regular houses. They are made from durable materials able to withstand heavy winds, fire, and all kinds of inclement weather, and the steel cladding can be powder coated to meet the homeowner’s aesthetic standards, so there’s no need for frequent repainting.
Are Pole Barn Homes Green?
There has been a lot of talk about green building techniques in recent years, but pole barn homes were already highly energy-efficient even before contractors started considering this feature a must. They tend to have greater amounts of insulation than traditional homes with fewer breaks in the thermal barrier, which helps to prevent unwanted heat transfer. Designing a pole barn home with plenty of windows can also help to cut down on electricity use, and their roofs are perfect for installing solar panel arrays.
Find a Contractor
Still have questions? The best thing to do is to find a local contractor that specializes in barndominium construction who can provide more personalized answers and offer an accurate quote.
