Barndominiums — barndos for short — have emerged as a popular choice for home construction, particularly in rural and country settings, due to their unique combination of flexibility, cost-effectiveness and aesthetic appeal. These structures blend the rustic charm of a barn with the elegance of a modern home and offer several key advantages that set them apart from traditional homes.
One of the primary barndo attractions is their design flexibility.
“The exterior walls and the truss system will carry the load of the roof, allowing for zero need for load-bearing interior walls,” says Jake Warren, an estimator at Polar Bear Jack’s Home Services and Okie Barndominiums, both based in Broken Arrow.
This structural feature enables homeowners to craft creative and customized floor plans, including hidden rooms and pantries, without the constraints of traditional load-bearing walls. Warren notes that this flexibility is a significant draw for clients seeking to build their dream homes affordably, with turnkey barndominiums starting at $140 per square foot compared to $200 per square foot for most traditional homes.
Cost savings are another critical factor driving the barndo popularity. Warren says his company’s hybrid barndominium model, which combines traditional home construction techniques with barndominium elements, reduces costs through in-house trade work and established vendor relationships.
“We have cost savings throughout the entire build process,” says Warren, though he acknowledges challenges such as the expense of utilities in rural areas, including wells, septic systems and propane tanks.
Energy efficiency is also a compelling advantage.
“Having the perfect combination of insulation, a load-calculated HVAC design and high-efficiency windows and doors can save a homeowner many future dollars,” says Warren. This efficiency, combined with the durability of steel structures, which resist pests, fire, mold and weather better than wood, makes barndos a low-maintenance option.
Ryan Martinez, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Home Builders Association, says that as we continue to see the increased cost of traditional homes “due to rising costs of raw materials, labor shortages and overregulation, many Americans — and Oklahomans — will be more creative with the places in which they live.”
Zoning and financing are manageable aspects of barndominium construction. Warren notes that code requirements vary by location, but barndominiums can be financed and insured like any other home, with some insurance companies offering discounts due to the use of metal roofing.
However, Martinez warns that financing can be more tedious, with lenders potentially requiring larger down payments or higher interest rates due to the niche nature of these structures, which can impact resale value.
Current barndo market trends include a shift towards luxury designs and a response to the broader housing policy crisis. Warren mentions a $1 million, two-story barndominium project that exemplifies the growing demand for upscale versions, while Martinez observes that “as homes become less and less attainable for young people and the middle class, barndos, tiny homes and prefabs will continue to grow in popularity.”
This trend is particularly impacting rural development in Oklahoma, where land is being sought after for barndominium builds, reflecting a desire for the barn aesthetic with modern amenities.
Barndominiums offer a compelling alternative to traditional homes, driven by their design flexibility, cost savings, energy efficiency and appeal to rural lifestyles. As the housing market evolves, these structures are likely to play an increasingly significant role in addressing affordability and creativity in home building.
