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Is Barndominiums Good in Cold Weather? (Important Things to Know)

Learn how you can keep a barndominium you are constructing warm during the winter months.

Barndominiums are becoming more and more popular. If you are considering building one, one of the questions that you may have is do barndominiums stay warm? This is especially important if you are planning on building one in cold weather. Here are some of the important things you need to know about barndominiums and cold weather

Barndominiums in the middle of a chilly weather

As a general rule, barndominiums are good to use in cold weather. In fact, many studies have found that they may actually be more energy-efficient than traditional wood homes, helping to keep your home warmer for less money. 

If you are considering building a barndominium, there is a lot of information you may need to know. Read on to learn more about what barndominiums are, what you need to consider when you are building one, and if they are good in cold weather. 

What Are Barndominiums? 

Red barndominium exterior with spacious driveway
The exterior of a red barndominium with a large driveway.

When barndominiums first hit the scene, they were very simple barn-style houses that were constructed from pole barn plans. However, as these homes have gained in popularity, their style has also changed. You can find very intricate and detailed barndominiums, or you can still find simple and simplistic styles. Regardless of the style, you wind up with, there are a few things that are true of most barndominiums. Barndominiums are still traditionally constructed from pole barn plans, and feature metal walls, siding, and roofing materials. Barndominiums also have living spaces inside of the barn-style home, also referred to as a farm-style home. However, while there are separate walls for bedrooms and bathrooms, much of the home, including the living space and kitchen space, is open. There are typically also very high ceilings in the space, making the space seem big, airy and bright. 

Why Are Barndominiums Becoming So Popular? 

Cost

Pile of dollar bills
A pile of hundred-dollar bills.

Barndominiums are becoming popular for a number of different reasons. One of the first reasons is their cost. On average, barndominiums cost about $70 to $90 per square foot to build or construct. Traditional starter homes, cost on average, $123 per square foot. Additionally, the average cost for a barndominium is $150,700, while the average cost of a new home is $295,300. As you can see, barndominiums are much more affordable than regular homes, helping their popularity. 

Faster Construction

Ongoing house construction
Ongoing house construction inspection.

Another reason why barndominiums are becoming so popular is because they are faster to construct than a regular home. The pole barn plans make these types of homes faster and easier to put up, which helps people get into a home faster. Also, the floor plan allows for open floor plans, which is on trend with what people are looking for when they are looking to purchase homes. 

Eco-Friendly

An environmentally sustainable image
An environmentally sustainable image approach to building houses.

The final reason why barndominiums are becoming so popular is because they are much more eco-friendly than traditional homes. Most of the components of a barndominium are made from metal. Metal can be made from recycled materials, and it can again be recycled when it reaches the end of its lifespan. Additionally, barndominiums are energy-efficient, which helps to decrease the amount of energy a household uses. Ultimately, this helps to decrease the carbon footprint of those living in the barndominium. 

Are Barndominiums Well-Insulated

Pink insulating material on a wall
Pink insulating material is applied to a wall.

Barndominiums are typically well-insulated. However, it is important to note that you have the option to select different insulation materials when you are having a barndominium custom built. Some insulative materials have higher insulative properties and help keep a space more insulated than other types of insulation products. As such, whether or not a barndominium is well insulated can be determined by what materials you select to install in your space. As a general rule of thumb, spray foam insulation is one of the best insulation options, with loose-fill insulation providing the lowest insulative properties. Other insulation options available for barndominiums includes batt insulation, rigid board insulation, and vapor barriers. 

How Do You Heat a Barndominium? 

An isolated gas heater in black
An isolated gas heater with a black frame.

One of the biggest misconceptions about a barndominium is that you have to heat it differently than you would heat a traditional home. This is not the case. When you are having a barndominium constructed, you can install any of the same heating devices in the space that you would install in a regular home. Some of the different heating options available for a barndominium include: 

  • Furnaces
  • Radiant heating systems
  • HVAC units
  • Heat Pumps
  • Fireplaces
  • Wood-burning stoves
  • Boilers
  • Space heaters

If you live somewhere that gets very cold in the winter, you want a central heating system, such as a furnace, heat pump, or HVAC unit. If you live somewhere where there may only be a few cool nights, a space heater or fireplace may serve your needs. 

Can You Have a Fireplace in a Barndominium? 

A fireplace adds comfort
A fireplace adds comfort to the space.

You may have been shocked to see that a fireplace was listed as a way to heat your barndominium. This may leave you wondering if you can install a fireplace in a barndominium. Yes, you can install both a wood-burning or natural gas fireplace in a barndominium. However, just like with a traditional home, it is easiest and makes the most financial sense to have the fireplace installed when your barndominium is being constructed. This ensures that the ventilation is in place for the type of fireplace that you are placing in your home. It can be extremely costly to install a fireplace after your barndominium has already been constructed. 

Are Barndominiums Safe in Storms?

The field with heavy black clouds
The field is covered by heavy black clouds.

Another question that you may have about barndominiums is whether these metal buildings are safe in storms. Believe it or not, barndominiums are extremely safe during storms. Many people are worried because they are constructed of metal, that the metal may cause issues during storms, especially lightning storms. However, the metal is coated and insulated, which offers protection against lightning strikes. Additionally, since the building is so large, it is also safe should a tornado or hurricane blow through your area. 

What Factors Do You Need to Pay Attention to When Building a Barndominium to Ensure It Is Warm?

When you are building a barndominium, you already know that you need to pay attention to the type of insulation that you place in the space, as well as the type of heating device that you decide to install in your home. Both of these factors play a huge role in how warm your barndominium can get and how warm the space stays during the winter months. In addition to this, you also need to pay attention to the type of metal that your barndominium is made from and the thickness of that metal. Barndominiums are typically made from aluminum or steel. Thick steel helps to insulate your home well, and retain heat, which is important if you are looking to keep your barndominium as warm as possible. As such, consider using steel that is 26 gauge or thicker if you are building the home somewhere where temperatures reach freezing or below. 

Why Are Barndominiums More Energy-Efficient Than Traditional Homes? 

Barndominiums are popular for a number of reasons, including their energy efficiency. If you are considering building one, you may find yourself wondering why this type of building is more efficient than a traditional home made of wood. The reason why barndominiums are more energy-efficient is that they are made of metal. Metal helps to conduct heat, helping to hold heat in, making a space stay warmer for longer. Think about a metal pan on a stove. As the stove heats up, the metal pan absorbs the heat. Once you turn the stove off, your metal pan stays hot to the touch for several minutes. The same is true of the metal used in your barndominium. When you use a heating device, the metal in the home retains the heat, which is what helps your space to heat up faster and use less energy.