What Features Should You Consider?
What Is “high-end” in the world of barndominiums?
“High-end” is not the same for everyone. Some people feel they are already building high-end when they build a barndo, due to factors like energy savings and low maintenance – if they have stayed with the standard metal roof and wall cladding.
According to Sean Jones of Elite Build Co., a high-end barndo often means higher quality materials that go into customers’ homes rather than crazy-expensive features.
“These people are drawn in, in part, by the possibility of saving money on their build, so often they are not looking for wow-factors in their homes,” Sean explained.
That said, it does not mean that people never add luxurious features. Sometimes when a person walks from the big garage or workshop, which is iconic in a barndominium, into the residential area, the change from utilitarian to beautiful living can hit you fast, according to Matt Ackley, President, Shelter Solutions at Cornerstone Building Brands. Let’s take a look at some of the features that people ask for to upgrade their barndo to high-end.
One of the common things that comes up when new barndominium owners are trying to build a little nicer barndo than the usual is color. They look beyond the standard color palettes and gravitate toward blues, reds, and graphite. Black and white with wood accents is very modern looking.
Often they request a textured coating or a pattern in Kynar or Hylar. Customers may also choose custom soffits or roof extensions and, of course, the roof is almost always standing seam.
Insulation is another of the practical things that people upgrade, taking it from basic insulation to spray foam that, if well installed, will fill every nook, cranny, and crack, thereby improving energy efficiency.
Windows
Windows, and lots of them, are important to many to let in lots of light into their homes, not to mention to bring the outdoors in. With barndo construction, you can install windows right up to the roof in vaulted ceiling areas. Some people install walls of windows in these areas and it can be a big “wow factor”.
Patios and Accents
Many people want the barndo of their dreams to feature a wrap-around porch for family gatherings and “indoor/outdoor” living.
Columns may be added to porches, and porch columns can be wrapped to look like wood. Multi-level porches and oversized porches can also feel high-end.
Some barndos’ exterior cladding is accented with brick walls, wainscot, or woods. Interior walls can be given this treatment, too, with board and batten panels, shiplap, and reclaimed barn planks. You can use just about any wood you can imagine.
Shape and Size
Of course, a large size is often associated with a nicer home, Ackley said. Barndos, usually feature a huge garage or workshop. They can feature country accents like cupolas and barn “hayloft style” windows, window eyebrows, and dormers. As it gets larger, the roof line can become quite complex. Sometimes different parts of the building can be built at different elevations with multiple levels and layouts, which can be quite aesthetically pleasing.
Coated Floors
The barndo’s cement slab finished with epoxy, or stained and blended coatings, sometimes with diamond grinding, are popular. These coatings deliver a very polished look that carpeting can’t match.
Interiors
One of the aspects of barndominiums that people truly appreciate is the fact that their interior layout is so flexible. No interior walls are load-bearing, so you can place them anywhere. Also, this framing means wide-open spaces, which makes cathedral ceilings easy. The freedom of design is in itself a “luxury.” Many people make good use of this option, creating interesting ceilings with wood accents or allowing trusses to show, creating open staircases with beautiful wood or modern industrial-style accents like metal railings and agricultural-type ceiling fans. Often people take advantage of the high ceilings to hang large chandeliers for lighting.
Naturally, the customer may incorporate high-end appliances, granite or marble countertops, and any other number of lovely interior features, just as they would in any home; the options are endless.
Summing Up
Some of the upgrades you can incorporate can truly increase the value of your home, such as better insulation, solar systems, and brick or wood accents on the front of your otherwise metal-clad home. Sometimes, however, people want to add high-end features, and they try to stay on-budget at the expense of the quality of roof panels and exterior cladding. Be aware that not all metal is the same; not all wood is the same, and so on. If you are thinking of choosing some components based almost exclusively on price, beware that you are not lowering the quality of the basic structure. Floors can be redone later and walls can have shiplap or other decorative elements added, but your roof and siding are your home’s first line of defense against the elements.
