Custom homes look a lot different today than they did a few decades ago.
Back then, even a custom build usually followed the same basic patterns as the rest of the houses on the market. Maybe the floor plan was adjusted or a few extra features were added, but side-by-side with neighboring homes, the differences were often subtle.
Today, homeowners are thinking more creatively about what a home can look like and how it can function.
Tiny homes are a good example. So are the vans and school buses some people have turned into full-time living spaces or mobile offices.
More permanent homes are changing as well. Structures that once served a completely different purpose are now being adapted into comfortable places to live.
A pole barn home fits right into that shift. Originally designed as utility buildings, these post frame structures are now being used to create unique living spaces that combine residential comfort with practical flexibility.
What Makes a Pole Barn Home a Practical Housing Option?
Quickly built, long-lasting, and cost-effective, pole barns have found their place in a wide variety of settings and applications -- from storage buildings and shops to housing livestock.
But the perception of pole barns and their purpose is evolving.
Despite appearances and assumptions, there's really no reason why a post frame structure can't also serve as a home.
This is no different than what you see happening to other buildings that are finding a new purpose. For example, defunct malls are being converted into apartment complexes and former churches are being remodeled into homes.
In fact, many of the same benefits that come with panel-built homes, like energy efficiency and durability, are also found in residential pole barn homes (more on these later).
In some respects, pole barn houses represent another method of custom home building. Combined with panelized construction, the inside of a post frame home can be made the exact same as any other home -- and be completely tailored to your needs without compromise.
Types of Pole Barn Homes: Barndominiums and Shouses
Though a less common option for custom home building, post frame homes fall into two categories:
Barndominiums
A barndominium is a metal building constructed on a slab foundation with residential living space inside. It combines the structural framework of a pole barn with panelized home construction.
From the outside, it often resembles a traditional post frame barn. Inside, the layout functions like any other custom home. The structure uses vertical posts that support the roof trusses, with horizontal girts that attach the siding on the exterior and drywall on the interior. Interior walls are built with standard wood wall panels.
The living space uses the same wall panels found in Barden homes, providing durability, energy efficiency, and cost savings compared with conventional wood construction.
Barndominium floor plans offer a range of design options. Many include large garages and open living areas that combine rustic character with modern features. Some homeowners prefer small barndominium house plans, while others choose the extra space offered in 2 story barndominium plans
Shouses
A shouse is a hybrid structure that combines the features of a shop and a house. This type of pole barn home straddles the line between the structure being a residence and utility building.
It usually has the style and amenities of a normal house, but with an open-plan interior layout similar to that of a workshop. Shouses are gradually gaining popularity as more people recognize their unique combination of style and practicality. While providing traditional home comforts like bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces, shouses floor plans offer plenty of space for hobbies or professional pursuits.
In a way, a shouse is similar to what you see in cities -- a family living above their business.
Where Pole Barn Homes WorkTo an extent, this comes down to where you build and what statement you're trying to make with the home (if any). In a more rural setting or light industrial setting, a barndominium or shouse blends in seamlessly. The same can't be said for suburban or upscale areas. Shouses that are taking advantage of the shop element are likely not going to work -- and they'd probably run into code issues. With careful design and aesthetic choices, barndominiums can fit in without noticeably sticking out from the rest of the neighborhood. |
The Structural Advantages Behind a Pole Barn Home
Outside of an all-metal exterior, pole barn homes deliver value across several fronts:
- Speed of construction: Pole barn homes can be made weathertight much faster than other methods, as the building’s shell goes up quickly. And with all major structural elements constructed off-site, there’s no time spent fabricating them from scratch at the build location. This can save time and money on construction costs and allow you to move into your new home sooner.
- Affordability: This requires a 10,000-foot view. Compared to traditional construction methods, a pole barn home’s cost is generally more affordable. While there may be a savings in construction and labor because of their simpler design and lower labor costs, pole barns do make up for expenses with things like additional insulation. However, pole barn homes do require fewer materials than traditional houses, which can also lower costs.
- Versatility: Pole barn home floor plans can be customized to suit a variety of needs and styles. They can be built in a range of sizes and shapes, and the interior can be finished in many different ways. This means that you can create a home that fits your unique needs and preferences.
- Durability: Post frame homes are designed to last and be low maintenance. They can withstand extreme temperatures, high winds, and even earthquakes without suffering any damage. They also require less upkeep than traditional homes because they don't have to be painted or sealed, reducing future costs and time spent.
- Energy efficiency: With modern insulation techniques -- which are required to make a post frame building viable as a home -- pole barn homes can be just as energy-efficient as a traditional home. When insulated correctly, post frame structures are airtight and capable of retaining heat or cool better than most other types of construction. Add in other energy-efficient features, such as insulated interior walls, high-quality windows and doors, and efficient heating and cooling systems, and a pole barn can keep utility costs in-check.
- Sustainability: A prefabricated building, all pole barn home components -- from its roof trusses and metal sheets to wall panels -- are precision engineered in a controlled environment. This means that pole barn home construction is more eco-friendly, only using what it needs with minimal waste generated from the construction process.
Rethinking What a Custom Home Can Be
Custom home design continues to evolve as homeowners look for new ways to create spaces that reflect their lifestyle.
A pole barn home offers a different approach to building. With the flexibility of post frame construction and the comfort of modern residential design, it gives homeowners another path for creating a functional and distinctive custom home.
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Editorial note: This article was originally published in April 2023 and was recently updated to reflect current industry trends.
