Are Barndominiums Safe in a Tornado? A Complete Guide

Barndominiums are the perfect barn-to-home conversion, with them being two-in-one living quarters with a garage, shop, or simply a barn area. They look like a super fancy barn home conversion and can be incredibly convenient and visually appealing!

These barndominiums are most commonly found in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri, as this is where they are the most popular. The problem is that the one thing all these states have in common is that they belong to the Tornado Alley of the United States, which means that they always have to be prepared for a possible tornado.

Are Barndominiums safe in a tornado?

So basically, one of the first questions to ask yourself before you commit to building a barndo is if a barndominium is safe in a tornado? Can it withstand a tornado? Will it make it through still standing? If you live in a tornado alley, this is an absolute must! 

Most barndominiums are built with a metal structure made of steel, and this is a great plus in the face of a tornado. The structure of barndominiums allows them to be highly resistant to different weather conditions, and the steel structure can withstand winds of up to 150 mph.

That is, without suffering from any integral damage to the structure or exterior. (They might then be able to withstand strong winds, but there’s the risk of them suffering some damage). 

This impressive wind resistance, showcased by steel barndominiums, allows them to withstand up to an F-4 tornado safely. So essentially, they’re pretty safe in tornados and are therefore a great household choice in the states they are popular in. (No wonder they thrive in those areas!) 

This is also why most rural shelters, especially those designed to withstand tornados, are made with steel structures, as they are the safest and most reliable. 

But if your barndominium doesn’t have a steel structure and is made from something weaker, chances are it won’t be as safe to withstand tornadoes. 

You can also reinforce a barndominium to have an even higher resistance to tornados and other severe weather conditions. And as barndominiums are slightly cheaper to construct than normal houses, you will likely have some leftover budget to build specific tornado-safe shelters on the side so that you are extra prepared and 100% guaranteed to stay safe in the worst-case scenarios. 

What is the life expectancy of a barndominium?

Barndominiums are usually made out of a solid steel structure, making them pretty safe in the case of a tornado, so we know for sure that they’re pretty tough and resistant. But how long can they stay standing for? Or in other words, what is the life expectancy of a barndominium? 

The good news is that barndominiums are incredibly tough, safe, and highly durable! They are incredibly long-lasting and enduring, so it is no wonder that they are such a popular structure within rural areas. And in fact, barndominiums are considered to be better than regular homes in many aspects, including longevity. 

On average, a barndominium with a solid steel structure will have a life expectancy of at least 50 years, with it being able to last much longer. Meanwhile, barndominiums that are made of wood will be less tough and not as safe, but will be able to have a life expectancy of around a century! That is, as long as it is well looked after and well maintained! 

How can barndominiums last so long?

Let’s look at some of the main factors that make barndominiums so safe, tough, and long-lasting:

• The steel structure is incredibly sturdy and solid, allowing it to endure extreme weather conditions and severe weather disruptions such as tornadoes and small hurricanes. 
• As the structure is usually made of steel, there is no risk of it routine away over time or because of humidity, meaning the entire building will last a lot longer with less need for constant maintenance and upkeep! 
• Barndominiums usually have a solid concrete foundation as their base, which adds to the sturdiness and stability of the entire integral structure. 
• They are incredibly resistant to weather conditions, such as tornadoes, which significantly adds to their life expectancy. Especially in areas where houses risk being devastated by constant tornados! 
• As the integral structure is made out of wood, barndominiums are less prone to housing pests and infestations of any kind, so there’s less damage to be suffered by the structure. 
• Steel, unlike wood, is not exactly prone to lighting on fire, so that’s another significant factor that adds to the overall longevity!

Although wooden barndominiums have a longer life expectancy, if treated with regular maintenance and well taken care of, steel barndominiums are a lot tougher and much more durable in the face of extreme weather conditions and complications. 

So if you’re living in tornado alley, for example, it’s a lot more worth getting a barndominium made out of steel, as the longevity will be longer if you take all of the weather risks into consideration! 

Is a barndominium cheaper to build?

Considering how safe and durable barndominiums are, it’s easy to think that they will be more expensive than normal housing, right? Well, that would be wrong! Despite being incredibly tough and convenient in states at risk of extreme weather conditions, barndominiums are cheaper to build than regular houses. 

As most of the structure is built out of steel, the material costs are around 50% cheaper on average compared to all of the traditional construction materials used in regular houses and other types of buildings. 

Also, as most of the steel structures for constructing a barndominium are already pre-fabricated, they’re around 50% faster to build than other regular houses. So not only is a barndominium cheaper to build, but it’s also a lot faster and will be up and ready in a lot less time! 

Of course, this can vary depending on how you’re building the barndominium. If you add extra materials or reinforcements, or you have a rather complicated or extended design, then the material costs and the time needed might increase and might end up being more or less equal to a normal house. But as a general rule, they are cheaper, faster, and incredibly convenient. 

If you are ready to start building the barndo of your dreams, check out our barndominium floor plans to help you create the barndominium of your dreams or use a barndominium design software program to help you plan out your space for your new home. When in the planning stages, be sure you also check out the barndominium financing and insurance options that are available. For more helpful tips, visit our FAQ barndominium section to get answers to all your barndo questions.