Barndominium safety should be your top priority as a new or potential barndominium homeowner.
It’s true that other housing factors like size, location, and appearance will influence the quality of your barndominium living. However, it is barndominium safety that will ensure a secure, long-term stay in your brand new or freshly renovated home.
The building materials you use to construct your barndominium will make a major impact on the level of your barndominium safety. That’s why you should choose materials that can lessen the risk of danger.
Keep reading to learn more about barndominium building materials and the common hazards you could face as a barndominium owner.
Building Materials
Most traditional homes in the U.S. are built from wood, but barndominiums are more commonly constructed with other materials, including metal, steel, and concrete.
Metal Sheeting for Walls and Roof
Metal sheeting for the roof and walls are an ideal option for barndominiums. These metal materials are more sturdy and less combustible compared to wood.
Using metal sheeting for the walls and roof of your barndominium can boost your barndominium safety. It can help you avoid hazards like pest infestation, fire damage, mold growth, and more.
Steel Exterior Frame
A steel exterior frame is a popular choice for barndominiums because it is strong and durable. The two types of steel frames are the light-gauge steel frame and the rigid steel frame.
Choosing a steel frame for your home increases your barndominium safety. A steel exterior frame can provide better support to your barndominium than a wooden frame. It can also shield your home better from natural elements like wind, rain, and lightning.
Concrete Slab
A concrete slab is a stable option for your barndominium foundation. It is made from a combination of aggregate (crushed stones) and cement paste bonded together, which hardens and cures over time. A concrete foundation can enhance your barndominium safety in the long run.
Hazards
Barndominiums are generally considered sturdy structures compared to typical wooden homes. However, barndominium owners like you may still potentially face an assortment of home hazards over the years.
While there is no 100% way to avoid danger, you can minimize the risk of certain hazards by building and maintaining your home wisely. The level of your barndominium safety depends largely on your construction choices.
Here are some of the common hazards of barndominium living and barndominium safety tips to prevent them.
Fire
Fire is a potential source of danger to most homes. However, the risk of fire damage is higher for houses that are primarily made from wood. Wood is flammable, so it will quickly burn in the face of fire. Not only can wooden homes go up in flames fast, but they could also easily collapse and put you and your family in danger.
Protect your barndominium from extreme fire damage by choosing a steel frame. A steel frame is not flammable, so it will continue to support the walls and ceilings of your barndominium if there is a fire.
Wind
Super strong winds may be powerful enough to rip away the roofs from regular homes. They may also cause the wooden walls of ordinary houses to creak or shift.
You can reduce the possibility of severe winds tearing away your roof by using a steel frame when you build your barndominium.
Extreme Temperatures
Depending on the climate in your barndominium location, extreme temperatures could cause discomfort and health issues to you or your family. On one hand, freezing cold weather could possibly lead to colds, flu, and in extreme cases, even hypothermia. On the other hand, blazing hot weather may potentially cause fainting fits or heat stroke.
When you are building or renovating your barndominium, make sure that your home is properly insulated. Don’t forget to install a heating system, cooling system, or a combination of both to regulate the temperature in your barndominium.
Pests
Pests, including ants and insects, can be a source of annoyance for barndominium owners like you. Beyond that, some pests can cause major damage to your home, such as termites.
Termites and other insects typically flourish in damp wooden walls. An easy way to prevent your barndominium from being infested by pests is to build it with metal walls.
Mold and Rot
Mold and mildew are types of fungi that can eat away the walls and floors of your barndominium. This could weaken the structure of your home over time. It can also cause you or your family members to experience health issues like asthma or allergies.
Mold and mildew commonly grow on organic matter like wood. One good way to reduce the risk of rot and mold in your barndominium is to install metal walls and a concrete slab during your home construction.
Rust
Metal barndominiums are tough in terms of structure because metal is a durable material. However, some types of metal are vulnerable to rust and oxidation.
Choose a rust-proof metal or metal with a rust-proof coating when selecting building materials for your barndominium. For example, some stainless steel alloys and aluminum are not likely to form rust.
Lightning
Metal barndominiums are sturdy and long-lasting. Still, you might be worried that lightning will strike your home because it is mainly constructed from metal.
However, steel frames can actually serve as a shield from lightning. It transfers a big portion of the energy of lightning strikes down into the ground. It is not likely that you or your family will be harmed by lightning if you are safe inside your metal barndominium.
You can avoid home hazards as long as you follow the proper barndominium safety measures and choose the right barndominium building materials.