When building your own home, there are a lot of things you will have to consider. One of the decisions you will have to make is whether or not your home will have a basement. Knowing everything you can about barndominium basements can help you make the right choice.
Barndominiums can have basements just like other traditional homes. However, because of the unique nature of barndominium foundations, they require some extra thought. In this article, we have laid out everything you need to know about barndominium basements.
What is a Barndominium?
A barndominium is a home that is built using the structure and shell of a pole barn or post frame building. These types of structures are usually reserved for things like warehouses and stables. However, with a little bit of extra work, they can also be turned into beautiful modern homes.
Barndominiums have a lot of benefits and may be more suitable for you than a traditional home. They are cheaper to build and can usually be constructed in less time. This makes them a great option if you are looking to get your home built and are new to the entire process.
What Types of Barndominium Basements Are There?
Barndominiums can have basements just like traditional homes. While your barndominium will still most likely have a concrete slab foundation, the basement can be built underneath. This will require some extra work, so you may have to set aside more money in your building budget.
There are a few different types of barndominium basements you can choose from. Knowing what these different barndominium basements are can help you pick the right one. Depending on your budget and your time allotment for building, one may be better for you than another.
Partial Basements
Partial barndominium basements are the best options for barndos since they can be built under the slab. These basements don’t run the entire length of the home. Instead, they only run under one portion and are easy to install and finish.
Because you don’t have to account for structural issues with a partial basement, they are much cheaper. You will still have to reinforce the walls using concrete but there will be much less to do. Because of this, a partial basement is easier to include in your barndo design.
Walk-Out Basement
If your barndominium is on a slope or a hill, a walk-out basement is a great option. Essentially, these barndominium basements are an added structure that sits on the side of the hill. The flat side of the basement takes up the hillside and a door is added to the tallest portion.
These types of barndominium basements are some of the most expensive to create. They require some serious structural engineering and need to be meticulously planned. Plus, they will only work if you are building on the side of a hill.
Full Basement
You can also build a full basement for your barndominium if you want one. In these situations, the concrete slab will be underground with concrete walls running up the side. The frame of the barndominium will be driven into the concrete walls like they would with the slab.
Full barndominium basements are another expensive option. However, they are also going to give you the most square footage for your home. If you are building on a small plot of land, a full basement may be your best option.
Benefits of Barndominium Basements
One of the biggest benefits of barndominium basements is the added square footage. This is especially true if you are using a smaller barndominium kit. If you add a full basement, you can effectively double the square footage of the home without having to get a larger kit. Using a barndominium kit under 50k or a barndominium kit under 100k can be a great option.
Barndominium basements are also going to retain cool air much easier than the rest of the home. If you are building in a warm climate, a basement could be an excellent addition. This is especially true if you are going to try and save money by using open-cell insulation in the home.
Barndominium basements will also give you a great space for storage and access to your utilities. Since many barndos are built on concrete slabs, the plumbing needs to be set in stone. With a basement, you can change your configuration or upgrade the plumbing if you want.
Drawbacks of Barndominium Basements
Perhaps the biggest drawback of barndominium basements is their expense. If you want a full basement, you can count on around $33 extra per square foot. This can quickly add up if you are looking to add enough usable space to your barndo.
The other big drawback of barndominium basements is that they will take much longer to build. Most barndominiums will take around six months to get up off the ground. If you want to add a basement, you can almost be certain that this figure will be doubled.
Barndominium basements may also not give you the extra space you want. Because they can be quite a bit colder, they might not be worth putting in and finishing since they will be uncomfortable. Because of this, it is a good idea to know what the weather is like in your area before you install a basement.
Alternatives to Barndominium Basements
For the most part, you will want to use a concrete slab foundation for your barndominium instead of a basement. Concrete slab foundations have the plumbing set inside them, and the barndo itself sits on top. This type of foundation is incredibly inexpensive and easy to build, making it perfect for people who want an easy time with their project.
You can also choose to use a traditional home foundation with a crawlspace. While this won’t get you any extra square footage, it will allow you to access your utilities much easier. Having this space under the home provides a lot of options for changing things down the line.
Conclusion
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.