Barndominium vs. Modular Home

A barndominium is a site-built post-frame home with a fully custom, open floor plan and the option to combine living space with a shop or garage under one roof. A modular home is built in factory sections and assembled on site, which can be faster and more predictable but offers less structural flexibility. Choose a barndominium for customization and shop-plus-home flexibility; choose modular for a faster, more standardized turnkey home.

Barndominium vs. Modular Home FAQ

What is the difference between a barndominium and a modular home?

A barndominium is a site-built post-frame home — framed with engineered columns and clear-span trusses — that can combine finished living space with a shop or garage under one roof. A modular home is built in sections at a factory and assembled on your site. The biggest practical differences are customization and shop integration: a barndominium is built to your exact plan on site, while a modular home is selected from factory plan sets.

Is a barndominium cheaper than a modular home?

It depends heavily on size, finish level, and how much of the building is shop versus living space, so there is no single answer. Post-frame construction is material- and labor-efficient, and a barndominium lets you put your budget exactly where you want it. We will give you a realistic comparison for your specific project during a design consultation.

Can a barndominium include a shop or garage?

Yes — that is one of its biggest advantages. Because post-frame framing creates wide, column-free interiors, a barndominium can combine a heated shop, a large garage, or equipment storage with finished living space under a single unified roofline. Modular homes generally cannot integrate a large shop the same way.

Can both a barndominium and a modular home be financed?

Yes, when built on a permanent foundation and permitted as a single-family residence. Sherman partners with Acorn Finance and HFS Financial, both of which have lending products suited to post-frame homes. Lender requirements differ slightly from a standard conventional mortgage, and our team will walk you through them.

Which is more customizable?

A barndominium. Every Sherman barndominium starts with a custom floor plan built in our 3D designer, and the post-frame method removes interior load-bearing walls so you can place rooms wherever you want. Modular homes offer options within fixed plan sets, which is more standardized but less flexible.