Part of our Barndominiums collection →
Barndominium vs. Traditional House
How a post-frame barndominium compares to a traditional stick-built house on cost drivers, layout, shop integration, financing, and resale.
Quick verdict
A barndominium can combine finished living space with a shop or garage under the same roof and create wide, flexible interiors. Sherman builds barndominiums with post-frame engineered wood columns; barndominium style can also be built with steel framing. A traditional house may be the better fit for multi-story layouts, dense lots, and buyers who want the most conventional resale path. The right choice depends on your site, your budget, and how much shop space you want.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Barndominium (Post-Frame) | Traditional House |
|---|---|---|
| Project cost drivers | Site, span, foundation, finishes, and shop scope | Site, foundation, layout, finishes, and lot constraints |
| Floor plan | Wide clear-span, open concept | Constrained by load-bearing walls |
| Shop / garage integration | Yes — living and shop under one roof | Usually a separate detached structure |
| Build speed | Faster to dried-in | Slower framing on a full foundation |
| Insulation | Deep post-frame wall cavities | Standard stud-cavity depth |
| Foundation | Slab or piers; walkout or basement optional | Typically full basement or foundation wall |
| Financing & resale | Financeable as a residence when code-built; growing MN comps | Most conventional and widely understood |
| Best for | Rural acreage, hobby farms, home-plus-shop | Subdivisions, multi-story, tight lots |
Barndominium Framing Matters
A barndominium is a style and use, not a promise of steel framing. Sherman specializes in post-frame barndominiums with engineered wood columns and trusses. For an honest look at insulation, interior finishing, clear spans, foundations, corrosion and rot considerations, and permitting, read our post-frame vs. steel-frame barndominium guide.
When to Choose Each
Choose a barndominium when you want the most usable space for your budget, an open floor plan, and the option to put living space and a shop or garage under one roof. It is the natural fit for rural acreage, hobby farms, and anyone who wants deep insulation and a column-free interior.
Choose a traditional house when you need multiple full stories on a small footprint, you are building in a subdivision, or a conventional resale path is your top priority. Sherman Buildings can help you weigh the trade-offs honestly for your specific site.
Barndominium vs. Traditional House FAQ
Is a barndominium cheaper than a traditional house?
The answer depends on the site, foundation design, size, roof shape, openings, utility work, interior finish, and how much shop space is included. A barndominium can combine living and shop space in one building, while a traditional home may better fit another site or layout. Sherman does not publish standard pricing; request a project-specific quote.
Can you get a mortgage on a barndominium in Minnesota?
Yes, when it is on a permanent foundation and permitted as a single-family residence. Sherman works with Acorn Finance and HFS Financial, both of which have products set up for post-frame homes, and our team can walk you through the paperwork lenders ask for.
Does a barndominium hold its value like a traditional house?
A code-built, permitted post-frame home appraises and resells as a residence. As Minnesota barndominium comparables continue to grow, resale keeps strengthening — especially on rural acreage, where an attached shop is a genuine selling point rather than a compromise.
Can a barndominium have a second story or a basement?
Yes. Post-frame supports lofts, full second levels, and walkout lower levels on sloped sites. Sherman designs each barndominium to the site and to how you want to live in it, rather than from a fixed floor-plan catalog.
Is a barndominium as durable as a stick-built house?
Yes. A properly engineered post-frame home — pressure-treated ground-contact columns, steel roofing, and a sealed building envelope — regularly lasts 50+ years. Sherman Buildings has built post-frame structures since 1976.
Thinking About a Barndominium?
Talk with a Sherman Buildings specialist about your site, your budget, and how much shop space you want. We build custom post-frame homes across Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin.
Explore More Building Types
Sherman Buildings has been building quality post-frame structures for 50 years. Browse our full range of homes and pole buildings.
Homes
Pole Barns
General Storage & Garages
Agriculture & Machine Sheds
Commercial Buildings
She Sheds
Man Caves
