If you’ve been paying attention to new home trends in recent years, you’ve likely seen many barndominiums and shopdominiums. These trendy types of housing combine comfortable living areas and spacious, functional workspaces for a variety of purposes.

But what are the differences between a shopdominium vs. barndominium, and which one best suits your needs? Reach out to the experts at Titan Steel Structures today to explore our range of prefab steel building kits or to start a customized quote on something unique.

What is a Barndominium?

A barndominium–sometimes called a barndo–is one of the fastest-growing types of housing. Typically built from the ground up, a barndominium is a barn-shaped home that provides space for comfortable living and work.

The term “barndominium” comes from the combination of the words “barn” and “condominium.” In the past, the term barndominium was used only to describe barns that had been converted into homes. But now, a barndominium is any metal structure that has been turned into a home, regardless of whether it was used as a barn in the past.

Barndominiums often resemble a barn but come in many forms. Some barndominiums contain multiple rooms separated by walls, and some have an open floor plan and high ceilings. They can be used as a primary residence or to provide space for animals, a shop, or vehicle storage.

Some people imagine a barndominium may have a rustic or industrial feel, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. A barndominium usually has a modern interior with tall ceilings, lots of natural light from many large windows, and a spacious interior.

Building a Barndominium

Building a barndominium is generally more straightforward than other types of home construction. The steps you’ll take include the following:

Securing a plot of land
Ensuring the land is zoned for a barndominium
Choosing what type of barndominium you’d like to build and customization options
Pouring a concrete foundation
Building the barndominium using a steel building kit
Installing insulation, framing, electrical, and HVAC systems

While many of the elements of constructing a barndominium are similar to other homes, using a metal building kit can save a lot of time, money, and waste. Your overall costs will likely be lower because construction is quick and simple, meaning you’ll save on labor costs.

What is a Shopdominium?

A shopdominium is a structure that contains comfortable living spaces and an attached shop or workspace. Sometimes called a “shouse”, a shopdominium is popular amongst people who want to incorporate room for hobbies and work into their living spaces.

Shopdominiums originated in the Midwest when people began to add workshops to their homes. The generous space for work and comfortable living quarters allow people to live comfortably and work more freely.

Some people use the workshop space of their shopdominium for crafting, hobbies, storage, or as a production space. Some may choose to set up a small retail area inside, use the space as a personal office, or lease the space to boost their income.

Shopdominium vs. Barndominium: Which is Right For Me?

The main difference between a shopdominium and a barndominium is simple: a shopdominium is a house with an attached workspace, and a barndominium is primarily a home that resembles a barn with a modern edge.

Shopdominiums and barndominiums both provide modern, comfortable living spaces and offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional housing. These trendy home options are gaining popularity nationwide because they are functional, durable, and more affordable. Building a metal building from the ground up gives you the most control over what features and amenities you want to incorporate into your home.

But how should you choose between shopdominium vs. barndominium? Here are some of the benefits of each.

Benefits of a barndominium

A barndominium is one of the biggest housing trends, and it’s not hard to understand why. Barndominiums are durable and resist many of the problems associated with wood. They do not warp, rot, or sustain weather damage and are resistant to pests and fires.

Choosing to build a barndominium may mean lower taxes and insurance costs–but this can vary by location. Many insurance companies offer lower rates for barndominiums because they withstand the elements and fire better–and this could potentially save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your structure.

Finally, barndominiums are typically much more energy efficient than traditional homes because of improved insulation and windows.

Benefits of a shopdominium

Shopdominiums offer many of the same benefits as barndominiums when it comes to affordability and durability. Shopdominiums offer the added bonus of providing an attached workspace–and this can mean:

Less time and expenses related to commuting
Have a clear boundary between work and home
Keep valuable tools and equipment nearby
More flexibility in your work schedule

People who have a craft, hobby, or work that requires separate space may enjoy the usable workplace a shopdominium provides.

Get a Quote Now

If you are weighing the pros and cons of a shopdominium vs. barndominium, reach out to the team at Titan Steel Structures for advice. Our friendly professionals can help you figure out which steel building is right for your needs and help you every step of the way until construction is finished. Call us now to get started with a custom quote or to explore our range of prefabricated steel building kits.