What is a Barndominium?
A barndominium—often called a “barndo”—is a custom home that blends residential living space with the durability and functionality of a barn or shop. Built with post-frame construction, these versatile homes feature wide-open floor plans, tall ceilings, and customizable layouts that can include everything from luxury kitchens and cozy living rooms to workshops, garages, or hobby spaces. Barndominiums are popular for their energy efficiency, low-maintenance exteriors, and affordability compared to traditional stick-built homes. Whether you want a rustic farmhouse style, a modern industrial look, or a family-friendly retreat, a barndominium is designed to fit your lifestyle while delivering strength and flexibility for decades to come.
What is a Shouse?
A Shouse (shop + house) is a hybrid structure that combines a residential home with a functional shop space under one roof. Think of it as the perfect balance between comfortable living quarters and practical workspace. Commonly built with post-frame or steel-frame construction, a shouse can include garages, storage areas, workshops, or business spaces right alongside your kitchen, bedrooms, and living room. This makes it ideal for families, entrepreneurs, hobbyists, or anyone who wants to keep work, storage, and home life connected. Shouses are known for their cost savings, design flexibility, and durability, making them a smart alternative to traditional home builds when you need both a home and a shop in one efficient design.
What is a Postframe?
Post-frame construction is a highly efficient building method that uses large vertical posts (columns) set deep into the ground or mounted on a foundation to support the entire structure. This technique eliminates the need for load-bearing interior walls, allowing for spacious, open floor plans with high ceilings and wide spans. Post-frame buildings are extremely versatile, durable, and cost-effective. They require fewer materials and less construction time than conventional methods, while still delivering exceptional strength, energy efficiency, and design flexibility. This is the preferred construction style for barndominiums, shouses, agricultural buildings, equestrian facilities, storage complexes, and commercial projects. With post-frame construction, you get a building that’s engineered to last, with customizable options to match your vision—whether that’s a dream home, a workshop, or a business facility.
Our Capabilities
No two families are alike—and no two barndominiums should be either. Our in-house drafting team works closely with you to create custom floor plans tailored to your needs. From open-concept living rooms to hobby spaces, multi-generational layouts, or entertainment-ready kitchens, every detail is designed around how you live.
Every Structural Buildings barndominium is engineered for durability, safety, and peace of mind. Our licensed design team understands local zoning and building codes, while our construction crews build for Minnesota and Wisconsin’s toughest conditions—snow loads, wind loads, and everything in between.
From the first sketch to the final walkthrough, we handle every step of the process. Our team manages permitting, coordinates all trades, and provides dedicated project management so you can enjoy the journey without the stress. The result: a one-of-a-kind home built to fit your vision, timeline, and budget.
Barndominiums are built with flexibility in mind. Whether you want to add a garage, expand your living space, or create a family compound with multiple buildings, we design for both today’s needs and tomorrow’s possibilities.
At Structural Buildings, we believe a dream home should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we design and build barndominiums that can be tailored to meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines and unique mobility needs. Our in-house drafting team works with you to create spaces that are not only beautiful, but functional for every stage of life. From wide doorways and open floor plans to zero-step entries, roll-in showers, and accessible kitchens, we make sure comfort and independence are at the heart of your design.
Looking to take on the finishing work yourself? We can design and build the complete exterior shell—framing, roof, siding, windows, and doors—so you get a structurally sound, weather-tight barndominium ready for your personal touch inside.
Our Materials
Framing
Poured Piers
Our foundations start with poured concrete piers, delivering a stable and long-lasting base that resists shifting and stands strong against the elements.
Glue-Laminated Columns
We use glue-laminated (glulam) columns for superior strength, straighter lines, and reduced twisting—ensuring your structure is both durable and visually precise.
Engineered Trusses
Exterior Finishes
Superior Steel
Premium Windows & Doors
Luxury Finishes
Added Value
Superior Insulation
Energy-Efficient Materials
Limited Lifetime Warranties
Enjoy peace of mind knowing your investment is backed by strong manufacturer warranties on key materials, ensuring long-term durability and value.
Where Your Barndo Dreams Begin
Check out these three awesome barndominiums built for Structural Livin.
The Snowshoe Barndominium
Overview
Project Scope
Video
The Aspin Barndominium
Overview
Project Scope
Video
The Gearen Barndominium
Overview
Project Scope
Barndominium FAQs
What is a barndominium?
A barndominium (or “barndo”) is a versatile building style that combines a residential living space with a shop, garage, or storage area—all under one roof. It offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and functionality.
Why choose a barndominium over a traditional home?
Barndos are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and customizable. They’re built to last with durable steel or post-frame construction and offer large, open layouts ideal for families, hobbies, or businesses.
Can I customize my barndominium floor plan?
Yes! Every Structural Buildings barndo is fully customizable. From the size of your shop to the number of bedrooms, finishes, and unique features like lofts, wrap-around porches, or sport courts—your dream design is possible.
How much does a barndominium cost?
Costs vary depending on size, finishes, and features. On average, a turnkey barndominium is often more affordable than a traditional stick-built home of the same size. We’ll work with you to design a home that fits your budget.
Do barndominiums hold their value?
Yes. With quality construction and thoughtful design, barndominiums often appreciate over time, especially as demand for flexible living spaces continues to grow.
What financing options are available?
Many banks and credit unions now offer barndominium-specific loans. Our team can connect you with lenders experienced in financing barndos.
Do barndominiums require special zoning or permits?
It depends on your location. Our experts help navigate zoning laws, building codes, and permit requirements to ensure a smooth process.
Are barndominiums energy-efficient?
Absolutely. With modern insulation, efficient windows, and optional in-floor heat, your barndo can be designed to save energy and keep utility costs low.
How long does it take to build a barndominium?
Timelines vary based on design complexity, but most barndominiums can be completed faster than traditional homes. We’ll give you a clear timeline before construction begins.
Why choose Structural Buildings for my barndominium?
With 40 years of experience in post-frame and steel construction, we specialize in bringing dream barndos to life. From design to completion, we handle every detail so you can focus on moving in.
Get a Sweater!
Fill out the contact form below for a chance to win a Structural Buildings’ sweater or get a quote, sign a barndo contract and receive a sweater!
Get to Know Structural Buildings
From engineering and drafting to framing, interior finishing, and the final walkthrough, the Structural Buildings team has helped hundreds of property owners build their dreams since 1985.
Our Secret Weapon is Our People
At Structural Buildings, we understand our success is built on the quality of our working relationships between our employees, customers, and suppliers. Our suppliers help us deliver high-quality buildings to our customers and our employees always go the extra mile for our customers to ensure a positive experience at every point of contact.
Customer Experience Focused
Our commitment to quality stands out above the competition, whether you’re building a new office, new warehouse, new barn, or new home. The Structural team has the experience, drive-to-succeed, persistence, and integrity to meet and exceed your expectations.
Becker, MN
Crosslake, MN
Frederic, WI
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Our Mission
Providing a lifetime of superior quality, service, and value to our customers through professional teamwork.