What Is a Barndominium? A Central Florida Guide
“Barndominium” is one of the fastest-growing search terms in home construction, and for good reason. These barn-style buildings combine durable, post-frame construction with comfortable living space — and they’re a natural fit for Central Florida’s wide-open lots and demanding weather. If you’ve been wondering what a barndominium actually is and whether one is right for your property, here’s a plain-English guide from the team at Buildings By Bill.
What exactly is a barndominium?
A barndominium — often shortened to “barndo” — is a building that pairs the strength and efficiency of a barn with finished, livable interior space. Most are built on a post-frame (pole barn) structure: sturdy posts and engineered trusses create a large, open shell, which is then finished inside with insulation, drywall, flooring, plumbing, and electrical. The result is a home, shop-and-home combo, or guest space that looks like a barn on the outside and lives like a custom house on the inside.
Why barndominiums are popular in Central Florida
Several things make barndominiums especially appealing for Florida property owners:
- Wide-open floor plans: clear-span trusses mean few interior support columns, so you can design the layout however you like.
- Built for Florida weather: engineered to meet state wind-load code, post-frame buildings stand up well to high winds.
- Faster to build: the post-frame shell goes up quickly compared with conventional construction.
- Flexible use: combine living quarters with a workshop, garage, RV bay, or stable under one roof.
- Low maintenance: metal siding and roofing hold up to the sun and rain with minimal upkeep.
What can you put inside a barndominium?
That’s the best part — almost anything. Because the shell is open, the interior is yours to design:
- Full living quarters: bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and living areas.
- An attached workshop, garage, or equipment bay.
- A horse barn or stable wing — see our horse barn builds.
- Tall RV or boat storage with living space alongside.
- Home offices, guest suites, or in-law quarters.
Permitting and code in Florida
A barndominium with living space is held to residential building code, including Florida’s wind-load requirements, setbacks, and inspections. The exact rules vary by county, and some areas have specific requirements for agricultural versus residential use. We handle the permitting process and build every structure to code — you can read more about how we work on our building standards page.
The post-frame advantage
Barndominiums make sense because post-frame construction is both strong and efficient. Fewer foundation requirements, engineered trusses, and a simple, proven load path mean you get a large, durable building without the cost and time of conventional framing. It’s the same approach we use for our pole barns, red iron buildings, and metal garages — just finished out for comfortable living. Browse completed projects in our gallery.
Frequently asked questions
What is a barndominium?
A barndominium is a barn-style building that combines durable post-frame construction with finished, livable interior space. The open shell is insulated and finished inside with everything a home needs, while the exterior keeps the low-maintenance look and strength of a metal barn.
Are barndominiums allowed in Central Florida?
Yes, barndominiums are built throughout Central Florida. A barndominium with living space must meet residential building code, including wind-load requirements, setbacks, and inspections. Rules vary by county, and we handle the permitting so your project stays compliant.
Are barndominiums durable in Florida weather?
They are. Post-frame buildings are engineered to meet Florida’s wind-load code, and their metal siding and roofing stand up to intense sun, heavy rain, and high winds with very little maintenance.
Can you build a custom barndominium?
Absolutely. Because the post-frame shell is open inside, we can design your barndominium around exactly how you want to live and work — living quarters, a workshop, a garage, stables, or storage, all under one roof. Contact us for a free estimate.
Thinking about building a barndominium in Central Florida? Learn more about our barndominium builds or contact Buildings By Bill for a free, no-obligation estimate. We don’t out-bid, we out-build.