America Chooses Steel Over Stick-Builds
It’s not a surprise that every person is unique, so why are traditional homes designed like they aren’t? Most homes follow a cookie-cutter pattern. But that design doesn’t work for every single family. Metal buildings are the solution to this problem. People are realizing that metal barns with living quarters are a great alternative that provides them way more customization options. That’s why there’s been such a rise in popularity of metal homes in America in the last ten years.

What Exactly is a Metal Barn with Living Quarters?
While you may have heard the term “barndominium,” you may not know what a barn style metal building as a home would look like. It’s actually pretty simple. Imagine a beautiful barn with large doors and windows and big open rooms. Now, take that image and fill it with furniture and everything that makes a home feel “homey.” In short, that’s what a metal barn with living quarters is. However, these “barndominiums” are stronger and more durable than both traditional barns and homes.

The Benefits of the Barn
We’ve established that metal barns are gaining popularity in the housing market, but what makes them so great? There are lots of benefits to choosing a steel building instead of a wooden one. Here’s a list of some of the biggest advantages of choosing a metal barn for your home:
• Low maintenance
There’s no chipping paint to repair and no shingles to replace. Metal barn style homes rid you of the costly repairs that come with traditional wooden homes.
• Pest-resistant
With no wood to chew or borrow through, steel homes protect you from pest infestations and creepy critters.
• Safe from mold and mildew
Steel doesn’t absorb water the way wood does. This keeps you and your home safe from harmful molds and mildews that could build up over time.
• Certified to be stronger than Mother Nature
Our metal buildings can be certified to withstand up to 140mph winds and heavy snow loads. You’ll have extra peace of mind with these certifications.
• Affordable
Metal barns are less expensive than wooden homes to begin with, but it gets even better. We offer fantastic Rent-to-Own and Financing programs to ensure that you can bring your dream house to live on any budget.
• Easy to install
The steel paneling used in our metal buildings is put together before installation. Your new home will be installed in no time, giving you more time to live in it and enjoy it!
Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Buy
Before you buy a metal barn with living quarters or a barn with living quarters kit, there are some things you need to consider. Here’s a list of the most important things to think about before you buy your new metal home.
• Costs
Metal barns with living quarters are significantly less expensive than traditional homes. While you’ll still be paying for furniture, the cost of your overall home will be much less. If you’re wondering exactly how much to budget for, there are some things to keep in mind. Each of our steel barns with living quarters is custom made for our unique customers, so the price of each one is unique, too. The cost of a metal building will depend on a number of factors, including its size and customization options. The best way to know how much your metal barn style home will cost is to use our 3D Metal Building Estimator. This unique tool allows you to design your building and see a real time price estimate all from the comfort of your couch!
• Building Permits
Building permits are a key part of all home building. This is true for steel barns with living quarters, too. Before you design and install your new building, you need to visit your local building and zoning department and see what type of permits are required. Some areas have specific requirements for metal buildings, especially concerning their size and location. Getting your permits ahead of time will save you a lot of stress and headaches down the line.
• Location
When building a metal garage, the location isn’t something you really think about. Usually, garages are near your home. However, location IS important if the metal barn you’re building is going to be your new home. Here are a few questions to consider when deciding on the location for your metal barn with living quarters:
- Where can you buy land?
- What local limitations are there on metal buildings?
- Do you need to be in a specific location for your job?
- Are you looking at a rural or urban location?
• Site Preparation
Once you have decided on your location, you need to prepare your installation site. There are a few steps you need to take to ensure that your installation day goes as smoothly as possible. They are as follows:
- Clear the location of all vegetation and debris.
- Ensure that your site is level.
- Mark all utility lines.
- Install your foundation.
- If you’re going to have an asphalt or concrete foundation, you need to ensure that it has time to fully set before your installation day.
• Financing
While barn style metal building homes are much less expensive than traditional homes, you probably still need to plan ahead and budget carefully. We have two great financial programs: Financing and Rent-to-Own.
Our Financing program is quick and easy. You’ll get a response in a matter of minutes, and there’s no penalty for paying early! If you’re approved, you get multiple options and can choose the one that suits you best. Our Financing program even allows you to finance a building that’s up to $55,000!
Our Rent-to-Own program has no credit check and same day approval. You can get a new contract month to month and, if you have the ability, you can pay your building off ahead of time with no penalty!
• Metal Building Dealer
While the price and location are both important factors to consider before you buy a metal barn, one of the most important things to think about is what dealer you’ll be purchasing your new home from. You want to get your metal building from a provider that is reputable and trustworthy. Here at Carport Central, we are both of those things. Our building specialists are always on call to answer any questions you may have and help the whole process go smoothly.
Metal Barns: More Than Just a Home
Steel barns with living quarters obviously make great homes, but they are good for so much more than that. Metal buildings are durable, secure, and made to last. These structures are so versatile that you can use them for multiple things at once. With the right ventilation and planning, you could have a garage and house all in one! You could also use metal structure like this as a way to combine your home and your business. Of course, there are numerous possibilities beyond this, such as:
- An at home gym
- A stable
- An extra storage area
- An art studio
- And so much more!
Making Your Metal Barn Home Yours
• Sizes
Size is one of the most obvious customization features. Our three most popular sizing options for small metal barn homes are 30’x40’, 40’x75’, and 60’x70’. The first option is roughly the same size as a standard two-bedroom home. The second option gives you lots of room, giving it great multipurpose potential. The third option is larger than most garages, but it gives you as much room as you could ever need! Keep in mind, you aren’t limited by these options. We can create a steel barn with living quarters in whatever dimensions you want.
• Colors
Customizing the color of your barn is one of the best parts of the entire process. We offer eighteen different color options, from beige and green to brown and blue. We guarantee that we have the perfect color to make your new metal home blend in or stand out in just the way you want. To make your structure feel even more homey, we also offer wainscotting!
• Doors & Windows
We have options for garage doors and walk-in doors. This means that you could use part of your new steel home as a garage, while using the other part for living space. We also offer windows. This is the feature that really takes your new steel barn over the edge. The windows will truly make your building feel like a home with bright natural light.
• 12-&14- Gauge Steel Framing
We offer two different gauges—or thicknesses—of steel. The industry standard is 14-gauge. This is h3 and will stand the test of time. However, if you are looking to make your new metal barn even more impenetrable, we also offer 12-gauge steel. This is thicker and even more durable than the usual steel framing used.
• 26-&29- Gauge Roof Paneling
Just like steel framing, we offer two different gauges of roof paneling. 29-gauge is the industry standard that will keep your roof h3 and secure. However, if you’re looking for something even h3er, we offer 26-gauge roof paneling. No matter which you choose, your roof will last a lifetime.
• Anchors
Anchors are a crucial feature. They keep your building secured to the ground. We offer different types of anchors for different foundation types. There are anchors for ground, gravel, concrete, and asphalt foundations. If you’re turning your metal barn into a living space, we suggest using a concrete foundation. Let us know when you place your order so that we can make sure our team uses the correct type of anchor.
• Certifications
When building a home of any kind, you want it to be safe and secure. The same goes for a metal barn with living quarters. The best way to ensure that you and your building will stay safe is to get it certified. Having a building certified means that it is guaranteed to withstand certain weather extremes. For example, you can have your building certified to withstand up to 140mph winds. Your building can also be certified to withstand certain snow loads.
• Wainscoting
Adding wainscoting is a great way to make your metal barn look more finished and home-like. This feature adds major aesthetic appeal. Plus, with so many colors to choose from, the possible combinations are virtually endless!
• And more!
Insulating Your Home: Staying Warm in the Winter & Cool in the Summer
One drawback you may think a metal barn style home would have is bad insulation. Garages can be notoriously cold. That’s fine for a place where you store your car or extra stuff, but not as a living space. No one wants to be shivering in their own home. However, there are plenty of insulation options for metal homes. We’ve listed some of the most common types, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
• Loose Fill
Loose Fill insulation is exactly what it sounds like. It is made of loose pellets or fiber that are blown into the walls of the structure. This is a great option for traditional wooden homes, but it does not work well with metal buildings. The biggest advantage for this type of insulation is that is sticks well in corners.
• Batt and Blanket
Batt and Blanket insulation is the most budget-friendly option. It is a sheet-style insulation that is made from processed fiberglass. It is usually fitted with a radiant barrier. However, if it does not have one, you should add one of your own.
• Rigid Board Insulation
Rigid Board insulation is made from polystyrene or fiberglass. One of its biggest benefits is that it can be cut to different thicknesses. This is great for ceilings and basement walls. If you want a heavily insulated metal barn style home, this is the insulation for you.
• Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is one of the most popular types available. It is polyurethane in a liquid form that is sprayed onto the surface of walls and ceilings. Once it has contact with those surfaces, the insulation expands to help fill the space. Many people prefer this insulation because it doesn’t require caulking.
• Bubble Insulation
Bubble Insulation is relatively new. It is made from layers of polyethylene bubbles. These bubbles do more than insulate your structure; they also prevent condensation. This type of insulation is also environmentally-friendly.
How Much Does a Metal Barn with Living Quarter Cost?
Determining the exact cost of your new metal barn style home is difficult. All of our buildings are as unique as our customers. However, to give you an estimate, a standard metal barn with living quarters can start as low as $40 per square foot and go up to $125 per square foot, or even higher. The average cost for a 2,000 square foot steel barn home is about $220,000. The best way to determine your price is to give our expert building specialists at Carport Central a call at (980) 321-9898. Our building experts are always available to answer any questions you may have!
Can You DIY? Yes, You Can!
Maybe you’re someone who likes to do things yourself or you’re looking to save a little money. If either of those options sound like you then purchasing a metal barn with living quarters kit could be exactly what you need. Metal building kits include everything you need to install your new home on your own. While you will have to do a little more work on your own, you’ll be saving money. You can trust Carport Central to provide you with high quality metal barn with living quarters kits because we are one of the best providers in the nation.
What You Need to Know About Warranties & Delivery Day
We have briefly touched on site preparation and installation, but there is more you should know. In this section, you will get a rundown of what to expect on the day your building is delivered and what the installation process will be like. We would also like you to know that there are three warranties that come with our metal barns with living quarters. We offer these because we know our products will last as long as you need them and make a perfect home. We promise you; your building will stay safe and secure for a lifetime.
• Metal Buildings with Living Quarters Warranties
We offer three warranties: The One-Year Workmanship Warranty, the Ten-Year Panel Warranty, and the Twenty-Year No Rust Warranty.
- The Workmanship Warranty covers any defects in the installation or the product itself. Send us pictures and we’ll investigate. If it falls under the warranty, we’ll fix it at no cost to you.
- The Panel Warranty has you covered against chips and cracking in the paneling for ten years.
- If your building rusts before twenty years are up, the No Rust Warranty has you covered.
• Delivery & Installation Across the USA
Customer service will contact you to schedule the delivery date for your metal barn. Once that date arrives, the first thing our installation team will do is install the anchors. The team will then put the framing together on the ground, before securing it in place on the foundation. The paneling and roofing goes on after that. Doors and windows are the final thing to be installed.
There’s More to Steel Homes Than Just Barns
While metal barns are a fantastic option, there are other metal buildings that make great homes. There are metal building homes, barndominiums, metal buildings with living quarters, and storage buildings with living quarters. There are lots of similarities between these buildings, but there are some differences. Since metal-based housing is rising in popularity, no matter what the exact structure is, we recommend being familiar with each available type of building.
• Metal Building Homes
Metal building homes are unique and versatile. Their biggest benefit is that they can be customized far more than a traditional wooden home. By working with our building specialists, you will be able to design a metal building home that is perfect for you and your family. These homes are durable and built to last. They will withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at them, whether it be wind or rain.
• Barndominiums
Barndominiums are the perfect modern metal barn style home. They are classy with an industrial feel. They are the perfect representation of the farmhouse style that’s so popular these days! These buildings have tall ceilings and large open spaces. Of course, like all metal buildings, barndominiums are built to last a lifetime.
• Metal Buildings with Living Quarters
Metal buildings with living quarters are the latest craze. They are safe and secure, and sure to provide your family with exactly what you need. These structures are built to last a lifetime, so you can reap the benefits of metal buildings with living quarters for years to come. Your home will be protected from weather extremes, fires, and pests.
• Storage Buildings with Living Quarters
You’ve heard the phrase “killing two birds with one stone.” The storage building with living quarters is a perfect example of that. These versatile structures are designed to help you store all of your belongings, while also providing a top-notch home. It’s like having an attic or a basement, but this extra space is dedicated to nothing but storage. Spring cleaning will be so much easier with a home like this. Besides the additional storage, storage buildings with living quarters have all the same benefits of a normal steel building.
Let Carport Central Bring Your Dream Home to Life
Carport Central is the best provider of all things metal building in the nation. That’s why you know that you can trust us with your new metal barn style home. All of our products are made from the highest quality materials and manufactured here in the United States. We’ll even guarantee that our buildings won’t rust for twenty years! Our phenomenal customer service team is always on standby to answer any questions you may have. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call our friendly building specialists at (980) 321-9898. We want you to have your dream home just as much as you do, and we’re here to help bring your dream to life. See the Carport Central difference today!