Love the Barndominium Look? Consider a Stick-Built Home
September 1, 2026
You do not need to build a barndominium to get the open floor plan, large porches and modern farmhouse look people love about them. A traditional stick-built home can offer the same design features, often with more straightforward financing, insurance and resale.
Barndominiums have become popular with homeowners who want open living spaces, large porches and modern farmhouse style. But you do not have to build a barndominium to get that look.
A traditional stick-built home can offer many of the same design features, along with some important advantages when it comes to financing, insurance and resale.
Key Takeaways
- Open living areas, high ceilings, covered porches and modern farmhouse exteriors can all be achieved in a traditional stick-built home, not just a barndominium
- Barndominiums can be harder to finance and insure, since some lenders and insurers have less experience with unusual construction or mixed residential and agricultural use
- Stick-built homes are more familiar to lenders, appraisers and insurance companies, which can simplify comparing options
- Traditional construction doesn’t limit personalization. Floor plans, siding, porches and additional features can still be customized around your land
- A broader base of potential buyers may make a stick-built home easier to sell and appraise down the road
- The Wildwood floor plan is a three-bedroom, three-bath example that delivers farmhouse style through traditional construction
What Do People Like About Barndominiums?
For many people, the appeal of a barndominium is more about the style and layout than the type of construction. Popular features often include:
- Large, open living areas
- Spacious kitchens
- High ceilings
- Covered porches
- Simple rooflines
- Modern farmhouse exteriors
All of these features can also be included in a traditional site-built home. The right floor plan can give you the open feeling and country style you want without requiring barndominium construction.
| Factor | Barndominium | Stick-Built Home |
|---|---|---|
| Style and layout | Open floor plans, high ceilings, farmhouse exteriors | Same features achievable with the right floor plan |
| Financing | Can be harder, especially with mixed-use or unusual construction | More familiar to lenders, often more straightforward |
| Insurance | Fewer insurers are experienced with barndominium construction | Broadly understood by insurance companies |
| Personalization | Design flexibility within metal-building construction | Customizable floor plans, siding, porches and add-ons |
| Resale | Appeals strongly to a specific buyer niche | Appeals to a broader range of buyers |
Is a Barndominium Harder to Finance and Insure?
Financing and insuring a barndominium is possible, but the process may not always be as simple. Some lenders and insurance companies have less experience with barndominiums, especially when the home includes unusual construction, large shop areas or mixed residential and agricultural use. Traditional stick-built homes are familiar to lenders, appraisers and insurance companies. That can make it easier to compare financing and insurance options. Requirements will vary, so it is always smart to ask questions before deciding what type of home to build.
You Can Still Personalize a Stick-Built Home
One reason people consider a barndominium is the belief that it offers greater design freedom. In reality, a stick-built home can also be personalized around your needs and your land. You can choose an open floor plan, change finishes, add a large porch or select an exterior with board-and-batten siding. Depending on the plan, you may also be able to add features such as a garage, fireplace or additional living space. The construction may be traditional, but the home does not have to look traditional.
Think About Resale Too
Even if you plan to stay in your new home for many years, resale is worth considering. Barndominiums appeal strongly to some buyers, but traditional stick-built homes may appeal to a wider group. A broader group of potential buyers can be helpful if you ever decide to sell. It may also make the home easier to compare with other properties when it is appraised.
Meet the Wildwood
The Wildwood floor plan is a good example of a traditional home with the space and farmhouse style many people like about barndominiums. The Wildwood is a three-bedroom, three-bath home with an open layout and plenty of room for everyday life. Its farmhouse exterior can include board-and-batten siding, lap siding or masonry trim. Optional features include a wraparound or covered porch, a two-car garage and a fireplace. It offers the open, comfortable feeling people often associate with a barndominium, but it is built using traditional stick-built construction.
Get the Look Without Limiting Your Options
A barndominium may be right for some homeowners, but it is not the only way to get an open floor plan and modern farmhouse look. Before making your decision, compare the full picture, including financing, insurance, design flexibility and future resale.
If you like barndominium style, take a closer look at the Wildwood. It may give you the best of both worlds.
Watch the Wildwood Video
Explore the Floor Plan
Find Your Nearest Design Center
FAQs About Barndominiums vs. Stick-Built Homes
Can a stick-built home look like a barndominium?
Yes. Open floor plans, high ceilings, covered porches and modern farmhouse exteriors like board-and-batten siding can all be built into a traditional stick-built home. The style comes from the floor plan and finishes, not the construction method.
Is it harder to get a loan for a barndominium?
It can be. Some lenders have less experience financing barndominiums, particularly when the home includes large shop areas or mixed residential and agricultural use. Stick-built homes are generally more familiar to lenders, which can make comparing financing options more straightforward.
Are barndominiums harder to insure than traditional homes?
In some cases, yes. Insurance companies vary in their experience with barndominium construction, especially for homes with unusual layouts or mixed-use space. Traditional stick-built homes are more broadly understood by insurers.
Do stick-built homes resell as well as barndominiums?
Barndominiums appeal strongly to a specific group of buyers, while stick-built homes tend to appeal to a wider range of buyers. That broader appeal can be helpful for resale and appraisal comparisons down the road.
What UBH floor plan offers a barndominium-style look?
The Wildwood is a three-bedroom, three-bath floor plan with an open layout and a farmhouse exterior, including options like board-and-batten siding, a wraparound porch and a two-car garage, all built using traditional stick-built construction.
