Prefabricated Steel Barndominium in Crookston, Minnesota

Sunward Steel fabricated this pre-engineered metal barndominium in Crookston, Minnesota, in February 2024.

Combining a large, welcoming living quarters with clear span garage and shop space, the metal barndominium spans 2,800 square feet on the ground floor and has a mezzanine that adds more usable square footage overhead. The living area has four spacious rooms, which include a bathroom, a combination-kitchen and living room, a bedroom and another space that serves double duty as a guest room and sewing room. The home also features a loft that will eventually house additional bedrooms for visiting family.

Climate-controlled and energy-efficient, the metal home saves the owner money in multiple areas by bringing residential, garage and workshop space together in one building, eliminating the need to finance and maintain separate structures.

Designed for year-round use in Minnesota, the rustic home has 6” of WMP-VR-backed fiberglass insulation in the roof and walls that help keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It also has 10 large windows that let in plenty of natural light, reducing the residents’ reliance on artificial lighting while creating a bright, welcoming living space.

On the outside, Charcoal Gray paint with Ash Gray architectural trim add visual appeal, while the residence’s rugged steel roof has a 4:12 pitch that promotes efficient drainage. A 5-psf collateral load is an additional feature that supports the addition of an overhead sprinkler system and piping.

Flexible and adaptable in the event that the owners’ needs change or the time comes to sell the home, pre-engineered steel barndominiums like this one often merge modern, custom-designed living quarters with home gyms, home-based businesses, body shops, or hobby or craft spaces, among other popular uses. Easy to design and configure to meet precise stylistic preferences, spatial requirements and building codes, they’re also an economical, versatile and sustainable alternative to homes made from more traditional materials.