Absolute Steel barndominiums and kit homes are designed to be anchored to a concrete footing or slab. While technically, our buildings can be installed on bare earth, because someone will be living in the barndominium or kit home local building codes will apply. Those building codes will require a concrete footing or slab.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR COLD WEATHER AREAS: The concrete applications described below do not account for frost line requirements. If you live in an area that has very cold winters and a frost line, your concrete footings will need to be deeper than what is illustrated here. Your local building authorities can provide information on frost line requirements in your area.
Concrete Slab Mounting
NOTE: ALWAYS check with your local building department for concrete requirements. We can supply engineered plans if you need. The information below is for general reference only and may not relate to your specific location.
Slab Sizing
Your slab is to be the same width as your building, and 2″ longer. For example, if you have purchased a 20′ wide by 40′ long building, your slab should be 20′ wide by 40′ 2″ long.
Slab Thickness
Your floor should be a minimum of 4″ thick. The concrete’s strength should be a minimum of 2500 psi, with fiber mesh reinforcement added at the batch plant OR #3 rebar on 24” centers.
If you are planning to park large, heavy vehicles inside (such as trucks or larger RVs), you should consider making the slab 6″ thick, and using 4000-psi concrete. You may not need this for a kit home, but often times a barndominium may be used to store vehicles and heavy equipment.
Be sure to saw-cut expansion joints in the slab, within an appropriate time after the pour, or troweled-in expansion joints done during the concrete finishing steps.
For the sake of estimation, we can tell you that in our local area (Phoenix, AZ), the cost for a 4″ slab runs about $4.50 per square foot. Prices in your area may be different.
Footing Requirements
At the same time as your slab is poured, you will also need to pour perimeter footings, as illustrated below. This is called a monolithic pour or monolithic slab.
Perimeter footings should be 12″ wide, and 12″ deep. (Deeper in the event you are contending with a frost line) You can include the 4″ slab thickness in the 12″ total depth; in other words, the footing would extend 8″ below the slab. As shown in the detail drawings, your footings will also need continuous runs of #4 rebar along the top and bottom.
In our local area, footings of this type would cost approximately $16.50 per lineal (running) foot.
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FAQs
The concrete's strength should be a minimum of 2500 psi, with fiber mesh reinforcement added at the batch plant OR #3 rebar on 24” centers. If you are planning to park large, heavy vehicles inside (such as trucks or larger RVs), you should consider making the slab 6″ thick, and using 4000-psi concrete.
How thick does a concrete slab need to be for a barndominium? ›
For barndominiums up to 1,500 sq. ft., most recommendations fall between a 4” and 6″ thick slab. This accommodates moderate traffic and furnishings adequately without excessive concrete use. The steel perimeter beams of barndominium kits require less internal slab support than wood framing.
How much does it cost to pour a 40x60 concrete slab? ›
How much does a 40×60 concrete slab cost? It would be about $8,500 to $12,000 for a 40×60 foot concrete slab, 6 inches thick. That's based on national averages of around $5 per square foot for a fully engineered, finished concrete slab, including labor and materials.
What do I wish I knew before building a barndominium? ›
Here are the most important things to know about building a barndominium.
- Obtain a permit for your project. Photo by Bridger Steel, Inc. ...
- Test the paint. Photo by Justin Doyle Homes. ...
- Prepare for surprise costs. ...
- Plan for electrical work. ...
- Choose your windows and doors wisely. ...
- Add insulation—it's important.
Pros of barndominiums include a cheaper cost, fully customizable space, and lower maintenance. They're also highly durable with lots of extra room and are a more eco-friendly housing option. Meanwhile, cons include higher upfront costs, difficulties finding financing, and not all cities allow them.
What is the best foundation for a barndominium? ›
Slab Foundation
This type of foundation is suitable for areas with stable soil conditions and is often used for barndominiums in Texas. The slab should be a minimum of 4" thick, with a concrete strength of at least 2500 psi. Fiber mesh reinforcement or #3 rebar on 24" centers should be used to strengthen the slab[3].
Do you need a footing for a barndominium? ›
While technically, our buildings can be installed on bare earth, because someone will be living in the barndominium or kit home local building codes will apply. Those building codes will require a concrete footing or slab.
How much does a 30x40 concrete slab cost? ›
The average cost is $4 to $8 per square foot. The median price is about $6 per square foot. Based on these averages, you may pay $4,800 to $9,600 with a median estimate of $7,200.
How many yards of concrete are in a 40x60 slab 4 inches thick? ›
To do this, we divide the total area by 27 (since there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard). In this case, 2,400 square feet divided by 27 equals approximately 89 cubic yards of concrete needed for the 40x60 slab.
How much would a 30x30 concrete pad cost? ›
A concrete slab costs $6 to $12 per square foot on average installed, or $5,400 to $10,800 to pour a 30'x30' slab. Concrete materials cost $3 to $7 per square foot. Most concrete slabs are 4" to 6" thick and are used to build a garage floor, patio, or house foundation.
Insurance can be complicated for barndominium homes. According to Barndominium.org, not all insurers cover barndos, especially if they're mixed-use instead of residential only, and those that do might have barndo-specific policies.
Are barndominiums bad investments? ›
As such, it is more difficult to assess the resale value of a Barndominium. Unlike modular homes and trailers, Barndominiums maintain their value and are likely to increase over time. If you are purely looking for a quick resale investment, a Barndominium may not be your best option.
How long does it take to build a barndominium from scratch? ›
Most barndominiums take approximately 3-6 months to construct. However, just like with a conventional home, a barndominium's construction time depends on various factors including the level of customization.
Why can't you finance a barndominium? ›
Many USDA lenders are unfamiliar with these structures and may be reluctant to finance their purchase. Borrowers may also experience added difficulty when seeking a USDA construction loan to build a new barndominium, as some USDA lenders, including Neighbors Bank, do not offer this loan type.
What is the life expectancy of a barndominium? ›
Longevity: Although they may not last as long as traditional homes, a well-maintained barndominium can provide comfortable living for around 50 years. 5. Durability: Barndominiums are built to withstand the elements, ensuring they remain sturdy and reliable over the years.
How much weight can a 6 inch concrete slab hold? ›
Typically, concrete driveways that are 4″ thick can withstand loads of regular vehicles, which is approximately 8,000 pounds. A 6″ thick concrete driveway can withstand heavy-duty trucks that can around weigh about 70,000 pounds.
Should I use a 4 or 6 inch concrete slab? ›
The minimum thickness for a residential concrete driveway is 4 inches. However, 5 or 6 inches is recommended if you live in an area with heavy traffic or large vehicles. For extra strength and durability, you can go up to 8 inches.
Is a 2 inch concrete slab enough? ›
In general, for residential areas like walkways and patios, 4 inches of concrete is sufficient for a slab. For a deck or deck stair landing, again, around 4 inches of concrete is sufficient.
How much weight can 4 inch concrete support? ›
Here are some general guidelines: 4-inch thick slab: A 4-inch thick concrete slab can typically support about 2,000 pounds per square foot [1].
