Metal America’s most popular barndominium floor plans range from 2,800 to 8,400 square feet. Each design solves specific problems for different family situations. The Armani works for couples and small families. The Raven Row is ideal for growing families who need workshop space. The Saraphina and Butter Scott handle large or multi-generational households. The Slaten Stone delivers massive workshop capacity.
Your floor plan determines how you live for the next 50 years. Picking the wrong layout wastes space or leaves you cramped in rooms that looked great on paper. These five plans represent what actually works for Metal America customers.
Quick Comparison of Metal America’s Top 5 Plans
| Plan | Square Feet | Bedrooms | Bathrooms | Stories | Garage | Width x Depth | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armani | 2,800 | 3 | 2.5 | 1 | 2-car | 40′ x 70′ | Couples, empty nesters |
| Raven Row | 3,081 | 3 + loft | 2.5 | 2 | 4-car | 39′ x 79′ | Growing families |
| Saraphina | 4,400 | 6 | 4.5 | 2 | 6-car | 40′ x 110′ | Multi-generational living |
| Butter Scott | 6,600 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3-car | 40′ x 104′ | Large families, single-story |
| Slaten Stone | 8,400 | 3 | 3.5 | 2 | 7-car | 60′ x 140′ | Serious workshop needs |
The Armani Plan for Couples and Small Families
The Armani delivers 2,800 square feet in a single-story layout. This modern farmhouse features classic white board-and-batten siding with a black metal roof. The design measures 40 feet wide by 70 feet deep. You get 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage.
The wooden post-supported wraparound porch extends living space outdoors. Everything sits on one level, eliminating stairs completely. The open great room flows into the kitchen with a walk-in pantry. The master suite is separate from the other bedrooms for privacy.
At 40 feet wide, the Armani uses double-leg construction rather than ladder legs. This saves money on construction and preserves interior space. The single-story design works for aging in place or for anyone permanently avoiding stairs.
Armani Plan Key Features
Open-concept great room and kitchen layout maximizes space, wraparound porch provides covered outdoor living, master suite separation ensures privacy from other bedrooms, double leg construction at 40 feet wide reduces costs, and single-story eliminates stairs for long-term accessibility.
The Raven Row Plan for Growing Families
Raven Row combines 2,084 square feet of living space with 1,937 square feet of garage and shop. This two-story design measures 39 feet wide by 79 feet deep. The layout includes 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a 4-car garage, and a loft area.
The light gray metal exterior features black accents and wooden columns. Stone veneer at the base adds visual interest. The first floor uses an open-concept layout for the kitchen, dining, and living areas. The master suite sits on the main level. Two bedrooms plus a loft occupy the second story.
The 4-car garage accommodates multiple vehicles and provides workshop space. Unlike traditional barn homes that separate living and working areas, Raven Row integrates both under one roof. At 39 feet wide, this plan requires ladder legs but stays close to the 30-foot cost threshold.
Raven Row Layout Benefits
4-car garage provides 1,937 square feet for vehicles and a workshop, a two-story design maximizes square footage on smaller lots, a master suite on the main level offers convenient access, a loft area creates flexible office or guest space, and an open first floor connects living areas seamlessly.
The Saraphina Plan for Multi-Generational Households
Saraphina features an elegant stone masonry exterior with modern architectural lines. This two-story design measures 40 feet wide by 110 feet deep. The sophisticated layout includes 6 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and a 6-car garage.
The stone masonry creates a permanent, luxury home appearance. Six bedrooms accommodate large families, multi-generational living, or home office needs. The 4.5 bathrooms prevent morning traffic jams when everyone needs to get ready simultaneously.
The 6-car garage fits serious vehicle collections or provides massive workshop storage. The two-story configuration preserves yard space while maximizing interior square footage. At 40 feet wide and 110 feet deep, Saraphina uses ladder legs for proper structural support.
The Butter Scott Plan for Large Single-Story Living
Butter Scott spreads 6,600 square feet across one level. This massive single-story layout measures 40 feet wide by 104 feet deep. The plan includes 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and a 3-car garage.
Everything happens on the same floor. Parents easily supervise younger children. Older kids get their own bedrooms for privacy. The 4 bathrooms eliminate bathroom time fights during morning routines.
The single-story design means you never age out of this floor plan. Mobility concerns never force you to add first-floor bedrooms or install stair lifts. At 6,600 square feet, the layout comfortably accommodates family expansion, home offices, hobby rooms, and guest bedrooms.
Butter Scott Advantages
6,600 square feet provides serious room for growing families, a single-story design perfect for families with young children, 5 bedrooms offer space for large families plus guests, 4 bathrooms reduce morning congestion completely, and a 40-foot width maximizes length without triggering higher costs.
The Slaten Stone Plan for Workshop Priorities
Slaten Stone dominates with 8,400 total square feet. This two-story design measures 60 feet wide by 140 feet deep. The layout includes 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and a 7-car garage with oversized utility areas.
Light gray metal siding with dark trim creates sophisticated curb appeal. The covered porch features wooden beams. Three large garage doors access the massive workshop space. The 7-car capacity means this plan prioritizes workshop and storage over bedroom count.
At 60 feet wide, Slaten Stone requires commercial-grade construction with engineered trusses. The 140-foot depth creates enormous interior volume. The living quarters provide comfortable accommodations, while bulk square footage serves as working space.
Understanding Width and Construction Requirements
Buildings 30 feet wide and under use double leg construction. Buildings over 30 feet wide require ladder legs and commercial trusses. This threshold significantly affects pricing. Jumping from 30 to 32 feet triggers higher costs.
Double legs measure 4.5 inches thick. Ladder legs measure 12 inches thick. Drywall with framing adds 4.5 inches. Ladder legs plus drywall consume 16.5 inches per wall. A 40-foot-wide building with ladder legs delivers roughly 37 feet 3 inches of usable interior width.
Metal America buildings measure outside to outside. Base rails, framing, insulation, and drywall reduce usable interior width. Account for this when planning your exact space needs.
Width Impact on Costs and Space
| Building Width | Construction Type | Interior Width Loss | Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30′ and under | Double legs | ~9 inches total | Lower cost |
| 32′ to 50′ | Ladder legs | ~33 inches total | Higher cost |
| 50′ and over | Commercial grade | ~33 inches total | Highest cost |
Single-Story vs Two-Story Layout Decision
Single-story layouts put everything on one level. This design eliminates stairs, simplifies construction, and reduces overall costs. You need more ground space to achieve the same square footage. Two-story designs maximize building footprint by stacking spaces vertically.
Two-story plans deliver more square footage on smaller lots. They cost more due to staircase framing and the second-floor structure. Upstairs bedrooms must include proper egress windows. The staircase consumes 40 to 50 square feet on both levels.
Choose a single-story for long-term accessibility and simpler maintenance. Choose a two-story when lot size limits the footprint or when you want natural separation between living zones.
Bedroom and Bathroom Planning Guidelines
Three bedrooms hit the minimum threshold for most buyers. Four bedrooms expand your market. Five or six bedrooms work for large families or multi-generational situations.
Every bedroom needs an egress window. The window must provide a clear opening of 5.7 square feet. The sill height cannot exceed 44 inches above the finished floor. Plan one bathroom per four people to prevent morning congestion.
Recommended Ratios
2 bedrooms need 1.5 to 2 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms work with 2 to 2.5 bathrooms, 4 bedrooms require 2.5 to 3 bathrooms, 5 bedrooms need 3 to 4 bathrooms, 6 bedrooms need 4 to 4.5 bathrooms.
How Metal America Customizes Floor Plans
Metal America works with multiple manufacturers to find the best price or fastest lead time. We coordinate site-specific engineered drawings through J Barnes Engineering and Westshore Design Engineers.
Every barndominium needs engineered drawings for permitting. For homes under 5,000 square feet, building departments require only structural engineered drawings. Site-specific drawing pricing runs $1.40 to $1.80 per square foot, depending on PSF requirements.
We customize floor plans by adjusting room sizes and layout, modifying garage configuration, adding or removing bedrooms, and incorporating porches or covered areas. All Metal America barndominiums use 4-foot on-center spacing for structural members.
FAQ
Q: Which barndominium floor plan is most popular? A: The Raven Row at 3,081 square feet is most popular because it balances living space with workshop capacity while fitting most budgets and lot sizes.
Q: Can Metal America modify these floor plans? A: Yes. Metal America customizes layouts by adjusting room sizes, bedroom count, and garage configuration while maintaining the required 4-foot on-center structural spacing.
Q: Do I need an architect for my barndominium? A: No. For homes under 5,000 square feet, building departments require only structurally engineered drawings signed by a licensed engineer, not full architectural plans.
Q: What floor plan size do I need for my family? A: Use this guide for sizing. Three to four people need 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. Five to six people need 3,000 to 5,000 square feet. Seven plus people need 5,000 to 8,000 square feet.
Q: How much does a custom floor plan cost? A: Custom floor plan design costs $0.75 per square foot using total square footage, including garage space. A 3,000-square-foot plan costs $2,250.
Q: Should I choose single-story or two-story? A: Choose a single-story for aging in place, lower costs, and easier maintenance. Choose a two-story to maximize smaller lots or create natural privacy zones between floors.
Q: Can I add a second story later? A: No. The initial engineering must account for second-story loads. Adding a story after construction requires extensive structural modifications.
Q: How wide should my barndominium be? A: Stay at 30 feet wide or less to avoid commercial construction costs. Most residential barndominiums work well at 30 to 40 feet wide with proper planning.
The complete barndominium guide covers every construction phase from design through final inspection. Metal America delivers your shell in 9 to 12 months on average from order to installation. Contact Metal America today to discuss your floor plan needs and get exact quotes for your specific project.