A barn is a great space for different conversion projects with all the original rustic charm. Keeping original ceiling beams and structural posts will give the old barn a nice rustic look. It can be converted into whatever comes to your mind, but it requires considerate planning. Whatever you choose it to be, it’s of the utmost importance to ensure that it is safe and functional, with thoroughly planned out areas you can easily section off with just a few design tricks. When converting your barn into something else, you must think about the air flow, insulation, plumbing, electricity, as well as heating and cooling systems.
Restore the roof and walls
When converting a barn, the most important thing is to restore the roof Make sure that there are no cracks and obvious signs of damage. If you notice any, the best solution is to completely replace the entire roof. After you take care of your roof, it’s time to pay attention to your walls. However, before you get down to repainting your walls, you’ll need to determine whether you wish to add any windows and doors to your barn. If yes, then you need to take care of that step first. Finally, you’ll also need to make sure you insulate your roof and walls properly. There are different kinds of insulation, from loose-fill and blown-in insulation, batt and roll insulation, reflective insulation, to spray foam pole barn insulation. You can also always consult an expert if you’re unsure which type to choose for your particular space.
Install windows and restore doors
After determining the purpose of your barn and its look, restore the big old barn door and install new windows. It’s always better to go for a smaller-scale doors instead of the typical, large barn doors, to help prevent unnecessary energy loss. Furthermore, when it comes to windows, always try to go with double pane windows to further contribute to energy preservation.
Insulate walls even further
The fact of the matter is that you can never overdo it with insulation. And even though you’ve already added the necessary layers of insulation to your walls, you can always go one step further. For instance, bookshelves, wall tapestry and similar décor pieces will not only help further with insulating your space, but they will also add another player of pizzazz to your interior.
Restoring the floor
Restoring the floor is also of great importance. As barns usually do not have any kind of real flooring, the first thing you need to do is to raise the level of the floor off the ground by adding a thick underlayment of floor leveling compound, and then a hard cement foundation. This will act as the base for any kind of flooring you intend to install. You can put any kind of brick, tile or wooden floor in your barn, but make sure that it is easy to clean.
Another suggestion is to install underfloor heating or good old heaters if you would like to have the same level of heating both on the top and on the bottom of the building.
Time for electricity, plumbing, heating and cooling systems
After the walls and floors are finished, it is time for electricity, plumbing, heating (if it is not underfloor heating) and cooling systems. This is the job for experts, because safety should always come first. You have to plan all the switches, electrical outlets of different kinds with the experts. You will have different kinds of devices, from lamps to stoves, and professionals must be informed about it to be in a position to put all of them in the right place.
You’ll also need to hire professionals to take care of your plumbing if you want it to be done properly. The same goes for heating and cooling systems.
Build a loft in your barn
Since barns are usually pretty tall, we suggest building a loft. It will give your space a special charm, and help you create more separate areas which you can use for various purposes. You can create either an open-gallery type of loft, or turn it to bedrooms, storage or even a home office.
After all the restoration is done, you’ll also need to choose furniture for your barn, and after putting all the equipment in place, you can enjoy your new place to live, socialize or work.
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