Barn Conversions Pros and Cons

Barn conversions are as varied as 'detached houses' but it stands to reason that a building not designed for housing originally, and usually with some planning constraints on its conversion, may end up as a bit of a dog's dinner.

Further, if the conversion is done with profit in mind, then corners may be cut. For example, a group of conversions I know has an 'attractive' wavy roof created by retaining the original timbers and slates, but the refurb was cheap and foam was sprayed to keep everything in place, rather than re-roof with new felt & battens. Anyone who knows about foam spraying as a fix will testify to it being a bad idea in the long term, as the residents are now discovering.

Other problems include a lack of light when the planning has restricted the architect to original openings and roof lights, high vaulted ceilings, which look great and cost a lot to heat, and occasional 'upside down' designs where the bedrooms occupy the ground floor. The latter might improve the rural view, but it isn't the most practical for a rural lifestyle.

And the rural lifestyle is often what people in barn conversions seek, except that when a whole large farmyard has been done, they may end up like people on a modern housing estate, with close neighbours, arguments about parking, communal grounds to maintain and a management committee!

So, there isn't one description that fits all, but the more affordable barn conversions will likely have a few problems to look out for. I wouldn't want any I've seen locally that I could afford comfortably, although there are some nice individual ones well beyond my means.