Home > Barn-Houses > FAQ > Barn-House vs Lofthouse Comparison
Use the illustrations and chart below to compare Barn-Houses and Lofthouses. When you are done, click on a link above to view the other Frequently Asked Questions pages.
The Barn-House loft Provides 12% more usable space than the Lofthouse
Standard Lofthouse
Standard Barn-House
Loft Floor
| Feature | Lofthouse | Barn-House |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 16' (Lofthouse 16) or 24' (Lofthouse 20) to 64' in 8' increments | 24' to 64' in 8' increments |
| Width | 16' (Lofthouse 16) or 20' (Lofthouse 20) | 24' |
| Height |
20'-3" (Lofthouse 16) or 22'-4 1/2" (Lofthouse 20) | 21'-9" (standard height) or 23'-1" ( with kneewall) |
| Ceiling height 1st floor | 7'-6 1/2" | 7'-9 3/4" |
| Ceiling height 2nd floor | 1'-2 1/2" min, 8'-8 1/2" max (Lofthouse 16), 10'-7 3/4" max (Lofthouse 20) | 0" min, 11'-4" max (standard height), 1'-6" min, 12'-10" max ( with kneewall) |
| Useable width 2nd floor |
7'-2 1/2" (Lofthouse 16) or 11'-3" (Lofthouse 20) | 12'-8" (standard height) or 15'-8" (with kneewall) |
| Interior supports | None (clear span) | One row of posts, 8' apart, down center of building |
| Siding & Sheathing | Texture 1-11 combined sheathing and siding | 1x12 white pine siding over 1/2" plywood sheathing |
| Frame connections | Bolted and nailed | Nailed |
| Additions and expansion | Decks, porches, lean-tos, two story Extensions. Can be expanded at any time. | No additions available. Not designed for expansion. |
| Foundation types | Continuous wall (crawl space or basement), pier, or slab | Continuous wall (crawl space or basement), pier, or slab |