Posts Tagged ‘reason’

Benefits of a Universal Home Design

September 15th, 2011

A universal home design is a growing concept in house planning and construction that provides for changes that can occur in living such as disability issues, aging and general accessibility for everyone. Many homes today are built with the idea that no matter who the occupant is, the living spaces within as well as outside the home, should be readily used by just about anyone. A growing number of home designers, builders and contractors are embracing this concept as the baby boomer population ages and a new wave of disabled or elderly home occupants emerge.

Here are some of the best benefits of a universal home design:

Home values

If you decide to use a universal home design to build your new home, you can expect your house to be worth more at the outset than another home of similar square footage and amenities, but that is not built from a universal design. The reason is that a universally designed house is more appealing to all segments of the population because of its practicality and usability for everyone. Universally designed homes are easier to sell and acrue in value more readily.

Good planning for the future

For those who plan on living in their homes until they die, this type of house design is excellent because it will accommodate occupants in any change of life. If an occupant becomes suddenly disabled or eventually must have certain handicap amenities in areas like the bathroom due to aging issues, this design allows for changes in life that are bound to occur.

Important design elements

There are many elements of design that go into a universal home, but several of the most important are constructed into the bathroom area, kitchen, hallways and the construction level of the home. The bathroom is perhaps one of the most important areas of the home, as it is designed to be accessible by combining within the design some handicap requirements. Wider doorways for wheelchair accessiblity, nonslip flooring, wet room style spaciousness and open shower areas are just some of the common features for a handicap bath area that can be enjoyed by all.

Other important aspects include choosing a design that keeps the house on one ground level and that does not include stairs or other common obstacles to those who are less mobile. If you are interested in the useful aspects of a universal home design, there are more and more designers and contractors available who are experienced at creating houses that are accessible for everyone.

Posted in Home Plans

Financially Affordable Home Extension

June 29th, 2011

Space is extremely important if you are looking for a comfortable style of living. And aren’t we all looking for that? Sometimes just a few traditional rooms can no longer be enough. For example if the family is getting bigger, the new parents would definitely have to think about creating a place where their child could play. Furthermore when he gets older, having friends over may become a problem if there is not enough room in the house. For situations like these, a garden studio could be the best solution. Furthermore, it can end up in being a long term investment since it may become a place where your child can practice his hobbies when he grows older.

Garden studios are financially affordable for two major reasons. First of all you already have the piece of land where it has to be built. So no money for land investment. Garden studios are way less expensive than similar extensions of houses. This is why many people nowadays choose to have a garden studio that can satisfy all their needs.

The second major reason would be saving money if you need a place to work. Renting a place would be really expensive. Besides, it could be extremely comfortable working close to home, without having to spend money and time on commuting. Actually this is becoming a trend nowadays and more and more people opt to work from home.

Unlike building another room attached to the house, having a garden studio comes with no unexpected surprises at all. First of all, after an analysis, the constructor can make a clear offer, so you will not have to worry about additional costs. Moreover the base will be included in the total price. In what concerns planning permissions, they are not required for studios that are not larger than half the space around the house and are not closer than two meters from the property’s boundaries. This means saving money that would otherwise go on taxes and permissions.

They say that nowadays time is money. Well, if you are in a hurry and need immediately a place close to home, garden studios can be an excellent solution. This is because it takes only a few weeks from the date of order until you are able to enjoy the new office, playground, fitness room, or whatever you want to turn it into. And there are practically infinite ways you can use it.

Posted in Home Plans