Anyone fortunate enough to own beach front property should consider building themselves a beach house for the enjoyment of their family and friends. Beach house floor plans should follow the slope of the lot towards the beach and provide a panoramic view of the ocean. A clever design will exploit lot orientation, topography, gravity, direct light and spectacular views.
One type of floor plan arrangement for a beach house is based on a tri-level design. The lowest level encompasses the garage and utilities, the top level is designated as the integrated guest house with the remaining main level denoting the master and secondary bedrooms. Living and dining areas are also featured on the main level of this beach house floor plan.
The layering of living levels and slope of the land allows for a stair system from which one can enter externally, with the guest unit being independent, or via the traditional internal type staggered system. The external stair system gives the opportunity to add either a secluded terrace or patio on any level. A private footbridge with adjoining patio into the master suite would also be a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the main living home plans area.
In keeping with the maritime feel of the beach house floor plan, interior walls of the main living area should be kept to a minimum and the oceanside end should be lifted high into the air and surrounded by glass to extend the view as much as possible. Many panoramic views are the key to maximizing the advantage of natural light.
Evenings and nights can be cool or even cold on the beach depending on the season. If your budget allows, a fireplace in an outdoor living area can be the perfect solution. Fire against the backdrop of the ocean is a classical allusion and can add to the beauty of your beach create home plans.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Monday, June 27, 2016
How to Plan and Organize Home Improvement Projects
Home ownership is more than buying a house to live in happily forever. As soon as you and your family move into your new home, small fixes will claim your attention, including the review of streamlight flashlights, purchasing of handheld accessories and the change of flooring finishing's, and even the installation of vinyl fencing.
Before any of the small fixes become major problems, develop a plan for home improvement and organize your projects. Pay attention to features that need your immediate attention, then go through the different steps of your plan, finishing with that issue with is not so urgent, but remembering that you will need to review the project for periodical maintenance.
Flooring is usually left off the list of a homeowner's priorities. However, due to its extension, you can change your actual flooring for laminate flooring for increasing durability at affordable price, particularly if you have children at home. This type of flooring resembles real stone or wood, but is easier to care, being moisture and scratch resistant.
Vinyl fencing surrounds your home, providing privacy and security at a low price. A vinyl fence can be as tall as a castle's wall or just delimitation between your property and that of your neighbor, but also a decorative element that may add value to your property as most of the home improvement you can make.
Other elements, which are part of a project to improve your home, are basically intended for planning and organizing remodeling or enhancement to the actual structure. However, some elements do not add value to the property, but tranquility of mind or handy tools for every day issues occurring in ordinary homes worldwide.
Streamlight flashlights are part of those elements we are talking about, and they must be part of all households. Flashlights are convenient, and you many need them in as many situations as your imagination can bring to your mind. From fixing a water problem below your kitchen sink, where a direct light source is needed to see what you are doing, to emergency cases, such as a power cut after an earthquake, not at all impossible if you live in California, as an example.
Handheld accessories are not only household elements, but also family companions. Wherever you and your family go, a handheld accessory can provide numerous services and connectivity among each other, including all corresponding wireless devices. From cell phones to PDA smartphones, or organizers, these items are useful and necessary in the average home in America, and major cities around the world.
Before any of the small fixes become major problems, develop a plan for home improvement and organize your projects. Pay attention to features that need your immediate attention, then go through the different steps of your plan, finishing with that issue with is not so urgent, but remembering that you will need to review the project for periodical maintenance.
Flooring is usually left off the list of a homeowner's priorities. However, due to its extension, you can change your actual flooring for laminate flooring for increasing durability at affordable price, particularly if you have children at home. This type of flooring resembles real stone or wood, but is easier to care, being moisture and scratch resistant.
Vinyl fencing surrounds your home, providing privacy and security at a low price. A vinyl fence can be as tall as a castle's wall or just delimitation between your property and that of your neighbor, but also a decorative element that may add value to your property as most of the home improvement you can make.
Other elements, which are part of a project to improve your home, are basically intended for planning and organizing remodeling or enhancement to the actual structure. However, some elements do not add value to the property, but tranquility of mind or handy tools for every day issues occurring in ordinary homes worldwide.
Streamlight flashlights are part of those elements we are talking about, and they must be part of all households. Flashlights are convenient, and you many need them in as many situations as your imagination can bring to your mind. From fixing a water problem below your kitchen sink, where a direct light source is needed to see what you are doing, to emergency cases, such as a power cut after an earthquake, not at all impossible if you live in California, as an example.
Handheld accessories are not only household elements, but also family companions. Wherever you and your family go, a handheld accessory can provide numerous services and connectivity among each other, including all corresponding wireless devices. From cell phones to PDA smartphones, or organizers, these items are useful and necessary in the average home in America, and major cities around the world.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Save Money, and the Planet - Home Improvement Loan Lenders
In the British Isles the standard of our homes has never been better. Whilst this is obviously very good, we are now so much more aware of the need to be energy efficient and reduce CO2 emissions, that there is still more we can do. So there are very good reasons to be considering home improvement loan lenders, even for the cash poor households, as they may be equity rich (because of the ever increasing value of homes), or maybe entitled to home improvement grants.
It could be that as many as 90% of UK homes are energy inefficient in some way. It could cost as much as £50 billion to bring all UK homes up to standard. Whilst the government should be looking at how it can help with things like VAT reductions on home improvements and energy efficient products, we should all do our bit to help.
Lenders have different names for their products, like Investment Property Loan, or Home Building Loan, but they all are aimed at allowing equity to be utilised in order to re-invest back into what is still the biggest investment we generally make here in the UK. It also makes sense as the re-investment will add value to the property in question.
Cavity wall and loft insulation
Cavity wall insulation can save as much as 35% of your heating bill. Always choose a CIGA registered installer who will be able to offer an independent 25 year guarantee.
Loft Insulation is now recommended to be 270mm for a mineral wool product, so if you have less than 150mm then a top up is sensible. Other types of insulation vary, so a little research helps to ensure you are maximizing its effects.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, if everyone in the UK took up simple energy efficiency measures such as those being used in a recent rural initiative in Northampton, £7.5 billion could
be saved from energy bills, reducing CO2 emissions by 50 million
tonnes.
Boilers and Central Heating
If your boiler is more than 15years old it would be a good idea to consider a change out. You will find that modern boilers can save up to 30% on your heating and hot water bill. Thermostatic radiator valves can make savings by setting the heat output for each room separately, rather than just heating the whole house to the same temperature.
Something as simple as hot water tank jackets and draft exclusion helps as well, along with the now common use of double glazing.
Active Roofs
"Active roofs" are being designed that can include a multitude of energy generating or saving devices. Solar thermal modules, photovoltaic panels and micro-wind appliances.
Winter and the Elderly
Spare a thought for the elderly, or better still take some action to help, as sadly 40,000 die each year in Britain. This is higher than other developed countries which endure similar climates and temperatures.
Summary
Saving money by spending money is more than possible when you consider home improvement.
When you get round to searching for good home improvement loan lenders, do the math and research the best secured loans, personal loans or even re-mortgaging if that is a good option.
It could be that as many as 90% of UK homes are energy inefficient in some way. It could cost as much as £50 billion to bring all UK homes up to standard. Whilst the government should be looking at how it can help with things like VAT reductions on home improvements and energy efficient products, we should all do our bit to help.
Lenders have different names for their products, like Investment Property Loan, or Home Building Loan, but they all are aimed at allowing equity to be utilised in order to re-invest back into what is still the biggest investment we generally make here in the UK. It also makes sense as the re-investment will add value to the property in question.
Cavity wall and loft insulation
Cavity wall insulation can save as much as 35% of your heating bill. Always choose a CIGA registered installer who will be able to offer an independent 25 year guarantee.
Loft Insulation is now recommended to be 270mm for a mineral wool product, so if you have less than 150mm then a top up is sensible. Other types of insulation vary, so a little research helps to ensure you are maximizing its effects.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, if everyone in the UK took up simple energy efficiency measures such as those being used in a recent rural initiative in Northampton, £7.5 billion could
be saved from energy bills, reducing CO2 emissions by 50 million
tonnes.
Boilers and Central Heating
If your boiler is more than 15years old it would be a good idea to consider a change out. You will find that modern boilers can save up to 30% on your heating and hot water bill. Thermostatic radiator valves can make savings by setting the heat output for each room separately, rather than just heating the whole house to the same temperature.
Something as simple as hot water tank jackets and draft exclusion helps as well, along with the now common use of double glazing.
Active Roofs
"Active roofs" are being designed that can include a multitude of energy generating or saving devices. Solar thermal modules, photovoltaic panels and micro-wind appliances.
Winter and the Elderly
Spare a thought for the elderly, or better still take some action to help, as sadly 40,000 die each year in Britain. This is higher than other developed countries which endure similar climates and temperatures.
Summary
Saving money by spending money is more than possible when you consider home improvement.
When you get round to searching for good home improvement loan lenders, do the math and research the best secured loans, personal loans or even re-mortgaging if that is a good option.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Creating Your Joyful Home: Inspiration to Make a Home Planning Journal
If you are planning a home makeover or remodeling project, here are some ideas to help you.
Inspiration to make a home planning journal from "Joy to the Home Planner:"
"Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context -- a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan."
- Eliel Saarinen (Finnish Architect)
Declaration of Intent
Form your unique design plan encompassing your entire home, from the first glimpse, all the way throughout your home, and to the far reaches of the back patio, garden, or yard.
Think about the feelings you want to bring about: joy, peace, comfort, and contentment. Add in ease, simplicity, and economy. Start with your feelings and the emotions you want to bring about for yourself and those you share your home with.
Write down your ideas. Start with your desired emotion and expand until you create your personal design goal. Something like this:
"I desire peace. I want my home to sing in perfect harmony with the universe. I need to encourage nature's music of bird songs and plan a birdbath."
"I want natural warmth. I want the sun to shine in! No heavy window coverings will block out natural daylight. Ethereal light will be encouraged with soft, sheer window dressings for privacy."
"I feel like relaxing. I desire a padded rocking chair on my back porch with a table nearby for iced tea."
"We want joyful rooms to play together in. Only necessary furnishings will take up valuable play space."
When you first think of how you want to feel in a space, then you can choose the decorating details that will bring about your emotional well-being. I want everyone to feel welcome to my home, so I planted yellow and white flowers. I want my friends to feel refreshed when they park their car, so I planted shade trees. I want all who come to the front door to feel happy, so I painted my door a joyful shade of red.
Enjoy writing your desired feelings and playing with this concept!
Inspiration to make a home planning journal from "Joy to the Home Planner:"
"Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context -- a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan."
- Eliel Saarinen (Finnish Architect)
Declaration of Intent
Form your unique design plan encompassing your entire home, from the first glimpse, all the way throughout your home, and to the far reaches of the back patio, garden, or yard.
Think about the feelings you want to bring about: joy, peace, comfort, and contentment. Add in ease, simplicity, and economy. Start with your feelings and the emotions you want to bring about for yourself and those you share your home with.
Write down your ideas. Start with your desired emotion and expand until you create your personal design goal. Something like this:
"I desire peace. I want my home to sing in perfect harmony with the universe. I need to encourage nature's music of bird songs and plan a birdbath."
"I want natural warmth. I want the sun to shine in! No heavy window coverings will block out natural daylight. Ethereal light will be encouraged with soft, sheer window dressings for privacy."
"I feel like relaxing. I desire a padded rocking chair on my back porch with a table nearby for iced tea."
"We want joyful rooms to play together in. Only necessary furnishings will take up valuable play space."
When you first think of how you want to feel in a space, then you can choose the decorating details that will bring about your emotional well-being. I want everyone to feel welcome to my home, so I planted yellow and white flowers. I want my friends to feel refreshed when they park their car, so I planted shade trees. I want all who come to the front door to feel happy, so I painted my door a joyful shade of red.
Enjoy writing your desired feelings and playing with this concept!
Friday, June 24, 2016
Pre-drawn House plans the Benefits and Styles
Pre-drawn house plans are those that are drawn by architects or home designers and then offered for sale, unlike those that are drawn for an individual, with input from the customer. While this method may be a great idea, there are definite benefits to purchasing pre-drawn house plans. Architects and home designers that do custom home designing also do a lot of their own designs, and it is these plans that are offered for sale
They are adept at making plans that utilize available space to the best possible advantage, and at laying out a floor plan to optimize curb appeal.
Custom designing of your home can take months to be completed and is extremely expensive, often up to ten times the cost of predawn or stock house plans. Using custom drawn plans can delay the construction of your home by many weeks There are dozens of home styles and literally thousands of plans to choose from, so you can be sure to find the home of your dreams.
If you find a house plan that you love, but want to make minor changes, most companies can have their designers do that for you, at an additional fee. It is also possible to have your plans reversed, for instance, if your breakfast nook faces west but the view from the north side of your lot is more attractive, you can reverse it. Many of the sites selling house plans will allow you to see a reversed view, of houses you might want to build.
Another service provided by the companies that design and sell house plans, is one that allows you to estimate the cost for building a particular house in your area of the country. The South is the least expensive area to build in and the West has the highest cost .The national average is somewhere in between.
There are dozens of house plan styles for you to browse and hundreds in each category, from A-Frame to Victorian, , from small to large, you can find the right home for your family. There are magazines, books and web sites galore that you can search
Beach houses, are small one story homes, raised above the ground, and usually have an open floor plan, with a lot of windows, to get a good view of the yard.. A low end Beach house with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, kitchen and Great room would cost, about $74,000.00 to build, according to the national average, and about $15,000.00 more in the west and $8000.00 less in the south. These little houses make great vacation retreats and are also suitable as a starter home or retirement home for empty nesters.
Bungalows are 1 to 1and ½ story homes, They often incorporate features of the Craftsman style house, such as natural building materials, exposed rafter ends and gables. They also sometimes borrow features from the Country or Victorian look.A two bedroom, one bath bungalow in the mid-range can be built for between $70,000.00 and 95.000.00, depending on what part of the country you live in. A low-end two bedroom one bath can be built for $52,000 to 70,000. These cute homes are great for newlyweds or retirees
Large front porches, dormers and a roofline that lies parallel to the road are the main distinguishing features of Country homes. Farm house and French Country plans can also be included in this category. Open floor plans are not common to this type of house. A small country home, 576 square feet, with one bath and two bedrooms, can be built for under $60,000.00 can be erected on your site for under $60,000.00. A three bedroom, 1 and ½ baths, will average about $84,000.00 to erect on your site. .
Craftsman style homes are characterized by the use of natural materials like wood or stone for exterior walls, and rock foundations that slope out towards the ground. They may also include dormers, exposed beams, and overhanging eaves. A two bedroom one bath house in the craftsman style will cost between $52,000.00 and $62,000.00 to build a two bedroom, two bath, home with a 2 car garage will run about $96.000.00.
Another popular house plan style is the French Country home. They are similar to Country style in that they feature front porches, dormers and roof- lines that run parallel to the road. A two bedroom, two bathroom house with volume vaulted ceilings, walk in closets, walk in pantry covered rear porch and two car garage can be built for approximately$112.000.00 to $133.000.00 depending on where you live.
Log homes make the perfect vacation home since they evoke feelings of comfort and peace. These homes come in various styles and sizes. Wood logs are the main construction material,. A one story, two bedroom, one bath, log home, with a covered front porch, will cost about $90,000.00 to build.
Victorian style houses are generally two stories, with steep roof pitches, dormers, octagonal turrets and of course the trademark gingerbread trim. A two story, three bedroom, three baths home of this style, with an open floor plan, and unfinished basement, can be built on your lot for around $100,000.00.
Luxury homes are huge house with at least 3000.sq. ft of living space, they are characterized by large master bedroom suites.1 walk in closets, and extra rooms which can be used as a library, music room, media center or home office to name a few. A three bedroom, two and ½ bath, luxury home with a two car garage with storage space, breakfast nook, and covered front porch .will cost you between $ 180,000.00 and 240,000.
There are dozens of other house plan style categories, such as A-Frames, Mission, Contemporary, Southwest, and Tudor to name just a few. A web search for house plans yields a mind blowing number of searchable sites. Most of these allow you to search for house plans, by style, number of bedrooms, baths, with or without a garage, or by sq. ft. of living space.
Keep in mind that the estimate price to build, doesn't include the price of the plans, any changes you make to the plans or building permit fees. Despite these fees,
Building your new home from pre-drawn plans will be cheaper and probably faster than having your home plans custom drawn.
They are adept at making plans that utilize available space to the best possible advantage, and at laying out a floor plan to optimize curb appeal.
Custom designing of your home can take months to be completed and is extremely expensive, often up to ten times the cost of predawn or stock house plans. Using custom drawn plans can delay the construction of your home by many weeks There are dozens of home styles and literally thousands of plans to choose from, so you can be sure to find the home of your dreams.
If you find a house plan that you love, but want to make minor changes, most companies can have their designers do that for you, at an additional fee. It is also possible to have your plans reversed, for instance, if your breakfast nook faces west but the view from the north side of your lot is more attractive, you can reverse it. Many of the sites selling house plans will allow you to see a reversed view, of houses you might want to build.
Another service provided by the companies that design and sell house plans, is one that allows you to estimate the cost for building a particular house in your area of the country. The South is the least expensive area to build in and the West has the highest cost .The national average is somewhere in between.
There are dozens of house plan styles for you to browse and hundreds in each category, from A-Frame to Victorian, , from small to large, you can find the right home for your family. There are magazines, books and web sites galore that you can search
Beach houses, are small one story homes, raised above the ground, and usually have an open floor plan, with a lot of windows, to get a good view of the yard.. A low end Beach house with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, kitchen and Great room would cost, about $74,000.00 to build, according to the national average, and about $15,000.00 more in the west and $8000.00 less in the south. These little houses make great vacation retreats and are also suitable as a starter home or retirement home for empty nesters.
Bungalows are 1 to 1and ½ story homes, They often incorporate features of the Craftsman style house, such as natural building materials, exposed rafter ends and gables. They also sometimes borrow features from the Country or Victorian look.A two bedroom, one bath bungalow in the mid-range can be built for between $70,000.00 and 95.000.00, depending on what part of the country you live in. A low-end two bedroom one bath can be built for $52,000 to 70,000. These cute homes are great for newlyweds or retirees
Large front porches, dormers and a roofline that lies parallel to the road are the main distinguishing features of Country homes. Farm house and French Country plans can also be included in this category. Open floor plans are not common to this type of house. A small country home, 576 square feet, with one bath and two bedrooms, can be built for under $60,000.00 can be erected on your site for under $60,000.00. A three bedroom, 1 and ½ baths, will average about $84,000.00 to erect on your site. .
Craftsman style homes are characterized by the use of natural materials like wood or stone for exterior walls, and rock foundations that slope out towards the ground. They may also include dormers, exposed beams, and overhanging eaves. A two bedroom one bath house in the craftsman style will cost between $52,000.00 and $62,000.00 to build a two bedroom, two bath, home with a 2 car garage will run about $96.000.00.
Another popular house plan style is the French Country home. They are similar to Country style in that they feature front porches, dormers and roof- lines that run parallel to the road. A two bedroom, two bathroom house with volume vaulted ceilings, walk in closets, walk in pantry covered rear porch and two car garage can be built for approximately$112.000.00 to $133.000.00 depending on where you live.
Log homes make the perfect vacation home since they evoke feelings of comfort and peace. These homes come in various styles and sizes. Wood logs are the main construction material,. A one story, two bedroom, one bath, log home, with a covered front porch, will cost about $90,000.00 to build.
Victorian style houses are generally two stories, with steep roof pitches, dormers, octagonal turrets and of course the trademark gingerbread trim. A two story, three bedroom, three baths home of this style, with an open floor plan, and unfinished basement, can be built on your lot for around $100,000.00.
Luxury homes are huge house with at least 3000.sq. ft of living space, they are characterized by large master bedroom suites.1 walk in closets, and extra rooms which can be used as a library, music room, media center or home office to name a few. A three bedroom, two and ½ bath, luxury home with a two car garage with storage space, breakfast nook, and covered front porch .will cost you between $ 180,000.00 and 240,000.
There are dozens of other house plan style categories, such as A-Frames, Mission, Contemporary, Southwest, and Tudor to name just a few. A web search for house plans yields a mind blowing number of searchable sites. Most of these allow you to search for house plans, by style, number of bedrooms, baths, with or without a garage, or by sq. ft. of living space.
Keep in mind that the estimate price to build, doesn't include the price of the plans, any changes you make to the plans or building permit fees. Despite these fees,
Building your new home from pre-drawn plans will be cheaper and probably faster than having your home plans custom drawn.
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