Design Considerations:
Products and Materials
Or as my Mama used to say, "Think before you do!"
You must remember that more goes into the cost of your project that what you pay the builder to construct it. There are utilities, maintenance and insurance costs that go hand in hand with your mortgage. How much time are you going to have to maintain your home? Are you going to pay someone to do it, or have you considered low-maintenance products?
The design phase is where you are afforded the time to think about how you want your project, what materials and products are you going to use. You can think about whether you want a fireplace, and if so what type. You can decide on individual items before construction starts and decide if you are going top of the line, middle of the road or bargin basement. Once construction begins it's going to cost a lot more money to make change (the dreaded Change Order). You can leave all of those choices up to your designer and in the end you'll have their "home." It should be your "home", with your likes, wants and needs addressed. Who better knows you, than you? Your designer should work with you in selecting products and materials.
When I work with clients I tell them up front, "you're going to have homework!"
I believe in an "educated consumer" because an educated consumer can be dangerous! It's hard to have the wool pulled over their eyes because they understand the construction of their home. They know the products they want and won't be short changed. Since most comsumers are not educated about building construction and products I have to spend time educating them, giving homework assignments, planning field trips, and the occasional "pop quiz." I have clients meet with vendors so they can see and touch the products, understand how they function, and which meets their needs. This may sound like work on the part of the consumer, but after all it is their home, they should understand their home. Who's going to be there to help them once the keys are placed in their hands?
I have listed below various products and materials so that you may begin your preparation (does this remind you of having to read a book over the summer to ready when school started up in the fall?). This list is not all inclusive (we need things to discuss when we're designing your home) but will give you a good headstart. Some are uncommon and are alternatives to traditional construction, some are more energy efficient and some just make good sense.
FIREPLACE:
Who doesn't love a roaring fire in the dead of winter. Most people want a fireplace, but have you thought about how much it's going to cost? Anywhere from $10,000 up depending on the type selected. Most fireplaces have straight chimneys which means the heat it going up and out. A typical masonry fireplace has about 25% efficiency which means 75% of the heat is wasted. I wonder what the BTU cost for that is going to be.
There are alternatives to the traditional masonry fireplace. Have you ever heard of a masonry heater, commonly referred to as a "Russian Stove?" They've been keeping people in Siberia warm for hundreds of years. What about a pre-fabricated fireplace that has an air chamber and circulates the air providing additional warmth? What about a gas fireplace that does the same? Check out these sites to get a better feel:
INSULATION:
I think we can all agree it's going to cost more to heat and cool our homes in the future than today. Everyone knows we need to insulate our homes after all it only makes "good sense." But which type of insulation should you use? "You mean there's something more than just the pink stuff?" You need the right type to properly protect your home and your investment. Some insulation types cost a lot more than others, but they can eliminate other construction items. For example; closed cell spray foam insulation while more expensive than the pink stuff when used between attic rafters elminates the need for soffit and ridge venting (an excellent source of moisture entering your home). Check out these sites to get to know more about insulation because there might be a "pop quiz"
LOW-MAINTENANCE SIDING:
If you're like my wife you love to paint. If you're like me the only painting you want to do is on a canvas. The traditional wood siding typical of New England style homes requires maintenance (and proper construction). If you are looking for alternative materials to reduce the amount of time you have to spend check these out. Vinyl siding has come a long way in recent years and can give the look of wood. Cement fiberboard has been around from over a hundred years (well maybe not in Massachusetts) and gives the appearance of wood, but will not burn, bugs hate it, comes pre-finished (15 year warranty typically on the paint) stands up to baseballs. PVC and composites (wood & plastic) are also excellent ways to go.
Please notice the heading is "Low-Maintenace", there are no "No-Maintenance" products:
DECKS & PORCHES:
If you're planning on building a second floor deck (or 1st floor on a walkout) ever think about building it so that in the future you could add a screened patio or sunroom under it? How about low-maintenance products so you're not out there every year or so restaining and sealing your deck? Here are some interesting sites when it comes to decks and porches:
SPECIALTY ITEMS:
Flood Zone Construction:
If you are building in a coastal environment you all lots to think about, so much so we're not getting into it in great detail on this site. However there are a few products we want to show off.
Water Heaters:
Tired of constantly heating water in your traditional water heating so it can just sit there until you need it? Check out these products that have been around a very long time, but only recently have they started catching on in the U.S.A.