The Architect's Cape Cod Or One and One Half Story Design By Clay Bowling

Architecture's Advancements

Architecture has advanced over the years and the days of the drafting table are over and the computer with CAD software has taken it's place. The one and one half story house that is sometimes called the cape cod is essentially one story with a steeper roof which allows for expansion of the attic. Dormers are usually added to provide additional light and ventilation. This has two distinct advantages:economy in cost per unit of habitable living space, and built in expandability.

Floor Plans

Generally bedrooms and a bath are provided in the attic space. Since any space with less than five feet headroom is considered unusable the total square feet of space in the attic is about one half that of the first floor. Dormers, stairs, and a slightly steeper roof are the principal additional costs required to build the one and one half story. The one and one half story is quite versatile. It can begin as a two bedroom, one bath house with the upper area left unfinished. This minimum house will meet the needs of a newly married couple or a retired couple. As the family of the younger people expands, the expansion attic can be finished to provide more livable room.

Architectural Utilities

Heating costs are minimized due to the small outside wall area compared to the amount of interior space. Cooling may be accomplished through the use of interior space. Cooling may be accomplished through the use of louvered ventilators at each end of the structure and the generous use of insulation. Adequate ventilation and insulation is necessary since about one third of the ceiling area is directly under the roof. This area tends to be quite warm in the summer.

Care must be taken in designing the cape cod or one and one half story structure to best accommodate the number of persons it can ultimately house. The electrical and plumbing systems should be planned with expansion in mind. Failure to consider expansion at the outset will greatly reduce the efficiency of these vital systems. Other areas of the house, such as kitchen, dining, and living rooms should also be planned for the ultimate number of occupants. If you would like to learn more about architecture and architectural services the best resource's can be found online. Simply Google what you're trying to research and within seconds you'll be directed to your answer. Thanks!

How to Have a Stress Free Relocation By Manu Smriti Sharma

The very thought of relocation and shifting houses manages to give most people the worst of Goosebumps! If house hunting was frustrating, shifting or relocating your home base is even worse! When you signed the lease of the new home or were busy decorating the dream home, things were great but the thought of packing and then unpacking so much stuff is nerve racking and unnecessarily cause stress to most of the people. So, here are few handy tips to make those few days less miserable:

1. Accept stress - come to terms with the fact that few days when you are relocating will be hectic and stressful. Just remember that you are shifting into your dream home that should take care of the stress.

2. Sort and trash - most of the people have a habit of collecting random things over decades! Take this as an opportunity to sort through this treasure trove and throw out what you do not need! Lesser the mess, better chances of fighting duress.

3. Be organize during the packing process - most of us have a habit of throwing stuff in bags. This is not packing! This is dumping. Sort out and categorize your stuff. Pack them neatly in different boxes and most important is to label the boxes. Enjoy the process of packing and be organized so that when you shift in to your new house, unpacking is tolerable and less chaotic.

4. Let everyone know about your shifting - please remember to tell everyone that your shifting - gas agency, water agency, apartment office, leasing office, post office etc. all agencies and utility offices must know that you have a different address now.

5. Arrange house prior to shifting in - do not wait for electrical, floors or walls to be in place after you shift. Make sure these basic things are sorted before your shift in. make the new place as habitable and attractive as possible.

6. Pack essential things together - make sure few survival things like basic groceries, kitchen equipment, bedding etc that you will need immediately is packed together.

7. Professional help - movers and packers are a great idea. if you think you cannot handle the whole process alone, leave it to professionals.

Remember, it is your dream house and you have spent a substantial amount on it! So enjoy the whole process. Accept the fact that moving out will be stressful but that stress is only for a few days. So keep your cool and look forward to the great days you are going to spent in the new house!

Relocation brings joy and happiness. Let it not bring you undue stress and frustration. Real estate business is a great investment today in India. So you have made the right choice to get a new house!

5 Things Custom Built New Homes Should Have By Adam Jamez

The term, "custom built" means hiring a construction company to design and build a whole new home according to the client's wishes. The process of building custom new homes is costly; therefore, you as a customer must make sure that the builder does a good job. The home must be comfortable and should not be lacking in any basic necessities, such as a proper drain system, water lines and many other such issues. New homes must be checked for the following important things.

1. Proper Drainage System

Custom built new homes must have a proper drainage system. Do not keep your critical eye only for the looks of the home. Make sure the internal structure is well organized. You wouldn't want clogged drains or even wrongly placed drainage lines. Check these systems critically.

2. Good Ventilation System

There must be enough doors and windows in the home to give you good ventilation. Windows should be constructed at points where the wind blows towards the house. Also make sure that the home gets adequate sunlight. This will save you from utilizing electric power while improving chances of going solar.

3. Durable Power System

New homes must have a strong power unit. Switches, electric slots etc must be placed at a convenient location while the casings must be shock proof. Power units are to be placed at safe locations in the house and special space must be allotted for A/C and heating units. If these things aren't done in a proper manner, later on you can face numerous problems, including dangerous accidents.

4. High Quality Paint and Tiles

Companies that are not honest in their dealings usually bring in low quality paints or tiles and it is only later that the owner of the house comes to know about it. Being the owner, you must keep a check on what kind of paints are used. If possible, choose the paint quality and tiles yourself. It does require a little research and hard work; however, it would be completely worth the effort.

5. Well Structured Connections

The lines for water, gas and electricity should be correctly placed and well structured. There should be no leakage point. Electric boards or connections should be constructed following proper safety precautions. Equipments used should have dangling wires; rather it should all be neatly pinned up.

These features are often ignored by home owners; however, these are the main factors that often cause numerous problems. Be careful and do not be too dependent on your builders.

What Is Mechanical Ventilation and Why Do You Need It? By Ginger A. Heise

Did you know that the average American spends 90% of their time indoors? It's hard to believe that we will spend the majority of our lives contained within a dwelling. Alas, a fact is a fact. That is why it's so important to pay attention to the quality of your indoor air. Many of us pay no attention to our indoor air. For those with HVAC systems, they simply assume that the system will take care of it and the air within our homes will be fine. Nothing can be further from the truth. While HVAC systems can handle a large portion of the cleaning and re-circulating of air, there are a number of factors to consider when striving for optimal indoor air quality. First, let's consider why you should care about the air you're breathing.

While we can sit here and tell you until we're blue in the face that you spend 90% of your time indoors, it really may not matter to you. You'll probably shrug your shoulders and say, "Big deal...so what?" Well, did you know that pollutants such as mold, mildew, allergens, dust, and mites can build up inside your ductwork and get circulated through your home? That should wave a red flag for you! If anyone living within your home is prone to breathing issues like pneumonia or asthma, you'll need to ensure your indoor air is as clean as can be. Oftentimes people who are feeling ill all the time don't realize that it's a reaction to something that is circulating in the air within their home. Once the ducts are cleaned and HVAC systems are optimized, they suddenly feel better.

So what is mechanical ventilation? Mechanical ventilation uses ducts and fans to circulate the air within your home. This is in contrast to relying on natural holes within the home to let the inside air out and the outside air in. Not only does mechanical ventilation provide you with better indoor quality, but it also provides you with more control. You can easily determine how efficient the ventilation is and where that air is flowing in and out. Mechanical ventilation systems also provide a means of de-humidifying, filtering, and conditioning the air that is coming from outside. That means cleaner and fresher air all the time, in a controlled environment.

There are a variety of mechanical ventilation systems, and each is best in certain scenarios. For example, supply ventilation systems are best in hot or mixed climates while exhaust ventilation systems are best in cold climates. It will be up to you and your contractor/home builder to determine which type of ventilation system works best for you within your climate and using your chosen HVAC system.

Ginger Heise is the Director of Operations for Stillbrooke Homes/Bud Bartley Homes. Bud Bartley Homes takes great pride in the value offered to each client. We build in the warmth and comfort, never forgetting that a home is where memories are born. Our building associates are craftsmen, each dedicated to fulfilling your distinctive vision for your custom home and using only the finest in materials and modern building techniques. Privately owned and operated for over thirty years, we are confident that the Bud Bartley team will exceed your home building expectations.