It's going to cost you a lot of money to build a house. This is why it's important to give some thought to the layout and amenities you'd like to see in your future home.
Whether or not to have multiple stories in your home is something to think about while deciding on a layout. Which option is the most practical for you? To help you make a decision, it's the most important question you can ask yourself. Yet, there are several variables to consider.
The Ascent
There are many financial and practical advantages to opting for a two-story home design. You should think about the price first. By stacking rooms on top of one another, you can significantly increase your home's square footage without increasing your expenditures on roofing and foundation components. Materials for the roof are unnecessary on the ground floor, while those for the basement are unnecessary on the upper floors. With fewer building supplies, you may effectively double the size of your home.
To further stretch your budget, consider a two-story house plan's potential cost savings. A two-story house can usually be built on a smaller lot than a ranch-style home of the same floor area would need because of its vertical layout. If you want greater square footage in a single-story home, you'll have to pay more for a larger lot and a higher home price. If you're concerned about the price of the land for your new home, you can save money by opting to build a multiple home.
Expansion
Now that you know more about "building up," think about "building out." When it comes to cost-effectiveness and practicality, there are numerous reasons to choose for a ranch-style or one-story home design. Building a ranch-style house over a two-story home of the same size will likely cost more money, but the added convenience and security may be worth the additional cost. Consider the things you typically do. Most parents spend a lot of time at home doing things like cleaning, laundry, and watching on the kids. If you're trying to maximise space, maybe a one-story house is the way to go. Instead of interrupting your job for a few seconds to go upstairs and check on the kids, you may keep typing away in your headquarters and just pick up the phone to see how they're doing. Are you up for taking the vacuum up a flight of stairs to the bedrooms? You could be putting away clean laundry while dinner cooks if you wanted to be completely out of hearing distance. Living in a ranch-style home may simplify and enhance efficiency in many areas of life.
A single-story home can be especially helpful if you or a family member has mobility issues. These individuals can become more self-sufficient if unnecessary procedures are removed wherever possible. It's a small favour that will do them a lot of good in the long run.
Shift or Enhance
Whether you choose to stay put or look for a new place to call home depends on how much you enjoy where you now reside. If you feel unsafe in your neighbourhood or if the accessibility of nearby services like grocery stores, restaurants, and schools has declined, it may be time for a change. But if you're content where you live, there may be little motivation to move.
Consider the opportunity cost of leaving versus staying. Other estimates place the time required to repay moving costs at seven years. Don't buy a new house until you're committed to living there for at a minimum of seven years; otherwise, you might as well add on to the one you have. Even so, you can construct any room you like, or extend rooms by bumping out outside walls. More space for the kitchen and dining area, or a larger family room, are two common motivations for extending the house's living quarters outwards from its original rear wall.
Building Up or Out: What Each Involves
Extending the footprint of the first floor is one option for adding living space to your home. Two-story homes can have a second story added to them, either completely or partially, and even a third story added, either completely or partially. It is, therefore, crucial to grasp the complexities of both vertical and horizontal addition.
Increases in Height
When you add on vertically, rather than horizontally, you are creating more space in the existing structure. All or portion of your current roof will be torn off. You could consider checking into a hotel or living with relatives for the duration of the reconstruction once the roof has been removed because you will likely not be able to warm the home and may be without access to utilities like running water.
A staircase will take up space on the first level if you want to add another story to your home if it already has only one, so plan accordingly. Staircases can be installed close to entrances on ground floors if there is sufficient room for them in front of the door. If your home's entryway is already packed, architects and designers can help you discover a better spot for your new staircase.
Expanding Laterally
When you add square footage to your house horizontally, you reduce the amount of yard you have. On the other hand, if you rarely use your backyard, this could be a terrific choice because there will be less grass plus landscaping to care for. Furthermore, as horizontal extensions are often constructed in the home's peripheral areas, they are less intrusive than second- and third-story additions.
Pouring a foundation is the first step in creating a horizontal extension. After that, plumbing, ventilation, and roofing are added to the new structure. In order for a horizontal addition to look seamless, it must be strategically located and designed, and it must also match the existing exterior in terms of siding, brick, and roof. If the new ground-floor addition doesn't link to the existing house, the old and new halves of the home won't flow together smoothly.
Is It Cheaper To Build Up Or Out?
Factors influencing these costs include, but are not limited to, the price of labour and the rules and regulations governing different building types, such as low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise. Depending on the use and location, wood frame construction may be allowed to help keep costs down. Nevertheless, locations that mandate non-flammable building prohibit wood frame construction, which drives up prices.
Cheaper to Build Up or Out
Adding square footage to a structure without increasing expenses for the building's base and roofing can be accomplished by constructing upward rather than outward. This essentially doubles your occupied space. Choosing a smaller lot is just one more way in which building upward might help you save money. When compared to building out, which typically involves expanding relatively affordable commercial or not-for-sale land, building up on a small lot space allows for much more usable space.
It's not just saving space that makes building upwards rather than out a good idea. Constructing upwards speeds up the time it takes to modify all floors to the client's specifications. That is, with the same amount of square footage, more businesses can afford to have an entire floor designed to their specifications, eliminating the need for awkward office-floor chit-chat. Modifications can be made to any office area. In contrast, it would be preferable for a smaller company to have its own floor. In a built-out setting, where many businesses are located in close proximity to one another, partitioning them onto separate levels can improve the acoustics for everyone working there. Because of the greater visual impact of a multi-story building's front, landlords may require more signage fees from their tenants
To be sure, there are benefits to expanding outward rather than upward. For businesses that cater to the disabled, for instance, being located near the parking lot can be an advantage. Compared to multi-story structures, skylights and bespoke vaulted ceilings offer more scope for improving the height and aesthetic appeal of ceilings in single-story buildings.
It is more cost-effective to construct upwards rather than outwards. Yet, when constructing upwards, issues like as larger elevator floors and more intricate HVAC systems can drive increased construction costs. These and other variables can increase the price for structures with more than twenty stories compared to those with fewer.
Deciding Whether to Build Up or Build Out
Cost
It's common to assume that a two-story home will cost more to construct than a single-story one. It's possible this isn't always the case. Choosing to construct a home with two stories means that you can fit your desired dwelling on a lesser lot, which may reduce the overall cost of construction. You may add a lot of living space to your house without increasing the price of the roof or the foundation by opting for a two-story layout. Building a huge house on a single level may necessitate a large lot, so keep that in mind if you're considering a single-story design. Floor plan selection should be made after careful consideration of available cash and willingness to take out a loan.
Function
You should make a list of the spaces and amenities that would be most important to you in your future home. It would be more convenient to your entire family if you were planning on moving in with your parents or in-laws if they were elderly, and if your home was on one floor. The convenience of having all the rooms on one floor benefits everyone staying there. A two-story home gives you the most options. If you hope to spend your retirement years in the very same home, you may want to give serious thought to placing the master suite on the ground floor. On the second story, there are more bedrooms and adaptable space, so everyone may have some personal space.
Evaluating the Requirements of Your Household
While deciding between a one- or two-story home plan, it's important to take your own preferences into account. Consider your family composition and the ages of your children. Some families, like those with young children, may choose a layout that combines the bedrooms and bathrooms, while others, like those with older teens, may want to keep the two uses distinct.
A single-story home with a large foyer that opens up to a spacious living area is ideal for a social family.
Why Should You Expand Your Home?
If you were to ask any person who is in the midst of constructing a house addition, they would likely tell you a different motive for wanting the work done. There isn't a single, universal reason why someone would want to build on to their home. The following are among the most common explanations:
- Birth of a new kid or the choice to convert to a multigenerational dwelling often sparks the idea for a house expansion.
- Adding to the home's resale value is possible because larger houses are in high demand.
- A home office is a room specifically designed for the purpose of conducting business from home. You can turn an enlargement into a tax benefit in this way.
- As a special treat, some homeowners decide to build an extra bedroom or bathroom for themselves. And who wouldn't desire a space dedicated just to their passion?
- Let's face it, maintaining up with the times is a necessity if you want to remain popular in your neighbourhood. In most neighbourhoods, the smallest property on the block is something to be avoided at all costs. In a situation where everyone else is growing, it's natural for you to want to, too.
Why Is Building Up So Expensive?
Stability and security are vital. Putting in an addition that weighs several thousand pounds requires a lot more work than adding a room to an existing house. While some houses may not be able to handle an upward expansion without support, building out poses no such problems.
Toiling More
There's a considerable probability you'll need to add mechanical stability to your home if you build upward and add a room if two to the first level. A structural engineer's assessment of your home's condition is also required to determine whether or not more work is required.
Also, it is critical to understand that constructing upward necessitates the demolition of the existing roof and other structural elements of the house. To do this may require dismantling a wall or removing siding, which adds to the expense of labour.
Additonal Resources
No issue what you want to do with the extra space, you'll need to invest in a few things that aren't required for growth in a horizontal direction. A standard first-floor extension, for instance, does not necessitate the installation of new stairs, additional support columns, or materials that include strengthening the flooring.
They are necessities in the event of a vertical growth. In the case of standard outside extensions, you need only plan for and install new plumbing and electrical systems. As a result, expanding in the direction of the building's perimeter is typically the more economically viable option.
Fees for Permissions
Permits are a hassle that nobody wants to deal with, but they are essential when planning a renovation. Since there is always some degree of danger when constructing upwards, most municipalities will want extra permits and inspections. This also raises the final price tag.
You should look at some alternate options that make use of your current building envelope before adding on another story or constructing an addition to your home.
- Many attics offer sufficient headroom for a bedroom and bathroom, thus they should be considered for remodelling. This may be a practical choice if you have a stairwell on your property.
- If you happen to have an undeveloped basement, you can turn it into a bedroom, a recreation room, or even a home theatre.
- Little additions to a house called bump-outs "hang" off the main structure like just a shelf on even a bracket. These may only be a few square feet, but that's all you need to build that walk-in closet, expand the dining room, or install that powder room.
- Converting a garage is a great option because they usually have plumbing, wiring, and sheetrock already in place. Repurposing a garage by removing the door, installing a sliding door with glass, finishing the floor, and meeting other building code requirements can create a new living space for a growing family or group of children.
- Due to the lack of heating, sunrooms are sometimes viewed as unfinished areas of a home. On the other hand, a sunroom can be transformed into a fantastic summer sitting area.
Your decision as to whether to develop outward or upward from your existing structure should be guided by a number of factors, including the size of your lot, the stipulations of your neighborhood's zoning regulations and HOA, the age and condition of your current home, your personal demands, and your budget.
If you and you family live in or around Houston, Texas, you'll be happy to know that we can assist you in choosing the type of addition that will best suit your needs. We provide comprehensive design and construction services to help you plan for and manage your home improvement project from start to finish.
Conclusion
While selecting on a floor plan, it's vital to think about the home's amenities and features. There are many monetary and practical benefits to building a two-story house, including the ability to save money and have more living space. Building on shared land can help you save money if you're concerned about the cost of a new house. The most critical information is that a single-story or ranch-style home can be more economical and functional, and especially helpful for people with mobility concerns. You should only buy a new home if you plan to stay there for at least seven years, after factoring in the opportunity cost of moving.
Having everything you need inside a single floor is convenient and efficient. More rooms can be added to a house by either expanding upwards or outwards. The first floor's footprint is being enlarged, a second storey is being added, and the building is being extended laterally. Expanding upward adds square footage to an existing building, whereas expanding outward takes up less room in the yard and is less obtrusive than building upward another storey. A horizontal expansion will blend in with the rest of the house if it is placed and designed carefully, and if the siding, brick, and roof are all consistent with the rest of the structure.
What's more affordable, building up or out? The costs of a building's foundation and roof can be kept to a minimum by expanding either vertically or laterally. While it is more economical to build upwards rather than outwards, the cost of a building with twenty or more stories may increase due to factors like the need for larger elevator floors and more complex HVAC systems. As an added bonus, a multi-story building's front has more aesthetic impact than a single-story one, and it is more cost-effective to build outward rather than up. If you're looking to build a home on a budget, consider going for a two-story structure.
While picking between a one- or two-story layout, it's vital to take into account factors like family size and age range to find the optimal solution. For a sociable family, a single-story house with a huge entrance leading to a roomy living area is perfect. Just why is it a good idea to build an addition onto your house? Additions to homes can be constructed for a wide variety of reasons. Adding a new member to the family or making the decision to turn the house into a home for multiple generations can ignite the concept of a home addition.
Both the increased value of the home and the tax savings from the addition can be realised in this way. The downside is that it is more difficult and time-consuming than just adding another room to an existing house. In order to evaluate if additional effort is necessary, a structural engineer must inspect the property. Work costs will increase if the present roof and other structural aspects of the house need to be demolished, which could involve tearing down walls or removing siding. It is crucial to think about attics, basements, bump-outs, and converting garages when planning a remodel because these areas often require less permits and inspections.
The decision to expand outward or upward from your current structure should be based on a number of factors, including the size of your lot, the requirements of zoning regulations and HOA, the age and condition of your current home, your personal demands, and your budget. Sunrooms can be transformed into summer sitting areas. If you need assistance conceiving of and carrying out your home renovation project, from start to end, we offer complete design and construction services.
Content Summary
- When planning the layout of your home, you may want to consider whether or not to include numerous stories.
- When it comes to both money and convenience, a two-story house is the way to go.
- You can save money on building materials by opting for a two-story house.
- There are a lot of advantages to having a single story or ranch type home, including lower construction costs and greater flexibility.
- Several aspects of life may become less complicated and more efficient if you move into a ranch-style home.
- What's Included in Both Types of Construction
- One way to increase the amount of usable space in your house is to increase the size of the first floor.
- If your house currently just has one floor, you'll need to make room on the ground floor for a staircase if you decide to build up.
- The first thing to do when adding a new floor is to pour a foundation.
- Building upwards rather than outwards helps keep costs down.
- Two-story homes allow more square footage to be packed onto a given lot, which could lead to a lower final price tag.
- The Importance of Assessing Your Family's Needs
- Consider your individual tastes when determining whether you want a one- or two-story house.
- Take into account the ages and genders of everyone in your household.
- No of your plans for the newfound room, you'll need to spend money on a few things that wouldn't be needed if expansion were limited to the horizontal plane.
- Before adding on another story or constructing an addition, you should explore several alternatives that make use of your current building envelope.
- You should consider the size of your lot, the specifications of your neighborhood's zoning regulations and HOA, the age and condition of your current home, your personal demands, and your budget when deciding whether to expand outward from your existing structure or build upward.