As per the title, this thread is a place to list features, amenities you'd want to include in a new home if you were to build one now. Please keep it to the actual house (if this thread works well, we can start another one later for outbuildings) I'll start.
I'd build it from the start as disabled friendly: no carpets, no steps, electric outlets slightly higher and light switches slightly lower (to allow easy reach from a wheelchair) I'm not in one but having these features built in adds no additional costs but could be very expensive to convert later. Likewise it would have wider interior doors for the same reason. Obviously this would necessitate the house being relegated to a single floor.
I'd like it as maintenance free as possible, therefore it would likely be concrete block and any framing would be steel frame and the roofing would be metal. Low energy draw LED lighting; natural gas heating, natural gas, on demand water heater, natural gas stove, and natural gas tumble dryer (all the gas appliances just as I currently have)
I'd prefer large closets, a separate pantry, and utility/laundry room.
EDIT TO ADD THE FOLLOWING ITEMS THAT BR & TODDY REMINDED ME OF:
-Porches front and back. Both large enough for a porch swing and rocking chairs. At least the back prch will be screened for bug protection (not sure yet about the front) The back porch will also need an outlet to the gas supply for outdoor heaters, gas BBQ, etc. (my current house already has this as standard)
-A 1500 watt natural gas generator hard wired to the house for emergency power after hurricanes, etc. (these are fairly common here now and are set to come on automatically if the power supply is interrupted and to isolate the house circuit from the mains so as not to electrocute linemen making repairs)
-Proper shutters on windows (but in my case they'd be exterior shutters for storm protection) and on any exterior glass doors (French doors or sliding glass doors)
-Although I stated a single story home, I'd also like the full house cellar for the same reasons BR noted as well as a storm shelter.
-House orientation will depend on siting as I'd want to take full advantage of the site contours (part of the house might well be underground or partially so (a bermed house) negating the need for the cellar mentioned above. Indeed, if I ever move back to my land in Mississippi, I have land with the perfect hills to accomplish this.
-I'd also make use of pocket doors whenever possible to retain as much usable interior wall space as practical.
I'd build it from the start as disabled friendly: no carpets, no steps, electric outlets slightly higher and light switches slightly lower (to allow easy reach from a wheelchair) I'm not in one but having these features built in adds no additional costs but could be very expensive to convert later. Likewise it would have wider interior doors for the same reason. Obviously this would necessitate the house being relegated to a single floor.
I'd like it as maintenance free as possible, therefore it would likely be concrete block and any framing would be steel frame and the roofing would be metal. Low energy draw LED lighting; natural gas heating, natural gas, on demand water heater, natural gas stove, and natural gas tumble dryer (all the gas appliances just as I currently have)
I'd prefer large closets, a separate pantry, and utility/laundry room.
EDIT TO ADD THE FOLLOWING ITEMS THAT BR & TODDY REMINDED ME OF:
-Porches front and back. Both large enough for a porch swing and rocking chairs. At least the back prch will be screened for bug protection (not sure yet about the front) The back porch will also need an outlet to the gas supply for outdoor heaters, gas BBQ, etc. (my current house already has this as standard)
-A 1500 watt natural gas generator hard wired to the house for emergency power after hurricanes, etc. (these are fairly common here now and are set to come on automatically if the power supply is interrupted and to isolate the house circuit from the mains so as not to electrocute linemen making repairs)
-Proper shutters on windows (but in my case they'd be exterior shutters for storm protection) and on any exterior glass doors (French doors or sliding glass doors)
-Although I stated a single story home, I'd also like the full house cellar for the same reasons BR noted as well as a storm shelter.
-House orientation will depend on siting as I'd want to take full advantage of the site contours (part of the house might well be underground or partially so (a bermed house) negating the need for the cellar mentioned above. Indeed, if I ever move back to my land in Mississippi, I have land with the perfect hills to accomplish this.
-I'd also make use of pocket doors whenever possible to retain as much usable interior wall space as practical.
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