hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Dec 13, 2019 15:45:09 GMT -5
Some good suggestions in Apple's houseplan thread. Thought it might be worthwhile to post mine in case anyone has some superior ideas. Still a month or so that I can make some changes. Upstairs first, then basement. Things to keep in mind when viewing: -The exterior walls cannot change. This is an existing foundation. -The 2 walls running the length of the house on the interior cannot change. The basement walls already exist and are structural. The house is essentially a 12'x24'x12' width, and a 48' length. This standard layout cannot change (it could, but we'd be talking about significant expenses since most of the basement is not changing at all which enables us to keep a lot of structure. -To the top of the pictures a patio on the basement and a deck on the first floor. -To the bottom of the first floor is the garage. -4 skylights on the first floor as shown with the rectangles on the left side of the living area.
|
|
thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,384
|
Post by thyme4change on Dec 13, 2019 17:02:58 GMT -5
My first reaction was maybe to flip the master bath and master closet, so you don't have to walk through the freshly pooped in bathroom to get to your clothes every morning (assuming you have a spouse with a morning routine), but then you would have to march your laundry further, both directions. Hmmmm.
|
|
laterbloomer
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 26, 2018 0:50:42 GMT -5
Posts: 4,347
|
Post by laterbloomer on Dec 13, 2019 17:16:29 GMT -5
I would put the bedroom between the closet and bathroom, in my mind both should be very handy to the bedroom. And "independant" for lack of a better word. Someone needing to get into one room will have no effect on someone using the other room.
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Dec 13, 2019 17:28:48 GMT -5
To address the master bedroom location-great points. Here is/was the logic.
The views are really to the top (the top windows look out over a pond and forest, the right side views are a little bit of yard and then the neighbor's house in the distance...so having those "top" views in the bedroom is important).
In terms of switching the master bathroom with the master closet, I tend to agree that I'd prefer it go bedroom-closet-bathroom. My wife, for some reason, felt strongly about having it in this order (maybe not strongly, but more strongly than I felt). I'm always up first, I figured she would want the bathroom furthest away so that the shower noise would be more muffled.
I'll ask her about the bathroom/closet order again...it's completely possible she's forgotten she cared about it before and will actually prefer it the other way now.
|
|
laterbloomer
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 26, 2018 0:50:42 GMT -5
Posts: 4,347
|
Post by laterbloomer on Dec 13, 2019 17:29:23 GMT -5
Also, i don't like a bedroom door right off of a livingroom or kitchen. I would be tempted to make the master bathroom a couple of feet narrower and put in a little hall like you have with the kid's bedrooms.
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Dec 13, 2019 17:32:26 GMT -5
Also, i don't like a bedroom door right off of a livingroom or kitchen. I would be tempted to make the master bathroom a couple of feet narrower and put in a little hall like you have with the kid's bedrooms. That's how our bedroom door is set up today (meaning right off the living room like it is in the plan) and I really dislike it. Even if we just make a little 4'x4' spot there, and put the door at the bottom, it would probably block some sound (primarily the sounds of the kids waking up early on the weekends and making a bunch of noise while I try to get some sleep). That's definitely something to explore/play with in the layout.
|
|
thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,384
|
Post by thyme4change on Dec 13, 2019 17:32:46 GMT -5
You could also have a long skinny bathroom on one side and a long skinny closet on the other. But I really like the big room-like closet.
|
|
myrrh
Established Member
Joined: Apr 12, 2011 22:55:14 GMT -5
Posts: 478
|
Post by myrrh on Dec 13, 2019 17:41:22 GMT -5
I like the buffer room/hall idea for the master bedroom. Also, add a door to the master bathroom toilet.
|
|
Apple
Junior Associate
Always travel with a sense of humor
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:51:04 GMT -5
Posts: 9,931
Mini-Profile Name Color: dc0e29
|
Post by Apple on Dec 13, 2019 17:56:42 GMT -5
I'll comment when I check it out more, but is this that software you mentioned? That is awesome!
|
|
oped
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 20, 2018 20:49:12 GMT -5
Posts: 4,676
|
Post by oped on Dec 13, 2019 18:08:50 GMT -5
Mom has to access her room down that long hallway? Is the window easy access in case of emergency?
|
|
Apple
Junior Associate
Always travel with a sense of humor
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:51:04 GMT -5
Posts: 9,931
Mini-Profile Name Color: dc0e29
|
Post by Apple on Dec 13, 2019 18:18:36 GMT -5
I like the master closet next to the laundry room, for easy access for putting laundry away, but I wouldn't want to have to walk through the bathroom to get to the closet (what if spouse is pooping and you need to get your clothes-- is everyone cool with that?) I see that you've set it up this way for the wife, but has she thought about that part? I like Later's idea of the bedroom in the middle, if you can work the doorway out, you do lose a wall of windows that way though. (first part of this was typed before I read any other responses. I think it's funny we all thought of the same stuff. I'd definitely check with the wife again...)
Where will your hot water heater be?
Is that the dishwasher or a fridge on the wall with the stairway? If dishwasher, I'd want that closer to the sink and oven, maybe on the same island as the sink. If it's the fridge, I'd probably want it on the same wall as the oven (so you can set stuff on the counters closest to the sink and oven). It would mess with the symmetry of the cabinets/cupboards on that wall, but seems like it might be a little handier if it were closer.
The size of this house is my dream! But, I know that I am personally too lazy to clean this much, even if I get a maid, and I'm just going to have a household of one (as long as physically possible).
I want skylights! After having all my curtains closed for years (stalker issue, then I realized I could buy frosted vinyl to cover the windows), I want as many windows and light as possible (except when I sleep).
|
|
oped
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 20, 2018 20:49:12 GMT -5
Posts: 4,676
|
Post by oped on Dec 13, 2019 18:24:16 GMT -5
|
|
pooks
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 11, 2017 16:45:43 GMT -5
Posts: 627
Today's Mood: Angry
|
Post by pooks on Dec 13, 2019 19:02:50 GMT -5
In generally I really like what you did with the space. Envious of all the open space. I like the arrangement of the master bedroom to bathroom to closet to laundry. 1 thing I don't like is the sightline from the main living area directly into the kids bathroom.
|
|
thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,384
|
Post by thyme4change on Dec 13, 2019 19:28:02 GMT -5
I like the master closet next to the laundry room, for easy access for putting laundry away, but I wouldn't want to have to walk through the bathroom to get to the closet (what if spouse is pooping and you need to get your clothes-- is everyone cool with that?) I see that you've set it up this way for the wife, but has she thought about that part? I like Later's idea of the bedroom in the middle, if you can work the doorway out, you do lose a wall of windows that way though. (first part of this was typed before I read any other responses. I think it's funny we all thought of the same stuff. I'd definitely check with the wife again...). I guess theoretically if it was only occasionally that the bathroom would be occupied when you need something from the closet, you could walk around to the laundry room and into the closet that way. Or, put the toilet in a poop cave with a door, walking through the bathroom wouldn't be so bad.
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Dec 13, 2019 20:02:14 GMT -5
I'll comment when I check it out more, but is this that software you mentioned? That is awesome! Yes, this is the homestyler website. A lot of apps/sites will make it look like this, but homestyler was by far the easiest to use IMO (it helped their website was easy to use, because I just can't do this stuff in an app on a small screen without a mouse)
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Dec 13, 2019 20:06:39 GMT -5
I like the master closet next to the laundry room, for easy access for putting laundry away, but I wouldn't want to have to walk through the bathroom to get to the closet (what if spouse is pooping and you need to get your clothes-- is everyone cool with that?) I see that you've set it up this way for the wife, but has she thought about that part? I like Later's idea of the bedroom in the middle, if you can work the doorway out, you do lose a wall of windows that way though. (first part of this was typed before I read any other responses. I think it's funny we all thought of the same stuff. I'd definitely check with the wife again...) Where will your hot water heater be? Is that the dishwasher or a fridge on the wall with the stairway? If dishwasher, I'd want that closer to the sink and oven, maybe on the same island as the sink. If it's the fridge, I'd probably want it on the same wall as the oven (so you can set stuff on the counters closest to the sink and oven). It would mess with the symmetry of the cabinets/cupboards on that wall, but seems like it might be a little handier if it were closer. The size of this house is my dream! But, I know that I am personally too lazy to clean this much, even if I get a maid, and I'm just going to have a household of one (as long as physically possible). I want skylights! After having all my curtains closed for years (stalker issue, then I realized I could buy frosted vinyl to cover the windows), I want as many windows and light as possible (except when I sleep). No real issues with walking through the bathroom while someone is pooping. We don't wake up for work at the same times, but I'm going to run it by her again. Hot water heater will be in the basement mechanical room (I don't have any of that stuff in there because I'm just letting the builder put stuff where he needs it down there. We don't have natural gas so we're going geothermal. The fridge is on the wall next to the stairs. The dishwasher will be in the island somewhere. Still messing with where to put the fridge to get that nice "triangle". The skylights aren't necessarily something I want...but with the way the foundation sits...there's just not a lot of natural light in that main living area. We need SOMETHING to let the natural light in...I'd prefer it be windows honestly.
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Dec 13, 2019 20:10:05 GMT -5
Mom has to access her room down that long hallway? Is the window easy access in case of emergency? Mom has to access her room down that hallway. The window is high, like 4 feet, because it's a half-foundation wall there. I'd prefer she was in the other bedroom (the very top wall of the basement is all wood-framed, no foundation wall there because of the walkout)...but this project is renovating her house, and that's the bedroom she was in for 40 years. It's essentially the biggest window we could put in that room as the part furthest to the bottom starts the full foundation block wall.
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Dec 13, 2019 20:12:58 GMT -5
In generally I really like what you did with the space. Envious of all the open space. I like the arrangement of the master bedroom to bathroom to closet to laundry. 1 thing I don't like is the sightline from the main living area directly into the kids bathroom. Agreed. One thing I've been toying with is taking out that big 8 foot "doorway" and leaving the 8 foot space behind, but shrinking that big open walkway down into like a 4 foot walkway. Close the walls in on either side to make it more of a "cove" in that space. It isn't much, but it would hide the sightline at angles, and you won't often be looking at it straight-on since that's kind of partway between the living and kitchen.
|
|
oped
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 20, 2018 20:49:12 GMT -5
Posts: 4,676
|
Post by oped on Dec 13, 2019 20:13:21 GMT -5
Could you put a door in her closet to the main room that isn't really used but is an exit in an emergency?
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Dec 13, 2019 20:21:02 GMT -5
Could you put a door in her closet to the main room that isn't really used but is an exit in an emergency? There's actually a door there right now (because that closet used to be bigger and was a small bedroom that my parents eventually turned into a walk-in). We were going to take it out because she wants her bedroom entrance where it is now (it's her living area at the top of the basement), but we could definitely slide an "emergency exit" door in there behind where her closet door opens. Great idea! To your other post about your bathroom, the basement bathroom is set up as it sits today because everything is already plumbed there through the concrete and is the configuration my mom is used to. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have probably put the bathroom in the middle like that...it probably would have looked more like the upstairs.
|
|
Cheesy FL-Vol
Junior Associate
"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." -- Helen Keller
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:13:50 GMT -5
Posts: 6,691
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":""}
|
Post by Cheesy FL-Vol on Dec 13, 2019 20:35:44 GMT -5
Have you checked your stair rise/run to ensure the top of the stair on the main floor isn’t landing in the middle of your entry door?
would it be more cost effective to place the basement bathroom below the kids bathroom, maybe a jack and jill type bathroom?
ETA: just saw your post above mine that your plumbing is already in the middle of the basement.
|
|
Tiny
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 21:22:34 GMT -5
Posts: 13,363
|
Post by Tiny on Dec 13, 2019 20:53:15 GMT -5
What's with the little deck in front of the house - that you can only access from the front hall way? It seems difficult to use. Why not do an actual covered front porch? I would get rid of the "stick on" front hall room, have the front door/vestibule in the area between "Child bedroom" and the stairs. Check out some foursquare or victorian house plans for front entry ideas - some of them have a "bump out" on to the covered front porch to give the front door a "vestibule" sometimes there's the front door, a little walk way and another door (with a big glass window). You can hang coats and leave shoes in the little walk way area. The 2 doors helps keep the winter cold out (only have one door open at a time). The 'bump out" is under the roof of the front porch. Make the front porch wide enough and you can put some lighting/cieling fan and some casual outdoor furniture out there. Here;s a picture: www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjx5c7WhLTmAhUMV80KHXU9CCwQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F142426406943364778%2F&psig=AOvVaw3IHW0gne3QjZHeSkBme9c0&ust=1576375000887607In the basement - I'd make a "kitchen" area... I'd move what I think will be a counter, cabinets, sink and fridge to a corner versus being in the middle. That's the set up I've seen in most houses with big basements and "summer kitchens" in them. Of course that might be old timey and what you've got is more modern. The kid's bathroom seems kinda small there's no linen closet (- compared to the size of their rooms) Also that will be your guest bathroom when you have guests any chance you could do a guest 1/1 bath? Have you thought about a jack/jill bathroom for the kids (they each get access to the kid bath from their rooms - the guest bath would be separate and have access from the main room. (a kid could use that if the kid bathroom was in use... is an added bonus. Also, you've got water and drains in 3 distinct places. Any chance you could move the basement bath to be under the upstairs bath? <-- I see know that the basement is already "piped"
|
|
|
Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 13, 2019 21:02:31 GMT -5
To address the master bedroom location-great points. Here is/was the logic. The views are really to the top (the top windows look out over a pond and forest, the right side views are a little bit of yard and then the neighbor's house in the distance...so having those "top" views in the bedroom is important). In terms of switching the master bathroom with the master closet, I tend to agree that I'd prefer it go bedroom-closet-bathroom. My wife, for some reason, felt strongly about having it in this order (maybe not strongly, but more strongly than I felt). I'm always up first, I figured she would want the bathroom furthest away so that the shower noise would be more muffled. I'll ask her about the bathroom/closet order again...it's completely possible she's forgotten she cared about it before and will actually prefer it the other way now. It might be easier having the plumbing for the bathroom closer to the laundry. We go through our bathroom for the closet, it is not my most favorite feature.
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Dec 13, 2019 21:04:57 GMT -5
Have you checked your stair rise/run to ensure the top of the stair on the main floor isn’t landing in the middle of your entry door? would it be more cost effective to place the basement bathroom below the kids bathroom, maybe a jack and jill type bathroom? ETA: just saw your post above mine that your plumbing is already in the middle of the basement. We're basically running the stairs top-down. So it's set to start there, go down as far as it can until it hits a 4 foot landing, then turn. I've measured well enough to know that by the time we hit the 4 foot landing we will be low enough to get under the floor joists on the turn.
|
|
Cheesy FL-Vol
Junior Associate
"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." -- Helen Keller
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:13:50 GMT -5
Posts: 6,691
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":""}
|
Post by Cheesy FL-Vol on Dec 13, 2019 21:08:48 GMT -5
Have you checked your stair rise/run to ensure the top of the stair on the main floor isn’t landing in the middle of your entry door? would it be more cost effective to place the basement bathroom below the kids bathroom, maybe a jack and jill type bathroom? ETA: just saw your post above mine that your plumbing is already in the middle of the basement. We're basically running the stairs top-down. So it's set to start there, go down as far as it can until it hits a 4 foot landing, then turn. I've measured well enough to know that by the time we hit the 4 foot landing we will be low enough to get under the floor joists on the turn. I threw that out there because I have seen some pretty horrific stair miscalculations in plans.
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Dec 13, 2019 21:18:48 GMT -5
What's with the little deck in front of the house - that you can only access from the front hall way? It seems difficult to use. Why not do an actual covered front porch? I would get rid of the "stick on" front hall room, have the front door/vestibule in the area between "Child bedroom" and the stairs. Check out some foursquare or victorian house plans for front entry ideas - some of them have a "bump out" on to the covered front porch to give the front door a "vestibule" sometimes there's the front door, a little walk way and another door (with a big glass window). You can hang coats and leave shoes in the little walk way area. The 2 doors helps keep the winter cold out (only have one door open at a time). The 'bump out" is under the roof of the front porch. Make the front porch wide enough and you can put some lighting/cieling fan and some casual outdoor furniture out there. Here;s a picture: www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjx5c7WhLTmAhUMV80KHXU9CCwQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F142426406943364778%2F&psig=AOvVaw3IHW0gne3QjZHeSkBme9c0&ust=1576375000887607In the basement - I'd make a "kitchen" area... I'd move what I think will be a counter, cabinets, sink and fridge to a corner versus being in the middle. That's the set up I've seen in most houses with big basements and "summer kitchens" in them. Of course that might be old timey and what you've got is more modern. The kid's bathroom seems kinda small there's no linen closet (- compared to the size of their rooms) Also that will be your guest bathroom when you have guests any chance you could do a guest 1/1 bath? Have you thought about a jack/jill bathroom for the kids (they each get access to the kid bath from their rooms - the guest bath would be separate and have access from the main room. (a kid could use that if the kid bathroom was in use... is an added bonus. Also, you've got water and drains in 3 distinct places. Any chance you could move the basement bath to be under the upstairs bath? I'm working under the assumption that the bathrooms aren't already "piped" and the placement cannot change. The stick on front hall is the current breezeway that connects the house and the garage (the garage is below that area but not shown). That's also where the current "front door" is (where I've got it now, so there's house on one side and garage on the other of the entire front deck). I agree it's in an awkward spot, but it seemed better than moving the front door to where you suggest (which is where I initially thought might be nice), but since that breezeway can't really move since we want to keep the garage attached, that's the logic. I agree with you that logically that's probably where it should go. It just ended up being our best source of natural light to have a window there, since the breezeway itself has to stay as-is to connect the garage. Inside the kid's bathroom, where the door swings into (the blank space) will be shelves for towels and such. We did initially have a little half-bath on the first floor, but took it out when we realized the only people who ever come visit us are relatives who are used to using the bathroom the kids have their stuff all over. It was partially where the laundry/pantry was, and my wife decided she'd rather have that space back. Basement bathroom is pretty well fixed, because it already exists and is already plumbed. That would be the one that I honestly would have moved if I were designing from scratch, it would be exactly where you suggest, under the kid's bathroom. It's interesting to read a post that is basically suggesting all the exact same things I wanted to do, and eventually had to compromise my way out of lol. My wife will be less pleased when I point out to her that all of the things I compromised and changed are the things people suggest we should do...and there aren't really any things that she compromised on that people think we should have done. I think that means I'm the better designer/layout.
|
|
Tiny
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 21:22:34 GMT -5
Posts: 13,363
|
Post by Tiny on Dec 13, 2019 21:29:53 GMT -5
The stick on front hall is the current breezeway that connects the house and the garage (the garage is below that area but not shown). That's also where the current "front door" is (where I've got it now, so there's house on one side and garage on the other of the entire front deck). I agree it's in an awkward spot, but it seemed better than moving the front door to where you suggest (which is where I initially thought might be nice), but since that breezeway can't really move since we want to keep the garage attached, that's the logic. I agree with you that logically that's probably where it should go. It just ended up being our best source of natural light to have a window there, since the breezeway itself has to stay as-is to connect the garage. Inside the kid's bathroom, where the door swings into (the blank space) will be shelves for towels and such. We did initially have a little half-bath on the first floor, but took it out when we realized the only people who ever come visit us are relatives who are used to using the bathroom the kids have their stuff all over. It was partially where the laundry/pantry was, and my wife decided she'd rather have that space back. Basement bathroom is pretty well fixed, because it already exists and is already plumbed. That would be the one that I honestly would have moved if I were designing from scratch, it would be exactly where you suggest, under the kid's bathroom. It's interesting to read a post that is basically suggesting all the exact same things I wanted to do, and eventually had to compromise my way out of lol. My wife will be less pleased when I point out to her that all of the things I compromised and changed are the things people suggest we should do...and there aren't really any things that she compromised on that people think we should have done. I think that means I'm the better designer/layout. Ah! I see why the front hall is the way it is! That makes total sense. The little deck makes sense too and doesn't seem so odd now. After reading about your constraints, I think your compromises are pretty good! I was "reviewing" it from the point of view that it was all new construction from the ground up.
|
|
Apple
Junior Associate
Always travel with a sense of humor
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:51:04 GMT -5
Posts: 9,931
Mini-Profile Name Color: dc0e29
|
Post by Apple on Dec 13, 2019 21:32:03 GMT -5
I like the master closet next to the laundry room, for easy access for putting laundry away, but I wouldn't want to have to walk through the bathroom to get to the closet (what if spouse is pooping and you need to get your clothes-- is everyone cool with that?) I see that you've set it up this way for the wife, but has she thought about that part? I like Later's idea of the bedroom in the middle, if you can work the doorway out, you do lose a wall of windows that way though. (first part of this was typed before I read any other responses. I think it's funny we all thought of the same stuff. I'd definitely check with the wife again...) Where will your hot water heater be? Is that the dishwasher or a fridge on the wall with the stairway? If dishwasher, I'd want that closer to the sink and oven, maybe on the same island as the sink. If it's the fridge, I'd probably want it on the same wall as the oven (so you can set stuff on the counters closest to the sink and oven). It would mess with the symmetry of the cabinets/cupboards on that wall, but seems like it might be a little handier if it were closer. The size of this house is my dream! But, I know that I am personally too lazy to clean this much, even if I get a maid, and I'm just going to have a household of one (as long as physically possible). I want skylights! After having all my curtains closed for years (stalker issue, then I realized I could buy frosted vinyl to cover the windows), I want as many windows and light as possible (except when I sleep). No real issues with walking through the bathroom while someone is pooping. We don't wake up for work at the same times, but I'm going to run it by her again. Hot water heater will be in the basement mechanical room (I don't have any of that stuff in there because I'm just letting the builder put stuff where he needs it down there. That makes sense! We don't have natural gas so we're going geothermal. How complicated is geothermal? I've never looked into it at all, but I won't have natural gas either. Electric seems to be pretty stable, but it is rural property and who knows how the grid out there will age (it's underground though, which helps).The fridge is on the wall next to the stairs. The dishwasher will be in the island somewhere. Still messing with where to put the fridge to get that nice "triangle". I have the same issue with my fridge placement. Nothing seems to be ideal. I almost brought up "the triangle".The skylights aren't necessarily something I want...but with the way the foundation sits...there's just not a lot of natural light in that main living area. We need SOMETHING to let the natural light in...I'd prefer it be windows honestly. Concerns I have heard involve more risk of the roof leaking. Not something I want to deal with, so I'll likely skip them, but my house will be small enough for it not to matter (since all the main floor rooms will have windows).
|
|
Tiny
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 21:22:34 GMT -5
Posts: 13,363
|
Post by Tiny on Dec 13, 2019 22:03:33 GMT -5
HOw do you envision using the basement areas? Would you put a kitchen table across from the fridge/sink? Would you make the big area by the ?doors to the patio?? the "living room " area? How would you use the space were the stairs are? Is this entire basement for Mom? would a clearly defined "kitchen area" be useful rather than the "pass thru kitchen area"? Will you all be spending time watching TV and the kids playing/hanging out there? I guess I'm asking what "paths" mom will use thru this area. Would a door from her room to the stair area give her easier access to the upstairs part of the house? Or let her use that area while another person(s) use the other side of the bathroom area? without disturbing each other? Too bad you couldn't add a 1/2 bath in there - so if Mom wants some privacy in her room and you all want to use the basement - you don't have to go into the "sleeping" areas (even though there are doors) or use her bathroom.
|
|
hoops902
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:21:29 GMT -5
Posts: 11,978
|
Post by hoops902 on Dec 13, 2019 22:12:30 GMT -5
Geothermal isn't all that complex, it's expensive up front but starts to pay for itself over time and has good tax incentives. My parents have an electric heat pump at the moment, but it runs constantly and still doesn't keep their house very warm. With the additional space we're creating (about 4300 square feet total) we'd need multiple huge heat pumps to keep it warm during the midwest winters...which makes geothermal a no-brainer once you start needing so many units.
I'm also leery of the roof leaking.
|
|