Hartz Homes knows one of the first decisions you make when building a new home: should you build a one-story or two-story home? In this blog, Hartz Homes lists the of advantages for each style to help you decide what’s best for you.
Advantages of a two-story home
- Cost less per square foot to build. That’s because the most expensive elements of home-building — excavation/foundation and rafters/roof installation — are being built on a smaller footprint. Plus, you’ll have less roof area to maintain.
- More fuel efficient. You’ll save fuel because, per square foot, less outdoor wall and roof area are exposed to the weather.
- Less distance utilities travel. You’ll save money (and potential headaches) because plumbing and wiring have less distance to travel.
- Better views. When you are tree-height, your views are better.
- Larger outdoor space. Since you are taking up less land space for the house, you’ll have more of it for outdoor living areas.
- More versatile design. There are more attachment points in a two-story house for porches, connectors and bump-outs for either now or in the future.
- The upstairs bedrooms are more private, especially if you build in a neighborhood. If you have children, you’ll appreciate the second-floor bedrooms feature when your kids grow into teenagers.
Advantages of a single-story home
- More living space per square foot. You won’t be compromising square footage (and money) on staircases.
- Safer than two-story homes. Take away the staircase, and you eliminate the risk of falls for small children, the mobility-challenged and the elderly. Plus, evacuation is easier (and safer) than a two-story home in the event of a fire.
- Easier to “age in place.” If you plan to stay in your home until retirement, there may be no need to move. One-story houses are easier to get around and are easily wheelchair accessible.
- Quieter living. You won’t hear footsteps or other noise coming from upstairs.
- Space-saving design. From a practical point of view, you’ll need fewer bathrooms in a one-story home since they are all on the same floor, which can save you money. Also, the mudroom and laundry room can more easily be combined, saving space.
There is no right or wrong decision here. It’s all a matter of personal preference. Whichever style you choose, Hartz Homes as many well-designed floorplans of both one and two-story homes to choose from.
Please check out these new home communities from Hartz Homes:
Armitage Pointe of Addison, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Bella Vista Townhomes of Bolingbrook, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Bluebell Ridge of Bolingbrook, Illinois (Chicago area new construction)
Lago Vista of Lockport, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Leigh Creek of New Lenox, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Marquis Pointe of Montgomery, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Marywood Meadows of Montgomery, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Nantucket Lakes of New Lenox, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Park West of Manteno, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Playa Vista of Plainfield, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Shannon Estates of New Lenox, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Sky Harbor of New Lenox, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Whisper Creek of Mokena, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Hartz Homes has new home communities in:
Addison, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Aurora, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Bolingbrook, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Lockport, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
New Lenox (Chicago area new home construction)
Manteno, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Mokena, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Montgomery, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)
Plainfield, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)