Crafting smart new homes isn’t easy, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t achievable. The key is to be intentional about each decision you make concerning everything from the design, aesthetics, security, functionality, and energy efficiency, among other things. Like always, working with a professional will make the process easier on you and perhaps your wallet. However, it helps to equip yourself with some information beforehand. This read will provide valuable tips on how to build smart new homes.
1. Efficient Home Infrastructure
Ensuring efficient home infrastructures is key to crafting smart new homes. Energy costs are at an all-time high, and if there’s anything you can do to keep them low, you should. A great place to start is by ensuring proper and adequate insulation. According to Oliver Heating Cooling, a poorly insulated house can lose anywhere from 20% to 30% of its energy.
Air leaks in your attic or basement or around your doors and windows mean that outside air will seep into your home while conditioned air leaks out. In such conditions, your HVAC system must work harder than it should to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. A harder-working unit translates to higher energy costs. You’ll have an efficient home, and your energy bills will stay manageable with adequate home insulation.
Vinyl window installations will also make a great addition to your home’s infrastructure. Manufacturers use energy-efficient components and materials to make vinyl windows. These include multiple glass panels, insulation, and low-E coatings. Investing in such windows will reduce your reliance on the heating and cooling system. Over time, this will significantly lower your energy costs.
Vinyl windows also feature a tight seal that helps prevent air leakages. In the summer, they keep the heat out, while in the winter, they keep all the heat inside. The latest low-E coating on modern vinyl windows reflects warm solar rays while letting adequate light into your space. These windows will also protect your items from the sun’s damaging rays, which would otherwise cause them to fade.
The design of vinyl windows also makes it easier to clean the glass and frames. All you need is a damp cloth to wipe off any dust accumulation. To ensure you can clean the exterior of your windows, including those on higher floors, opt for models with a swing-in or tilt sash. The fact that you can reach the windows without a ladder makes things a lot safer.
Another area you’ll want to focus on in your efforts to ensure efficient home infrastructure when crafting smart new homes is the roof. While there are different materials you can opt for, asphalt shingles installation should be high on your list. Investing in specially made asphalt shingles in dark, medium, and light tones that reflect more of the sun’s infrared radiation will reduce the temperature on your roof’s surface. When most roofs in major metropolitan areas have these ‘cool’ shingles, the city’s temperature can drop a few degrees on hot, sunny days. The result is residents will use less energy to keep their homes cool.
2. Enhancing Home Aesthetics and Functionality
Functionality and aesthetics are important aspects of smart new homes. Everyone wants to live in a space that looks good and is functional. Pay attention to the flooring as you plan out your home’s features. If you want something that will boost the visual appeal of your space while still being practical, consider investing in hardwood floors.
This type of flooring is one of the most popular options for homeowners, and there are good reasons for this. While some people favor the more traditional look of hardwood flooring over tile or carpet, others find it easier to clean and maintain. You can steam clean, sweep, or vacuum the entire surface to clear any accumulation of dirt and debris.
Epoxy flooring is also a great option. Many people opt for epoxy floors for their functionality in garage flooring and commercial shops. However, with new items and decorative finishes entering the market, they’re becoming an increasingly popular choice for residential spaces like screened yards, finished basements, living spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, and more. Homeowners are gradually realizing that, when done correctly, epoxy flooring can be a sleek, stylish, long-lasting, and low-maintenance option for many rooms of their homes.
Don’t forget about paving the outdoors as you focus on the interior floor surfaces. Here, you have two main material options. Concrete and asphalt. While they’re both cost-effective, you’ll enjoy more benefits if you opt for residential asphalt paving.
For example, asphalt isn’t prone to surface flaking due to shoddy installation, improper mixture preparation, and the use of salts to melt ice and snow. Also referred to as ‘spalling,’ this is a persistent issue with many concrete driveways, particularly those installed hastily. Asphalt is also less likely to crack over time and requires less overall maintenance to keep it looking great.
Solar shades are another great functional addition when crafting smart new homes. These window coverings will protect your home’s interior by reflecting the sun’s rays instead of allowing them to penetrate the window. Besides that, they’ll actively absorb heat from outside. These are just a few aesthetic and functional features you should consider for your home. There’s much more to explore.
3. Accessibility and Convenience
Accessibility and convenience should be among your top priorities when crafting smart new homes. However, making a home more accessible isn’t just about making things more convenient; it’s about creating spaces that ensure equal opportunity and improve
each resident’s quality of life. With that in mind, there’s a lot for you to consider.
Before making any design choices, first identify your needs. Although this may seem daunting, it’s a crucial part of the process. It’ll help you make informed decisions about what design choices you need to make. Consider whether you or someone you’re living with has any physical disabilities or other form of limitation that calls for adjustments to the home’s design.
You’ll also want to look into any devices or technological solutions that could bridge current and future gaps. For example, residential lifts will let you stay in your home for as long as you need, even after climbing the stairs becomes too much of a hassle. If you want a more accessible kitchen, consider swapping your regular cabinets for pull-out drawers.
You’ll also want to focus on the layout of your living spaces. Functionality is essential, and a thoughtful layout can have a profound impact. Imagine moving freely through each room without encountering any barriers or obstacles. You can achieve this with an open-concept layout, eliminating unnecessary doors or walls. With the right approach, you can create an aesthetically pleasing home that’s easy to navigate.
Another thing to focus on is ensuring that the furniture in your house is accessible and comfy. This means investing in furniture items such as couches or adjustable chairs that one can raise or lower to accommodate different body sizes. Adding armrests for extra support when standing or sitting down would also be a good idea. As you do all this, look into your home healthcare options, especially if you have an underlying chronic illness or are living with someone who does. Remember, the goal is to make all necessary amenities accessible.
4. Safety and Security
Safety and security are paramount to crafting smart new homes. After all, everyone wants to feel and be safe in their homes. You’ll want to look into smart home security for this project. There are a few appliances that you could invest in to meet your home’s security needs..
For instance, you could have your locksmith install smart locks to give you more control over who enters your home. Besides that, these additions to your security systems will make tasks like answering the door easier as you won’t have to do it physically. You can easily access the front door camera on your phone and decide whether to let the person in. Smart locks will also eliminate the need for keys, which, as you probably already know, can be easy to lose.
The benefits don’t stop there for smart new homes. These locks will allow you to enjoy a renewed sense of peace of mind by allowing you to lock your home remotely. Security cameras are also a great investment. The security camera market is continually growing and introducing easy and more convenient ways to keep an eye on your house.
With recent advancements, you can remotely monitor activities happening around your home. Camera streaming technology connects to your wifi and sends alerts and live feeds to your phone anytime your house is accessed. You can also integrate motion sensors into light fixtures such as spotlights or floodlights to deter away burglars by giving an illusion that someone is always home. You could also add sirens on them to scare away any intruders.
Automating doors and windows will also go a long way toward protecting your family from hazards. They’ll especially come in handy if or when you have young kids and toddlers who like to open windows and doors when no one is looking. Automate alerts on the door leading to the backyard, the street, the pool, or the jacuzzi to avoid the risk of an accident.
You could also incorporate flood sensors in your smart home. When these sensors detect floods or leaks, they’ll send alerts directly to your phone so you can take quick action on the situation. There are also gas sensors available that can alert you if there are gas leaks to prevent fires.
As you make these investments and additions, don’t forget to consider how they affect your insurance. Contact your homeowners insurance agency and ask them about how different security systems will reflect on your premiums and deductibles. In most cases, you’ll enjoy better rates.
5. Outdoor Living Spaces
Don’t forget to elevate the outdoors when crafting smart new homes. Think about it. During the summer, your outdoor living space is where you’ll spend most of your time and perhaps even use it to entertain family and friends.
A smart outdoor living space can feature an electric patio awning that automatically responds to weather changes thanks to its climate sensors. It can close up in times of extremely hot or windy climates. Some models feature voice command capabilities for controlling lights, shade, and music at home or remotely.
You can also add lighting as decor to your outdoor living space. Smart lighting will allow you to implement eco and pocket-friendly options like solar lighting. You can add sensor-activated systems. These will alert you if any movement is sensed in your space and eliminate the dangers of walking in the dark.
As you smarten up your outdoor space, don’t forget to give the hardscaping some attention. Call a reputable hardscaping contractor and schedule an initial consultation so you can work together to plan out the space. They’ll give you professional advice to ensure you realize the space’s full potential, ensuring it’s visually appealing and functional.
However, before a professional hardscape comes to your home, it helps to have a solid budget. It’ll make the decision-making process much smoother by helping inform decisions such as what materials to use between natural stone or concrete. Remember, a budget is only effective if you stick to it.
Another aspect you’ll want to think about is maintenance. No matter how lovely your dream hardscape design is, you need to consider if you’re willing and able to stay on top of its maintenance. So, are your design plans practical and sustainable? The good news is that hardscaping materials are often low maintenance. Selecting materials that complement both the design and your lifestyle is crucial.
Crafting smart new homes can be one of the most exciting undertakings, but it can also be confusing. Don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a professional home builder, preferably a local one. These experts have years of experience building homes. They can provide valuable insight into how to approach your project to ensure the best possible outcome and answer any questions you may have about the process. This read offers tips that’ll give you a headstart and help create a clearer picture of what to expect throughout the process and the outcome.
