The concept of Universal Design consists of integrating unique features into home plans in an effort to enhance comfort and convenience for today’s lifestyle, combined with the ability to adapt to changing needs in the future without extensive remodeling. The features are virtually invisible and are certainly not obvious, but these homes make life much easier for everyone in the household. Because opening doors with arms full of groceries is as difficult at age 30 as it is at 70, for example, universal design homes use lever-type door handles. There is a long list of universal design features that homeowners can pick and choose from as they design a home that is safe, comfortable, visitable, and easily used by people of almost any age or physical ability.
What makes a home ‘ageless’? It simply means that it was thoughtfully designed considering the comfort and needs of people of all ages and physical characteristics! It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, short or tall, healthy or ill. You might have a disability or be a prize-winning athlete. You may have experienced a recent surgery or sprained an ankle or hurt your back. You may be a personal trainer in perfect health working at a local fitness center. It doesn’t really matter. Because of universal design, people who are very different can all enjoy the same home. And that home will be there for all its inhabitants even when their needs change.
However, the good news is by asking a few simple questions of your potential custom home builder, you can quickly get a feel for what the builder is all about. Whether you set up an interview by phone, e-mail or in person, don’t be afraid to take some time and come back with follow-up questions. Leave no stone left unturned, so that you and your home project are protected from unprofessional home builders. You may find that a face-to-face interview is ideal when it comes to really getting a good idea about the builder and his style of business and home construction. Regardless of the type of interview you conduct, be sure to include the following questions:
Some of the more common universal design features are:
• No-step entry. No one needs to use stairs to get into a universal home or into the homes main rooms. There are no steps going from the garage into the house or out onto the patio, making the home ‘visitable’ by friends and family that may have a physical limitation.
• Even in a 2-story home the kitchen, living room, dining room, a bedroom, and at least one bathroom would be on the main level with minimum barriers.
• Doorways that are 36 inches wide let furniture, luggage, laundry baskets, people, and even wheelchairs pass through freely. Wide doors also make it easier to move big things such as beds, couches, and appliances in and out of the house.
• Hallways should be at least 42 inches wide. Wider hallways allow everyone and everything to move more easily from room to room.
• Open floor plans makes everyone feel less cramped and allows people traffic to flow more smoothly. It also makes the house feel larger, lighter, and brighter.
• Large windows placed strategically allow you take advantage of the views and allows more sunlight to enter the home to help chase away those winter doldrums.
• Cabinet hardware can be chosen that is easily grasped as well as being beautiful.
• Other helpful features can be planned into your home as well, such as a work area in your kitchen where children or grandchildren can help make cookies, or add an instant hot water dispenser for a quicker, safer and more convenient way to heat water for soups and mixes. You could build a desk near your kitchen where kids can do their homework under your watchful eye. You might even identify an area in the home design which could be easily sectioned off as a mother-in-law suite or caregivers retreat in the future.
Features for Comfort
Most universal design features just make good sense. Once you build them into your home, you’ll wonder why every house isn’t built this way. For example:
• Floors and bathtubs with non-slip surfaces help everyone stay on their feet. They’re not just for people who are frail.
• Raised dishwashers minimize bending to load and unload the dishes.
• Good lighting helps people with poor vision. And it helps everyone else see better, too.
• Lever door handles and rocker light switches are great for people with arthritis or poor hand strength. But everyone else likes them too. Try using these devices when your arms are full of packages. You’ll never go back to round knobs or standard light switches.
· How many years have you been in the home building business? While there may be some excellent newbie home builders, ideally you want to choose a custom homebuilder with some years of experience under his or her belt. Someone with experience knows how to handle challenges that may come up during the building process. Knowing your builder is experienced also helps to give you piece of mind and confidence.
· May I speak to a few of your past customers? This is where you really get the true story about a business-through the former clients. Asking to speak with custom homebuilders’ clients allows you to cut through the marketing message and shiny exterior and really get to the meat of what the builder is all about-good and bad.
The best opportunity to incorporate universal design is in the design process for new homes. When integrated before construction, universal design can add as little as four percent to the cost of a new home. Most agree that the elimination of just one fall in the home or the reduction of at-home care will more than offset the initial investment. And the increased potential for satisfying independence is priceless.
The possibilities are endless. When choosing a new home or a home plan, look for some universal design elements to insure a more convenient, safer, and more cost effective lifestyle in your new home
Resource Author Francisco Rodriguez Higueras
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