When planning new homes in Prince George, one of the first major decisions home owners need to make involves the floor plan. The ideal home is one that makes daily living effortless. For some, this means a single-level floor plan. Others prefer to keep a division between areas of the home open for entertainment, and areas of the home reserved for private family living. This typically means a two-storey plan.
When you’re building a custom home from the ground up, the choice is yours. Read on to learn about the different types of home plans and discover the pros and cons of each.
The Benefits Of Bungalows
A bungalow or ranch-style home has both the main living areas and bedrooms laid out on one level. Because stairs are taken out of the equation, it’s ideal for retirees or those with limited mobility. Flow from room to room throughout your day with ease and enjoy a home that’s easier to heat and cool throughout the seasons. There’s a certain charm to bungalow and ranch-style living that many cannot resist when building new homes in Prince George.
With all positives come some negatives. Ranch-style homes tend to be more expensive per square foot because you’re building out instead of out and up onto a second story. Because of this, bedrooms may be smaller unless specifically accounted for during the design process. Those who aren’t as concerned with a big backyard are at an advantage if they’re considering this style of floor plan.
Below are a few examples of bungalow or ranch-style homes we have built in Prince George. Visit our online gallery to view how spacious they are inside!
Choose Two-Storeys For These Reasons
Often dubbed as the classic floor plan, two-storey living leaves the bedrooms and full-sized bathrooms upstairs and frees up the main floor for the kitchen, living room, dining room and office spaces. Two-storey living is ideal for families and those who appreciate the option for privacy. Entertaining is easy, and guests will feel welcome as they navigate across the main level of your home without the fear of crossing a boundary into private areas such as a bedroom or master bathroom.
Those building new homes in Prince George may find a two-storey plan can be a smart choice from a budgetary perspective. Typically, they require less in terms of the foundation, plumbing, and wiring. This can allow you to get more house for your money. While the overall cost might be a bit higher, the cost per square foot typically drops by quite a bit. Building upwards is also popular for home owners with children or pets, as it takes up less room on the lot and leaves additional space in the back yard for entertaining with a deck or patio.
Our online gallery has interior photos of some two-storey new homes in Prince George. View the photos to get an idea of what your two-storey home might look like inside.
Consider A Split-Level New Home
Split-levels offer a happy medium between bungalow and ranch-style homes or two-storey homes. Taking their inspiration from ranch-style floor plans, the entrance way is small and leads immediately up to the living space (kitchen, living room and bedrooms) or downstairs to additional living space or a recreation area. Families with children will relish in the luxury of having a secondary downstairs level devoted to play!
A split-level floor plan does have some downsides, however. The stairs can pose a problem for people with mobility issues. Energy efficiency can also be slightly more challenging due to the layout. For example, it can be difficult to control and maintain temperatures if you prefer to keep the main living area warmer than the lower living area. These are all things you should consider when building a new home in Prince George.
Ultimately, only you truly know which floor plan is best for your lifestyle and family needs. Each have their pros and cons and offer hundreds of unique construction touches and options within. Regardless of which style you choose, you can count on unlocking the front door and walking into a home that is everything you have dreamed of and more.
