Archive for February, 2009

Town House Floor Plans Tout Easy Town Home Living

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Town house floor plans and split family homes feature hassle-free, multi-level living. These cool house floor plans have redeeming qualities common and unknown to the traditional single-family unit. For starters, the town house floor plan exudes secure, convenient family living without all the responsibility.

While the standard single family home accompanies a slew of outdoor chores, (i.e. shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, raking fall leaves, etc.), town house living offers low maintenance. Condo associations manage town-homes, affording an upkeep that’s a suitable living arrangement for the busy professional. (more…)

Mobile Home Floor Plans Vs. Modular Home Floor Plans

Friday, February 20th, 2009

What is the difference between a mobile home floor plan and a modular home floor plan?

Mobile home floor plans and modular home plans share several basic common denominators. While both have doors, windows and walls, there’s a slew of distinguishing features. The modular home floor plan is one of the most misconstrued properties. To shed better light on the difference between a mobile home floor plan and modular home floor plan, we have deconstructed the two home designs.

Home Floor Plan
When one compares the mobile home floor plan to that of the modular home plan, the latter showcases a copious list of redeeming attributes and differentiations. Most trailer homes are single floor dwellings, constructed of a non-removable steel chassis. Based on its design, modular home floor plans have to follow local zoning and building code regulations of traditional homes. Unlike the cookie cutter qualities of the manufactured (mobile) home, modular domiciles are personalized according to the homeowner’s discerning specifications.

Customization
For starters, today’s modular home floor plan is comprised of highly stylized exterior and interior characteristics. In recent years, more manufacturers are accommodating a few design specifications of the trailer home. Nevertheless, the custom alternatives are limited and pale in comparison to the modular home floor plan.

Energy Efficiency
When it comes to being green and offering the best savings for curtailing energy costs, the modular home floor plan outshines the mobile home floor plan for several reasons. During the 70’s the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) devised a set of codes applicable to the mobile home floor plan of which have never been updated. In fact, the mobile home is known by the alias “HUD home.” On the contrary, modular homes share the same energy guidelines as the single-family home property and have evolved with technology.

Construction/Delivery time
The modular home takes two to three months for completion. On the other hand, there is not any lag time with the mobile home. Just as cars are ready to be driven off the lot, the mobile home can be delivered the same day.

In summation, the difference between the mobile home floor plan and the modular home floor plan comes down to the following differences:

  • Time
  • Cost
  • Customization
  • Standards

A Home Design Resource to Bookmark

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Where to find home design resources, information and complete house floor plans?

While HGTV complements the information seen on its line-up of television programming, online consumers depend on an exclusive, site resource for comprehensive house design and useful advice: HousePlansandMore.com. As a division of HDA, Inc., the site presents a smorgasbord of data, facts and solutions for starting a home design project. We found the site to offer an affluence of learning tools, creative ideas, and other helpful house planning related intelligence:

•    The Legal Kit — For only $35, the Legal Kit is loaded with just about every legal contract vital to preventing confusion with contractors. The legal package includes bid proposals, contractor proposal forms, construction contracts and other legal contract forms.

•    Library of Home Design Plans — From A to W, HousePlansandMore.com showcases a comprehensive library of just about every architectural rendering known to mankind (i.e. Waterfront, Plantation Houses, Cape Cod New England and other house plans].

•   Special discounts — The site’s online identity  is all about simplifying home design for the new property, room addition or remodeling project. House Plans and More demonstrates this philosophy on their special discount page, where certain drawings can be purchased at ridiculously low discount prices.

•    Project Plans — For the home design enthusiast, House Plans and More is loaded with fun project ideas for the deck, gazebo, and garage—to name a few. The site’s unique and affordable yard artwork is well worth a perusal.

•    Live Support — Interact with House Plans and More live customer home design specialists. Questions pertaining to designing ideas are answered 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Although the above aforementioned list is a brief sampling of what House Plans and More has to offer, the site’s most redeeming quality is its attention to the home design budget. Meanwhile, be sure to stop by next week, when we’re reviewing an ultra affordable home design.