What is a house on one level?
The house on the same level sounds the same: it is a house built on the same level. Often referred to as "patio" or "stove home." Not to be confused with the base of the type of bypass space commonly used in mobile and modular homes. They are finished and seem the same as in any home.
What are some of the benefits of a single level home?
Houses with one level do not have steps inside and rarely have steps outside. People with disabilities are obvious candidates for one level at home. Older people or those who want to build for retirement, can also benefit from one level of home. Almost everyone can appreciate the lack of a ladder to climb after a hard day’s work. Not to possess the extremely dangerous danger of one who falls down the stairs is a priceless benefit.
Removing wet, damp, moldy, basement, or scanning space that is constantly threatened by flooding is another huge advantage! In houses with one level, there is no need for a sump pump or any type of mechanical drainage system to maintain.
Creeping beds and basements are notorious for placing rodents, creatures, insects, snakes and other reptiles. With a properly built single-level house, saving the little creatures of Mother Nature from your new structure is easily manageable. Stairs support valuable square meters and are also expensive and difficult to build.
A single-level house is a great combination for a hydronic floor heating system. With proper planning, the stove can work as a “mass heat storage system” that will store heat in winter and provide natural cooling in summer. This storage system is very energy efficient and is usually suitable for incentives to reduce prices from energy suppliers such as electric companies.
How do single-level homes differ from traditional homes?
Single-level homes are usually built using the Frost Protected Shallow Foundation (FPSF) or Monolithic Foundation. This means that the concrete supports and the slab of the house are built as one unit, and not the traditional base.
In addition, FPSF is insulated both horizontally and vertically along the perimeter of the foundation. The size of the insulation is determined by the diagram, depending on the freezing depth of each individual area of the structure. 2009 International Housing Code refers to this in section R-403.3 in the codebook. As with any foundation system, it is extremely important to use qualitative methods and materials.
Understanding the characteristics of the soil and the environment is also important. "Clay" or "water-saturated" soils are undesirable soils when built using FPSF. A soil with natural drainage properties, such as sand or pea gravel, is more desirable. Soil-saturated water tends to freeze and expand, causing obvious problems with concrete and other building materials. A construction site with properly cleaned soils can be easily repaired and accessible with more desirable soil, such as “fill sand”. One of the main advantages of FPSF is to reduce the cost compared to the traditional basis without compromising the integrity or durability of the structure.
What about flooding?
Proper planning of the height of the slab in accordance with the high level of groundwater in the building area is the right way to ensure safety at the same level from flooding. It is also important to use a good water flow plan. Keeping the slab above the ground and the slope of the earth from the house is vital. The use of "flashing", where the plate meets with specific tracks, decks, etc., is extremely important. Common sense will make a big difference when planning and building a structure of any kind.
Concerned about tornadoes and strong winds?
With the weather that we experience in the Midwest, the idea of living in a house without a territory can be scary, if not scary for some people. There are several different types of storm shelters that will operate at the same level at home. A well-designed, above-ground, built-in storm shelter will protect you and your family and ease some of the fears that come from tornadoes and strong winds that are known to have devastating results. There is also the option of shelter for lower class shelters. They can be as simple as a mini basement, which can double as a spare room.
Make your next home on the same level!
Single level homes are becoming very popular in the housing sector. "What for?" You may ask - there are so many reasons! Benefits are abundant, and costs are affordable. The sky is the limit when it comes to design, floor plans and options. They are innovative, but easy to operate and maintain. The conservative construction methods used correspond to the green building. They really are the home of the future.
