by Debra on Sunday, August 31, 2008
How do you decide about adding on to a 50s ranch house? If you currently live in a ranch style house built in the 1950s, chances are you have between 1,500 and 1,800 square feet. Those were common sizes at the time. Some home owners have decided to add on but have found that it may not be worth it.
One way to help you decide about adding onto your house is your likelihood of remaining where you are. Do you plan to stay in your ranch house for a while or do you plan to remodel it and then sell it right away?
Sometimes life surprises us and our current homes aren’t large enough. If you’re going to stay in your home for a number of years you may not be that worried about how much money you’ll recoup. You may need the room now and that’s your sole reason for considering the remodel.
If you plan on buying a newer home soon, you’ll be more concerned about making back the money you spend adding on to your ranch house. Before making a final decision, it would be best to do some research into the houses around you. Have any of them recently had additions made and then been sold? If so, did they recoup the money they spent? The answers you get may help you decide about your own addition.
What type of additional footage do you need? Do you need a larger kitchen, master bedroom, or master bathroom? These are usually good choices for additions because people are interested in these rooms being larger in a house. If you want to add on a room for recreation purposes, that may not be a wise choice. You may not make all the money back for the addition.
It makes sense that people want to get the biggest house they can, especially if they have a family. They may need the extra room and therefore be more willing to buy a larger house.
There are a few Mistakes to Avoid when Remodeling a Ranch Style Home. You need to keep the other houses in the neighborhood in mind as you think about adding on to a 50s ranch house. You won’t want your house to stand out from the others in a negative way. If it’s too large, compared to the other houses around it, it may not be a good selling point.
Normally adding on to a 50s ranch house is a good idea if you consider the houses around you and how long you plan to stay in the home. Take your time and think about your reasons for adding on. Then you can make the decision and not worry too much about how much you’ll recoup on a future sale.
New Rooms for Old Houses: Beautiful Additions for the Traditional Home
photo credit: Velo Steve
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by Debra on Thursday, August 28, 2008
Popcorn, a coating sprayed onto the ceilings of homes built between 1935 and 1979, is often one of the first items a new homeowner wants to change. They often feel these types of ceilings are dated or have heard about hazards associated with them. Learning what to do with popcorn ceilings is one way to save a good amount of money when remodeling.
photo credit: BarelyFitz
If you’re thinking of removing the popcorn ceiling from your home, here are some things to consider before starting the project and some items you’ll need if you choose to tackle the project on your own.
Before removing an entire room’s worth of ceiling texture, it would be best to carefully remove a small portion of the texture to have it tested for asbestos. Check with your local Health Department to find a testing facility or for suggestions about where to purchase an at-home asbestos test.
Asbestos isn’t hazardous unless it is disturbed, so if you find it in your home, it’s best to leave it alone. However, if the asbestos has been damaged and could be getting into the air, your options are to remove it or to contain it in some manner. Don’t attempt to remove the asbestos on your own without knowing having the proper respiratory protection. You may choose to have a professional remove the popcorn ceiling in order to protect your family.
If asbestos isn’t a problem you’ll need the following materials to remove the popcorn ceiling from your rooms.
- Joint compound
- Putty knife
- Pole sander and sanding screen
- Wall scraper or trowel
- Pump sprayer
- Ladder
Empty the room out that you’re working in and then cover the floor with a drop cloth. Everyone working on the ceiling should wear goggles and respiratory masks. Spray a small portion of the ceiling with warm soapy water, starting in one corner, and then scrape the popcorn covering from the ceiling. Work toward the center of the room and then remove the garbage.
Let the ceiling dry completely before trying to patch any nail holes, replacing any seams, or starting to paint. Prime the ceiling and then use flat paint to give your room a completely updated look.
If you’re unhappy with the ceilings in your home and you’ve wondered what to do with popcorn ceilings, you can replace them. Be sure to test the ceiling texture for asbestos, and if all is well, take on the project by yourself or hire a contractor to do the job for you.
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by Debra on Monday, August 25, 2008
Ranch homes became popular starting in the 1930s. They continued to be the home plan of choice well into the 1970s. They are still popular homes with very few changes to the plans except for the amount of space. The good news is that ranch home plans are making a comeback. If you’re interested in a home that meets your needs, look no further than the ranch home plans of today.
Ranch homes are designed to fill up the lot on which the home is built. As a uniquely American-style of home, it was a change from the two- and three-story homes that had been built prior to 1945. Instead of going up, ranch-style homes spread out.
Most ranch homes were built in the suburbs in an attempt to give the feel of the country closer to the city. Don’t worry that you won’t have the space you need if you choose a ranch home plan for your home. There are still ranch home plans available today with plans ranging from 1,000 square feet to 3,000 square feet.
There are so many choices of floor plans available, each with specific features and benefits. They can also be customized to your own specifications and needs of your family. They use space efficiently, allowing for as many bedrooms as you need, and are much cheaper to build than a similar-sized two-story house.
Are you just starting out with small children? The ranch home is perfect for you. Everything is conveniently located on one floor. Are you nearing retirement age? This is a great house for you, as well.
In both cases, because the entire floor plan is on one level, you won’t have to worry about children or older homeowners falling down stairs. It will also make housekeeping easier. No more trudging up and down stairs to do the laundry.
The ranch home plan is the perfect plan for those purchasing their first home. They are cost-effective to construct, and even more cost-effective to maintain. One of the benefits to having a ranch home is that the outside plan is so simple; you can spend as much as you like to create the home you desire with the interior design elements you desire.
Is the kitchen the most important room in your home? Wouldn’t it be great if it was designed exactly the way you wanted? Find a basic ranch home plan you like and then find an architect to help you change it to what you’re dreaming.
The ranch home plan really is a versatile house. This versatility, along with the lower cost of building, is what makes this house style continue to be a popular home. If you’re looking for a new home, take a look at houses with the ranch home plan.
Click here for help deciding which ranch style floor plan is for you
photo credit: juhansonin photo credit: The County Clerk
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