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November 07, 2008
By: Debra
Category: Floors, Remodel Ranch Home
Those considering making renovations to their homes are often plagued by doubts. They know what they want, and yet they’re afraid that their dream home may not have resell value in the future.
Many people will suggest that you renovate raised ranch homes to suit yourself rather than worrying about how well it will sell years down the road.
Knowing ahead of time how long you plan to remain in your home may make renovation decisions easier to make. If you plan on remaining in the home for a number of years, you’ll feel freer to make changes to suit yourself.
When you’re relatively sure you won’t be staying in your home more than a year or two, you may be less willing to make changes that won’t necessarily bring higher dollars on the sale.
If you plan to add on to your ranch house, try to use similar materials that were originally used in the house unless you plan on completely redoing the exterior. This will help maintain the character of the original house as well as keeping some of the outside elements.
Remember the basics.
When you renovate raised ranch houses, it is probably better to avoid thinking horizontal if you want to add on. Instead, try adding onto the rear of the house especially if the visual from the curb is already a long box. It would also be better to have an additions offset rather than plunked down at one end or the other.
In some cases it is alright to add onto the end of a raised ranch if it is a true split level house. It would be best, if you’re going to add onto one side of the house, that you also increase the window size nearest the addition. This will help the curb appeal and make the house not look lopsided.
Another option for adding onto the length rather than onto the back of the house is to incorporate the built-in garage into the actual living space. You can then build a new garage onto the opposite side of living area which will create a more of a symmetrical look rather than an asymmetrical one. Of course, if you move the garage, don’t forget to redo the driveway as well.
Check with the local building ordinances in your city or town. They may have restrictions to the type of additions that can be made on particular models of homes. It is also a good idea to have an idea of what you would like to do and then talk with an architect.
Your primary goal is to maintain the curb appeal when you renovate raised ranch houses in addition to giving you more space. Talk with an architect and listen to their suggestions. The ideas you have may be great, but then again they may be better left on the paper.
When you renovate raised ranch homes you want to maintain the integrity of the house without destroying the look of it. There are ways to make renovations that will help the curb appeal and things that you can do to destroy it. Your best bet is to look, listen, and then decide what is best for your renovate raised ranch style house.
Ranches: Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Building New
photo credit: Yme Bosma photo credit: jared703 photo credit: Simon Davison
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October 22, 2008
By: Debra
Category: Remodel Ranch Home
You’ve finally decided to take the plunge and update your home. A raised ranch home renovation is something to consider carefully. Since there are stairs involved in your raised ranch home, renovation may seem like an impossibility.
With a raised ranch house, the foyer is on the ground level of the home. Nearly one dozen stairs are opposite the entryway door that leads to the main living area on the second floor. Some raised ranch houses have a balcony on the outside of the house that will enter directly onto the living area.
Even though the house has differing levels, it is very much similar to the asymmetrical floor plan of the traditional ranch house. There will be a low pitched roof, deep set eves, and an attached garage. Quite often the bedrooms are on the lower level.
When considering How to Renovate a Raised Ranch Home, remember that there’s no reason that the stairs have to be a problem for you. If the stairs are on the exterior, you may be able to change the look of your home by landscaping it differently.
Staircases can be moved with some planning. Be sure to get help from a structural engineer if this is something you’ve thought about. Should you decide to leave the staircases where they currently are, you can revise the entryway by changing out the doors or adding windows along the door to brighten the area.
Raise the ceiling and leave the beams exposed. You may also like to open up the rooms to create a great room. Add a fireplace to get the look of a lodge.
Expand the master bedroom to create a suite instead of having a simple sleeping area. Move non-weight bearing walls to enlarge the room and add a seating area. Since older homes aren’t known for having large closets, after you’ve moved the wall you can create the walk-in-closet you’ve always wanted.
Get the help of a qualified architect or contractor when deciding which renovations are best for your raised ranch home. They will be able to tell you whether the renovations you want to make are structurally sound or not. An architect or contractor may also be able to give you some ideas you hadn’t considered.
Don’t be afraid to renovate or make changes to your house. Think about the changes you’d like to make and then speak to experts to get the best advice. The changes may take a while to complete but the time and effort are sure to be worth it.
Remember not to go too crazy when it comes to raised ranch home renovations. Keeping with the home’s original style may be a better choice than trying to make too many changes all at once.
Ranches: Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Building New
photo credit: saturnism
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October 19, 2008
By: Debra
Category: Exterior Design Ideas, Exterior Paint
Although the name “bungalow” comes from India, this style of house is an entirely American architectural style. Bungalows are single-story houses with a low-pitched shingle roof. They were popular during the 1910s and 1920s. The bungalow exterior paint was earthy and muted in tone.
The bungalow had an unusual floor plan. In most cases, particularly in the early years of this style, there was a main central living area. The remaining rooms – kitchen, dining area, bedrooms, and bathrooms – clustered around the central area. The house had plenty of windows and a welcoming front porch.
Similar in style to the Craftsman and Prairie style houses, the bungalow is best suited to those who enjoy a simple or informal lifestyle. Those that enjoy the outdoors will enjoy this type of house because has wide porches that create additional outdoor living space. The bungalow helps the homeowner to embrace the outdoors as they use the various porches and open the many windows.
It is very common to see a bungalow among trees and shrubs which helps the home to remain as private as the homeowner prefers. Of course, the Bungalow Exterior Paint may help the home almost disappear among the foliage depending upon how the house is painted. Most bungalows have earth-tone shingles that contrasted with the muted shades of the bungalow’s exterior paint.
Historical colors for bungalow exterior paint include walls that were painted gray, trim painted deep green and accent colors in copper red. Other combinations included walls painted in bronze green, trim in Birdseye maple, and accents painted in hammered silver; wall color suede, trim in brass, and accents painted in polished mahogany.
Many first-time homebuyers are interested in bungalows because they allow the homebuyer to learn about homeownership without becoming overwhelmed. The size of the home means there is less upkeep than there would be for a larger home. They are also a good choice for people who have mobility impairment because there are no steps to contend with.
There are a number of variations on the bungalow concept. These include the ranch bungalow that has the bedrooms separated from the remaining living areas similar to the ranch style house, raised bungalow which actually has a basement that is partially above ground, and the chalet bungalow which offers a second story loft area.
No matter the layout of the bungalow, exterior paint combinations are most likely similar. Of course, this could depend upon the location of the house. When repainting the home, it is probably best to leave the color of the house as close to the original as possible. Historically accurate bungalow exterior paints can be purchased from suppliers such as Sherwin Williams, Pittsburgh Paint, and Lowe’s.
Check out these great books on:
Bungalow Colors Exteriors
Bungalows: Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Building New
photo credit: roarofthefour
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