Depending on the design of your home and its roof, water run-off can be a major problem for your driveway. Take for instance this home: no gutters on the front side over the garage. Yet two dormers over the garage form a “V”-shaped area directing rainwater off the roof and onto the driveway. No problem until winter. During the day, snow melt from the roof drips onto the drive. At night it would freeze. For most of the winter there will be icy driveways.
The Clarinda (#43020) as built by Fox Builders – downspouts on each side of the garage to divert water flow.
Another configuration that could present a hazard as well as concrete damage: a gutter downspout that empties between the garage doors. This directs water off the roof nicely, but again in the winter, creates ice problems on the driveway. And, the year-‘round diversion of water onto that portion of the driveway causes lots of concrete settling problems resulting in a very uneven driveway.
The solution in both instances is to place gutters and downspouts that direct the water to the side yard instead of the driveway. Thus, keeping your driveway from building up with ice in the winter, and maintaining the integrity of the concrete all year.
Are you plugged in? Whether it’s outdoor entertaining, yard work, or a project you do in the driveway, it seems there’s never an exterior electrical box where you need to plug things in. So, when that sunroom is being added or your dream home is being built, adding a couple more electrical boxes when the electrician is already at your home is a minimal expense you’ll often be glad you opted for.
And, with the holidays approaching, few things warm the heart as much as attractive holiday light displays. But stringing extension cords all over can be daunting – and hazardous. Adding electric outlets in the eaves under the roof overhangs as well as an outlet strategically located in the yard makes holiday lighting a pleasure. Be sure to have the electrician wire a switch inside the home to turn those lights on and off.
In cold weather markets, where does the patio furniture go when the snow flies? Usually, the garage. But some new homes are built without a garage, and some garages just don’t have the room necessary to accommodate your patio items. Other folks use a shed, but such outbuildings are prohibited by many neighborhood covenants.
An emerging new home amenity is storage accessed directly from the outside. So whether it’s patio furniture, sports equipment, bikes and big wheels or lawn and garden tools, thinking through such seasonal storage needs is essential.
These two plans offer a convenient storage space tucked behind the garage with access to the garage and the back yard. Let us help you customize a plan to include outdoor storage where you need it.
If your backyard is the gathering spot for the neighbor kids, you’ll appreciate they can go potty without traipsing through the home. And, if that bathroom has a shower, it’s an ideal “pool bath.”
Spent the afternoon planting and gardening? That’s a welcome clean-up spot. Similarly, if you have pets who just dug up that garden, the shower can turn in to a pet wash station.
The Corbette (#42104) and the Reeves (#42085) both feature a convenient bath off the covered porch. And, both lead to the laundry room–easy access to getting dirty clothes and towels in the laundry after cleaning off!
The Reeves – #42085
Search our plans for more design amenities to help make everyday living a bit easier. See something you like, but want to make changes–our plan specialists are here to assist!
Do you love to entertain/grill out, but don’t have the space or want a full outdoor kitchen? Then, you might consider adding a Chill-N-Grill™ station to your home design. The Chill-N-Grill is typically placed just inside the door leading to the grilling area and can include an under-counter refrigerator, prep counter, and storage for seasonings, grilling utensils, and serving dishes. It is fast becoming one of today’s hottest design amenities!
The Fiala plan (#42281) features a Chill-N-Grill near the rear covered porch.
View our plan library. See a plan you like and want to incorporate a Chill-N-Grill (or other amenity), let our Plan Alterations Specialists help make the changes. Contact us today!
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Are you plugged in? Whether it’s outdoor entertaining, yard work, or a project you do in the driveway, it seems there’s never an exterior electrical box where you need to plug things in. So, when that sunroom is being added or your dream home is being built, adding a couple more electrical boxes when the electrician is already at your home is a minimal expense you’ll often be glad you opted for.
Do you love to entertain/grill out, but don’t have the space or want a full outdoor kitchen? Then, you might consider adding a Chill-N-Grill™ station to your home design. The Chill-N-Grill is typically placed just inside the door leading to the grilling area and can include an under-counter refrigerator, prep counter, and storage for seasonings, grilling utensils, and serving dishes. It is fast becoming one of today’s hottest design amenities!