There are plenty of advantages to owning a single-storey home. While two-storey and multi-storey properties might prove popular for those who need more space and have growing families, a large square foot property might not be something that everyone is looking for.
Single-storey homes offer several benefits and many of these are often overlooked. Those benefits also extend beyond just the basic accessibility features and provide many different advantages in the way of energy efficiency, maintenance and long-term financial value.
From ranch-style homes to bungalows, these types of properties are certainly seeing a resurgence in popularity. Let’s take a look at the quiet advantages of single storey homes and who they benefit the most.
Quiet advantages of single-storey homes
So why pick a single-storey home? What advantages does it offer to those who are looking for a new property, whether that’s to build themselves or to buy an already existing property on the market?
- Enhanced mental health and cognitive calm
There are plenty of enhanced mental health benefits that come from having a singular storey home.
For example, if you’re someone who gets highly stressed and anxious as they get older, worrying about falls for example, then having a single-storey property that eliminates the need for stairs, is certainly something that’s highly appreciated.
It also fosters a greater sense of security and independence, being able to live in your own home for longer, if not the rest of your natural life.
As you’re rarely sharing walls or floors with neighbours, detached, single-storey homes provide a lot more of a quiet environment that you may want in your household. Whether you’re living on your own, with a young family or as a retired couple, less noise is often a blessing to experience in your home.
There’s also spatial breathability that’s offered with single-storey homes. It allows for more open and naturally lit layouts, creating a lighter and more calming environment that’s a lot less chaotic.
- Superior energy efficiency and structural stability
When it comes to single storey homes, most people will often overlook the superior energy efficiency it offers, alongside the structural stability it provides too.
Heat rises and so it’s often hard to regulate the temperature in two-storey buildings. Single-level homes are a lot easier to heat and cool evenly, resulting in lower utility bills as a result.
With single-storey houses, it has a lower profile and so makes them less susceptible to damage from high winds, severe weather, etc. Comparing them to taller homes, single-storey houses will often feel like a more durable and stable option that won’t require much in the way of upkeep either.
Talking of upkeep, with any house or property, you have to think about the maintenance that comes with it. Exterior upkeep from painting to cleaning gutters and washing windows is often safer and more manageable. It also often allows for DIY maintenance and eliminates the need for expensive, high-reach equipment.
- Unmatched future-proofing and safety
When it comes to choosing a home, it’s always important to look at future-proofing and safety of the place.
A single-level living property removes the mobility limits that a lot of multi-storey properties will come with. It allows homeowners to stay within their homes as they age, without needing to think about installing costly equipment like a stair-lift or managing painful climbing up the stairs.
It’s also better open when you need a more diverse space for a diverse household. A single-storey property is great for young children as there’s fewer stairs if any to trip down or up. It’s also a highly accessible space for people with temporary or permanent disabilities. There’s less to adapt or update in order to cater to the latter too.
In case of emergency, exiting a home that only has a ground floor is a lot safer and faster than having to do so from a two-storey or three-storey property. Being trapped above a fire, can make you more susceptible to smoke inhalation and even loss of life unfortunately.
- Design and lifestyle advantages
Single storey homes will offer easier and direct access to gardens, outdoor living spaces and patios. It encourages a closer connection to nature too, which is important for many who like to get outside and connect with Mother Nature.
With higher ceilings and natural light, these are the added benefits that come with single storey homes as opposed to the multi-storey options that are restricted due to the second-floor layout above.
There’s a lot more privacy offered when it comes to a single-storey property. You also don’t need much in the way of privacy fencing because you might not have too many neighbors around you and that might look down into your yard from an upper storey property.
- Overlooked financial benefits
There are also plenty of overlooked financial benefits that aren’t always thought about when it comes to opting for a single storey building. There’s higher resale demand as well-designed, single storey properties are often rare in many markets and therefore highly sought after.
You’ve also got lower construction costs that come with single-storey homes as they’re faster to build and require a more simple structural foundation. This can help to reduce labor costs as a result, which is always a benefit to increase the ROI you get on any work you have done to your property.
What to look for in a single storey home and who does it cater to the most?
When it comes to single storey home designs, there’s some key features you should look out for. These include:
- Open-plan layout
- Accessibility features
- Natural light and ceiling heights
- Indoor-outdoor connection
- Zoning
- Energy efficiency
And who do single-storey homes cater to? Single-storey homes are typically designed for individuals but in recent years they’ve become more popular with young families, empty nesters and environmentally conscious buyers.