Two storeys used to be the picture of a big house, but many families now choose a single-storey home on a larger plot, for practical reasons.
Everyone lives on one level
No stairs for grandparents or small children to worry about. Bedrooms are close together, which makes caring for each other easier, and if someone needs a wheelchair later the house still works without major changes.
A tall gable roof handles heat
Hot air rises into the roof space. With a tall, ventilated roof void the heat stays away from the living room, and large windows mean fewer lights on during the day.
Lower long-term costs
- Exterior painting and roof repairs without tall scaffolding
- Shorter plumbing and wiring runs that are easier to repair
- Extensions to the side or back without touching the main structure
The trade-off is more land
A single-storey house with the same floor area as a two-storey one needs more land. That suits provincial locations where land is still sensibly priced, and projects that offer plots of 70 square wah or more, so there is still room for a garden and parking.
