4 Factors to Consider When Future-Proofing Your Custom Home Build

As of August 2022, 77% of Americans over the age of 50 prefer to age in place instead of moving somewhere else (even though the cost of in-home care was 10% more expensive than assisted living). A lot of seniors feel more comfortable in a familiar environment. But how can they age in place if their homes have stairs, high cabinets, and other obstacles?

The term “future-proofing” is used in the design industry to refer to any important things to consider when you plan to stay in your home throughout your senior years. It’s also referred to as “planning for aging in place,” and all of these strategies can help you to create a more comfortable future by thinking about your changing needs as you age.

Here are some things you should think about as you future-proof your home.

#1: Affordability

Cost is one of the biggest reasons people decide to move out of their homes. The cost of heating and cooling will most likely increase, which can contribute to your home’s affordability as time goes on. One way to address this concern is to take advantage of modern window technology, so you don’t have to give up any great views to keep your heating and cooling bills down.

You can improve your home’s energy efficiency with a blanket of insulation, so you can keep your home comfortable while keeping your energy costs down. It’s your home’s defense against the heat and cold of the outdoors, so it can help you keep indoor temperatures under control throughout the year without putting too much of a burden on your HVAC unit.

#2: Accessibility

Nobody wants to move because of physical changes and health issues that come as we age, but it happens to people all the time. Have wide doorways to give you more room to move. You should have all your main rooms and appliances on one floor, so you can have a head start in case mobility becomes an issue. You should also think about having a single-floor living plan that gives you space for sleeping, bathing, cooking, and doing laundry.

If you live in a multi-story home, you may not realize how much you use the stairs or how hard it would be to navigate your home if you weren’t able to climb them. You may not even realize how many obstacles are inside your bathroom until you have limited mobility. You can make it more accessible if you install a low-threshold shower or if you make room for future grab bars. You can even add some extra space, so you have more room to move around in.

#3: Healthy Materials

Making sure your home has the right materials can make a big difference when it comes to your physical health, which is an important thing to consider when you’re future-proofing your home. Clay plaster floors and cork floors can add beauty to your home while limiting the amount of waste left over during construction. You can even use reclaimed wood in certain areas.

Healthy materials won’t off-gas chemicals into your home, and they won’t add pollutants to the water or land. Look for any products that are labeled “no VOC,” which don’t have any Volatile Organic Compounds. VOC’s let off gasses from unstable compounds, so products without them create fewer odors while they’re being applied or drying. This will improve the indoor air quality inside your home (where VOC’s can accumulate over time). This applies to paints, stains, adhesives, furnishings, insulation products, and any other manufactured items.

 You should think about using natural materials (such as untreated wood, cut stone, cork, and woven grasses). They will not only give your home great texture and visual interest to your space but will also be easy to maintain. Clay plaster is also a great option because it has no VOC’s, plastics, or formaldehyde. It can even absorb odors and some airborne toxins, which can make your home healthier to live in.

#4: Durability

Using materials that are made well and are built to last will reduce your maintenance demands. And while these types of materials are always being introduced into the market, there are some time-tested options that are worth considering. Metal roofs are great alternatives to asphalt shingles because they’re resistant to impacts and corrosion, can withstand severe weather, and have more than double the lifespan of traditional roofs. They won’t catch fire if they’re exposed to flames or if they’re struck by lightning, and you can recycle them at the end of their use.

If you want to have a future-proof home design and are looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to Devonshire Custom Homes.