On House Features
Things to consider incorporating into a house.
.. Indoor laundry room with floor drain and small sink.
.. Toilets big enough to be comfortable - not teensy ones.
.. Kitchen and bathroom drain board counter tops which can be wiped
into the sink without any awkward rim protrusion.
.. Oven burner box and stove-top fan which both vent to the outside.
.. A roof overhang of at least 3-feet.
.. Underside of eaves filled in with stucco rather than
leaving the rafters exposed for painting.
.. Facia board stuccoed-over --- like in Arizona desert homes
.. A few (3-to-4) course of brick/slumpstone at ground level to
avoid stucco's touching the ground.
.. Ceiling lights in every room -- consider pre-wiring for fans later.
.. Bath and kitchen ceilings soffit lighting (use fluorescents)
.. Bath mirrors area well lighted -- BOTH top and sides; but cool (use fluorescents)
.. Bath mirrors close enough to see one's face well
.. Bath fan for steam/odor exhaust to outside (even when windows present).
.. Greenboard throughout (esp. 5/8-inch); it is a better sound barrier
than regular 1/2-inch drywall.
.. Rigid copper water piping throughout; no soft copper; no galvanized.
.. Movie Projection screen: Pull-down or even power roll down.
.. Extensive telephone/television/sound/intercom pre-wiring - even outside
.. Also 8 cond category-5 Ethernet cable for LAN.
.. Forced-air system with electrostatic air filter.
.. Heating/cooling system accessible --- not in attic.
.. Heating done with heat-exchange from dedicated hot-water heaters
not connected to main pressure.
.. Outside chiller/compressor should be quiet, away from living/sleeping
area and shelterable from the winter weather.
.. Allow for future incorporation of solar energy for
heating and/or electrical generation.
.. Cross-ventilation to increase use of summer breezes and reduce need
for chilling.
.. Exterior lights controlled by switch, timer, sunlight, and/or motion.
.. Double glazed windows with screens on the inside.
.. Switch sensors in windows, doors, and deadbolt receptacles to
ensure that the house is closed and locked --- even if they are not
connected to security alert/alarm system.
.. Sectional roller garage door with electric opener.
.. Provision for water softener which avoids outside watering uses.
(Consider also avoiding toilets and ice-makers).
.. Plenty of outside watering locations with multiple hose bibs each.
.. Lawn sprinkler systems with electric, manual, and timer controls.
.. Outside electrical outlets.
.. A FULL basement; just think how far down you own;
it'd be a shame to waste it, but must seal it well and drain it just in case.