Building Homes and Living https://buildinghomesandliving.com Building Homes and Living Thu, 10 Sep 2020 20:41:23 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://0124d9.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/house-image-50x50.png Building Homes and Living https://buildinghomesandliving.com 32 32 A Small Encyclopedia of Prefab Homes https://buildinghomesandliving.com/prefab/a-small-encyclopedia-of-prefab-homes Wed, 02 Sep 2020 00:35:44 +0000 https://buildinghomesandliving.com/?p=28932 If you’ve ever watched “How It’s Made” or seen a construction crew put up an entire neighborhood seemingly overnight, you’re probably familiar with the concept of the prefabricated home. The idea behind prefabrication is that the large pieces of the project are assembled ahead of time, then shipped to the site and joined together by a crew. This allows for a shorter assembly time overall, which is why prefab neighborhoods seem to appear out of nowhere. The idea itself comes from the combination of modular homes and panelized houses and isn’t typically used by the housing industry, but has become a common term among home seekers and buyers.

Prefabrication has become a popular way to build, especially when it comes to single-family homes. Below we’ve included some of the most sought after information regarding prefabricated homes, including types, pricing, and individual companies that provide prefab kits, whether you’re looking for steel frames, energy efficient homes, or unique pods that suit your lifestyle.

You can also use these encyclopedic entries as a springboard for diving into the deep end of the prefab home community. Whatever you’re looking for, you can rest assured that someone out there has it. Ready to settle into a home sweet home? Find out which one is right for you and read through the options below:

Steel Modular Homes

One of the more popular types of prefab homes in recent years is the steel modular home. Some of these are built using steel frames only, while others have panels made of steel incorporated into the building. The main reason for using steel is for safety. Steel frames protect from wind, earthquakes, storms, and other natural disasters.

This is often a big concern for people considering prefabricated houses, since some companies forego using the sturdiest materials to cut down on cost. If you’re concerned about the longevity, safety, or sturdiness of a prefabricated home, the steel frame or steel modular type may be the one you want to check out. Kodiak Steel has a line of steel homes, which are purportedly some of the strongest prefab homes available. They’re also a good choice for the environment, and the engineering that goes on behind the scenes ensures that your home is able to withstand whatever nature brings your way, whether it’s a desert sandstorm, a snowstorm, or even hailstorms. Wherever you live, if you have a steel frame or panel house, you and your family won’t have to worry about staying safe.

If you want to learn more about steel modular homes, you can visit the Kodiak Steel website, or you can watch videos about steel homes on YouTube.

Custom Modular Homes

If the image of your dream home has remained steady in your mind for awhile, you may want to consider hiring an architect who will customize a modular home for you. Contrary to what you may think, custom modular homes have progressed past the initial rectangle shape into a myriad of possibilities that inspire and delight new homeowners as well as veteran buyers.

There are dozens of companies that specialize in creating custom modular homes for their customers, but to just get a taste of what is available in the custom modular home arena, you should take a look at the Professional Building Systems company, which specializes in custom buildings, for individual family homes as well as commercial and multi-family use. The individual family homes can be customized with the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, styles, sizes, and a variety of features, including balconies, fireplaces, and breakfast nooks.

There are many styles of custom modular homes to choose from with any company, depending on where you live – from mountain cabins, to beach houses, to three-story Victorian style homes, if you can dream it, someone can build it. Keep in mind that choosing a custom home build may take longer as the details will have to be worked out prior to building, and it may cost more due to customization. If your heart is set on a specific look, however, this is the way to go.

Modular Builders

It’s a good idea to shop around instead of hiring the first builder you come across, but where do you start? And how do you know who you can trust? You can utilize the world wide web and check recommendations online (Google Search will yield plenty of results), and it’s also a good idea to check YouTube and watch builders’ channels, or videos by people who have hired specific builders that you may also be interested in hiring. If you’re less of a research online type of person, of course, there are other ways to find a reputable builder, such as world-of-mouth. If you don’t know anyone who has a prefab house, ask your friends and family if they know someone. Since the prefab house is becoming more and more popular, it’s likely that you will be able to find someone to talk to about their experience and satisfaction with their prefab house.

Some of my favorite prefab builders are the ones who think outside the box, or who concentrate on safety, going green, or other things important to me as a responsible buyer. There are also communities of prefab homes to consider, unless you are also in the process of buying your own property outside the city in a more rural area.

If you want to look at larger companies, you can check out Champion Homes, which boasts several cozy home plans, all energy efficient and quick to build. Excel Homes is yet another larger company that has been around since the mid 1980’s that might suit you if you’re looking for high-quality prefab homes, vacation homes, and multi-family residential units. If you’re looking for something a little more unique, then you may want to seek out a company like Method Homes, which is located on the western coast of the United States. Their original designs and commitment to quality put them at the top of our list.

Modular Vs. Manufacturing

Modular and manufacturing are terms that can seem interchangeable, but there are some minor differences that you need to know before you decide which one you’re going to use. Modular homes are subject to the rules and regulations of where they end up, while manufactured homes do not have to be inspected – the only parts that have to pass inspection are the things like wiring and plumbing that are done on site.

The other big thing to know about modular versus manufactured homes is that it is easier to re-finance a modular home versus a manufactured home because of the permanent foundation the modular is built onto – manufactured homes typically aren’t secured to the foundation permanently. They are instead built on a metal chassis. This is also why manufactured homes are cheaper, so if price is a factor, you may want to consider going the manufactured home route, keeping in mind that you will need to have more money saved up so that you don’t run into re-financing issues.

Modular homes, on the other hand, are quite similar to houses constructed on-site in regards to having a permanent foundation, though they may in fact sometimes be a little less expensive than their on-site counterparts. They do tend to last just as long as those houses built on-site, so if you’re looking for a home that will increase in value over time and that will, with steady maintenance, house several generations of your family, you may want to go the modular home route.

Pre-Cast Homes (What Are They?)

One of the most interesting developments in the prefabricated home world is the use of concrete in what is called “precast” housing. The concrete is poured and shaped ahead of time and then hauled to the site and completed. While some may be disinterested in the look of such a house, the benefits far outweigh any design concerns one may have.

For example, the use of precast concrete means that the house is almost completely fireproof, and is incredibly weather and vermin resistant. It’s a definite perk, but the biggest bonus of all is that this could mean lower home insurance rates, fewer pest control visits and repair bills, etc. Other benefits to owning a precast house include built-in insulation, which means it retains both heat and cold so well that less power is needed, which again, means lower monthly payments.

While precast homes may be costlier up front, they do pay for themselves in many ways over the years, and are speculated to be tougher than most houses built today. They could last over a hundred years and still require minimal maintenance. If this sounds appealing to you, then you may want to take some time and research the fascinating world of precast homes. One market where the precast home has been growing by leaps and bounds is the tiny home community, where a small precast home can shield from outside noise, bad weather, and homeowner bills.

Energy Efficient Modular Homes

If you’re looking into buying or building your own home but want to be conscientious of the surrounding environment, there are several housing options that are energy-efficient and green friendly. Several new materials have been created (such as aircrete) that are not only energy efficient but also sturdy and inexpensive. Some modular home companies even specialize in energy efficient homes.

Method Homes is one such company, and their homes are all built to be able to receive green building certifications. Their “M” series is a less expensive but very stylish line of modern, customizable homes that cater to environmentally conscious clients. Some certifications their homes qualify for are the Passive House and Living Building Challenge.

Ecocraft is another company that prides itself on producing some of the most energy efficient, customizable homes on the market. They do not have a line or set plans, and instead work with each buyer to build a house perfect for each individual. They rely on passive and active solar power systems, use recyclable or long-lasting materials, and have reduced their construction waste by 20%, which may not sound like much until you realize that they’ve taken the industry standard (25%) and gone to just 5% waste total.

The only company to ever receive a permit to build their incredibly green friendly structures using bamboo is Bamboo Living Homes. Their homes are all up to code, and withstand winds over 150mph. The bamboo is responsibly sourced and the home, which includes 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a porch, and a loft can be built for less than $100,000.

Prefab Pods

If you’re looking for less of a home and more of an office, studio, recreational area, or even an outhouse of sorts, you can spend less and get something of high quality, like prefabricated pods. These ‘pods’ are one-room structures that can be used for just about anything you can come up with, including an addition to your home that doesn’t require a building permit.

YardPods is a new company located in the San Francisco area, dedicated to building unattached pods for your personal use. They come in many styles, some with big windows to let in light (best for art studios and photography), some with less distraction (home office, meeting room), some with relaxation space outside, such as a deck or porch.

You can also use the pods as places to teach (tutoring, yoga studio, music studio), house relatives or guests (Air B&B) overflow, and have your own quiet retreat on the weekends. Pods can also serve as sturdy storage spaces, a playhouse, or a mother-in-law suite (just make sure there’s a bathroom attached). Or, if you’ve decided that you really want another toilet to have on hand when family arrives, you can buy a bathroom pod, like the one sold by Oldcastle SurePods, which is known as the leader of supplying prefab bathrooms in North America.

Prefabricated Home Prices

Now, we know that everyone wants to know the bottom line: what’s the price tag on prefabricated homes? The simple answer is that most of them are cheaper to come by than the average two-story house in a regular neighborhood. That being said, there are a lot of factors that play into the price of a prefabricated house, such as if the buyer already has a plot of land set aside, what materials are being used to make the prefabricated home, and how long it takes for the building to be put together.

Typically, it depends on a few variables: materials, size, and time. Depending on the construction materials used (such as bamboo, concrete, or wood), you could find yourself in the hundreds of thousands range. Using energy efficient materials will cost more up front, but will also allow the house to pay for itself eventually because it did its job and did it well.

To get down to brass tacks, however, the starting point for most prefabricated houses that are a regular size (2-3 bedrooms and the same amount of bathrooms) is somewhere around the $200,00 mark, which includes the price of the land it is being built on, as well as all the utilities, permits, and time spent on putting the house together. You may be able to drive down the cost depending on what materials are used and which model you pick, but it does also depend on external factors like where you’re building and how the market is doing at that time. Most homes, however, will start around $100,000.00 and go up from there.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve learned a little something while perusing this article about all the options available to you when you decide to build a prefabricated house. There are many places online and off you can explore these further, such as the links we posted throughout the article. If you’re thinking of looking into getting a prefabricated home for yourself and your family, I highly recommend talking to an architect and getting both the design and money details down before you make a final decision.

While prefabricated homes go up quickly and have a reputation of being “flimsy”, technology has come a long way from when they were first popular up to now. Now you can choose whether you want a steel frame or a home created with bamboo fiber, both of which are built to withstand nature’s scariest storms. You can choose between a tiny home or a large, Victorian style.

No matter what you choose, be sure and research all the options available to you before you begin. Talk to local builders, talk to experts in your area who have the knowledge and expertise to make your house a home. You’ll want to be sure you can enjoy the memories made inside those walls for decades to come.

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All About Houseboats and Houseboat Living https://buildinghomesandliving.com/houseboats/a-small-encyclopedia-of-houseboats Sun, 02 Aug 2020 06:10:40 +0000 https://buildinghomesandliving.com/?p=29029 Introduction

There’s something intriguing about houseboats. Instead of living life on the open road RV-style, a houseboat offers a charming alternative, at a slower pace. Houseboats can be personalized much like other large traveling homes, but their care and keeping is unique. Locations can also be limited, depending on how big the boat is, where you’re wanting to go or stay, and weather can present its own challenges. That being said, the idyllic view remains constant in wanderers’ minds, and though I’ve never had the luck, I’d jump at the chance to try it. Obviously, knowing the different types, the options for purchase, rent, or vacation, and where to find them should be the first step, and we’ve provided easy entry into this fascinating world below.

Livable Boats  

There’s a massive difference in design between boats used for weekend getaways and the boat one calls home. The boats that are taken out over the weekend are scarce on storage space with more room for entertaining, while liveable boats need a setup that will allow its inhabitants to store everything they need. Some liveable boats are squatter in shape, as they won’t be doing a lot of travel, while recreational boats may be faster and slimmer.

It’s important to take into account your own needs when seeking a boat. You want a good fit, one that will ensure you enjoy your experience. Are you the sort of person who needs a lot of light? Look for a boat with large portals, and a body of still water in which to reside. If you’re sharing space with someone or multiple people, will you all need your own space? Are you willing to share? Other practical concerns are electricity (you may want to invest in an inverter), a separate shower, and a gas stove with multiple burners (how often will you be cooking?).

If you can, find someone who has lived on a boat and listen to their stories. What stands out to you as most important for your own livable boat? What are some things you may not have considered?

Luxury Houseboats

Most of us have dreamed at one time or another of being aboard a yacht, and some are lucky enough to achieve that dream. If you’re thinking of living aboard something that luxurious, however, but are not going to be traveling, you may want to consider a luxury houseboat. Their interiors resemble modern-day apartment living, though of course the materials have been upgraded to the ultimate in comfort and design.

Trifecta Designs, for example, is a joint venture between Sumerset Houseboats, Thoroughbred Houseboats, and Stardust Cruisers, focusing on the luxury houseboat market. A browse through their photo gallery shows an attention to details, stylish, smart use of space, and many technological upgrades.

A few of my favorite things about the Thoroughbred Houseboat line in particular is that they are known for their glass siding, which allows all the sunshine inside, a problem for some houseboats with small windows. Some of their other luxuries include a drop-down TV and a gas fireplace, perfect for a cozy night at home.

If you’re interested in a luxury houseboat, you may want to take a look at Trifecta Designs and what they have to offer. You can visit the Thoroughbred Houseboats site, or drop in, if you live in Kentucky.

Barge House – What’s the difference from a houseboat?

Depending on where you live, what water is available nearby, and how long you want to live on the water, you may want to consider getting a barge house instead of a houseboat. What’s the difference? A houseboat is typically built to stay in one place, anchored and on floats. A barge house, on the other hand, is made so that if the owner decides to find calmer waters, it can be towed (or, depending on the boat, sailed down the river).

There are pros and cons to each of these, but if you’re wanting a more nomadic lifestyle, one where you can explore the sights and sounds of a place and then pull away from shore and go on to another port, a barge house might be your preference. There are also rules that regulate houseboats that do not necessarily apply to barge houses, depending on where you live.

Barge homes are quite common in Europe, particularly in and around France, where there are plenty of locks and canals to be navigated. Barge home communities thrive, with friends reconnecting after months spent traveling to other areas. Barge homes are easy upkeep, inexpensive to fuel, and can be cheaper than maintaining a home on land.

Houseboat Rental

While most might prefer a short stay aboard a houseboat, there are those who are in between wanting a weekend away and buying their own boat. That’s where long term leases come into play. While there aren’t as many options in this market niche, there are still a few markets, primarily near the coast, such as in Washington, California, and New York.

Some things to keep in mind when considering a long-term lease are any membership fees that need to be paid (like the Marina live aboard fee, or storage fees), where you’re going to store your excess items while you’re living on the water, and what to do if there is any danger from inclement weather.

Staying offshore a bit longer can give you a real feel for how much you will enjoy living in a smaller space, and if you want to stay in one place or need something that will allow you to travel at a moment’s notice.

If you’re interested in seeking out a long-term lease, you can begin by checking for options on rental sites like Trovit. You can also look up Marinas near where you’d like to live and see if they have any listings available.

River Boat Vacations

Another way explore the world of long-term boating is to take a river cruise. There are trips available worldwide, to such locations as the Canadian Maritimes, Belize, Cuba, Japan, and Spain. There are also thematic cruises such as the Viking River Cruise, and historical cruises through some of the famous waterways in the Southern United States.

Since river boats need to be able to navigate rivers (some of which can be quite small), the amount of people on board is limited. This would make a great trip for an extended family (there are typically around half a dozen cabins), or a group of friends. There are stops along the way, depending on which river boat vacation you choose, and often you’ll be able to catch the scenery and important landmarks from deck.

Most trips last between 5-12 days, with a starting price of around $2,500.00. Due to limited space, you’ll want to purchase your tickets as early as possible and confirm to ensure your spot(s). You may also want to invest in dramamine, in case someone in your party gets nauseous as the boat rocks.

Does this option sound like a perfect opportunity to experiment with living aboard a boat? You can start looking at vacations by checking out USA River Cruises.

Houseboat Cruises

This option is a little bit more difficult to find, but there are a few international destinations that offer 1-3 nights aboard a houseboat. One of these places is in India, where couples, families, or friends can book a trip through lagoons and canals around Alleppey. These boats are all air-conditioned and made to provide comfort and luxury with spectacular views. A few nights on board one of these houseboats will run you anywhere from $158-$500.

These houseboats used in India are unique, based on older boats that were constructed using knots (no nails were used). They are airy, with plenty of windows, and come with a complement of staff who will provide meals and ensure your stay is enjoyable. Interested in visiting India? You can begin planning your dream vacation by visiting Lakelands Cruise.

There are also other options, such as the rent-your-own houseboat cruise trips, common along the Eastern coast of the United States, or the self-drive option offered by companies like Le Boat, which services Canada and Europe.

You can go almost anywhere in the world with these options. Whether you’re looking to try more Asian cuisine, or see ancient ruins in Greece, or simply see the autumn leaves change in New England, there’s a houseboat cruise just for you.

Houseboat Vacation Rental

Curious about life on the water but don’t want to commit to it long term without trying it out first? Houseboat rentals are a wonderful option for those who are thinking about moving toward water, and there are several places which offer these beautiful, cozy houseboats for a weekend getaway. AirBnB even has a search category for “Stationary Houseboats”, should you be so inclined.

When vacationing aboard a houseboat, however, it’s important to ensure that you know what to do in case of emergencies, such as inclement weather, flooding, or something hitting the boat. Talk through processes with the owners and ask any questions you might have, even if they seem silly. Make sure you know where things are kept, what’s expected of you, and have the owner’s contact information.

If you’re leaning toward making a reservation and stepping off land for a few days, you may want to check out the following houseboat rental agencies: Houseboat Rentals Across America, Fun N The Sun Houseboat Rentals, Book a Houseboat (worldwide), or Forever Houseboats. Pricing will vary, so be sure and consider off season versus those months when everyone wants to be on the water. Country Living also has a list of the best dozen houseboat rentals.

Houseboat Booking – How to book a houseboat rental

A few things to consider before booking a houseboat rental: How are you getting to and from the houseboat? How long will you be staying? Are you near enough to a town or city in case you need supplies? Once the necessaries are decided upon, it’s time to hunt down a rental option. Like most things these days, you can do so online.

Some of the most popular houseboat rental services have been listed above, such as the Houseboat Rentals Across America and Book a Houseboat. At the HRAA website, you can request information, call their toll free line, or manage an online booking. They currently have houseboats available from Florida to California. BAH, on the other hand, mostly handles things online, as it is an international company based out of The Netherlands (they do have a number available should you need assistance and prefer that method of communication) and each houseboat is rated by guests so you can rest assured that you’re going to have a wonderful time aboard. The top three destinations, according to BAH, are Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris.

There are also travel agencies who handle all the planning, so that your entire vacation from start to finish, is entirely stress-free. If you’re interested in this option, you can check out agencies such as Hilton Grand Vacations and Travel Agent Central.

AirBNB Houseboat

This is where the majority of the houseboat rental market seems to be heading. There are even articles about the coolest ones, like this one from Thrillist – ranging from California to Texas to Georgia to Florida to New York to Michigan. You can start there or you can head directly to AirBnB and start the process for booking a few nights off land.

Prices range, so it might be a good idea to keep watch for a while and figure out when the off season is, if you’re wanting to save money. If you’ve got the money to spare, you may want to know when the best time is to go to enjoy boat life and all the activities on and offshore. Depending on what type of vacation you’re wanting, you may want to check out the area around the houseboat, whether it’s a peaceful, quiet neighborhood or a late night party scene.

Most houseboat rentals seem to cost a little more than their onshore counterparts, which makes sense when considering the insurance costs, marina fees, and the time and labor spent on the boat itself. This, again, is why it’s a good idea to take note of rising or lowering prices if that’s important to your vacation budget. Generally a houseboat rental will run you anywhere between $20 – $300+ a night.

How Much Is A Houseboat

If you’ve already done the vacation, cruise, or rental routes and have decided that you’re ready for the big leagues, it’s time to consider purchasing your own boat. There are a lot of things to keep in mind when searching for the perfect boat, such as size, location, general maintenance, fees for docking, storing, and living aboard, and insurance. Just by itself, a boat could cost anywhere between $20k – $400k, although if you’re willing and able to take on a fixer-upper, the upfront cost could be considerably less.

Some boat owners estimate that they spend about $1,000.00 on maintenance each year, depending, of course, on how much the boat travels. Insurance is half that, and then there are the marina fees (similar to that of RV parks, where they charge for pumping sewage tanks and renting a space), utilities, and boat club membership fees. These are usually minimal, and in some states houseboat residents do not pay sales tax on the purchase or property tax.

All in all, a houseboat is typically cheaper than buying a house or even, in some areas, renting an apartment. It’s definitely worth looking into if you’re anywhere near the coast or areas with large lakes. People who live offshore will often bike to work or to run errands instead of keeping a car (which can be charged an extra storage cost).

Houseboats for Sale – Where to find them

So where do you find a boat that’s in good condition for a reasonable price? It’s good to know what you’re looking for ahead of time, especially when it comes to price range, size of the houseboat, and how much work you want to put into it. If you can, find someone who has experience with houseboats and talk to them – they’ll have good advice on where to go, who you should hire to help with maintenance, and where the best places are to drop the anchor.

If you can’t find someone with houseboat experience, you can go several ways: a large company like the previously mentioned Trifecta Ventures, smaller, family owned companies such as Gibson Boats, or private sellers, some of whom post their “For Sale” signs digitally on sites like Boat Trader, Buy A Boat, or even Ebay.

The most popular houseboat brands to consider are the aforementioned Gibson Boats, along with the Stardust Cruisers, Harbor Masters, Adventure Craft, and Sumerset. Keep in mind that some boats are more suitable for stationary homes while others are made to move or be hauled. Read up all you can before you go to the dealer and remember to bring a list of questions with you. You want to make sure this is a good fit because it’s quite an investment.

House Barges for Sale – Where to find them

While there are many popular companies that advertise houseboats, there doesn’t seem to be such a huge push for barges. While they are available for sale, they are mostly found on realty sites like Zillow, or combined with houseboat sales like on the Houseboats and Barges website.

Barges are a good idea for those who want to travel but want to do so slowly, and have a long stretch of locks, canals, rivers, and the like on which to travel. You can also anchor them somewhere warm during the cooler months and then hightail it to somewhere nice and cool once the hot weather hits. There’s a lot more to do aboard a barge because of the navigation required, but if you’re interested in slowing life down and taking a breath, it might be the best option for you.

Along with the barge, it is probably a good idea to consider what you’ll be hauling it with, or where it will be anchored. If you’re wanting to move overseas with it (to Europe, for example), you’ll need to be sure that you are following all the rules and regulations of the country in which you’ll be residing, and that you have all the proper paperwork. Some countries are more lax than others, so if you need help navigating, hiring someone who can walk you through the ins and outs is worth its weight in gold.

Conclusion

If you love the idea of living on the water, or at least having the experience for a few days, take a chance and look into one of these options for yourself. Cross that item off the bucket list and go offshore. Take some friends or family members with you, see some new places, and fall asleep being rocked by the waves. Plan your adventure, speak with someone who can teach you the ropes, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. You’ll have plenty of stories to tell once you decide to step back on land again.

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Do You Need Your Own Barn Home on 11 Acres? – The interior is so spacious, and has brick walls inside https://buildinghomesandliving.com/barns/do-you-need-your-own-barn-home-on-11-acres-the-interior-is-so-spacious-and-has-brick-walls-inside Thu, 05 Mar 2020 14:43:35 +0000 https://buildinghomesandliving.com/?p=32074 We’ve looked at our fair share of barn homes and modular farm style metal homes, and one of the great things about barn homes is that if you want spacious interiors, this style of home construction is well suited, and what we’re looking at today is no exception: Sure, they have a great property, but what they did with their barn home is really special as well. They took the spacious simple rooms and added a touch that’s both elegant and rustic.

As you can see in the pictures, this metal barn house interior features hard wood floors, glass brick pillars, and a lot of brick walls that set it apart from most of what we’ve seen in this design space. The house itself is a 3180 square foot structure with four bedrooms and three full bathrooms.

You can also take al look at the large windows for plenty of light, the roomy patio settings, and the garage, which is a four car separate garage.

Specifications for this metal home / barn home:

Square footage: 3180
Beds: Four
Baths: Three and a half

For more information about Realtor and Zillows, we’ve indexed them in our House Plans Directory. For more Barn Homes, click here, or for more Metal Buildings, click there.

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6 Hour Set Up, and You Transport It Folded Down, for $33,000 – This House https://buildinghomesandliving.com/modular/6-hour-set-up-and-you-transport-it-folded-down-for-33000-this-house Thu, 24 Jan 2019 18:03:39 +0000 https://buildinghomesandliving.com/?p=31963 We’ve looked a few times at houses that can be transproted because they’re either modular or small or tiny homes, but this one is a bit different. Not least of all because of it’s amazing interior (see the photos).

It’s a tiny home A-frame designed by Renato Vidal, and yes it’s designed for quick set-up and easy transportation. It transports basically like a flat-pack home, on the back of a truck, and to assemble it, with three people and a crane, it can be set up anywhere in around 6 hours.

It’s often a tiny home, but not always. You can get the 290 square foot version, but you can also get versions up to around 900 square feet, which isn’t a tiny home anymore. The small version is the 33k one though, and the largest size would be more than double that price.

All the models, though, including the tiniest tiny home, come with bathroom with facilities, kitchen appliance connections, a stage staircase and other house necessities.

These homes can be set up as totally off-grid homes, too, with solar power and water systems, using LED for lights.

Once you order them, they take around up to 2 months for delivery after final drawings are completed.  For more modular homes, click here, and for more tiny homes, click here.

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Tiny Houseboat, the Bunbo 990D https://buildinghomesandliving.com/houseboats/tiny-houseboat-the-bunbo-990d Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:03:40 +0000 https://buildinghomesandliving.com/?p=30278 This is the smallest houseboat in a fleet being made by Bunbo, and when it’s dressed up in those bright colors, it looks pretty cozy and friendly doesn’t it? This one is their 990D model.

The BunBo 990D is Bunbo’s smallest houseboat and still offers plenty of space, especially for a holiday for two. It is also suitable for smaller families, because in the large living area is a sofa bed overlooking the fireplace.

The 990D has a shower and a separate toilet room, a large living room with fully equipped kitchen and like all BunBos a cozy terrace that invites you to sunbathe, relax and enjoy.

Here’s a gallery of photos:

Tiny Houseboat, the Bunbo 990D Houseboat interior Houseboat interior Houseboat interior Tiny Houseboat, the Bunbo 990D

Boat length:
9,95 m
Width:
4,65 m
Draft:
0,65 m
Headroom:
3,30 m
Living space:
approx. 21 m² + approx. 14 m² Terrace
Room height:
2.20 to 2.40 m

A Solar Powered Houseboat You Can Tow With Your Truck

At just 5000 pounds, this easily truck-towable houseboat is also a solar-powered one. It’s a Diagno boat called Le Koroc, specially designed for its light weight and ease of use as a tiny home on water.

The construction is cedar beams (laminated) and plywood. It measures 24 feet long, 8 feet wide. It has a cozy bedroom which looks like a boat bedroom, and a large deck.

The metal roof has a solar power panel (265 watt), and that connects up to the houseboats battery for powering the lights (lots of LEDs throughout), food storage, and so on. All you’d need for a great afternoon on this thing is some friends and family, and you could even tow a small houseboat like this one to them!

Find more from Diagno and other houseboats we’ve indexed in our Home Designers and Builders Directory. You can search the company’s name and look builders near your area. And to see more houeboats, click here.

Tiny House Style Solar powered houseboat Tiny House Style Solar powered houseboat Tiny House Style Solar powered houseboat Tiny House Style Solar powered houseboat

You’ve Seen Tiny Houses, Now It’s a Tiny Personal Houseboat!

How many people out there, whether you’re interested in prefab houses or you’re part of the tiny homes movement or what, have thought about ever taking a cruise (is that the right word) in a houseboat?

A designer named Marjin Beije might have an option for tiny house shoppers who have access to a plot of water, and who like the idea of being surrounded by water all the time — a tiny houseboat.

Yes, it’s a floating tiny home big enough for two rooms and a deck between the two. One side is an interesting bathroom construction, walled by thin wooden slats and leaving only a counter/sink and faucet for washing, as well as the enclosed toilet.

There’s windows on this bathroom area as well as the sleeping area.

One thing that might not make everyone happy to hear. For the sake of simplicity, everything from the sinks and elsewhere just drains down, although I guess you could rig something up like other tiny homes and prefab modular houses have for waste removal.

I left one thing out: there’s a sundeck on top with a diving platform at the very top, so tiny house dwellers can take a dive into their yard — or lake!

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How 3D printed houses are made https://buildinghomesandliving.com/houses/how-3d-printed-houses-are-made Sat, 27 Oct 2018 08:54:28 +0000 https://buildinghomesandliving.com/?p=30108 While you may have heard about 3D printing, you may not be aware of how the process works, or that people are using the 3D printer for incredible projects like office buildings in India or to replace the tent cities in places like El Salvador. We’re going to explore the world of 3D printing in this article, specifically as it relates to architecture and how it is done around the world. It doesn’t just require a 3D printer, nor can a 3D printer put an entire building together, complete with windows, wiring, and etc. It is, however, possible to lower the cost of a building dramatically by using a 3D printer, and it can be done in less than 24 hours.

Projects have been done all over the world, with various equipment, and to varied results. The best news is that affordable, safe housing can be created for under $4,000 apiece in third world countries. The drawback is that there might not be enough room for them all, so until the 3D printer can be made to accommodate a more vertical build, the experiment continues. India has used a 3D printer to begin building offices, but again, there isn’t much room to spread out.

Another bonus to using a 3D printer is that the houses will still need local crews (thereby providing jobs to the nearby population) to complete them. The 3D printer can be used for all the heavy duty work and then crews can come in and tidy up and make what adjustments are necessary before the move in date. The 3D printer begins by using the blueprints and a crane type machine to ‘print’ out the walls in concrete (or whatever other building material is chosen, though concrete is a solid option most often used).

How 3D printed houses are made

These structures are tough, durable, and are expected to last as long or longer than buildings formed in the regular way.

With 3D printers cutting the time of construction to 24 hours, and slashing prices so dramatically, it might not be long before we see 3D printed houses in our own neighborhoods and towns. Are you ready?

 

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Grow Hanging Strawberries in Rain Gutters https://buildinghomesandliving.com/home-and-garden/grow-hanging-strawberries-in-rain-gutters Sun, 02 Sep 2018 04:36:28 +0000 https://buildinghomesandliving.com/?p=28987 Strawberries in rain gutters is becoming a popular idea. Not just strawberries either, but all kinds of fruits and vegetables can be grown in gutters. The great thing about some of these plants — like strawberries — is if you have them above, they’ll hand down and create a hanging garden you can pick from.

How do you make a strawberry rain gutter garden? Easy: you get rain gutters from a home improvement store (or if you can get used ones, great). Now there are different ways to have the gutters. One way is like the picture above — hanging. They used rebar tied together to raise the rain gutters.

Another way is to mount the gutters in rows (like shelves) on the side of a building. To do this, you just get some 1x1s (or any other size lumber you want to work with), and attach those vertical on the south side of a building. Then you attach the horizontal rows of gutters with the gutter attachments (they come with or can be bought for the rain gutters) to the 1×1 verticals.

In either case, you want to drill holes in the bottoms of the rain gutters so that they don’t flood and spill soil and nutrients out over the edges. Rain gutters are small compared to the soil that’s in a bed garden, so it can be tricky to keep them wet (they’ll dry out fast) but also to keep them from flooding.

After you’ve drilled drainage holes, you add a layer of cloth (any kind of cloth) to the bottom of the rain gutters. This is just to add a layer of separation from the soil, so water will drain out of the bottom even better.

The benefits of the rain gutter gardens for strawberries are the same things as the trickiness of them. Bed gardens can get too wet for strawberries and strawberries can get packed too tight. So the drainage and spaced-out-ness of the rain gutters is a plus — so long as you keep them watered properly.

So with the holes and cloth preparations done, you can mount your gutters. About a foot apart is good to allow sunlight to each plant.

Even if you buy rain gutters and 1x1s from a hardware store — everything all new — it should still only cost around $100 dollars. And it should only take 1 day to make a hanging or shelf garden for strawberries, tomatoes, or whatever else. And you will have saved a lot of yard space for the amount of strawberries you can grow.

NOTE: strawberries from seed can be hard to grow. But the tricks of growing strawberries are best left for another article

Some pictures of a building-side mounted garden from SUB.urban.EXPERIMENT

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How to Plant a Potager Garden https://buildinghomesandliving.com/home-and-garden/how-to-plant-a-potager-garden Sun, 02 Sep 2018 04:34:22 +0000 https://buildinghomesandliving.com/?p=28984 Potager, a French word that defines a decorative kitchen plot. Potager gardens are also called “kitchen gardens.” Potager gardens are filled with palatable vegetation, aromatic plants, and tubers. The objective of a potager garden is to enrich the backyard’s exquisiteness and also to provide food.

Here are the steps for your potager garden.

Step 1 – Design Your Garden

Define the scope of your potager garden with the vacant space in your backyard. Bear in mind that vegetables need full sunlight for about six to eight hours, hence, find a space that receives full sunlight.

Before deciding the number of pillars and boards, check your garden size. You can also purchase preassembled boards which are usually 8-feet wide and adjust accordingly.

Step 2 – Prepare Your Spot

Clean thoroughly the spot and clear it from weeds, unwanted grasses and debris. A flat shovel for scraping is good for this task. For cases that the ground is compact, smoothen it with a rake.

Step 3 – Fix Your Poles

Poles are the strong support for your barriers. Make use of an excavator for digging holes for the poles. Poles need around eight feet gap towards the center.

Step 4 – Attach Your Fence Panels and Gate

Attach a fence panel with exterior wood screws between each set of posts. The fence panels should be 4 to 6 inches above the ground to prevent the bottoms from rotting.

Step 5 – Install Chicken Wire for Pest Avoidance

Pests are really creepy and they will ruin your edible garden. To avoid them, install chicken wire all over the boards.

Step 6 – Arrange and Prepare Garden Beds

It’s time to arrange and prepare raised garden beds. You may choose a square or a rectangular shape. For an elegant portage garden, leave at least 2 feet walking path in between them. To prevent unwanted weeds on the paths, landscape yard goods must be lined together with mulch toppings. It will prevent growing weeds and your potager garden will really look lovely!

Step 8 – Plant Your Veggies

Now that you’re ready with your poles, raised beds, walking path and chicken wire, it’s time to plant your veggies, fruits and flowers. You can categorize each bed. For spices, you can place them at the center of the garden as they emit aromatic scent which will make your garden more pleasing to visit. Vegetables can be placed in three-four different beds. Common ones are spinach, beans and squash. Fruits on other beds can be tomatoes and cucumbers. For edible flowers, lavender, nasturtium and marigolds will add exquisiteness to your portage garden.

Actually there are no strict rules to follow for a potager garden. Just do the basic steps and create a unique style of potager garden that you can imagine. Also think of common veggies and fruits that you serve to your family as it will be the basis of the plants that you need to grow.

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Prefab Pods https://buildinghomesandliving.com/prefab/prefab-pods Fri, 10 Aug 2018 04:31:15 +0000 https://buildinghomesandliving.com/?p=28912 Are prefab pods the answer to the increasing difficulty people are having affording homes, particular in our popular urban areas?

These pods are the design work of James Law Cybertecture. They’re heavy but easy to install prefab tiny homes. Not only do they function on their own and are easy to set up (as long as you can transport 22 tonnes), they can be stacked into larger multi-dwelling prefab pod communities. The prefab pods then can be accessed through scaffold-like stairs and walkways, making them a lot like motels.

These are ‘micro-homes’ with around 100 square feet of living space. They’re being projected as possible housing for Hong Kong dwellers. Hong Kong is famous/notorious for having a lot of state-owned and run housing, as well as a very large population.

The price for these units is estimated at around 11k pounds, which is around 15k US.

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Empire Size Mattress https://buildinghomesandliving.com/furniture-and-furnishings/empire-size-mattress-2 Fri, 03 Aug 2018 16:29:27 +0000 https://buildinghomesandliving.com/?p=31724 What mattress is bigger than king size? The empire size mattress is the biggest I’ve ever seen. It’s big enough for a whole family to sleep (or jump?) on.

So how big is the mattress pictured here? It’s 144 inches long. That means it’s actually 12 feet long! It’s nice to stretch out, right? You can roll over as many times as you want in the night and you won’t fall off this bed. Not least of all because it’ll probably be butted up against the wall! Couples who usually sleep in separate beds can just sleep on separate ends of their empire size mattress now.

Would you buy one? It can double as a couch at least! These empire size beds look like couches when you line pillows up along them, just due to their crazy length.

You can’t buy these mattresses on Amazon yet, though. Empire size beds are only available from a few specialty mattress companies (or sleep companies as they’re often called now). The price for them is a couple thousand for just the big mattress, but youll also probably want to look at a frame and box spring, a lot of pillows (its twice the width of a king size bed, so at least 4 pillows to span the width, as well as a fitted sheet and mattress. However, sleep overs will be no problem as soon as you have an empire size bed in your house! And everyone will be talking about it…

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