Is your luxury home plan luxurious enough? Or are you falling behind in the race to keep pace? So what if you have an elegant swimming pool; countertops of mottled granite; and your master bathroom features a steam shower. Nowadays these features are old-hat and pedestrian. Today’s truly luxurious homes must have whirlpool baths, double height living rooms with atriums, and of course all stainless-steel appliances in the kitchen. Here are some more ideas for designing the luxury home par excellence.

Radiant flooring is sine qua non in cold areas of the country. Who can be bothered to put on slippers – besides it’s more fun to walk barefoot in frigid weather. You can keep your feet toasty by installing an in-floor heating mat under your tile flooring in the bathroom; or anywhere in the house where there are ceramic floors. The $500 / sq. foot cost is a pittance compared to how great it feels on the tootsies! The luxurious bathroom of today also features towel warmers: for a mere $800 you can have a stainless steel warming drawer with an electric chassis at the bottom which lets heat rise to warm your towels, with a timer which starts the warming while you are still soaking in the tub, to bring the feel of the spa into your own home. Also a joy in cold weather is the sauna room, which bears as much resemblance to the sweat box of the 1970′s as Republican politics bears to the New Deal. The contemporary sauna room is spacious, is constructed of exotic wood lumber, has cushioned seats, and features one-way glass walls which give a scenic vista of the great out-of-doors.

In luxurious prairie plans house and other homes designed to blend in to the outdoor environment, an outdoor kitchen is becoming a standard feature in the pool / entertainment / recreation area. In fact, outdoor entertainment areas consisting of a cabana with a kitchen including granite countertops, wine cooler, ice maker, stainless steel grill, and warming drawer costing from $50- to $250,000 are becoming standard in areas with mild year-round climates; and even for summer use in the northern states. Even swimming pools are becoming more luxurious, with cheapo kidney-shape designs going out of fashion as $500,000 tiled models come in.

Luxurious homes today, even traditional country French house plans and colonial revival house plans, incorporate “smart-home” features based on computers which can cost $50,000 and up. The computer system controls electrical components linked to sensors throughout the house which enable the homeowner to control the pool lighting from the living room; or to draw a warm bath from the kitchen. These systems also have the capability of sending text messages to a cell phone whenever the sensors pick up movement around the house outside, which enables the homeowner to log in to the surveillance cameras which monitor the back and front yards, garage, and pool area. The computer system also permits the homeowner to make sure that doors are locked and adjust temperature in the house, even from afar.

The contemporary luxury home plan gives new meaning to the word extravagance. Today’s computer technology can be applied to traditional country French house plans as easily as to modernistic prairie plans house to produce a luxurious lifestyle worthy even of you!

Ranch Style Home Plans have many advantages for suburban family living; and are also popular with oldsters who can’t climb stairways as easily as they used to. Ranch style architecture originated in the United States in the 1920′s, and it became very popular after World War II as cities expanded into suburbs and inexpensive tract homes were needed by a growing populace. Ranch style houses are most popular where land is inexpensive and the weather is mild, since these homes particularly lend themselves to outdoor living. The low, earth hugging look with clean, modern lines of the ranch style is derived from Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie style architecture.

Ranch style homes are usually long and low with a bare minimum of interior and exterior decoration. The idea is to create a casual and informal lifestyle, usually with access to the outdoors via large plate glass windows, sliding glass doors, and patios or decks. Ranch style home plans normally imply a single story construction with a low and long roof line, with a cross- or side- gabled or hip roof. Eaves are usually large and overhanging. Small ranch house plans tend to be simple rectangles; but there are larger designs which can be have L or U shapes surrounding a courtyard in the center visible from the living areas. Frequently there are sliding glass doors which open onto patios, or large picture windows in the living and dining areas. The design often includes an attached garage as well as patio area. Also, the exteriors are usually of brick, wood, or stucco with simple or rustic interior décor and exterior trim.

The basic idea behind the ranch style is that the major room areas in the house flow one into the other, rather than being small divided-up spaces as in other architectural styles. The access from the attached garage flows into the kitchen, to the dining area, to the living area, and to the bedrooms. The feeling of a ranch style house is one of openness and sweeping – sweeping vistas of the out-of-doors through picture windows and sliding glass panels, which open onto patios or porches where much summer living takes place. Also characteristic of the ranch style are open floor plans which permit rooms to serve multiple purposes. Ranch style houses frequently include separate family, living, and dining areas which can be converted as needed into entertaining or hobby areas, or into extra bedrooms when required. Although a single level ranch house plan with front porch or patio is the norm, there are also split level ranch houses and raised ranch houses which have more than one level of space. Also, the traditional simple and utilitarian interior décor is often embellished with accents typical of Colonial or Mediterranean architectural styles. The simplicity of the basic ranch style design and trim provides a good base for many different aesthetics in interior decoration.

Ranch style home plans are not just an architectural style, but indeed a lifestyle. A single level ranch house plan with front porch is ideal for casual, laid-back family living in close relationship with the out-of-doors. And there are small ranch house plans to fit all budgets and individual needs.

A little over a century ago – largely as a result of the American Centennial Exhibition in 1876 which reawakened the American people to its colonial past – there began a popular Colonial Revival craze in design and architecture. Colonial home plans follow the style of the Revolutionary War period, which in turn were imitative of the medieval English architectural style. This style is referred to as Georgian after the English King Georges who reigned from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, at the time when this building style emerged in both England and America. This style is formal, rigid, and symmetrical, but often with a façade above the door and overhead supported by columns or pillars. These structures are typically two-storied, rectangular or square in design, with the length of the building parallel to the street. Steep roofs with gables crown a symmetrical façade which has a large central doorway and evenly-spaced windows on either side. The central fireplace and chimney were necessary to provide heating and cooking facilities in the original colonial design. Usually the entranceway opens into a hall which leads from the front of the house to the back, and gives access to the downstairs rooms on either side. This basic plan can be and has been modified to incorporate decorative features such as elaborate front doors with crown pediment decoration, sidelights and overhead fanlights; side porches and sunrooms; and porches with multiple columns. Interior decoration ideally consists of actual colonial antiques and handiwork, or reproductions of same; and modern fixtures are designed to blend in with the eighteenth century style.

Since the nineteenth century craze there have been several waves of revival of English colonial architecture in the U.S. The original revival after 1876 favored the eclectic style with embellishments such as columns. However the modern colonial style relies more heavily on authenticity, in the mode of such research based historical attractions as Colonial Williamsburg. In the twentieth century colonial architecture has taken on an increasingly scholarly and less embellished turn, such as the elimination of columns. Today’s 4 bedroom space saving colonial house plans not only incorporate modern conveniences, but do so in a style more congruent with true colonial architectural style than the nineteenth century version. On the other hand, the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial celebration added another element to the craze, combining the basic colonial plan with the ranch style home design popular at the time. The result was typically a single-story white frame structure with wood shake roof and motifs such as drums, cannons, or eagles affixed to the façade. The past few years has seen another colonial revival in the U.S., this time with more of a British empire or Anglo-Caribbean feel to it. Note that colonial revival architecture has always been more popular in the eastern and Midwestern U.S. rather than California or the Southwest, where Spanish house plans are more congruent with local history and tastes than the Georgian prototype.

Nowadays colonial home plans come in two styles: the revival style typified by 4 bedroom space saving colonial house plans; and also the contemporary style which incorporates traditional English and Spanish house plans with modern additions and decorative features.

If you are in the market for a new home that you want to design yourself, but want a smaller more affordable home, then a bungalow home is the perfect choice for you. The style of most bungalows is of a smaller stature with less square footage than the average home. A bungalow is the perfect solution for those who live alone or who simply want less area to take care of.

When it comes to designing your bungalow craftsman house plans, keep in mind that most bungalows are one and a half stories. You might consider placing the master bedroom in the downstairs. The second story would hold simply two bedrooms and a bathroom. The second floor could even look down on the first floor if you wish for a more open feel to the smaller area. The downstairs would then house the kitchen, a great room, the laundry room and a powder bath.

Another option that you could consider would be to up the square footage just a little bit. You could put the master bedroom and two more bedrooms on the lower floor. You could then have the kitchen, great room, dining room, laundry room and a main bath on the first floor as well. The second story would be more traditional. The second story would only contain a bonus room of sorts. If you wanted you could even turn this bonus room into a media room. If these floor plans don’t sound appealing, you could always choose to design a coastal cottage house plan instead.

To make your diminutive bungalow appear larger and more inviting you should also considering having a sunroom or large front porch designed into your plans. Either of these options will create an illusion that your home is actually larger than it is, while also adding a touch of relaxation to it as well. A large front porch or sunroom is just what a bungalow style home needs to draw a person’s eye to the dwelling. These features also tend to invite your guests to sit and relax for a spell or two.

If these features aren’t what you are looking for in your new home, then perhaps you should check out some luxury home plan styles. But if a smaller home is exactly what you are looking for, then a bungalow would be a wise choice. A bungalow is small yet elegant and artistic in its’ own unique way. When you are at home in your bungalow you will feel as though it is in fact a home. A bungalow has a way of making the most ordinary of homes feel extraordinary. Sitting down to read the morning’s paper with a cup of coffee will never be the same!

If you are looking for information on bungalow craftsman house plans or coastal cottage house plan, be sure to visit House Plans And More today. House Plans And More also has information on luxury home plan styles as well.

What is Spray Foam Insulation?:

It’s a form of insulation, which is sprayed over an area you wish to insulate, instead of the conventional way of placing some sort of insulation in the wall cavity. When it is sprayed it rapidly expands and fills in every single void it can, creating an almost perfectly sealed space.

What are the advantages of using Spray Foam Insulation?:

By expanding and filling ever crack and void it provides complete sealing, preventing air from leaking, which is still in effect with other insulations. It can be placed in any area without having to remove existing tubing, electrical wires or pipes of any kind. It is water repellent and allows moisture to leave from the walls. Mold cannot grow on it. It also prevents the development of mold, which is due to humid air. It is an effective way of reducing outside noises. Also, Spray Foam Insulation has a low flammability. It can be used as an effective way of insulating your boat. It can be used in small areas.

How well does it work?:

Something of the sort like icynene has an R-value of 3.6, Polyisocyanurate has an R-value of 5.6 although it can range up to 7, while Polyurethane ranges from 5.8-6.8. The R-value is defined as “a measure of a substance’s insulating value or resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating ability.” (Jacksonemc EMC). Although the R-value may be lower then other materials, you must remember that it is a sealant that prevents the escape of air, which is a huge contributor to heat loss.

What is the cost and savings?:

The initial cost of using spray foam insulation is around 3 times more then conventional insulation, however the savings offset the costs by far. It can cost 1.25- 2.25$ per Sqft. The savings repay the initial costs by around 3-5 years, depending on the amount of insulation used. It pays off, and you will notice a difference when the insulation is put it. You will feel warmer, you will save money, you will help save the environment and you will admire yourself for making the right decision.

Is it environmentally friendly?:

Many organizations have rated spray foam insulation as one of the greenest methods of insulation with the most attention going to icynene. Most spray foam insulations do not contain HCFC’s, CFC’s or formaldehyde. They are relatively safe for individuals with respiratory problems such as asthma. So the answer to the question is yes it is environmentally friendly.

Shear failure with post and beam home plans is much more difficult to envision than bending failure. In fact, with light frame construction, shear failure seldom comes into play, whereas it is an important consideration for heavy timber framing, particularly with a very heavy load such as an earth roof or a steam train.

One good way of explaining shear is to think of it as a combination of compression and tension stresses. Remember that the top surface of a beam is in compression, the bottom surface is in tension, and the centroid (middle part of the beam) is neutral (thus also called the neutral axis.)

Some authors, without explaining the relationship between shear and tension and
compression stresses, describe shear as the tendency for all of the wood fibers of the beam to “shear off,” particularly at the edge of the post or wall support. While not complete, the analogy is true enough for our purposes, and may be easier to
understand than lots of stress analysis.

However – and this is the strange and interesting part – the structure at the top is actually stronger on shear. The effect of the sliding feature of the wood fibers over the neutral axis is increased, because the compression stresses on the top surfaces of the two spans are causing a tremendous tensile stress at the top of the rafter directly above the girder.

Think of it: If the two spans in the post and beam home plans are each trying to pull away from each other, because of the load on each span, those wood fibers at the top of the rafter (over the center) are working really hard not to break on tension.

All of this translates to lower shear strength at this location. In the top picture, shear stresses over the supports are clearly the same at all four shear locations, expressed by the fractions l/2 in each case. But, in the bottom picture, the shear stresses are expressed as % at the walls at the right and left but increase to Ys where the long rafter is supported by the girder in the middle.

The upshot is that shear strength is gained by using two ten-footers instead of a single zo-footer supported in the middle. It is also true, as we have said, that bending strength is slightly diminished in the former example, and deflection is increased – but if the weak point in the engineering happens to be in shear, the former example may be better.

This situation may work in our favor, when you consider that two ten-footers are much easier
to handle – and certainly less expensive – than a single twenty-footer.

Deflection

Deflection is similar to bending … But different. Bending concerns us most when it translates into bending failure, which is a bad thing. With deflection, we can tolerate certain amounts of it in certain circumstances. Springiness – or stiffness – in a floor is a characteristic of deflection. When dealing with post and beam home plans know that cracking plaster on a ceiling, or separation of taped sheetrock joints, is an indication of excessive deflection.

Some areas of the world make it incredibly easy to cultivate
plants.

Step 1: plant seed in soil.

Step 2: water for a few weeks.

Step 3: Enjoy your beautiful lush plant.

Unfortunately, it is not that easy for everyone. If you live in
the west or southwest for example, there are a small number of
plants that grow naturally. The conditions of those areas are
not welcoming to very many types of plants.

One solution is to inundate the plants with chemicals and
fertilizers. It has been shown to work, but it’s unfortunate to
have to rely on man made chemicals for a natural plant to live.
If you’re growing fruits or vegetables, you certainly don’t want
to be eating all of those chemicals either.

Instead of chemicals, you can create a “microclimate” for each
type of plant. When you regulate the sunlight, shade, moisture,
and wind factors for each plant, you can help it to survive in an
area where the natural climate normally wouldn’t be very
accommodating. It is not easy to do this, however. When done
correctly, the plant is effectively tricked into thinking it is
growing in the climate that it is native to. Wind barriers,
shade umbrellas, extra water, and compost can be used to create
the microclimates.

You need to make a detailed plan before you start creating
microclimates. You should begin by fining a bush or tree that
will naturally grow fast in your area to create shade. To find
out what naturally grows, check to see what plants are on
undeveloped land. The plants there probably were not put there
by people. Instead, it grew on it’s own with no human
intervention at all. Growing one plant can help other more
desirable plants to grow.

If you have a fence in your backyard, you can start the
microclimates in the shade from the fence. A screen or bush may
have to be installed to shade the microclimate from the sun when
the fence cannot. The fence will also serve as wind protection
for your plants.

Once either natural or unnatural shade is created, the miniature
environment you created will be less harsh than what was
previously there. You will be able to plant another plant in the
new shade from the one that you just planted, etc. The process
is gradual, but works over time. Your choices become more open
when the environment becomes more friendly. You no longer have
to choose plants that grow naturally without human care. A plant
that survives in cooler weather can now be planted.

You may be trying to install a plant the requires more humidity
than is naturally present where you live. Because of
evaporation, adding a fountain or small pond can create the
moisture in the air that the plant needs. It is not a waste of
water to have these features since it is helping your garden in
multiple ways. The water feature itself will look nice, plus it
will allow you to grow new types of plants. The water features
will indirectly water your plants.

The specifics of the process can’t be explained simply here,
since the setup and goals will differ for each location and for
each type of plant. To reach your goal, however, you will have
to do plenty of research on each type of plant that you want in
your garden. Learn about the climate that it naturally grows,
and try to mimic those conditions in that area of your garden.
With some planning, you can reduce landscape design problems and imitate and control most climates.