June 20, 2012

The Split~Level Home . . . an ingenious design for family living!

When it comes to picking a home to raise children in, there are few styles of homes that can compete with the split-level ranch house designs.  These versatile homes offer privacy, recreation space, and durability that simply can’t be matched with any other kind of house.  Even though many of the split-level designs are very similar to each other, they allow for plenty of individual character designs and décor.  From the outside, your house might look like every other one on the street.  The interior on the other hand, is all about you and your family.  Here is a look at why this type of home might be just what you are looking for.

The first and most obvious benefit of split-level house plans is the amount of space they contain. Popular homes for people with children, split-levels almost have as much square footage on the bottom floor as they do on the top. Whether the design is simply one floor on top of the other with a connecting staircase or a more asymmetrical multi-leveled version, split-level homes are laid out well and make full use of the space available. Another advantage is how the spaces are separated. The stairs and level offset can help isolate more private spaces (bedrooms and bathrooms) from more public ones (kitchen and living rooms). This isolation also psychologically affects the perception of additional space.

The layout of split-levels is another benefit. While the bedrooms are typically on the upper floor along with the kitchen, dining room, living room and one or more bathrooms, the bottom floor contains the laundry room, garage, large family room and often space to include another bedroom and/or bathroom. For parents with children, the family room becomes the playroom, a place where the kids can go and be out of the way.

Since the garage is attached, it can easily be accessed via a doorway. This has the double benefit of saving space on your lot. An unattached garage occupies a lot of space on a lot that could otherwise be used for a garden or lawn. With split-level plans the entirety of the home is self contained.

Although there are many different varieties of split-level house plans, all of them tend to share similar features. Among their common traits are attached garages, two stories, a basement or bottom level that is partially submerged and their asymmetry. Split-level homes can be in Ranch-style, Craftsman, or other style while still being considered split-level. While typically having two stories, some designs incorporate levels in between the stories. You might see a split-level home with a bottom basement level, a main level, and a smaller level with the bedrooms. Often, the entry hall might be on its own level as well. Different designs aside, there are a number of benefits associated with split-level house plans. From square footage to better utilization of the lot, split-level homes are intriguing in that they offer plenty of practical space while being adaptable to custom decoration.

Split-level homes are easily adaptable. Split-levels are typically feature plain architecture with an absence of adorning features. New or used designs offer a clean slate, a chance for the homeowner to customize it. This could be interior modifications or the addition of a deck, patio or simply repainting.

Split-level house plans offer many benefits. An abundance of space is perhaps the most compelling, as the homes are especially popular among home-buyers with children. It’s not like you have to have children to enjoy living in one of the split level ranch house designs.  They were originally designed for this use though, and it shows.  These kinds of houses are known for giving homeowners plenty of space, conveniently arranged.

With split-level designs, you get the most out of what is available to you and have the ability to upgrade and adapt your home in whatever way suits you. The split-level designs are also popular because they tend to be relatively easy to maintain. Split-level homes require straightforward maintenance and upkeep. Many of the same design features used in Ranch homes are found in split-levels, so maintaining the working parts of your home is not overly expensive.  It’s rare to find one of these houses made with hard-to-find materials.  This means that simple home repairs will only require finding a good contractor and buying standard building materials.

Take a peek at this most interesting slide show, put together by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division, that will take you on a historic tour of the Split-Level design:

Whether you are raising a family or just need some affordable extra space, the unique split-level house is worth looking into.  Give Greg Rapp a call at 704.213.6846 to explore the homes for sale and the possibilities of owning a split-level of your own in Salisbury, North Carolina! There is an affordable split-level home here waiting for your personal touch!

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