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Design Trends Embrace Aging in the Home

A bulk of the U.S. population is getting older, faster. Twenty-five percent of America’s population of more than 300 million are Baby Boomers — people born during the post-World War II years of 1946 to 1964.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as this population ages, the median age will continue to rise. By 2030, there will be 70 million Baby Boomers over the age of 75. The median age will increase from 35.5 in 2000 to a peak of 39.1 in 2035.

As these Boomers age, society will need to adapt, too. Health care, employment, social service and entitlement costs will be impacted. Likewise, the way this aging population lives will need to be addressed, particularly in terms of special considerations in home design, says Stephen Melman, Director of Economic Services at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in D.C.

“Aging in place is a major issue,” said Melman. “Ninety percent of households say they want to age in place, but only 20 percent have done anything about it.”

The traditional two-story McMansion or suburban tract home popular during the building boom of the 1980s and 90s will no longer be ideal for homeowners as they reach their 70s, 80s or 90s.

Ohio architect Richard Taylor said that one of the biggest updates he’s done in home design is adding a second master bedroom to the lower level.

“We’ve seen a lot of people who love their house and their neighborhood but they are afraid of not being able to get up and down the stairs to their master bedroom,” Taylor said.

This trend is reflected in the “New Home in 2015” study by the NAHB. Surveyed home builders ranked first-floor master bedrooms in second-story homes as “very likely” in new homes.

Main-level master bedrooms aren’t the only change in new constructed homes, said Melman.

“The idea is to incorporate things that people might need,” he explained. “If you anticipate using a wheelchair, that’s one issue.”

Other universal access additions include:

• Open floor plan
• Step-less, walk-in showers
• Lighted, wider hallways and doorways
• Slip-free surfaces
• Grab bars
• Countertops that can raise or lower
• Touchless or tap-on faucets
• Ramps

The need for aging in place solutions have created a pop-up of companies and online resources all designed to tackle education and installation of these features. Twenty percent of home builders expect new construction to embrace aging in place with more universal access in new homes.

“You don’t want it to be institutional,” Melman said. The idea is to have a home with “some flexibility built in.”

Date:November 3, 2011 Author:Erika Riggs

From Zillow, Inc. 

0 comments - Posted at 10:39 AM

Categories: Home Improvement | Real Estate News

The Big Chill: Winterizing Checklist

From Zillow.com

While September brings the first day of fall, October can be the harbinger of the winter and all of its frigid pitfalls. It’s best to be prepared for the frost and snow with a few simple tasks that will prevent drafts, frosty windows and every homeowner’s nightmare: Busted pipes.

A good place to start prior to tackling problem areas in your home is a home energy audit. This will pinpoint specific places in your house where heat escapes. The U.S. Department of Energy has a do-it-yourself energy assessment, or you can hire someone to do the audit for you.

Big Chill Checklist

Weatherstripping:
Cold air can seep in through those little gaps between your door and the door frame, quickly reversing any effort you take to heat your home. Weatherstripping covers the sides and top of the door and a sweep fills the space between the threshold and door bottom. Hardware stores and home centers sell numerous products in metal, foam, rubber and plastic for this purpose and many can be installed in an afternoon.

Windows:
This may be another area where additional weatherstripping or caulk is needed to fill any visible gaps, though that still might not be enough remediation to prevent drafts. While windows add much needed winter light, they can let out a lot of heat — up to 12 times more than a wall if they’re single pane. Blinds can keep a little heat in, but heavier shades or curtains will minimize heat loss.

Fireplace:
Fantasizing about a cozy evening in front of the fire? Your romantic night might be cut short if your fireplace hasn’t been serviced. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys are swept at least once a year.

Furnace:
It’s also recommended that furnaces be serviced once a year. A heating system can break down at the most inopportune time is it’s not serviced. Worse, it can pump carbon monoxide into a home or eventually stop working. While a furnace service can run up to $100, the cost benefits are undeniable, considering the cost of a major fix or replacement.

Ducts:
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose between 10 and 30 percent of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if duct work is not well-connected and insulated, or if it must travel through unheated spaces.

Pipes
Frozen pipes are a royal nuisance, but with a little effort, many instances can be prevented. The best way to tackle these is to wrap pipes that run the exterior of the home with heating tape. Turn off the water and drain the remaining water at the inside valves. You can also purchase insulated covers for additional prevention.


Date:October 19, 2011 Author:Erika Riggs
Souce: Zillow, Inc.

0 comments - Posted at 9:00 AM

Categories: Home Improvement