Yes, even in this economy.
I know you’re saying to yourself “Is she nuts?” but please hear me out. I have a point or two that may resonate with some of you non-believers as I, too, would have fit into your category not so long ago. Having just built a new post and beam home while simultaneously watching friends “rehab” a real deal, I KNOW they’re way ahead of us in the “money spent” AND the “headaches earned” columns.
Designing and planning a building that ultimately exists because you made it happen is a powerful thing. Every time I come around the corner of our drive and see our carriage house, I’m filled with what can only be called extreme pride. This house is a physical representation of a major co-operative project between me and my husband. We brought it to life; it is entirely and totally “us” in the form of a building. We didn’t buy someone else’s ideas and needs. We created our own, from the ground up.
Building efficiently to suit your lifestyle is the epitome of sustainable living. While renovating is a form of recycling, I don’t want to get stuck with the inferior insulation of the past. We have radiant heat in our floors that is TO DIE FOR. Not only is the even heat a dream but the fuel bill is a God-send. I have asthma and the lack of dust blowing around makes an enormous difference in my quality of life. Had we bought a home, the chance of radiant heat already existing was not likely and the cost of having it installed would have been prohibitive.
The “Oh, This Is Going To Be A Problem” statement. When building you will run into issues, but never will you face a newly ripped out wall as your contractor stands there saying “Uh-oh, where’s the header that’s supposed to be in here?” Or “Lady, this wiring is a fire hazard; you need to rewire the entire house – right away”. Both of these situations, and infinite others, befall the rehabber while never confronting a new home owner.
Cathedral ceilings do seem appealing, but don’t you get stratification of temperatures? If you’re comfortable at 70, will it be 85 at the ceiling?
That is a great question. The answer really depends on how tight and energy efficient your house is constructed. At Yankee Barn Homes we carefully insulate and seal all places of potential air infiltration. We see only a few degrees of temperature difference between the first floor and the roof. http://c3f.d61.myftpupload.com/Build/Typical-Components.html