When building a custom home, the floor plan is a big consideration. You want your home to cater to your needs and provide the level of comfort and luxury you have envisioned. So deciding between a bungalow vs house with more than one level requires careful thought. In this article, we will discuss some of the things to consider when deciding whether to build a two-story home or a bungalow.
Things to Consider When Choosing Bungalow vs 2 Story:
1. The Size of Your Lot
The size of your lot is a major factor because it informs you how much land you have to work with. Since bungalows spread out and have all of the rooms on one level, they take up more land than two-story homes. With a multi-level home, some of the rooms can be built on the second floor. And since the square footage can be distributed on two floors, you need less land. So if you have a smaller lot or would like to have more of your outdoor space dedicated to other features like a garden, a two-story home may be a better option for you.
2. Personal Preference – Privacy
If you’d like to have more privacy in certain areas of the home, a two-story home will be your best bet. It will provide additional privacy for rooms like bathrooms and bedrooms because they can be built on the second floor and further away from other common areas in your home, i.e., the kitchen and living room. Also, if you would like to have more control of noise and other distractions, a second floor accommodates that.
A bungalow mansion, on the other hand, may be your preferred choice if you like the idea of less separation between shared spaces and bedrooms. This can make it easier for members of the family to be closer together. The benefit of a single-level home is that it can offer an open floor plan, which can accommodate everybody’s needs.
3. Your Age
As a homeowner, your age should be a factor in determining the type of house you would like to live in. As we age, we lose mobility, and it may be harder to get up and down the stairs due to accessibility issues. If you are young and no one in your household will face mobility concerns in the foreseeable future, a two-story bungalow is a great choice for you.
On the other hand, a bungalow allows you to move through your whole house without having to navigate stairs. Stairs can be harder to navigate as you get older, and the chances of injury are greater. So if any members of your household are seniors or facing some mobility challenges, a bungalow may better serve your family. It’s easier and safer to use a walker or a wheelchair in a single-level home.
When you build a custom home, your home will last you a long time. So think about what your needs will be in the next 10, 15, or 20 years.
4. The Cost
Why are bungalows more expensive? Building a bungalow will require more land, which means higher land tax. This type of home also requires a larger foundation and roof, which will translate to a higher cost.
Since a two-story bungalow has a smaller footprint, you won’t need as much land and can expect to pay lower land tax. A multi-level home doesn’t require a large foundation, and the plumbing, roofing, and wiring are less complex than it is for a one-story home with the same square footage.
When it comes to utility costs, bungalows tend to be more energy efficient because it’s easier to regulate temperature in a single-story floor plan. The opposite is true for two-story homes. You will need more heating and cooling to keep the temperatures comfortable and consistent from season to season.
Home Modification
If you choose to make some changes to your custom home, it is quicker and less expensive to add to a bungalow than it is to add onto a two-story home. The reason why a two-story bungalow second story addition is more complex is that as you are expanding, there will need to be reinforcements done to the foundation and an extension to the roof.
When conducting exterior home repairs, you will typically pay more for a bungalow because the exterior of your bungalow is larger.
Natural Light
The amount of natural light that comes into your home depends on the layout, window placement, and your landscape. Both a bungalow and a two-story home can be designed in a way that allows for maximum natural light.
With a two-story home, you’ll need to place the windows strategically on both floors of the house and consider as many opportunities as possible to allow light in. A bungalow can be designed with large windows, vaulted ceilings, and skylights to bring in the natural light.
Which Should You Choose: Bungalow vs House?
The truth is there is no universal answer. Whether you opt for a bungalow or a two-story custom home will depend on your family makeup, your preferences, the size of your land, the cost involved, your budget, mobility, privacy needs, and what you envision for your home.
The beauty in building a custom home is that you get to decide what works best for you. Aria Build specializes in designing and building custom homes that fit your needs to a tee. Whether you choose a bungalow or a two-story home, what’s certain is that your home will be built to perfection. We’re happy to provide expert advice to help you choose the perfect floor plan for your new custom home. Call us today, and let’s get started on designing your dream home.