OHBA FORUM
Trend is not to build bigger but to build better
February 13, 2010
Tracy Hanes
TORONTO STAR
The bigger-is-better movement is over in new home building. And houses may soon come equipped with solar-ready features and electric car plug-ins.
Those were some of the newest trends discussed at an Innovations and Designs seminar held at a recent Ontario Home Builders' Association Forum in Collingwood.
Say goodbye to those once-coveted suburban monster homes.
"People have been buying into the not-so-big house," said Doug Tarry of Doug Tarry Homes of St. Thomas, who hosted the session. "People no longer want McMansions, but they want better finishes in the home. They are really spending on extras."
Tarry said buyers are concerned with how well the space is planned and there's an emphasis on functionality: "There are no more massive foyers."
The bungalow remains big, even for buyers years from retirement age.
"Even young families are looking at bungalows," said Tarry.
For older buyers, the aging-in-place factor weighs heavily.
"There's the concept that they are here to stay, so wider hallways and doorways (to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers in future) will be a trend."
As far as energy efficiency, Tarry said new building code requirements coming in 2012 as well as a rising bar for Energy Star standards, will mean houses will get more airtight. For this reason, he said large windows would create an issue, as solar energy will heat spaces up to uncomfortable levels. For that reason, he said low solar gain windows would be a product worth considering.
And with full-height basement insulation becoming standard, Tarry said cold migrates into the floor instead of the walls and sub-slab basement insulation (under the floor) is a feature worth considering for builders and buyers alike.
"We find 50 per cent of our clients will buy it as an upgrade and we will likely go standard with it," he said.
Gordon Tobey, winner of the 2009 EnerQuality Award as R2000 Builder of the Year, had another option: no basement at all. His Brighton projects, which cater exclusively to the empty nester/retirement market, offer slab on grade homes.
"We've had 65 per cent acceptance and it gets rid of all basement problems (like moisture and mould)," he said. "In the garage, we put in trusses and a floor (near the ceiling) and a pull-down ladder for seasonal storage and have year-round storage in the middle of the house."
Tarry said with the increasing emphasis on green energy, his company builds all its houses as solar-ready. The homes include conduits from the mechanical room to the attic to allow for future solar panel installation, and solar-ready plumbing and electrical connections.
"It makes sense," he said, "when you look at where air conditioning loads are going to be and that cars are going to be plugged in. It's really important."
As electric cars may soon be a reality, Tarry said it might also make sense to put a 220-volt electrical outlet (like those used for clothes dryers) in the garage to accommodate plug-in cars.
He also said the "kill switch" will be a coming trend to help consumers save electrical costs. The inexpensive switch will cut off electricity to appliances such as TVs and computers that create "vampire loads" and suck energy even when they are turned off.
Home automation and wiring that allows for multi-media throughout the home is another up and coming trend, he said.
As far as finishes go, Tarry said for exteriors, there is a move away from stucco; stone and Hardiboard siding are gaining popularity. His company has found Craftsman "cottage" designs to be very popular.
Inside the house, the kitchen is the focus of many homeowner wants. Walk-in pantries are a big hit, as well as solid surface countertops.
"People are really getting into detailed task lighting too," said Tarry.
The outdoor living trend isn't going away anytime soon, he said.
"People really want to expand their living area outdoors and are looking at covered areas, like decks and pergolas they can use in three seasons."
Toronto Star