We believe that every home built should incorporate universal
design concepts (out of desire, not by law.)
What is Universal Design?
The intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal design benefits people of all ages and abilities.
- NC State: Center for Universal Design
There are alot of names that people use in place of universal design: barrier free, handicap accessible, A D A compliant. Universal Design, I think, is the best name for this concept because to me accessibility is not just for "them folks" in wheelchairs. It is for everyone regardless of age and physical ability.
All right, just what does Universal Design really mean? Here are some features that are very important in the design of the home that are basic to UD:
1. Exterior Doors - without question should be 36" wide
2. Interior Doors - bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, common area doors - 36" wide (Note
that many articles will say 32" doors. Many wheelchairs will get through 32" wide doors but
if a person is in a wheelchair they will scrap their knuckles as they go through the door.)
I once priced out doors for a house. 10 doors going from 32" to 36" wide. The cost for the
wider doors was under $100 - for the entire house (not per door). No brainer!
3. Wider halls - Minimum 42", better if halls are 48". Please note that halls are a waste of
space. Eliminate them or reduce them and you will increase the functional space in your
home.
4. Turning radius or better said as Clear Floor Space - Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry area that
equals 5'. What is the benefit? If you utilized a wheelchair you would have the ability to
enter and function without obstacles in these parts of your home.
5. My personal favorite - A zero step entry. What is that? No steps into your home from the
front porch and from the garage into the home. Imagine, not having to worry about steps as
you bring home groceries. There are so many benefits to this feature.
6. Wider Stairs - minimum 42", better if 48".
7. There are many other features associated with UD. Their necessity for you depends on your needs.
Why is UD important?
1. Wider doors, wider halls, wider stairs and clear space will make your home appear larger. It
will feel more open.
2. Wider doors, wider halls and wider stairs will allow you to carry furniture throughout your
home much easier.
3. Imagine you are 30 years old and you own your home. If the home incorporates the basic
features of universal design guests will be able to visit your home without limitation.
Imagine if your grandparents or Aunt Millie is in a wheelchair or requires the use of a walker.
They could visit without limitation.
4. Imagine you are 65. Retirement is just 10 years away (no please, not that long). Your
parents may still be alive. Mom and Dad could come visit your home without limitation as
well.
Not to mention, you are probably thinking about your own future AND want to remain
in your home for as long as possible. A home that has incorporated UD is livable for much
longer than a home without such features.
Here is what everyone wants to know - - How much money does this stuff cost?
1. Wider doors - under $100 (per home);
2. Wider halls / Stairs - hard to answer this one, but under $500 (considering cost per
square foot and the size of your home).
3. Zero step entry - this one depends on the size of the home. Generally around $1,000.
Wow! If all you do is 1 and 2, you can have an accessible home for under $500. Better yet, for under $1,500 you can have a home that is really accessible to you and everyone. It makes a great deal of sense.
I am a proponent of UD for one reason. I believe that it is my responsibility as a builder to provide value for my customers when building their home. To me there is no greater value than accessibility. If something were to happen to you or your relatives, without accessibility your home has little value to you.
A few final thoughts (sorry for the length):
Not every home we build incorporates every feature of UD. Customers get to decide what they want in their home. (That said, we don't budge on the doors and halls. Gotta be wide!)
We do not believe that UD should be mandatory by law. The market should decide this issue. You as a person should decide if these features are something you desire in your home. It's your money.
Building a home is a great experience.
Let us know what you think. There is more information about UD on my website - http://www.heartlandbuildersllc.com/.
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2 comments:
What makes the cost of a zero step entry $1000? It seems like it should cost less than an entry with steps. Just curious.
Jody, thank you for the question. You are the very first person to ever generate a question from our blog and I love it. I wish I had a prize for you.
To your question - - Typically, we build homes with basements in Michigan (as opposed to areas of the country that build their homes on a concrete slab and do not have a basement).
When a customer wants a zero step entry home we design their foundation (basement walls) so that the front foundation wall of the home is 12" taller than the rear wall of the home. The extra cost of a zero step entry home results from the front wall being 12" taller (extra cost of concrete) and you use more materials (2x4's) for the floor joists to sit on.
Say you want 9' ceilings in your basement/lower level. In that case we would pour the front foundation wall at 10'. The rear foundation wall would be at 9'.
The floor joists at the front foundation wall would sit flush with the top of the wall by resting on a 2x4 stud wall. The floor joists on the rear foundation wall would sit as they normally do on top of the foundation wall.
The reason for the 12" difference in wall height is that typically we use 11 7/8" I joists for the floor system.
The $1,000 is really a ballpark price. The true cost depends on the lineal feet of your front foundation wall and the lineal feet of stud wall that you can build under the floor joists along the front wall. A ranch is going to have more lineal feet of front wall than a two story in most cases.
If you send me a direct email at rgkogel@comcast.net I will send you a diagram of what I am talking about. The picture might make it easier to understand if you feel that I have not properly responded to your question.
No matter the cost though the livability of a home with a zero step entry is far greater than a home with steps. The upfront costs are well worth it.
Again, thank you for your question. Thank you also for visiting our blog. Have a great day.
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