Who hasn’t dreamed of owning waterfront property? Perhaps you plan to build a weekend or vacation beach getaway. Maybe you plan to build your dream home by the beach for year-round living. Either way, special considerations must be made when constructing custom built houses by the water.
Oceanside custom built houses are continuously exposed to elements that inland homes are not. You’ll need customized plans that reflect this when you build your dream house in a coastal area. Oceanfront and coastal residences need to be constructed with three unique factors in mind:
1) Water: A majority of southern California homes don’t experience a lot of water exposure. Rainfall is minimal, especially in comparison to a number of other areas in the US. Houses in the north and Midwest are much more prone to mold and other types of moisture damage.
California homeowners, for this reason, sometimes aren’t as aware of the kinds of problems that can arise from water exposure. Buyers who have lived their whole lives inland should familiarize themselves with the issues associated with increased water exposure.
The most common water exposure problems include roof and wall leaks. It’s also important to note that “water-proofing” and “moisture-proofing” aren’t necessarily the same thing.
Roof leaks tend to occur because of rainfall, something that is infrequent in California. Water-related wall problems are more often due to excessive moisture rather than rainfall. It’s this moisture that you should plan for when you build by the ocean.
Extra care should be taken in choosing building materials when you build your dream house. This applies particularly to your roof and the structure’s “envelope” which consists of frame, walls, insulation, drywall and wrap.
When you build your dream house, it is also more beneficial to choose roofing materials like ceramic tile or metal over asphalt. They cost more, but they’ll last far longer. Plus, they’re practically rain-proof.
When it comes to walls, use high-quality wrap and choose exterior materials that stand up well to moisture exposure. Make sure your customized house plans include proper, strong sealing and protection around doors and windows and other vulnerable areas when you build your dream house. Include flashing above windows and doors and on the roof, such as around the chimney.
Finally, the structure’s exterior should be treated with appropriate moisture-proofing products. These include things like sealants on concrete and painted surfaces and paint designed for moisture exposure.
2) Salt: It’s superb for preserving food, but salt can significantly affect your house. It particularly affects certain types of metal. Exterior metal handrails, fencing and guardrails may be particularly vulnerable. Salt water exposure can also weather wood quickly.
Some waterproofing techniques will also protect a building’s exterior from excessive salt damage. Choose sealants and waterproofing treatments that are designed for salt water exposure.
Then, once you move in, be sure to re-treat regularly. Follow the product manufacturer’s guidelines. Most after-market exterior coatings need to be applied every one to two years.
3) Extreme weather: California storms are infrequent, but when they do hit they tend to hit hard. Your ocean front view can go from pristine to dangerous very quickly when this occurs.
When you build your dream house, identify the areas of a residence that are most vulnerable to storm and wind damage. A quality new home builder will be able to help you with this.
Points of entry are where wind and rain will gain a foothold during a storm. These include doors, windows and garage doors. Impact-resistant windows, storm shutters and high-pressure garage doors will greatly minimize the potential for storm damage.
Custom built houses on the beach are a considerable expenditure. Undoubtedly, when you decided to build your dream home on the beach, it was with forethought and planning. Such an investment is worth protecting with simple measures such as those described.
All of these things come with a higher price tag. However, they are well-worth the investment when you build your dream house.
Ensure your dream house becomes a reality by finding the right builder for your project. Get information on custom built homes and Oceanside home developments in San Diego, CA, at Shea Real Estate’s blog.
http://shea-realestate.com
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