How do you choose between a rambler and two-story home for your family? While the decision is mostly a matter of personal preference, there are objective factors worth considering before deciding between the two.
Two-story homes require less roof structure and foundation. The first floor rooms don’t require a roof and the second-floor rooms don’t require a foundation. Because of this, people automatically assume they’re more economical. What they fail to consider is that having a two-story home may also require a second HVAC system to heat and cool the area, so you have to pay higher utility bills in the end.
As it turns out, just analyzing costs isn’t enough to make an objective decision between a rambler and a two-story house. Below are important advantages and limitations you should be aware of for both types:
Rambler Houses: Pros and Cons
Let’s first take a look at the advantages of living in a rambler home:
- It’s easier to clean and maintain. Everything you need is on one level. You eliminate the hassle of carrying cleaning appliances like vacuum cleaners up and down the stairs. And when it’s time to do some re-organizing, you don’t have to move items from one floor to another. Washing windows is also easier when there’s just one floor since there’s no need for scaffolding.
- One-story houses are simpler to design. Designing a simple home is more affordable than designing a complex one. Designing a rambler home in Utah is easier since everything is laid out on one level. This type of home also tends to be easier to engineer structurally and can even incorporate prefab components depending on your taste.
- They’re easier to evacuate and navigate. Toddlers and seniors are less prone to accidents and injuries in a one-story house. It’s also safer for you to live in if you decide to age in place. When it comes to emergencies like fire and earthquakes, evacuation is also faster in a rambler house. The same is true for medical emergencies when someone needs to be carried out.
Now that we’re done covering the benefits, here are the potential drawbacks:
- Building the house can be more expensive. Rambler houses require more material for foundation, windows, and roofing. The HVAC systems will also need to run longer, so you may need to purchase bigger and more expensive systems.
- You can be more exposed. Because all the rooms are on the ground floor, you may feel more exposed, especially if the sidewalk is nearby and people frequently walk past your home.
Two-Story Houses: Pros and Cons
When it comes to two-story homes, you enjoy the following benefits:
- Enjoy more privacy. With a second floor, there’s an easier separation between private and shared spaces. For example, you can entertain guests on the ground floor while the kids and seniors can have their own peace and quiet right above you. This is harder to do with a rambler home.
- Lower risk of break-ins. Safety should be a primary concern when choosing a home, and it’s a fact that two-story houses are harder to break into than single-story ones. Also, leaving a window open on the second floor isn’t as risky as leaving a window open on the first one.
- Better views. If the location of the two-story home is somewhere with scenic views, then you’re sure to get a better experience. Homes with second-floor balconies are great to live in because you feel more in touch with your environment.
The benefits may sound wonderful, but there are still potential drawbacks to consider:
- Increased risk of accidents. Stairs can be a welcome aesthetic element to a home, but they can also be more dangerous. They’re a hassle for family members with mobility problems, and they’re a hazard zone for babies and toddlers. You can install baby-proof fences or make the stairway more accessible for the elderly, but this can be very costly.
- More expensive heating and cooling. Because there’s more space for air to travel, heating and cooling the home tends to be slower and more energy-demanding. In fact, experts even say that heating or cooling a two-story house costs twice as much compared to single-story ones.
After reading the above pros and cons, you should have a clearer picture in which home is better for your family: a rambler house or a two-story one. The fact of the matter is that you can’t have everything in one home. It all depends on what your specific needs and preferences are and which house is best for all the family members.
