In recent years, open concept homes have once again been all the rage! More and more new homes and custom-built homes choose to have an open concept floor plan over the traditional floor plan.

This isn't for everyone, though! New home buyers and home builders often think that they should choose an open concept layout, but you don't have to have it because it's in vogue. 

When building your custom dream home, you should choose a floor plan that is not only your style and to your liking, but one that will fit your family and their needs!

Open Concept Floor Plan

Open concept homes became very popular in the 1970s, and by the 1990s, most homes were being built with this style. But the open concept has evolved during this time, as everything does.

An open concept floor plan is essentially a floor plan where no walls exist to separate the living room, dining room, and kitchen. They all become one large open space, where the way one tells each room apart is by the differing furniture.

This floor plan has many benefits:

• Making a small space appear larger
• Promote everyday living
• Spread natural light
• More modern
• Resale Value

However, as with most things, there are downsides to an open concept floor plan:

• Lack of privacy
• Cooking smells travel
• Hard to keep clean
• Resale Value

You may have noticed that resale value is both a benefit and a downside when it comes to this type of floor plan and may wonder how that is possible. While vastly popular right now, this type of floor plan is still a trend, much like sliding barn doors or heated entry way floor. This means that the trend could go out of fashion. It also means that not all home buyers want this. 

Traditional Floor Plan

A traditional floor plan is one where the home has different and distinct rooms that are usually sectioned by walls, so there is a separate living room and kitchen, and sometimes a dining room. This type of floor plan is most often seen in homes built before the 1990s.

As with the open concept floor plan, there are many benefits to this floor plan:

• Privacy
• Sound control
• Mess containment
• Reduced heating and cooling costs

Downsides to a traditional floor plan:

• Large gatherings can feel split up
• Safety (more challenging to keep an eye on the kids)

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When it comes to choosing between a traditional or open concept floor plan for your custom home, it truly depends on what your needs and the needs of your family are, as well as what your preference is. If you know that this home will be a forever home or retirement home and that you'll never sell, choose the floor plan that you like most.

Maybe you want to cook with your family and/or keep an eye on the kids as your cook; then, an open concept floor plan is for you!

Barb and Doug Pocha can help you when it comes to the floor plans of your custom dream home. With the help of their architects, they have build many a dream home for their happy clients. Each Fine Point Cedar Home is built to meet the clients' needs, and each house can have changes made to them.

As Canadians, we are used to the snow. And depending on where you live, you expect the snow to come around mid-October. In western Canada, we are lucky to have a spring and even luckier to have an actual fall season!

Depending on where you live, the best time to build can differ. Knowing that the weather in western Canada is never predictable and we get snow almost seven months of the year, when is the best time for you to start building your custom home?

Best Time to Build

The best time to begin building your custom dream home is during the spring or summer. The weather is typically warm, and the days longer; therefore, your house's construction gets done quickly.

If you start in the spring, you can get the foundation, framing, and exterior of the home done before it gets too hot. Then, by the time summer and its accompanying heat comes around, the interior of your home can start to be worked on. If all goes well and the building stays on schedule, you could have a finished home by fall or winter. 

Ready for you and your family to sip hot chocolate by the fire or the Shaw Yule Log! 

What to do During Fall/Winter

If you know that you want the construction of your custom home to start in the spring or summer, it is a good idea to use the fall and winter months to research and plan. Take the time to find a plot that works for what you and your family needs, finalize floor plans, and if you are at the very beginning stage, find a home building company that has a proven track record and friendly representatives!

Planning and building a custom dream home takes time, so do your research so that when it comes time to build, you know what the potential obstacles could be!

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Barb and Doug Pocha of Fine Point Cedar Homes have over 20 years of experience designing homes across the western provinces. They understand the unique weather in western Canada and can help you make the best decisions on when to build, the viability of your plot of land, and so much more!

With their professional architects, Doug and Barb will design your home with you to take in your expansive views with wall to wall floor to ceiling glass options; it's a positive and enjoyable experience! Why settle?

To learn how to design a Custom with Fine Point Cedar Homes, call us at 1-855-554-6325 or register your interest here: Register with Fine Point Cedar Homes.

Next week Wednesday, September 23rd, Lindal Cedar Homes will be holding a webinar with Mr. Aris Georges, an esteemed and accomplished architect. 

Aris George, principal of OM Studio, creates custom Lindal designs by working directly with clients. An advocate of the benefits of system-based design, George led the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture’s collaboration with Lindal in the creation of the Architects Collaborative and the Imagine Series. His stunning designs are featured in the Lindal Modern plan book. 

Join him for an inspiring presentation on September 23rd at 5:00 p.m (PT) and learn how he can help you create your dream home.