Building a new home is indeed exciting. You certainly dream of a space where you and your family will enjoy. But it isn’t always smooth-sailing for owners of modern homes. You’ve probably heard of some complaining about cracked walls, mold growth, flooded basements, sagging roofs, peeling paint, and suchlike. You must be cautious from the very beginning of the construction process to ensure your home stands the test of time. Below are fundamental steps to follow to ensure durability.

1. Design With The Future In Mind

Durability in contemporary homes isn’t limited to the robustness of construction materials and the quality of the build. It also comprises the flexibility and adaptability of the living space to changing needs, key elements of sustainable design. Your 3-member family can quickly grow into 7 or more members a few years down the road. A good design should forecast such changes to avoid disappointments. 

Design rooms that can easily be adapted for different functions. For example, your home office can be converted to an extra bedroom when the need arises. You can achieve this by installing sliding or folding walls to allow you to quickly reconfigure spaces. Another modern architecture trick is building the potential for expansion in mind, say provisions for an extra story or converting the attic or basement into livable areas. You could also use universal design principles to accommodate all ages, genders, and abilities to make the home functional for everyone.

Barndominiums are gaining popularity in modern design because of their durability and ability to be customized to suit the needs and preferences of homeowners. These are residential buildings that combine the architectural elements of a barn and a condominium. With the extremely open floor plans, large windows, plenty of natural light, abundant fresh air, and they can easily be used for multiple purposes. They’re also more cost-effective to construct than traditional homes.  If you’ve ever dreamed of a barndominium with a floor plan that’s all your own, you may want to explore a variety of plan options from an experienced barndominium provider. 

2. Build A Strong Foundation

The foundation is what holds your entire house in place. If it fails, the whole structure crumbles down. So, it must be pretty strong. Here are tips to make your foundation strong:

• Select a good site: Check the ground conditions at different sections of your plot because they can vary considerably in some areas. Choose a site that’s not prone to waterlogging. The soil should have good drainage and bearing capacity and should be non-expansive. Also, check for consistency in composition. Avoid soils that are too wet, soft, or filled with organic matter. These may lead to instability of your foundation.
• Excavate adequately: Remove the top soil until you reach the layer that has enough bearing capacity to support the weight of your house. You’d want to go past the depth of shrinkage and swelling in clayey soils to prevent damage from seasonal volume changes. Likewise, go past the depth of frost penetration to prevent frost heave. If there’s a possibility of excavation nearby, ensure your foundation is deep enough so it isn’t affected.
• Check the groundwater level: Take care not to go below the groundwater level to prevent waterlogging.
• Minimum practical depth of foundation: Foundations should be at least 50 cm deep. This ensures the topsoil, usually non-cohesive and weak, is removed. It also helps level the ground because variations are common on the undisturbed ground level.

With a strong foundation, your home won’t suffer destabilization issues.

3. Build Strong Walls

Your next concern after the foundation is the walls. For your house to be durable, the walls must be strong. Here are some tips to make your walls sturdy: 

• Choose the right materials: Brick, stone, and concrete blocks are highly durable and resistant to weather elements, thus ideal for exterior walls. Interior walls can be built from high-quality drywall or plaster, which provide excellent insulation and soundproofing qualities. 
• Frame sturdily: The framing should comply with local building codes regarding spacing and alignment of studs. Use steel or premium quality wood for enhanced structural integrity. 
• Control moisture ingress: Incorporate moisture barriers and drainage systems to prevent water infiltration as this can weaken walls over time. Effective options include house wraps and vapor barriers.
• Finish with high quality coatings: The final touches on your walls add a layer of protection. Use high-quality paint for the interiors. For the exterior, use weather-resistant paint with UV protection and resistance to mildew. 

Strong walls won’t crack or collapse upon loading, ensuring your home stands for decades.

4. Cap It Off With A Strong Roof

Finally, your home’s roof should be strong enough to protect the structure from elements. These tips will help:

• Use high-quality materials: Use premium quality roofing materials like asphalt shingles, metal, concrete tiles, wood shake, solar glass tiles, and slate tiles. 
• Skylights: If improperly installed, they can allow water damage to the roof and the surrounding walls. Water may seep through the gaps between the skylight and roofing materials. Condensation of warm moist indoor air on the colder surface of the skylight can also cause water damage on the roof. Avoid skylights in your home design if possible.
• Reflective coating: This reduces heat buildup on the roof, extending its lifespan while also reducing energy bills.  
• Ventilation: Proper ventilation reduces humidity levels in the attic, and this prevents water damage and mold growth. So, install enough ventilations in all parts of your roof, including the eaves and ridge vents. 

A well-built roof will shield your home’s living space from the elements.   

Conclusion

Durability is a fundamental consideration when building your modern home. Your aim is for the house to last generations after its construction. The tips shared herein are an excellent starting point to erecting a house that’ll stand the test of time. But remember, it helps to consult professionals for tailored insight into making your home last decades. 

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