One Story vs. Two Stories: Which Is Better?

February 11th, 2020 | by Tim Rawlings

Building a new home requires you to make countless decisions. Even if you’ve already found the perfect piece of land, your decision-making responsibilities have only just begun. One of the many choices you’ll have to make when drawing up the blueprints for your new home build will be to decide between a one-story and a two-story home. How do you know which is best for you, your land, and your needs? Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of both options so you can make an informed choice. And if you need home builders in Columbia, South Carolina,contact us at Build On Your Land, LLC.

Square Footage and Footprint Size

The “footprint” of your home refers to just how much space it takes up on the land. You’re likely familiar with the term “square footage,” which refers to the total interior space of a home. When choosing between two-story and one-story home designs, it’s important you consider how much space you have for your home’s footprint and how much square footage you desire in your home.

If you have a relatively small plot of land or you want quite a lot of square footage, it may be better to opt for a two-story home. By adding a second story to your home’s design, you can add significant square footage without increasing the footprint of the home. However, if you don’t need a huge amount of space or if you have ample acreage to work with, a one-story home could still be a great option for you.

Adapting to Your Needs

Most people who build a new home intend to be in the house for many years. If that’s the case for you, you should consider how this home will adapt to your needs – primarily in terms of accessibility. When you’re young and healthy, the idea of needing to reach your bedroom while in a wheelchair seems like a very distant and highly unlikely situation. However, for many people, it becomes a reality as they age.

One-story homes tend to be better in terms of accessibility, as they don’t have long staircases that you’ll have to navigate should your mobility be impacted down the road. This is an important consideration if you plan to age in this home. Of course, two-story homes can be adapted to be more accessible if necessary, through the addition of stairlifts and other commodities. This is simply an important factor you need to bear in mind when making this decision.

Level of Privacy

You should also consider your privacy. A one-story home can cause you to sacrifice some privacy, as people on the street or in the yard will walk directly past your bedroom window. If your bedroom is on the second floor, however, it’s a lot less likely that passersby can glance inside and see what you’re doing.

However, two-story homes can have a bit less internal privacy; you may find that those in the room below, can hear your movements and even your conversations when it’s quiet. This can be somewhat offset by improved soundproofing, though. Keep this in consideration when selecting your home.

If you’re still not sure which home layout is best for you, contact Build On Your Land, LLC. Our new-home builders in Columbia, SC,will help you to pick a layout that works for you and work with you to build the home of your dreams. Contact 803-721-4676 today!