New House Build in the Country!!!

[justinramani]

I'm confused? You are military, right. During my 21 year Navy career, I was looking a possible PCS change every three years. Building a house was not an option.

mark

My wife and I have more stable jobs in the Military. There is always the chance that one of us will need to leave on a temp basis, but getting back to Bragg is pretty easy.

 

[CCWKen]

Looks Great!
I hope everyone likes sleeping on twin beds. I don't think you could get larger box springs through some of those turns.
I'm also not particularly fond of doors at the top of stairs either unless there's a landing or the door knob is about 20" off the floor. It sure makes for an uncomfortable spot when your arms are full of groceries or packages. But maybe it's my Acrophobia.

 

[justinramani]

Looks Great!
I hope everyone likes sleeping on twin beds. I don't think you could get larger box springs through some of those turns.
I'm also not particularly fond of doors at the top of stairs either unless there's a landing or the door knob is about 20" off the floor. It sure makes for an uncomfortable spot when your arms are full of groceries or packages. But maybe it's my Acrophobia.

I'm surprised by the amount of concern over door width and hall size. I will definately talk with the builder about it.

It rained all day yesterday - so no work was done. They did deliver 3 concrete culverts for the driveway. They may be able to burn the slash pile today if the weather cooperates.

 

[Scooter78]

I would have to agree on door way size. When we built our house in '06, I went had them make the door ways 3' in whole house. I was the builder but my framer and door sales man all said why are you doing that? I was 30 and my wife was 28, I told them just never know might need larger door ways. Well the next year my wife was diagnosed with MS. Boy am I glad I put in larger door ways!

 

[mjarrels]

Watch the tight corners, the only way we can get a full size sofa in/out the living room is to remove a window in our cape cod.
mark

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm so obsessed with doors that when I build my addition, I'm going to custom build my new front door 4 feet wide. I hate french doors, they always leak. If it's not leaking now, it will in time. They are great for getting stuff in and out of room, but horrible at keeping the wind out. I've been hired to repair and try to weather seal too many of them to want one in my own house.

 

[GPintheMitten]

My research shows 32" to be a comfortable minimum for wheel chairs.

My advice is to make most of the doorways and hallways the larger of that and what will facilitate moving sofas and king size bed mattresses through. For the king size foundations, there are split foundations.

But not all doors need to be 32".

But I do advise at least one 36" exterior door.

Here's a site that details wheel chair accessibility.

How Wide Does a Doorway Need To Be For A Wheelchair?

 

[GPintheMitten]

Btw, despite all the discussion about doors and hallways (we do obsess don't we), your plans look great. Quite a large home. Enjoy the process. It can be stressful but rewarding.

 

[bspeedy]

House is just a place to sleep, so I won't comment on that. You've already gotten some good advice on it.

As for the GARAGES...

I strongly urge you to increase the size of your attached garage. Less than 22 feet wide, total will be a problem for you at some time. Do this - park your car and your wife's car side by side and open one door enough to get out between cars and one on the outside of each - not fully open but enough for ingress and egress. Leave the doors open and measure the width. Unless you have a prius and she has a honda fit, you will realize you need a wider garage. Go wide enough for an 18-foot wide door. I promise you won't regret it.

Also, since you are on a large piece of land, it might make sense to build a pole barn instead of the fancy detached garage. For the same money as that detached you could probably build a 40x80.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

House is just a place to sleep, so I won't comment on that. You've already gotten some good advice on it.

As for the GARAGES...

I strongly urge you to increase the size of your attached garage. Less than 22 feet wide, total will be a problem for you at some time. Do this - park your car and your wife's car side by side and open one door enough to get out between cars and one on the outside of each - not fully open but enough for ingress and egress. Leave the doors open and measure the width. Unless you have a prius and she has a honda fit, you will realize you need a wider garage. Go wide enough for an 18-foot wide door. I promise you won't regret it.

Also, since you are on a large piece of land, it might make sense to build a pole barn instead of the fancy detached garage. For the same money as that detached you could probably build a 40x80.

Agree on the garage size, and did that on our attached garage, you want it big enough to still get two cars in be able to get out and still get up your wheel chair ramp. Don't so much agree on 18' door size did that! Nice idea, however our door faces north west and get hit with the winter wind. And an 18' door bends in the wind big time. Yes, I have bracing. Also, when you open an 18' door lets out a lot of heat. Had to do over think I would go with two small but wide doors. Side note: make sure you get tall enough door.
Agree with Eddie on the French doors. Not fan of sliding either. Been down both roads. Went with 36" door and large picture window in the walk out basement. Never considered making 48 door.
A handicap accessible house is a big deal, or at least one that can be made into easily is a big deal. It is one thing to get MS, like guys wife above did,(not trying to minimize situation)but then to have to turn around and figure out how to modify your house or have to move on top of it.I have spinal stenosis so chances of being in wheel chair some day real high. It is nice feeling to know I will not have to move out and will be able to get around. Also, I did know when we built.