The House Plan Shop Blog

October 3-9 is 2010’s Fire Prevention Week. The House Plan Shop is doing our part to raise awareness about fire safety. Below is a list of facts about home fires and smoke alarms as reported by the National Fire Prevention Association.

·         Cooking is the leading cause of house fires and injuries.

·         Working smoke alarms cut the risk of death in a reported fire by 50%.

·         Approximately 75% of all homes in the United States have at least one working smoke alarm.

·         Nearly 3000 people die in the US every year in home fires.

·         Smoking is the #1 cause of fire deaths.

·         Heating is the second leading cause of house fires.

·         Between 2003-2006, nearly 66% of home fire deaths resulted from home fires in homes that did not have a smoke alarm or did not have a working smoke alarm.

·         Electrical malfunctions and failures are factors in nearly 50,000 reported fires every year.

·         According to a 2008 survey, only 12% of participants knew smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.

·         In 2008, someone was injured in a reported home fire every 40 minutes.

·         In 2008, approximately eight people died in home fires every day.

·         In 2008, a fire department responded to a home fire every 82 seconds.

Keeping these stunning facts in mind, it is time to practice fire prevention at home. Watch for our upcoming blog about fire prevention and fire safety at home. We don’t want you, your family or your home to become another statistic on this list.

Tags: fire prevention, fire prevention week, fire safety, home fires, Home Safety, house fires, smoke alarms, smoke detectors

From the siding and brick façade paired with front facing gables to the charming dormers and column lined, wrap-around porch, this ranch house plan displays a masterful blend of country, traditional appeal. Ideal for those stepping up from a starter home, this one-story floor plan showcases a bedroom together design with three bedrooms neatly clustered together at the back of the home for privacy. This thoughtful layout ensures everyone will get a good night’s sleep with the parents sleeping nearby the children’s rooms. The master bedroom showcases a fanciful tray ceiling, large walk-in closet and pampering salon bath outfitted with a soothing garden tub. Sunny windows fill the family bedrooms with natural light, and a convenient hall bath accommodates the children’s needs. The main living areas team up to promote easy and relaxed living. Open and spacious, the living room accommodates everyday happenings and large gatherings for special occasions. The kitchen reveals an efficient, step-saver design with practical features like ample counter space, a pantry and a breakfast bar pleasing amateur and gourmet chef’s alike. If outdoor cooking and dining is what you prefer, take a look at the rear patio, a great place for grilling, summertime barbecues or dining alfresco with the kids. Laundry chores and unloading groceries are a snap with the kitchen strategically positioned near the 2-car garage and laundry room. If you are looking for relaxed and stylish family living all on one level, this one-story ranch home plan is sure to get your attention.

Browse more ranch home plans at The House Plan Shop.

Tags: one-story home designs, one-story house plans, ranch home floor plans, ranch home plans, Ranch House Plans

Last week the National Association of Home Builders released the fourth edition of Residential Construction Performance Guidelines. It is the most widely used reference in the building industry regarding how new homes should perform. The reference guide is available in a consumer version and a contractor version.

The contractor’s version of the fourth edition features:

·         New guidelines addressing efflorescence, deflection and water penetration

·         Remodeling-specific guidelines

·         A glossary

·         And much more

The consumer’s version helps consumers understand the basics of proper home buildings and how the home should perform during the warranty period.

Find out more about the newest edition of this handy building reference.

Tags: construction guidelines, residential construction, residential construction performance guidelines

Want a way to add value to your home and actually enjoy it? Consider building a deck. A deck is a very versatile addition to any house. It can be used for grilling and outdoor dining, entertaining friends, stargazing, observing nature and just plain relaxing! Furthermore, a deck can be covered providing shade or it can be open for those who love the sun. You may wish to hire an experienced professional such as a builder, contractor, carpenter or remodeler to build a custom deck for you, or you might decide to tackle the project on your own. Either way, building a deck can be rewarding. Working with a professional will ensure custom touches that you might not be able to create, build or accomplish on your own, while building the deck yourself can be rewarding and offer the satisfaction of completing the job. If you do decide to build the deck on your own, consider purchasing a woodworking or deck plan. They are available online in a variety of sizes ranging from a basic platform with railing to more detailed deck designs that might include built-in wooded benches for seating, plant shelves, a built-in barbecue area or even a hot tub. No matter which route you take, you’ll be pleased with the new deck you can enjoy year-round and feel confident that you have just added value to your home.

Tags: add value to your home, building a deck, decks, home addition, Outdoor Living, outdoor living spaces

Man caves are becoming popular. We are hearing the used more and more on TV and in everyday conversation. So what is a man cave? A man cave is a designated area of the house such as a room in the basement, the garage, a workshop or a bonus room where a man can go to be alone or socialize with friends without disturbing the rest of the home. Some guys decorate their man caves with sports memorabilia, street signs, model cars and planes or other “guy related” items. Furthermore, it is becoming more popular to outfit man caves with big TVs, good sound systems, comfortable seating, and perhaps and fridge or wet bar. Guys use their man caves for relaxing alone, holding poker parties with buddies or watching football and other big games with friends. Now that it’s football season, there is no doubt some guys will be spending extra time in the their man caves.

Check out photos and a video of some of St. Louis’s ultimate man caves.

Tags: basement room, garage, guy space, man cave, man caves, workshop