One Story or Two: That Is Always The Question!

As you search for the perfect house plan, the long-lasting debate about one or two-story homes always comes up. There is a wide range of functional and aesthetic reasons why some people prefer a single-story home to a two-story home. Whether your opinion is shaped by the house you grew up in or by the stage your life is currently in, most people have a definite love for either 1 or 2-story homes.

     There are unique advantages and disadvantages to both styles so it’s best to learn which home would work best for your lifestyle. If you’re on the fence, use these pros and cons to make the decision a little easier.
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1-Story pros:

• Safer for families with young children and for the elderly or mobility challenged folks

• More options for ceiling heights and skylights

• Save up to 100 sq. ft. with no stairs so larger square footage

• Fewer bathrooms needed

• Easier to access and clean gutters, roof, and outside walls

• Easier to escape a fire

• Less expensive to add on to the structure

• Easier to resell because it’s more popular?

Why do you love a single story house?
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1 story cons:

• The yard may be smaller because a 1-story home takes up more of a lot than a 2 story

• Not as much privacy between bedrooms

• Fewer layout options

• No views

• Costs more to build because of the larger roof

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2 story pros:

• Less foundation and roof structure: The rooms on the first floor don’t require a roof and the rooms on the second floor don’t require a foundation.

• Save on plumbing and electrical wiring because rooms are so close together

• Small footprint so more lot and floor plan options

• Better for families with teens because there’s more separation between rooms

• Smaller roof to maintain

• More expansive views from the second floor

• Costs less per square foot because of a small foundation, roof structure, plumbing and electrical

• Built-in exercise

• More privacy

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2 story cons:

• Sound travels through levels

• Stairs can be dangerous, inconvenient and eat up sq. footage

• 2 HVAC units

• Ceiling and attic heights are typically lower

• Harder to control the temperature

• Having to go upstairs if you forgot something downstairs

Why do you prefer a 2-story house?

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After surveying over 100 people on Facebook, we found that while 2-story homes were more popular with our followers, the margin between the two is minimal. So the debate still stands…which do you prefer?

Whether you choose the convenience of a 1-story home or the flexibility of 2-stories, your next home should reflect all of you and your family’s wants and needs. Thankfully, we make searching for the perfect house plan easy! Explore the Collections section of our website to view our 1 story and 2 story homes.