The pros and cons of split level homes
Split level housing is an architectural style that employs staggered floors in order to create more vertical space. This type of architecture was the most popular in the late ’60s, at the time of “baby booming”. These homes usually featured three levels that were connected by short flights of stairs. The style went out of favor in recent years due to some of its inherent disadvantages.
However, the benefits of this particular design are still there and many people actually prefer such houses over more modern ones. There are many split level homes on the market today and a prospective buyer will do well to mark both the advantages and the disadvantages before choosing to buy one. This is what this article will be all about – ensuring that you’re well informed before making that choice.
What are the split level homes?
As mentioned previously, split level homes have staggered floors, usually consisting of the main floor which houses the kitchen, living area, and the dining room, the basement level where you can find the garage and playroom, and the upper level that contains the bedrooms. This design allows for the separation of activities and greater privacy.
These houses usually feature low-pitch roofs, large living areas, and multiple attics for storage. These days, people are more interested in a portable unit you can move around as you wish so the attics became less popular. With more storage options available nowadays, attics are slowly becoming a thing of the past.
The split level design offers distinct advantages and disadvantages, like having more space but being harder to renovate, for example.
Split level homes utilize vertical space in order to have a bigger yard.
The pros and cons of split level homes
Like with everything else, the pros and cons of this design will be largely in the eye of the beholder. Some people will be drawn by the lower prices while others will be put off due to exterior steps. The best thing to do here is to figure out if living in a split level home is right for you. And you can do that by knowing about the various pros and cons.
The pros of split level homes
In a nutshell, these are the major pros:
- Split level homes are affordable
- These homes are larger, without taking up yard space
- Perfect for a quiet home office
- Sleeping areas in a split level homes are quieter
Split level homes are affordable
The fact of the matter is that, nowadays, there is less demand for these homes, which means that the price is lower than comparable ranch-style homes, for example. If the disadvantages do not put you off, you will be able to afford a great house at a discounted price. Due to this fact, split levels are great if you are buying your first home, precisely because of their affordability. Do note that if you plan on moving up, the same pricing will apply when selling your home.
You will be able to afford a bigger house or pay less for the same size.
These homes are larger, without taking up yard space
The whole design of these homes is that they offer plenty of space for families. They feature a minimum of three bedrooms but usually have a small lot size, around 60 by 120 feet. In order to have as much of the yard available as possible, they utilize the vertical space for their rooms. By having staggered levels, split levels feature plenty of room within the house while having most of the yard available for recreation and relaxation.
Perfect for a quiet home office
If you want to have a home office, you will be hard-pressed to find a better home than a split level one. The reason for this is that you can isolate your office from the sounds that invariably come with day-to-day living. You can simply repurpose one bedroom into an office and you will be separated from the hubbub that might be going on downstairs. By doing this, you might even make your property more valuable, as the next buyer will already have a home office all ready to go. It is usually not that costly to repurpose a room and it will most likely pay off if you sell the house later.
Sleeping areas in a split level homes are quieter
Having a bedroom on the upper floor means that your sleep will not be disturbed by food preparation on the main level, or your kids playing in the basement. This can be highly beneficial to anyone that is working night shifts, for example. A good night’s (or day’s) sleep is invaluable and split levels will ensure that there is a minimal amount of sound coming your way.
So far, living in a split-level home sounds really good, right? However, there are also some disadvantages to consider, as well.
The cons of split level homes
Apart from them being “unfashionable”, split levels have some other disadvantages to them:
- Exterior steps
- A lot of indoor climbing
- Remodeling split level homes can be difficult
Remodeling a split level home might be much more difficult and costly.
Exterior steps
Most split level houses will feature a set of exterior stairs that lead to the front door. Ranging anywhere between two to eight or more, these steps are going to pose a significant challenge to several activities. For example, you will have a difficult time in removing snow and ice from your entrance. Furthermore, these steps can pose a challenge to elderly people, and carrying groceries into the house can be quite a workout. Many people consider remodeling these stairs as one of the things to fix before putting down roots for good. They might not look like a big hindrance at the start, but they show their true colors after a while. The bad part is that remodeling them is usually quite difficult.
A lot of indoor climbing
And speaking of stairs, they will become an integral part of your life in a split level home. You will have plenty of daily exercise, whether you want it or not! Climbing the stairs will be a necessity whenever you want to use a different part of the home.
Remodeling split level homes can be complicated
Finally, in this day of rapid change, this may be the greatest disadvantage of these homes. The layout simply does not allow for remodeling your home exactly how you wish. Each level of these houses was preordained for a specific purpose and changing it in any way might be challenging. Your sleeping area will be on the upper level, playroom in the basement, and food and entertainment on the main level. Changing that is usually a colossal undertaking that not many families are willing to go through.
Photos used
https://pixabay.com/photos/house-subdivision-rush-gateway-3150484/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-woman-counting-money-at-modern-office-table-4475524/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photography-of-white-poodle-735319/
https://pixabay.com/photos/house-country-house-exterior-facade-1158139/