| You have many styles of homes to choose from | | | | is that the rooms tend to be bigger and the |
| when building your own home. One of the most | | | | floor plan is very airy. With the kitchen, |
| famous styles is the rambler. A rambler home | | | | dining room, family room and bonus room all |
| is all on one floor. This style became very | | | | on the same floor it can create larger rooms |
| popular after world war two when the soldiers | | | | that join into other rooms. Some people |
| were returning home and housing became more | | | | enjoy this type of floor plan because it is |
| affordable. The ranch home has been around | | | | easier to get more people into the house for |
| for years, but it is still very useful and | | | | parties and entertaining. |
| will remain for years to come. | | | | |
| | | | The rambler also is cheaper to build in some |
| The ranch style home has many advantages and | | | | circumstances. As you add floors to a |
| several disadvantages. You will want to | | | | building you also increase the complexity and |
| understand these before you decide to build a | | | | design problems. The basic rambler is very |
| ranch style home. | | | | simple in design and so special materials and |
| | | | engineering is not needed. This allows the |
| The ranch house takes up more of the lot | | | | home to be built faster and cheaper. |
| space than a two story home for the same size | | | | |
| home. This means that you will have less | | | | This also means that maintenance is cheaper. |
| yard. Many people find this to be a | | | | If you have tried to wash the outside window |
| disadvantage while others actually consider | | | | on the second floor you will understand. |
| it an advantage. It depends on how you look | | | | Hanging siding is cheaper on a rambler and |
| at a reduced yard size. If you don't like | | | | most other maintenance activities. You won't |
| yard work and playing outside, then a smaller | | | | have to own a super tall ladder for hanging |
| yard is an advantage. If you do like working | | | | Christmas lights if you only live in a one |
| outdoors, then it may be seen as a | | | | story rambler home. |
| disadvantage. Most neighborhoods come with | | | | |
| parks and schools close by so a sizeable yard | | | | Heating and cooling costs tend to be cheaper |
| is not needed for recreation purposes. | | | | compared to other homes. You can insulate |
| | | | the entire roof and the air is kept on one |
| Another advantage of a rambler is the lack of | | | | floor. Two story homes often have multiple |
| stairs. You may not consider that an | | | | units to service the different floors. Heat |
| advantage now, but what if your ailing mother | | | | will rise and you will have to be constantly |
| came to stay with you or you had a new baby. | | | | trying to cool the upper floors or heat the |
| These people have trouble with stairs and it | | | | bottom floor. Maintaining a single insulated |
| may be to your advantage to have all of the | | | | floor is much easier and cheaper. |
| room on the same floor. | | | | |
| | | | In summary, many people consider the rambler |
| Also, a ramble is normally a rectangular or | | | | to be boring in design. Others think that it |
| L-shape. This means most places are in close | | | | doesn't look as nice as other homes. You |
| proximity. Getting around quickly is much | | | | will have to decide what fits you and your |
| easier in a rambler. If you want to stay | | | | needs best. The rambler can have cost |
| away from the children for a few hours, you | | | | benefits and detractors. However, it has |
| may consider this a disadvantage. | | | | been very useful for years and will continue |
| | | | to be used for years to come. |
| Another advantage of the rambler style home | | | | |