Trendy Accessibility Designs That Can Increase Your New Build Home

by Jackie Davis 05/16/2021

Photo by JESHOOTS.com from Pexels


 

The physical limitations that come with age or disability task existing property owners with making sometimes awkward modifications to existing homes. Although many of these changes are necessary for improved accessibility, bulky ramps in front yards tend to diminish curbside appeal. In terms of resale value, homeowners may be narrowing their buyer demographic or listing for less.

But new construction offers homeowners the design flexibility to incorporate guidelines posed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in a way that expands the field of potential buyers and can increase values. If you are among the approximate 1.5 million people planning to build, here are a few accessibility design factors worth considering.  

What is ADA Compliance?

It’s essential to understand that the ADA does not necessarily apply to private residential construction. The federal regulations are in place, primarily, for public dwellings and facilities. That being said, new construction starts are welcome to include items that meet ADA guidelines. Although people sometimes brush this idea aside because of the bulky ramps that modify existing homes, many of the regulations mirror hot-trending home design ideas.

Desirable Home Design Elements

The underlying reasoning of ADA guidelines is that a space is open enough to move about using a wheelchair or walker. They must also provide relative ease when negotiating doorways and typically smaller spaces such as bathrooms. But those same guidelines are precisely what trendy new home magazines have been advocating for years. These are examples of how you can reimagine home designs to enhance your quality of life experience while also improving accessibility.

Design Spacious Bathrooms That Eliminate Barriers

An accessible bathroom can be luxurious and accommodating. To meet the standards, sinks are usually mounted at 34 inches or higher and provide knee-clearance of about 27 inches. The regulations also require them to be 11 to 25 inches deep and 30 inches wide. These specs may seem to run contrary to the traditional sinks with vanity setups. But by employing a wall-hung design, the bathroom meets ADA mandates and generally increases in value.

Real estate professionals generally agree that bathrooms drive resale values and garner quick offers. Other bathroom guidelines include open showers, accessible water closets and convenient handrails, among others. These can all be seamlessly integrated into new construction blueprints.

Trendy Accessible Doorways Add Value

Achieving proper doorway accessibility thresholds can be tricky if you want to also increase new construction value. Hinged doors require a 32-inch swing minimum at a 90-degree angle. There are also specs about doorknobs and maneuverability issues to consider. The solution that new construction builders can leverage is the hot-trending sliding doors that have become so desirable.

Sometimes called “barn doors,” this style has been all the rage in recent years. They require only an open archway and the aesthetically pleasing hardware is mounted directly to the wall. Sliding doors increase accessibility for people with physical limitations because they are easy to push to the side. Sliding doors do not swing back and do not necessarily require doorknobs; yet they are considered a home improvement.

When drawing up blueprints, building accessibility-minded designs makes the home more open, spacious and accessible. Those same concepts make rank among the most desirable among future homebuyers.

About the Author
Author

Jackie Davis

Welcome to Jackie Davis and Company. If you have navigated this far, we thank you and would like to share how we differ from other teams and agents. We work tirelessly and are committed to providing 100% customer satisfaction. We recognize, listen, value, and appreciate your goals as you move towards listing or selling your home. As Listing Agents we continuously integrate new and advanced technology to promote your biggest asset. Our strong negotiation skills are invaluable for getting you the best price for your home. As the Buyer's Agent we pride ourselves on being fully educated in our local markets. While focusing on integrity and honesty we will provide you with the highest level of professionalism and analysis. We are proud that this hard work has earned us recognition as top 1% both company and state wide in the industry. Achievements * 1st Quarter 2017 Leading Sales in Fairfield * 2017 February Leading Sales Team * 2017 March Leading Sales Team * Chairman's Elite representing the Top 1% Agent at William Raveis Nationwide & Fairfield County * Over $45 million Listed & Sold in 2016 * Over $30 million Listed & Sold in 2015 * 99% List to Sales Ratio (higher than market average) * 75 Average Days on Market (less than market average) * Jackie Davis Promoted to Sales Vice President 2016 * Raveis Award of Excellence every year * Exceptional Customer Service Award every year * Top Units Sold Team October 2016 * Top Customer Service October 2016 * Top Mortgage Support September 2016 * Top Selling Team January 2016 * Top Mortgage Support August 2015 * Top Selling Team Feb 2014 * Top Producing Team Jan 2014 * Top Selling Team Dec 2013 * Top Selling Team Nov 2013 * Top Producing Team Nov 2013 Professional Specialty Innovative Marketing and Technology equals proven sales. Our team of licensed professionals is ready to serve. We handle: Sellers & Buyers Exceptional Properties Investors Waterfront & Beach Area Homes Country & Equestrian Properties New Construction & Land Relocation Professional Association National Association of Realtors Connecticut Association of Realtors Greater Fairfield Board of Realtors Consolidated Multiple Listing Service Community Involvement PTA committee member for past 14 years from elementary through high school PTA Board Member for 4 years Shoff Darby Advisory Scholarship Board member past 5 years Committee member for Cancer Care of Norwalk past 10 years Volunteer Habitat for Humanity Operation Hope coordinator for elementary and middle schools, last 3 years Volunteer for a variety of town sports teams, that my daughters participate in The County Assemblies Board Member The b-Cause Foundation Board Member- a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate children to recognize neighbors in need in our local community. Wakeman Boys & Girls Club- Fundraising Committee Member Committee Member for Cancer Couch Fundraiser the Cancer Beat 2016 Near and Far Aid Volunteer Education BA from Merrimack College Personal Fairfield resident for 39 years Currently reside in Fairfield Beach Area Married 27 years Four daughters currently in & have graduated Fairfield Public School system Areas Covered Fairfield Southport Westport Weston Norwalk Trumbull Easton Stratford Shelton Milford Stamford Bridgeport