How To Build The Sea Coast Cottage of Your Dreams
Nothing can be more fascinating and appealing than the idea of living on the sea coast. Building the house of your dreams is not that easy as it might seem, even if you are not limited in budget and have a clear picture of what you want.
Especially with houses located on the shore, you need to bear in mind that there are some important building considerations that are mostly related to the harsh climate and weather conditions. Salt, sun and wind are able to destroy all the curb appeal of your home if you won’t be careful in materials selection.
Also, building a house that will reflect your personal style but at the same time will beautifully incorporate into surrounding landscape could be challenging so this article will reveal some design principles that you can put into action.
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How to get started
Any design process starts with putting together a concept. You can create a moodboard where you can collect inspiring images of houses that you like – you can include beautiful textures, colour combinations, photos of the surroundings. For example, James Hardie, a company producing fyber cement siding, offers a great inspiration guide that you can request from them for free. You will find there plenty of beautiful and inspiring ideas that you can use later during planning and construction phase.
2. Determine on materials
When choosing materials for your future home you need to consider several elements: the cost, the durability and the look. For example, steel is great for roofing for beachside houses as it is durable and strong, but it is also one of the most expensive options, so think whether you can invest more now in order to save long term. At the same time, you need to see how your house will incorporate into the neighborhood. For example, clay tiles are the popular choice for Mediterranean style homes in Florida and Southern California.
For house exterior one of the best and most popular options is the siding. It is also great when you need to just refresh the look without rebuilding or major renovation works. James Hardie offers a vast selection of styles and colours that can be used to achieve almost any style or look. James Hardie manufactures its boards and applies ColorPlus® Technology finishes in the same factory. This in-house process shows less fade over time when compared to field-applied paint. Multiple coats of color are baked onto the board for superior color consistency and finish adhesion. This technology delivers the ultimate in aesthetics and performance. It delivers exceptional color consistency, finish adhesion and fade resistance.
For flooring the most practical options will be tiles and concrete, however, nothing will offer more comfort and luxury feel like hardwood floors. It is also one of the most costly and difficult to maintain finishes in the humid climate.
3. Think of the colour scheme
Colours play one of the most important role in visual appeal. Determining which colour will be painted your home can be one of the most difficult decisions. It is psychologically proven that colours affect our mood and well-being.
Nature is one of the best sources for inspiration. For example, the colours of the sky and the sea are full of serenity – they are always calming. Warm colours, especially subtle earthy tones look cozy and inviting.
When looking at colour palette rely on your intuitive responses – what do you feel when looking at this hue? Which memories and associations brings this or that colour? You may always look for professional advice – architect or interior designer can help you to pick the best choice following your wishes and needs. Have a look how architects work with toolbox provided by James Hardie:
All images are courtesy of James HardieÂ
