Types of houses The advantages at a glance

As a family of builders, there are many important decisions to make before construction planning begins. Including the type of house you would like built. You should carefully analyze your needs for your home, because all types of houses are very different, not only in terms of shape. They also have living spaces of different sizes and differ in design options and degree of accessibility. Below we provide you with an overview of common house types and their advantages.

You should choose between house types based on these criteria

Before taking a closer look at the different types of homes, you should determine your expectations about the home. What needs must it satisfy? Don’t just plan for your current situation, but also your future one. Factors such as children, parents, or people who rely on accessibility change your home’s needs, as does the additional space you need if you work at home and need additional office space or storage.

Consider the following aspects:

• Accessibility, also with an eye to the future
• Living space and number of rooms, related to hobbies, work and family planning
• Flexibility in case of extension or expansion requests
• Storage rooms such as basements or attics
• Desire for a garden
• Privacy and distance from neighbors
• Interior and exterior design requests

The different types of houses

Single family house

In German-speaking countries, the classic single-family house (EFH) is still the preferred housing type. This is not surprising, because such a house is characterized not only by the space it offers, but also by the privacy of the family or shared apartment. Detached homes are detached and often surrounded by a garden. This allows you to stay outside undisturbed and the children can play in the immediate vicinity of the house. The interior of the house impresses with its relatively large living space and the possibility of extending the attic. If the property offers sufficient open spaces, the house can also be expanded with an extension. The flexibility of use makes the impressive single-family house an excellent investment for the future.

Apartment building

A condominium, as the name suggests, brings together multiple separate housing units under the same roof, usually in the form of apartments arranged one above the other. While most types of houses can only be built in decentralized development areas, the construction of an apartment building is also allowed in the city. As is known, apartments there are in great demand. Landlords can therefore count on regular rental occupancy of their condominium, which represents not only a solid investment but also a profitable old-age provision. Those who live in an apartment in their own condominium also have another advantage: the homeowners or house partners have the right to have a say in the rules of the house.

Semi-detached house

In a two-family house you live side by side with your neighbors. But don’t worry: the shared wall of the house is usually soundproofed, so you can enjoy peace and quiet while being close. Outdoors, privacy can be ensured by using a hedge or privacy screen. Builders looking for an option for a shared apartment with independent living parts are ideally served with a semi-detached house. If you want to build a semi-detached house together with family or friends, you can also expect cost sharing: from the price of the property to construction and maintenance costs. But even building families who plan a semi-detached house on their own get added value from the second half, because it can be rented out wonderfully.

Bungalow

The bungalow is a type of detached house and therefore offers plenty of space, privacy and space for your own garden. In the bungalow you live on the ground floor, which is not only an advantage for people with walking difficulties or those who rely on a wheelchair. Accessibility pays off even in old age, because all areas of the house are easily accessible without the hassle of climbing stairs. This also entails a clear safety factor from which families with small children also benefit. A house without stairs means a lower risk of accidents. How large the living area of ​​the bungalow is depends on your wishes and financial resources, as well as the size of your building plot. Most bungalows are covered with a flat roof, which precludes the possibility of using an attic for storage. For this purpose it is possible to bury the building with a cellar.

Stadtvilla

If you like living in luxury and prefer tall and spacious living spaces, the city villa is the right type of house for you. There are two whole floors at your disposal, thanks to which you can generously combine family, work and leisure activities. Similar to a single-family house, the building shape and interior furnishings of the townhouse can be designed individually. Due to the height of the room it is not necessary to take into account sloping ceilings. Architecture and design are clearly the fulcrum of the city villa. This type of building is often extremely modern and linear, but can also be equipped with small «frills» and design extras if desired.

No matter what type of home you ultimately choose, you always need a floor plan. You can find tips on what you need to pay attention to when making a decision in our blog post “Plan a house floor plan: with these tips the planning will work!”.