The townhome construction market has been on the rise in recent years, and many experts expect that trend to continue. The rising costs of building materials and new homes is helping drive the market. For builders, the ability to get townhomes up and running faster, allowing them to build and sell more units, is another important factor.
Building affordable townhomes that are attractive to today's buyers and renters takes careful planning and implementation. Consider these best practices.
Make efficient use of space
Create designs that maximize the use of available space. Consider open floor plans and multi-purpose rooms. Open floor plans eliminate unnecessary walls and corridors, allowing for increased flexibility in room functionality and improved flow, resulting in more usable space.
Multi-purpose rooms — such as guest rooms/home office and kitchen/laundry rooms — can help reduce overall building size and costs and make more efficient use of the available space.
Standardize designs and layouts
The townhome market is well-suited to a more standard design approach. Standardizing floor plans and designs significantly reduces construction time and costs. By using pre-designed layouts, you can avoid the lengthy process of creating custom designs and engineering for each unit, allowing for faster completion times.
Standardization enables you to estimate material quantities accurately and make bulk purchases, reducing waste and minimizing material costs. The elimination of design iterations and the ability to replicate proven designs also leads to cost savings.
Make use of affordable building materials
Choose durable yet affordable building materials that meet quality standards. Examples include engineered wood, vinyl siding and laminate flooring and countertops.
Engineered wood products — such as oriented strand board — offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional solid wood while still proving a strong and durable structural component. Vinyl siding is a popular choice for townhomes due to its lower cost and low maintenance requirements. Laminate materials are typically more budget-friendly compared to natural stone or hardwood. They offer the look of expensive materials at a fraction of the cost.
Emphasize energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is a must for budget-minded townhome buyers or renters looking for lower energy bills and a comfortable home. Incorporate energy-efficient design elements and technologies that will provide long-term cost savings. These can include efficient weatherization, energy-efficient appliances and equipment and low-flow fixtures.
Fiberglass insulation is an economical and efficient material used to enhance energy efficiency in townhomes. Fiberglass insulation is easy to install, lightweight and readily available, making it an excellent choice for affordability and efficiency. Proper sealing of windows, doors and other exterior components is a cost-effective way to optimize efficiency and comfort.
ENERGY STAR®-certified gas furnaces, gas clothes dryers and other energy-efficient appliances are the perfect choice for efficient townhome living. ENERGY STAR gas tankless water heaters can work well in space-saving townhome designs due to their smaller footprint. ENERGY STAR products are independently tested to use less energy than standard models. Also, install WaterSense®-labeled low-flow showerheads and faucets to reduce water-heating costs.
By focusing on affordability while also emphasizing style, accessibility and efficiency, you can create townhomes that really stand out in today's growing market.