What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Triangular Cottage

If you’re looking to build or buy a house, seemingly infinite design options are out there. With so many different types of homes available, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which would work best for you.

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If you happen to be a lover of nature, windows, minimalist design or open, airy spaces, we’ll help you narrow down your options today by showing you a type of home you might just love: the A-frame. Let’s unpack everything you need to know about A-frame houses.

What is an A-frame house?

The term “A-frame house” is pretty self-explanatory: The home is shaped like a capital letter “A.” These triangular homes usually have long, steep roofs that extend almost all the way to the ground on two sides of the house and come to a sharp point at the top. The sides of the structure that aren’t part of the roof are often covered with windows that invite lots of natural light into the home.

While A-frame homes can be found just about anywhere, they’re especially popular in rural, wooded areas. You can also find them in a variety of sizes, from tiny houses to larger, more traditional single-family homes.

A-frame house pros and cons

As with any home design, an A-frame house comes with both pros and cons. Therefore, you’ll want to be informed before deciding if this type of home is right for you.

Pros

Living in an A-frame home, you can typically expect to enjoy:

• Lots of natural light
• An open floor plan
• An affordable and scalable design
• A unique architectural design

Cons

Potential drawbacks of living in an A-frame home include:

• Less usable space because of a sloping roof
• Expensive roof maintenance
• Impractical walls
• Little room for storage, especially in tiny homes
• Possible ventilation, airflow and heat distribution challenges due to lofty ceilings

How much does an A-frame house cost?

If you’ve fallen in love with A-frame house plans and this home’s splendid features, you may now be wondering: How much does an A-frame house cost? This will depend on several factors, including size, location and accessibility. According to HomeAdvisor, a 1,000-square-foot A-frame house can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000. However, with inflated labor and material costs, you could pay as much as $350,000.

While an A-frame kit home may only cost $37,000, you’ll also have to account for preinstallation foundation, plumbing and electrical expenses. In this way, the starting price of an A-frame kit doesn't usually reflect the final price.

A-frame house: FAQs

If you’re thinking of buying a house in the A-frame style, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.

Are A-frame homes good for cold climates?

The A-frame house’s sloped roof is ideal for snowy climates because it allows snow and other precipitation to slide off rather than sit idly atop the house. The wide square footage of the roof helps these homes remain well-insulated and well-protected.

How long does it take to build an A-frame home?

The time it takes to build an A-frame house depends on whether you’re building with an A-frame kit or building an A-frame house from scratch. Build times can vary, but you can expect A-frame prefab kits to be completed much faster than building from the ground up.

Are A-frame houses energy-efficient?

Since A-frame houses typically have high ceilings that cause heat to rise, maintaining a good airflow can be an issue. For this reason, a homeowner might find their electric bill a bit higher if measures aren’t taken to promote quality airflow.

How can I make an A-frame house more energy-efficient?

To make A-frame houses more energy-efficient, a homeowner may consider installing a ceiling fan or floor fans that can provide the ventilation needed for heat to escape and flow evenly throughout the home. It may also be helpful to give attention to the home’s insulation, appliances and HVAC system, along with other features that impact energy.

Is an A-frame house a good investment?

Considering the appeal of A-frame houses in the vacation rental industry, A-frame homes can be a good way to earn passive income. Resale value for this unique living arrangement will depend on the condition of the home, its location and other factors.

The bottom line

A-frame homes are loved by many for their unconventional and minimalist design, affordability and the scenic environments that often accompany them. These houses do, however, come with some drawbacks, such as reduced living space and energy-efficiency concerns, which are important to consider before settling on this type of home.

If you decide the A-frame house is right for your needs, we’d love to help you on your journey to owning one! Connect with an agent using Rocket HomesSM today.

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A-frame homes are making a comeback. These cozy buildings are simple structures where the sloped sides of the A-shaped roof form two of the home’s walls. A wide first floor tapers to a peak at the second (and sometimes third) floor, creating angles not usually seen in typical homes. The triangular shape, large windows, and high ceilings make this architectural design wonderfully different from other homes on the market. However, there are a few quirks to know about before moving into one.

We reached out to Monique DeLorenzo, co-owner of The Vermont A-Frame, to learn insider intel from someone who owns and maintains this type of home. Here are a few awesome—and less awesome—aspects of A-frame living to consider before you invest in this unique kind of home.

A-frames have plenty of natural light.

Many A-frames have large windows in the back and the front, with some designs adding even more brightness with skylights. All of this natural light creates an open and airy feeling, making even the smallest A-frame feel larger.

If you’re building an A-frame, DeLorenzo advises that by angling your house in the right direction, you can get amazing light in the morning and evening. Just make sure the largest windows face east and west.

Optimal airflow and ventilation can be challenging.

Open concept living with high ceilings may not be the most optimal design for good airflow. Rising heat can make an A-frame house’s bottom floor cold in the winter and the top floor too warm in the summer.

A warmer climate or an A-frame building with a fireplace will necessitate proper ventilation for heat to escape or distribute more evenly throughout the home. Luckily, this can be achieved with a ceiling fan or floor fans. As for utility bills, your electric bill may be a bit higher with baseboard heat, but it’s shouldn’t be astronomical as long as your home has quality airflow. Oftentimes, radiant heating is a smart option for rooms with tall ceilings.

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Furniture must be positioned strategically.

The height of your furniture is an important consideration in an A-frame home. The taller your couch, chair, or bed, the higher on the slanted wall it will be and the more floor space you’ll lose behind it. In addition to making sure there’s room for the furniture itself, you also have to think about the head room needed to actually use it. A steeper roof pitch can give you more flexibility with interior furnishings, enabling you to push pieces closer to the walls.

When selecting furniture for your A-frame, a measuring tape is your best friend. Double-check your measurements—especially height—before making purchases and setting up any rooms on upper floors.

RELATED: This Popular House Style in Chicago Is Going Extinct

You lose square footage on upper floors.

An angled roof has charm in spades, but one drawback of the A-frame is the loss of square footage. Though the ground floor may be spacious, each floor above it is increasingly smaller, and homeowners may have to maneuver around furniture to avoid bumping their heads against the ceiling.

In smaller A-frame houses, you either embrace the unique quirks and space limitations, or you can get creative and turn the space behind furniture into bespoke storage solutions. You can also expand cramped rooms by adding dormers without changing the home’s footprint.

Having a sloped roof has seasonal benefits.

There’s a reason A-frame buildings are found in and around ski towns; a sloped roof prevents excess snow and ice build-up. Accumulated snow can be quite heavy, putting stress on a roof that can damage shingles or the building itself. An A-frame house (especially one with a metal roof) avoids dangerous snow buildup with the power of gravity.

In rainy seasons or climates, however, pay attention to the grading around the house. Many A-frames don’t have rain gutters, making it vital to ensure water doesn’t pool or drain poorly around the home’s foundation.

Stairs can be tricky.

Whether buying or building an A-frame, consider how you get from floor to floor. Several A-frames opt for aesthetically pleasing spiral staircases, but unless you have a second set of stairs, this type of stair can create complications.

Having a sloped roof may be enough of an obstacle when it comes to getting furniture to the second or third floor without having to also navigate a tight spiral staircase. As with any multi-story home, it’s also worth planning for what you can and can’t access on the ground floor in the event an injury or condition makes ascending stairs challenging or impractical.

People may take photos of your home.

The picturesque appearance of an A-frame house may cause passersby to stop and take a photo. DeLorenzo takes this as a compliment, and their A-frame gets a lot of attention from visitors. She points out that while having pictures taken is great for a rental property, she might not feel so flattered if the strangers were instead photographing her full-time abode.

Are you interested in learning more about Triangular Cottage(pt,es,hi)? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!