Archive for November, 2009

As I get older and start looking into buying my own home, I have begun researching what I want in a house. While I prefer the older, more classic looking houses, modern looking houses are all the rage right now. The easiest way to modernize a house is with a flat roof. But before taking this step to give your home a modern appearance, look at the climate you live in. Flat roofs are slightly pitched to rain water and debris can roll off, but in a part of the country that rains a lot, that is not enough of a pitch. The water can wear away at the roof and cause it to sag, retaining water. In the more arid parts of the country, they are just impractical. A steeper pitch creates more attic space, which creates more room for hot air to rise up out of your living spaces. Just don’t forget the insulation. It will keep out the cold in the winter and the heat in the summer! Living in Houston, this is especially important to me. Our summers are scorching and our winters are mild, sometimes edging into warm. Giving all that hot air a place to go helps cool the house without the use of the air conditioner, saving energy and money! Whether you’re buying, building, or renovating, keep your climate in mind. Whoever thought architecture could help you become more energy efficient? I know I had no idea!