Building trends that will change again
Each era seems to have a home or a line of homes that identify those specific times and what was needed at that time. Also across the country, there are big differences in housing trends that reflect the area, the climate, or the people who live there. But, we are going to see some universal changes in the coming years and everything is going to change, even the fireplace.
Ventless fireplaces have made great strides due to the backlash traditional fireplaces receive. Places like San Diego are very important in banning the chimney in new construction projects. They blame the traditional wood-burning fireplace for environmental damage caused by particles that are released into the air from things like treated wood.
But not only because of their eco-friendly features, ventless fireplaces are easy to move around the house. They are easy to assemble. They are very cost effective compared to traditional fireplaces that cannot be moved around the house, require contractors to install, and can cost as much as a new car.
Of course, homes will be greener in the future with less square footage, but more space. How the heck is that possible? If you take a look at homes in Florida, you can get a good idea of how in the world there are fewer square feet, but it is possible to have more space.
Most of the houses are single story. There aren’t even basements. Obviously, they would flood all the time. Second-story houses exist, but they are not common. In just a little space, you can find three bedrooms along a small hallway, the combined dining room and living room, a condensed kitchen with everything you need, and a two-car garage.
You can walk around the outside of the house and think it is small. But walk inside and the space is incredibly comfortable. They are uniquely designed and certainly outperform building materials as well as the massive space of the three story colonial houses or mini mansions that defined the 80s and 90s.
With less room to heat, this could be a growing trend that will spread across the country for years to come. An unvented fireplace can heat an entire home if it is located in the center, which, by the way, is easy to do because they can be moved. With a three-hour gel fuel burn, winterize the home and eliminate nighttime colds, letting the heat linger for hours after the fire is out.
The cost of living can easily be lowered with a few simple commands. Build a more profitable home that requires less building material, but has more space. Heating and cooling the smaller house becomes less resource-intensive. It’s the smartest way to get around!