Remodeling Your Waterfront Home: Where to Start

Do you dream of breathing new life into your waterfront home? Many homeowners find that their properties are in need of some updating or quick repairs after years of use. For these reasons, it is important for you to be aware of the best materials and products available on the market to help enhance your home’s curb appeal. When making renovations, consider the following information to help your waterfront home retain its value long after you move out.

Remodeling your waterfront property may help you convert it into a business, enhance its value, improve the look of the home, or simply make living more pleasurable. Many homeowners are unsure where to start when it comes to remodeling, but it all depends on your objective.

When attempting to sell a property, you must conduct more study and adhere to current market standards. This checklist can help you figure out how to improve your waterfront home remodeling for personal or commercial reasons.

When Considering a Waterfront Renovation

It must be stated that the design and home building of waterfront residences demand a lot of skill. Water may be both soothing and painful. Extreme weather, such as high winds or flooding rains, must be planned for. 

That is why the remodeling design-build team is available to help you at every step. They combat Mother Nature while also ensuring that your ideal waterfront residence becomes a reality.

Recognize Your Environment

Waterfront properties are constantly exposed to the corrosive effects of water, therefore your home must be rebuilt with superior materials that will outlast the elements. A good contractor will select and suggest materials that will last for years in your home. Selecting shutters that are known to complement properties in

beautiful areas is an example of this.

Project Timeline for Remodeling

It’s critical to establish a rough completion date for any renovation project, especially one as extensive as this one. Allow space for any unforeseen circumstances or changes in the project. Creating a schedule is an important aspect of any renovation projects, especially if you must search for alternate living quarters depending on which parts of the home are being remodeled. You might also be renting a storage facility like these, so you’ll want to know how much your storage costs will be throughout the renovation.

Prepare Yourself for the Process

Prepare for the difficulties of home renovation by making any necessary preparations ahead of time. If you get involved in the project, your contractor will be able to better comprehend your needs and desires. Where do you want to see the sunrise each morning? What is the most important view of the water for you? Before the remodeling process begins, we recommend that you answer these questions.

Expand Your Waterfront Property with an Addition

If you already live in a waterfront property but believe it’s time for an upgrade, adding on to your current home may be a fantastic alternative to explore. An addition may expand living space, such as a family room or a master bedroom, open up the flow of your kitchen or accentuate your waterfront view with a sunroom.

Another alternative is to build on an in-law apartment, a luxury patio, or a balcony area constructed from the second floor. Even still, like constructing a house on the water from the ground up, employing a reputable design-build contracting firm when adding to your current waterfront home is important.

Save Money By Hiring a Renovator

You’ll have to decide whether you want to work with your own hands or hire experts to renovate your house. Many homeowners who try to save money end up spending a lot of time studying them and obtaining good results, or they get themselves into an unfinished quagmire that doesn’t meet building codes, resulting in greater expenditures than expected.

It’s critical to prepare ahead of time, which is often best left to professionals. To save money, you may do a lot of things yourself, such as interior painting while leaving the more difficult restoration to expert specialists that can comply with strict standards.

How to Evaluate and Enhance Natural and Artificial Views

Regardless of your intended improvement, you should first evaluate the likelihood of enhancing stunning views of the water and surrounding scenery. Natural settings may be far more enticing than manufactured waterfronts, although artistically created water fountains can be just as nice as lakes and rivers.

A covered patio or deck that also allows for gardening is one approach to add beauty to your perspective. Adding a sunroom to a garage, or any portion of the home provides several benefits in addition to aesthetic appeal.  Sunrooms are often combined with patios, allowing for flexibility when it comes to design.

Adding an outdoor fireplace may be another way to keep your home energy-efficient during cooler months. It’s easy to incorporate this feature into a patio or deck that is connected to the sunroom.

Your Waterfront Home Can Become More Enjoyable When Attention is Given to Comfort

Your waterfront home can become more enjoyable when attention is given to comfort. For example, many homeowners find it more practical and affordable to add a bathroom or powder room instead of installing heating and air conditioning systems in bedrooms, which can also provide them with an extra guest master suite for family and friends. It can help curb energy use by lowering indoor lighting and heating use, as well as provide the potential for plants to thrive indoors.

Understanding Levee Strength

Another thing to consider is whether your current home is water-tight and requires additional flood protection. If you live near a river, for example, is the levee system in good condition? Are there any concerns about a nearby stream, for example, that it might break and flood your home? Leaks in levees can result in significant damage, which is why you should be aware of the history of your local levee.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can provide a wealth of data on flood planning, sewage overflow, water conservation, and other property-related concerns. You can also check whether your property has any hurricane tie-downs, which are designed to give extra protection for homes in an area that is susceptible to high winds.

There are many things that must be taken into consideration when it comes down to remodeling waterfront properties. It’s important to have a clear objective when you start. You may want to talk with people who have already renovated their homes, in order to get objective opinions on what’s best for your home. You may also want to improve the electrical and mechanical systems of your house. If you live in a flood-prone location, consider upgrading the drainage system around your home’s perimeters.

Improve the Value and Beauty of Your Home

Simply updating your home to be more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly can raise its value by 10% or more. You may also want to consider adding extra amenities, such as solar panels on the roof. One of the most economical ways to start this effort is by saving money with higher-efficiency appliances. Sealing or updating leaky doors, windows, ceilings, walls, and pipes are two ways to reduce energy expenses.

Remodeling your bathrooms and kitchen with long-lasting cupboards constructed of oak, maple, or cherry wood is another approach to increase the value of your home.

Upgrading an outdated HVAC system with cutting-edge heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system should result in lower energy bills as well as improved indoor air quality. A building process or renovating a home that is energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and enjoyable to live in will soon provide you with many reasons to smile.

Another approach to reducing heating expenses is to install a brick fireplace. The more glass in your waterfront house, the more you may utilize natural light to supplement electric heating while still increasing your beautiful views.

Make Your Home Comfortable and Authentic with Environmentally Friendly Living

When you merge with the environment as much as possible, your property will have more authenticity and value, resulting in a welcome atmosphere. If you live in a region that gets a lot of sunshine, consider putting in a solar thermal water heating system, which is a far more environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach to make hot water.

You may also consider a solar energy system (PV) that transforms sunlight into electricity to power the entire house, as energy from the sun is free once you pay for equipment, and government tax credits may be available. PV systems may be used to generate electricity either as stand-alone off-grid systems or as a backup system.

Replacing noxious materials like asbestos ceilings with ones that are more environmentally benign will improve the natural look of your property. Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) contain a hazardous element known as mercury, which can be found in older thermostats and electronics.

Another group of hazardous materials you should think about replacing include those that contain lead, polyvinyl chloride, dioxin, or halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), which are known as foam-based chemicals. Some of these chemicals are known to cause cancer and other illnesses.

Invest in lead-free faucets, copper pipes, and mercury-free lighting like Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to live a healthier and more long-term sustainable lifestyle.

Take Advantage of Stunning Water Views

A waterfront home maybe both your showroom and your getaway, depending on its location in such a stunning natural setting. One approach to do so is to make the greatest of the stunning vistas. The sparkling water greets you at every turn, thanks to the addition of large windows on the water-facing side. In addition, you might want to consider sliding glass doors in the main living area. The doors connect the living room to a beautiful terrace, or patio, or pool area when opened.

Take another look at your current floor plan. Is there enough of a view from your picturesque site? A remodel allows you to build a unique style statement from the ground up. You may relocate or modify your major living areas to the waterfront by rearranging or transforming rooms. Creating an open and contemporary main floor allows your family and visitors to move freely from room to room. Upgrading your house with a contemporary layout and modern facilities lets you live comfortably and enjoyably.

Of course, the change doesn’t stop there. You can create the master bedroom of your dreams once you’ve reached the second level. Modern, roomy sliding glass doors that open to a private balcony, or traditional French doors that rise high into the air and descend gracefully into the sun room. Flood your space with both natural light and secluded water views by extending your windows and skylights.

Styles of Waterfront Houses: Architectural Wonders

Waterfront living has always been a popular choice for homeowners. There is something about the sound of waves crashing against the shore and the incredible view of sunsets that make waterfront homes so desirable. The truth is, not all waterfront lot is created equal – there are many architectural styles to choose from when you design and remodel your perfect home by water’s edge!

1. Coastal-style Houses

Coastal houses are usually painted in the lightest colors possible to give them a brighter exterior. They often have large windows and verandas, which allow for open-concept layouts. The interior is generally spacious with tall ceilings and neutral-colored walls without too many decorations. Coastal bungalow homes can easily be turned into waterfront homes, and many of them were built with that in mind.

2. Traditional-style Houses

Traditional-style homes are perfect for waterfront properties because they take advantage of the natural view outside each window. They range in size and design, but they usually feature hardwood floors and plenty of windows on the water-facing side. This traditional house above is two stories with high ceilings to maximize the view from its waterfront site, and a small porch for enjoying the sea air.

3. Loft Houses

Loft houses are great for waterfront properties because they give the impression of two stories without taking up too much space on your property. This modern style is perfect if you’re looking to build a home that has lighter walls, higher ceilings, and plenty of natural light. Since it’s so open, you can enjoy the laissez-faire lifestyle that waterfront custom home is known for while still feeling like you’re part of a community because it’s closer to other houses than other styles might allow.

4. Beach-style Houses

Beach-style homes are usually designed in a way so they look like they blend with the environment, giving them an organic feel. They tend to have large windows too and often open spaces and floor-to-ceiling doors where you can let the natural light and fresh air in. The exterior of such houses is often made from brick or stone, and they typically have large front porches which are great for socializing.

5. Nautical-style Houses

Nautical-style homes usually have blue accents and a nautical decor that reminds you of sailing boats and the sea. This style tends to be more sophisticated and may include moldings or other details that remind you of the past. A lot of houses with this style also have a certain type of symmetry in their design as well as many windows (especially on the upper floor) which let you enjoy great views from within.

6. Mediterranean-style Houses

Mediterranean-style homes are usually characterized by their red roofs and a white or beige exterior. They are the kind of houses you would typically expect to see on a Greek island or in some other sunny critical areas of Europe. Mediterranean homes often have large windows too, as well as many decks which can serve as additional living or entertaining spaces.

7. Classic-style Houses

Classic-style custom homes are often characterized by their straight lines, large windows, and a well-proportioned exterior. These types of houses can easily accommodate a waterfront home renovation lifestyle since they have large open spaces which allow natural light to come in. This gives them a very welcoming vibe that lets you enjoy the exterior surroundings of your dream home.

8. Contemporary-style Houses

Contemporary-style homes are often designed to look more like sculptures than the typical house you would see on a street. These types of existing homes may have unusual features such as one or a few large windows, which means that they often require additional lighting during the day (such as skylights or additional lamps placed in strategic locations). If you like modern design and want to make your house stand out from the others, this is a great style for you and your dream waterfront home!