If you have ever seen a blueprint of a barndominium design, there is a possibility you have come across the word “shouse.” Wondering what a shouse is? Put together the words shop and house and you have a shophouse, or shouse! This is essentially a workshop or storage space connected to a living space.
Convenient Access to a Workshop
A considerable advantage of a shouse is access to your workshop or storage area. If you wanted to provide a professional trade out of your workshop, there’s no need to commute to work. Your workspace is just a few steps away from your living space. Work can continue even when the roads are covered in snow to travel. Getting rid of commute leaves more time for you to complete projects and spend time on your hobbies.
Enhanced Structural Support
Colum Malcolmson, New Braunfels Realtor says, "A shouse provides increased structural strength compared to homes that have the typical wood frame structure. Whether the shouse is built with wood posts or metal posts, the structure is highly stable and able to withstand the harsher side of the elements. Did you know, metal structures can withstand winds of 150 mph? And all without suffering damage to the foundation or exterior."
Protection Against Common Threats
A shouse offers protection against common threats such as moisture, leaks, mildew, and mold. Water is less likely to penetrate a metal frame, keeping leaks from damaging the inner wall cavities or other interior spaces in the home and workshop. The main contributor to mold growth in homes are leaks or excessive moisture, and the spread of mold comes with a slew of health problems. Because of its enhanced protection against these threats of water damage, a shouse shields against mold growth!
Are you worried about pests and bugs? Worry no more! A shouse offers increased protection against both pests and bugs and because they are less prone to water damage, this means no termites feeding on rotting wood! It’s a win-win for everyone (except the bugs!).
Amazing Airflow and Natural Light
Nearly every blueprint of a shouse will come with an open floor plan and tall ceilings, all of which promote improved air circulation inside both your home and workshop. Because the airflow can move about more efficiently, heating and cooling efficiency is increased. For example, during the cold winter months, you can heat your home faster, and during those grueling long summer days, you can cool your home faster. Will tall ceilings and wide spaces for support columns, a shouse can accommodate large windows. The addition of tall windows and taking advantage of that open floor plan helps bring tons of natural light to the interior of the building.
Affordable Blueprints and Construction
Building a shouse will save you more money on both the design and construction. Instead of designing and building a separate home and shop, you are building a single structure that serves dual functions for half the cost. These days, a standard home costs $100 to $200 per square foot, while a shouse is comparable to building a barndominium, $95 to $125 per square foot. This leaves you with more freedom to go bigger with your living quarters for less money!
Conclusion
Though not a new concept, the shophouse (shouse) has been used for hundreds of years and continues to be an efficient way to allow people to combine both their workspace and living space. Even if you do not require a workshop or space attached to your residence, a shouse still offers some pretty significant advantages. You have your open floor plan, where you gain more flexibility for the design and layout of your new home. You have a more desirable cost outcome when building a shouse compared to a standard home. In the end, a shouse is an attractive option for those looking to increase their savings, add more space to their property and living quarters, and explore versatile design options.
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