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[Gen. Discussion] Newer Homes vs. Older Homes
Posted By: Donald
Date: Saturday, 31 December 2005, at 5:05 p.m.
Many people in here prefer older homes over newer homes, but I disagree. Perhaps some of you will change your mind after reading this post.
As to why older homes in Leonia are not being knocked down: this has to do with taxes. The town discourages new home construction by charging extremely high taxes to anybody who owns a new home. I think that this is wrong because they are controlling what home owners can and can't do. When I lived in Leonia, there was a some what new house down the block from me. Even though the asking price was affordable, there was no way that an average working class person could afford to pay the property taxes.
And I personally dislike old homes. They tend to have smaller rooms and because it is difficult for a tall person like me to walk around in the basement without having to put my head down out of fear of crashing into a low clearance support beam. In my 10 year old house, my basement has 9 foot ceilings so I don't have to worry about crashing into some low hanging beam.
Here is an excerpt from an article that I found at the official website of the National Association of Realtors (www.realtor.org) that explains the differences between new and older homes:
BY BLANCHE EVANS
By 2010, the National Association of Home Builders predicts that the typical new home will offer 2,200 square feet, three or more bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, and a two-car or larger garage. That’s a far cry from homes built in 1950, sized 1,000 square feet or less with two bedrooms and one bath. (By 2000, the typical home was 2,000 square feet, three or more bedrooms, and two-and-a-half baths.)
According to the National Association of Home Builders, new homes offer a number of advantages over existing homes, including:
More amenities/conveniences. New homes feature newer and better materials, built-in appliances, high-speed data access, more wiring for all those electronics, and goodies like whirlpool tubs, and easy-to-clean plastic tub enclosures.Safety. Occupants of new homes are almost six times less likely to die from fire than occupants of older homes. Many new homes come equipped with hard-wired smoke detectors on every level, complete with battery back up should the power go out. Fires are diminished due to the lack of need for space heaters and because of more efficient central heating systems and better insulation.
Electrical power systems in new homes are properly sized for the heavier electrical demands of today’s homes, and wiring systems are less likely to cause fires. Circuit breakers have replaced fuse boxes, which can be overloaded by using the wrong-size fuse. Ground fault interrupters for bathrooms, kitchens, and outside receptacles reduce the chance of fire and electrocution.
Today’s glass in tub enclosures and patio doors in new homes must be tempered so that it will crumble if broken instead of shattering into large jagged pieces that can seriously injure people.
Health. The building industry has responded to the health risks of certain products by building with products and systems that make new homes better for your health. Asbestos, which can increase the risk of respiratory disease, has been eliminated from shingles, pipe, cement board, roof tar, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and insulation. Lead, a potential poison, is no longer used as an ingredient in paint or as solder for plumbing. Formaldehyde emissions from particle board and hardwood plywood have been greatly reduced in new homes. And urea-formaldehyde finishes on most kitchen cabinets are now baked or cured to minimize emissions.
Builders are now installing systems to control radon gas where it is a problem. These systems usually include installation of gravel and polyethylene film beneath basement floors and concrete slabs, and provide for later installation of vent pipes and fans, if required. Older homes frequently have no gravel in which to collect the gas, no polyethylene film to retard movement of the gas through the slab, and no vent pipes. Mitigating radon from an existing home is generally far more expensive than building radon prevention techniques into a new home.
Energy efficiency. Because of better windows, more efficient heating and cooling equipment, better control of air infiltration, and greater use of insulation, new homes consume half as much energy as homes built prior to 1980. Old homes tend to be drafty and less comfortable, and frost and condensation are more likely to appear on windows, drip down, and cause deterioration of wood trim and walls.
Lower maintenance. New homes require less maintenance. New homes are available with siding, windows, and trim that never need painting. Wood decks are typically made of pressure-treated lumber resistant to rot and insects. Pressure-treated wood also is used where wood comes in contact with concrete.The most important part of this article is the safety portion so I will repeat it again for all of you older home lovers: "Occupants of new homes are almost six times less likely to die from fire than occupants of older homes."
Any thoughts?
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