Features that Every Mountain Home Needs to Have
Mountain homes can offer one of the most unique living experiences anywhere, and they are much desired by many people. If you are looking for a mountain home in Denver or already own one, there are some necessities that you’ll want to have included in your home. Here are five must-haves that you should consider.
1. Durable Roofing
Mountain weather can be unpredictable. One day it can be 60 degrees and sunny, and the next could be a whiteout blizzard. Because of this, your home’s exterior needs to be ready for anything, particularly your roof. Lightweight and durable options, like stone-coated steel roofing, can be something to consider. For example, this material is both lightweight and 100% recyclable. It weighs only 1.4lbs per sq ft and has a class A fire rating and a class 4 hail impact rating. This makes them perfect for mountain homes that need durability, without being too heavy, which could cause problems if snow piles up on it.
2. Good Plumbing
Another thing that you’ll want your mountain home to have is a good plumbing system. Because the winters can often be very cold on mountains, you don’t want to have old, uninsulated pipes that could be at risk of freezing or busting. Even something as small as a leaky faucet could be a reason to get your system checked out. A simple leak can fill an eight-ounce glass in around 15 minutes, wasting upwards of 180 gallons of water a month or 2,160 a year. If you’re paying for water, this is a seriously expensive waste.
Similarly, you’ll want to know what kind of water your home uses. For instance, 90% of fresh water is actually tied up in supplies and aquifers underground. However, only 27% of America’s water comes from these sources. If you have a home set up for well-water, you’ll want to have it tested to see if it’s safe to drink. If it has high levels of contaminants, you’ll want to consider installing a water purifier on your main tap.
3. A Fireplace or Wood Buring Stove
As touched on above, winters can be brutal in mountain locations and if the power goes out, it’s important to have a way to stay warm. Even with electricity, sometimes it’s just nice to relax next to a fire. A fireplace or wood-burning stove can help keep your home warm, and it can help keep heating costs down. However, it’s important to educate yourself about proper cleaning and use, before using either of these options, as uncleaned fireplaces or improperly used stoves can be a fire risk.
4. Lots of Windows
When you live in a mountain house you actually want to be able to look out and take in the incredible scenery. Without a lot of windows, this can be difficult and kind of defeats the purpose of buying a mountain home in the first place. If you’re looking to buy a home in the mountains, make sure to take in all of the windows it has, and if you currently own a home without a lot of windows, consider having more added as a home remodeling project.
5. A Mudroom
A mudroom may seem trivial, but it’s the perfect place to be able to shed your coat and boots while coming in during the winter or muddy spring. A mudroom, as the name suggests, can help keep the dirt and grime out of the rest of your house, and give you a great area to store all of your outdoor gear.
The Perfect Mountain Home
A mountain home is one of the most desirable types of homes in America. However, there are some essentials that can make living there even better. If you are looking to buy a mountain home, make sure to keep an eye out for these features. If you currently live in a mountain home that is missing some of the things mentioned above, consider adding them as a great home improvement project. Not only can these things help make your home even more comfortable, but they can even increase the value overall.
