TOP TIPS FOR A FUTURE-PROOF OAK HOME
1 Work with an experienced architect or designer to develop your brief, taking into account both your immediate needs and long-term eventualities.
2 Give due consideration to the thermal performance of your house. Investment in additional insulation provides long term savings and can be highly cost-effective. Plus you won’t need to pay for maintenance, unlike with some renewable technologies and other eco measures.
3 Think about accessibility in bathrooms. Step-free wetrooms and showers with walk-around screens are a great feature, regardless of your current levels of mobility, and offer a luxury feel.
4 Allow space in your hallway for a future platform lift. This is a more visually attractive alternative to a stairlift, and the zone could be dedicated to a storage cupboard until required.
5 Underfloor heating is a great partner with oak frame – plus it allows for radiator-free walls and easier repositioning of furniture and layouts, so it’s ideal for maximising the adaptability of ground floors.