Best Home Adds and Fixtures

[OverlanderJK]

Cool Thread.. I just finished drawing my addition and submitted to the city so I'm already thinking about these things too.... a lot of great points here already. I'm more simplistic when it comes to low voltage/security but here are a few things (some already stated)

- Yes pot fillers can be a headache... glad its a fad that is fading.
- Having an Insta Hot / filter at the sink is cool
- Those touch on/off kitchen faucets - fuck those

Those are cool but I can see too many problems so we will pass.

- Air Switch for the garbage disposal

We give all our food scraps to the animals so really just having a disposal for anything that gets missed. Cheap.

- placing the water line and fridge power behind a drawer or in a cabinet next to the fridge so you don't have to pull the fridge out.

Interesting. I’ll think about that. We don’t plan to have water in our fridge but I was going to plumb for it.

- Plenty of blocking behind your Hood vent for easy mounting later

Did this. Can’t have too much.

- Get a High CFM Hood vent w/ 8-10" duct that could suck the chrome off a bumper.
- Whole House fan like Mike said is great to have. But If you insulated the Roof instead of the ceiling, you probably dont need it.

- Run some Cat5 wire for future cameras

Cat6 but yes.

- prep for Ring Door Camera - low voltage wire for it - So many people forget to do this.

Don’t plan to have a camera since we live in the sticks and I can’t see anyone ever pushing a doorbell since we will have a gate at the property line but we will wire for it.

- Speaker wire - Meh - maybe only if you want surround sound behind the couch.. wireless is pretty good these days

Good thought there.

- For a Wall Hung TV - recessed outlet with that 1 1/2 flexible plastic conduit in the wall to hide the cables

Planning for that.

- Timer switch somewhere for eave/exterior lights

Gonna do ground timed lights that shine up instead of top down.

- Switched outlets for floor/table lights

Planning for that.

- If you go LED recessed lights make sure they have the 3 temp switch options on each unit

Good call

- Panasonic Quiet Fan with Humidistat switch in the Laundry area if enclosed.
- Built in Dirty Laundry drawers in the bathroom cabinets or Hall

Both of those in the plans.

- Side by Side Washer / Dryer with a nice built in counter top over them for folding clothes (if raised foundation a drain is a good idea) you can buy stainless pans on amazon

That’s what we are doing. No front loaders. My wife hates them cause they trap mold.

- Insulate all interior walls

Doing that. Way more expensive than I thought lol

- For me I like traditional 3/4 Harwood floors sanded and stained but if you go engineered, 6-7mm minimum for future sanding.

Finished concrete will be our floors.

- Make sure Tankless W/H has a resirc pump

- 30x54 attic ladder access - don't buy the narrow one they have at Home Depot - you can order the wide one... way better for getting boxes up there. I just bought 2 recently, I can send you a link if you want.

Just installed a 25” one but I’m not planning to store anything up there. Wish I knew about the 30” though.

- 10" Velux Sun tubes in bathrooms or walk in closets is cool - won't even need to turn the light on during the day.

No. No roof penetrations. lol

- Counter tops in Bath & Kitchen - Real Stone is Porous but can take heat but you have to seal it good - Quartz you won't have to seal but can't take heat - I like Quartz.
- 3/4" Quartz or stone at the shower shower Dam, soap niches, shower window jamb, horizontal pony wall or benches looks really good with the tile and easy to clean

We are up in the air on countertops but good info.

 

[OverlanderJK]

We’ve had to as well.. I’m sure you’ll be on it.. we have to remind the clients sometimes… “cleaned your vent yet?”

It’s only like six feet from a wall I could go out but being post frame I can’t drill a hole that big in my posts. Sucks but no other way to work it really.

 

[Mike Pierson]

Oh, thats a big box... Don't like how it goes up though... Lint Fire hazard... Also limits how far you can pull the dryer out to service it. Cool concept though and would save you a few inches.

We don’t have the box but out vent goes vertical to just under the peak of our roof. In our case there was no other way but to shoot it in to a trap in the garage. It’s actually due for a dull colonic cleansing. Lol

 

[Mike Pierson]

I’d be wary of the recirc water lines, depending on what material you’re using. Our whole subdivision was built with closed loop hot water lines, using copper, with the intent for a low-voltage recirculating pump. Unfortunately, those that installed the pump had to have massive repairs in the water lines as it caused the the copper lines to thin and develop leaks. Also unfortunately, Redding builds on slabs so they had to pull their flooring and jackhammer their slabs to access the water lines. I’m sure if you’re using pex there wouldn’t be a problem, Kirk would know for sure.

 

[Jsouder53]

We plan to add a pot filler. I’ve read so many negatives about them though. Another thing to leak, they don’t hardly get used, etc etc. we will add it though.

As for speakers, I’m torn on those. That technology changes so fast that I’m not sure it’s worth adding permanent. Might be easier to just have a Bluetooth speaker.

Lot of good ideas!

- Another vote on the pot filler above the stove

- As far as hardwired speakers go, they will never be phased out. They are continually hardwiring speakers at the new 20 million dollar homes builds here.

- I wish my interior walls were sound insulated.

- I wish we had a hot/cold water spigot in our garage (somewhere warm that wouldn’t freeze in the winter). Sometimes it’s nice to rinse out the garage in the winter after bringing in a ton of mud.

- I wish my house had better outlet planning.

- We have a built in dog door in our wall and love having it. Didn’t think I would like it when we first moved in.

 

[Mike Pierson]

 

[OverlanderJK]

View attachment 420380

Pretty much but doing it yourself saves a boatload. We wouldn’t be building as big or what we are if we weren’t doing it ourselves. We wouldn’t be building be on the doublewide budget if we weren’t doing it paying.

 

[OverlanderJK]

Lot of good ideas!

- Another vote on the pot filler above the stove

- As far as hardwired speakers go, they will never be phased out. They are continually hardwiring speakers at the new 20 million dollar homes builds here.

- I wish my interior walls were sound insulated.

- I wish we had a hot/cold water spigot in our garage (somewhere warm that wouldn’t freeze in the winter). Sometimes it’s nice to rinse out the garage in the winter after bringing in a ton of mud.

- I wish my house had better outlet planning.

- We have a built in dog door in our wall and love having it. Didn’t think I would like it when we first moved in.

I didn’t say they would phase them out just that it changes so much that I’m not sure I want something hardwired.

As for the dog door, no. Gross. lol I don’t want my dog coming and going as she pleases. She spends a lot of time outside but during mud season, I don’t want her coming in and out when she wants. And we plan for barn cats and maybe an LGD and I don’t want them coming inside.

 

[Jsouder53]

I didn’t say they would phase them out just that it changes so much that I’m not sure I want something hardwired.

As for the dog door, no. Gross. lol I don’t want my dog coming and going as she pleases. She spends a lot of time outside but during mud season, I don’t want her coming in and out when she wants. And we plan for barn cats and maybe an LGD and I don’t want them coming inside.

Haha we keep that thing locked during the mud seasons and rainy days. Luckily the dogs don’t track in snow too. Makes sense with the barn cats too.

 

[Ddays]

For the flood lights on the corners of the house - those were done with the intention of them being panic lights as well as lighting so the kids could go out & do stuff at night. They are switched and never stay on long. I hate our damn barn lights with the dusk to dawn sensors & turn them off when I take care of the animals at night.

If you are on a septic system you need to keep the clothes lint out of it. Just like your dryer collects lint you'd be amazed at how much comes out of the washer water. I have the 2" drain line safe wasted into a laundry sink in our basement and I attach knee high stockings to the end of it with a hose clamp. make sure it can't cover the drain line in it by covering the drain with some kind of dome strainer or something. I have to put a new one on every couple weeks.

We wanted to do a wall oven set but just couldn't make it work with our layout. We looked at the double compartment ovens but to get at the bottom one I had to get on my knees. I have a buddy with the double wall setup and it's amazing how flexible they are with it.

 

[OverlanderJK]

For the flood lights on the corners of the house - those were done with the intention of them being panic lights as well as lighting so the kids could go out & do stuff at night. They are switched and never stay on long. I hate our damn barn lights with the dusk to dawn sensors & turn them off when I take care of the animals at night.

If you are on a septic system you need to keep the clothes lint out of it. Just like your dryer collects lint you'd be amazed at how much comes out of the washer water. I have the 2" drain line safe wasted into a laundry sink in our basement and I attach knee high stockings to the end of it with a hose clamp. make sure it can't cover the drain line in it by covering the drain with some kind of dome strainer or something. I have to put a new one on every couple weeks.

We wanted to do a wall oven set but just couldn't make it work with our layout. We looked at the double compartment ovens but to get at the bottom one I had to get on my knees. I have a buddy with the double wall setup and it's amazing how flexible they are with it.

I will have septic. I’ll have to look up what you are talking about.

 

[Ddays]

I ran hardwired lines for speakers and internet connections to all of our rooms and used them exactly zero times. For my 2 cents, the wireless speakers & bluetooth all work great and you can move from room to room as needed.

 

[Ddays]

This is all the washer drain setup is

 

[NPC 6060⁸42]

I will have septic. I’ll have to look up what you are talking about.

Hopefully you will have a grandfathered septic. The new ones that are EPA friendly are a pain in the ass. Annual inspection that goes to the state and constant running fans I don’t know what else. Our last home with a very old septic was trouble free for years this new fangled system has been awful.

 

[piginajeep]

Adam, run fiber as well. I can send you preconnectorized and 2 count , they can cam it if needed or use the premade stuff. You don’t want them wrapping that house.

 

[OverlanderJK]

Hopefully you will have a grandfathered septic. The new ones that are EPA friendly are a pain in the ass. Annual inspection that goes to the state and constant running fans I don’t know what else. Our last home with a very old septic was trouble free for years this new fangled system has been awful.

It’s a new system that I have to install. What needs to be EPA friendly and have a fan? Mine seems pretty easy and straight forward. Besides having to pump it 400’ uphill.

 

[OverlanderJK]

Adam, run fiber as well. I can send you preconnectorized and 2 count , they can cam it if needed or use the premade stuff. You don’t want them wrapping that house.

It comes into the house at the office so it won’t have to go far. Send it.

 

[bobfriesenhahn]

I’m a big fan of direct network runs instead of WiFi.

A long time ago, I ran top quality Ethernet (and POTS phone using the same type of cable) to every room. There is a dedicated (closet sized) room to put Ethernet switches, UPSs, and similar things. I am glad that I did it.

The task would be vastly easier if there is no drywall up yet. Run 2 CAT-6 cables to each room. Don't even bother to terminate it yet to avoid wasting precious time.

 

[TrailHunter]

I’d be wary of the recirc water lines, depending on what material you’re using. Our whole subdivision was built with closed loop hot water lines, using copper, with the intent for a low-voltage recirculating pump. Unfortunately, those that installed the pump had to have massive repairs in the water lines as it caused the the copper lines to thin and develop leaks. Also unfortunately, Redding builds on slabs so they had to pull their flooring and jackhammer their slabs to access the water lines. I’m sure if you’re using pex there wouldn’t be a problem, Kirk would know for sure.

Most units we get now have the recirc built in… and we have mostly gone to Pex.. which I’m not 100% sold on yet. For copper you gotta use Type L ( thicker) but the reality is copper fails too. See it all the time. As far as Pex.. we built a new home in 2017 and the 1st floor Pex has had 3 failures.. pin hole leaks.. lab tests show it was a bad batch.. The Pex Manufacturer is covering costs. We re-plumbed everything. Luckily there was a time gap on the material after the 2nd floor was built. So I dont know what is better… copper or Pex.. time will tell.

 

[OverlanderJK]

I’d be wary of the recirc water lines, depending on what material you’re using. Our whole subdivision was built with closed loop hot water lines, using copper, with the intent for a low-voltage recirculating pump. Unfortunately, those that installed the pump had to have massive repairs in the water lines as it caused the the copper lines to thin and develop leaks. Also unfortunately, Redding builds on slabs so they had to pull their flooring and jackhammer their slabs to access the water lines. I’m sure if you’re using pex there wouldn’t be a problem, Kirk would know for sure.

Most units we get now have the recirc built in… and we have mostly gone to Pex.. which I’m not 100% sold on yet. For copper you gotta use Type L ( thicker) but the reality is copper fails too. See it all the time. As far as Pex.. we built a new home in 2017 and the 1st floor Pex has had 3 failures.. pin hole leaks.. lab tests show it was a bad batch.. The Pex Manufacturer is covering costs. We re-plumbed everything. Luckily there was a time gap on the material after the 2nd floor was built. So I dont know what is better… copper or Pex.. time will tell.

Wouldn’t a tankless not allow recirc since it’s on demand?