Key issues to consider when building a home near the coast.
Coastal living has become very popular in recent years due to a greater focus on lifestyle in the Perth property market. For many people building a new home near the coast is a dream come through and that is why high quality land subdivisions are constructed and marketed to cater for this growing demand. Each year thousands of homes are built along the Perth coastal strip to fulfill this dream of ocean side living.
However, many people building a new home on the coast do not understand that there are special requirements compared to building a new home further inland. For example, if you are building a new home within 1km of the beachfront, then you will be required to install specific products into your home to deal with issues such as strong winds and resistance to corrosion. You should be aware that there is a wind loading which can affect items such as window sizes and the roof structure. Wind loadings come with specific "N" ratings and each has accompanying technical requirements for roof tie down method and components.
With regards to corrosion, galvanized structural steel and stainless steel brick ties are a requirement within 1km from the coast. In terms of roof cover, for example, there are several different levels of metal roofing options and if your home is within close proximity to the coast, then you should seek advice from your builder about which product is needed for your new home. Other key issues to be considered when building a home on the coast is the position of the home.
Most homes on the coast face West so when you design your new home you have to consider other issues such as solar orientation if your are trying to maximize the view. Another key consideration is the size of the windows if you are facing West. Some people install large windows in their new home only to find that the home is too hot in summer. A good tip is to talk to your builder during the design stage of the home so you can build your home in such a way that it has shading and that rooms have the correct window sizing related to the area of the specific room.
It is also important to remember that special products/requirements for building a new home on the coast can add additional costs to the overall budget, and to avoid unnecessary surprises, your builder should help you to identify these costs before the final building contract is signed.
Another key issue to consider is that coastal homes with views tend to have a higher resale value so an elevated lot which can deliver ocean views is a worthwhile investment. If you are building a new home in a new new land subdivision that does not have ocean views, then focus on lots that are within walking distance to the beach as homes in these locations also tend to achieve higher than average resale prices.