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5 Ways to Create a Healthier Home for Aging in Place
An architect shares how smart design choices can enhance home life now and in the future
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Imagine a home that you always feel is the right temperature. Where you peacefully drink your coffee as you watch birds fly by your windows. Where you sneeze less and breathe more easily. Sound like a pipe dream? It’s just a matter of thoughtful design. “It’s about creating both an emotionally and physically healthy space,” says Pacific Northwest architect Cheryl Heinrichs. “If you have a healthy home where you’re happy to be, you’ll age better in place.” Read on to discover how to build or remodel a home that will help you feel better for years to come.
Architecture by Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects; construction by Method Homes
Reduce Noise Pollution
“People want their home to be a quiet sanctuary where they can relax and live comfortably,” Heinrichs says. “The mechanical things should fade into the background.” Windows should be double- or triple-paned and oriented away from the street to focus on nature and views. Burbling outdoor water features can create a feeling of calm. Insulation within walls and ceilings can further muffle unwanted sounds.
Appliances can likewise whir or purr quietly in the background if you purchase lower-decibel models. Even ceiling fans now come in more muted versions. As for heating, try silent hydronic radiant systems in place of forced air fans that turn on and off throughout the day — studies have shown they can be over 25 percent more energy-efficient too.
Reduce Noise Pollution
“People want their home to be a quiet sanctuary where they can relax and live comfortably,” Heinrichs says. “The mechanical things should fade into the background.” Windows should be double- or triple-paned and oriented away from the street to focus on nature and views. Burbling outdoor water features can create a feeling of calm. Insulation within walls and ceilings can further muffle unwanted sounds.
Appliances can likewise whir or purr quietly in the background if you purchase lower-decibel models. Even ceiling fans now come in more muted versions. As for heating, try silent hydronic radiant systems in place of forced air fans that turn on and off throughout the day — studies have shown they can be over 25 percent more energy-efficient too.
Architecture by Cheryl Heinrichs; construction by JB Davis Construction; photo by Alan Brandt Photography
Clear the Indoor Air
Whether you have allergies or asthma, or simply want to take refreshing deep breaths, look around you. “Paying attention to the details can make a big difference here,” Heinrichs says. Open windows and let breezes blow in to help circulate fresh air when the weather is pleasant. When you do keep them closed, have a heating system that doesn’t whirl dust and other allergens around or dry out your sinuses.
Thoughtful material choices can also help. “It’s possible to get almost every material now with low-toxic finishes,” Heinrichs says. Choose wood flooring finished with natural wax or oil, and organic furnishings. Less toxic materials make for cleaner air.
Clear the Indoor Air
Whether you have allergies or asthma, or simply want to take refreshing deep breaths, look around you. “Paying attention to the details can make a big difference here,” Heinrichs says. Open windows and let breezes blow in to help circulate fresh air when the weather is pleasant. When you do keep them closed, have a heating system that doesn’t whirl dust and other allergens around or dry out your sinuses.
Thoughtful material choices can also help. “It’s possible to get almost every material now with low-toxic finishes,” Heinrichs says. Choose wood flooring finished with natural wax or oil, and organic furnishings. Less toxic materials make for cleaner air.
Architecture by Daniel Frisch Architecture; general contracting by Horizon Contractors
Regulate the Temperature
Invest in a whole-house heating system that allows you to personalize the temperature room by room so you’re always comfortable. Smart systems such as hydronic radiant heating give you the ability to easily control the heat wherever you are, and even have autoset options for seldom-used spaces or time away from the home. The heat won’t rise unbidden or escape through ductwork imperfections, as it does with forced air, further lowering your energy use and heating bills.
Hydronic radiant heating works well for all bodies — especially ones that are aging. “The warmth goes into your body from your feet, warming bodies and furniture, not the air being blown,” Heinrichs says. “And since it’s not warming the air, there aren’t drafts and the temperature stays even,” which is especially helpful for arthritis sufferers. Put this heating in shower walls to make bathing even more pleasant.
Regulate the Temperature
Invest in a whole-house heating system that allows you to personalize the temperature room by room so you’re always comfortable. Smart systems such as hydronic radiant heating give you the ability to easily control the heat wherever you are, and even have autoset options for seldom-used spaces or time away from the home. The heat won’t rise unbidden or escape through ductwork imperfections, as it does with forced air, further lowering your energy use and heating bills.
Hydronic radiant heating works well for all bodies — especially ones that are aging. “The warmth goes into your body from your feet, warming bodies and furniture, not the air being blown,” Heinrichs says. “And since it’s not warming the air, there aren’t drafts and the temperature stays even,” which is especially helpful for arthritis sufferers. Put this heating in shower walls to make bathing even more pleasant.
Architecture by Cheryl Heinrichs; construction by JB Davis Construction; photo by Alan Brandt Photography
Ease Your Body and Mind
Your home should be a place where you can escape everyday stresses. “People want everything in their house to run seamlessly on its own,” Heinrichs says. “You want to design a place where you can live comfortably, and that’s all about ease.” She advises using systems that take care of themselves.
Instead of hard, less forgiving flooring, such as concrete, opt for softer flooring, such as bamboo, that has a little give for achy bones and joints. Take out thresholds around doors and showers, install floating vanities and expand door widths a couple of inches for maneuverability. Also add natural light. “Having that connection to nature is really important as people age,” Heinrichs says. “High windows let you see the clouds or trees outside even if you’re house- or bedbound.”
Ease Your Body and Mind
Your home should be a place where you can escape everyday stresses. “People want everything in their house to run seamlessly on its own,” Heinrichs says. “You want to design a place where you can live comfortably, and that’s all about ease.” She advises using systems that take care of themselves.
Instead of hard, less forgiving flooring, such as concrete, opt for softer flooring, such as bamboo, that has a little give for achy bones and joints. Take out thresholds around doors and showers, install floating vanities and expand door widths a couple of inches for maneuverability. Also add natural light. “Having that connection to nature is really important as people age,” Heinrichs says. “High windows let you see the clouds or trees outside even if you’re house- or bedbound.”
Architecture by Cheryl Heinrichs; construction by JB Davis Construction; photo by Alan Brandt Photography
Seal All the Goodness Inside
When you’ve created a healthy environment indoors, keep your spaces tucked in tight. “Building a nice shell is important,” Heinrichs says. You’ll keep good air in and pollutants out. She designs thicker double-stud walls, then fills them with as much nontoxic insulation, such as wool or denim, as possible.
Choose windows with a low U-value and walls with a high R-value. Make sure to air-seal the house with caulking and foam insulation, Heinrichs says. A hydronic radiant heating system can be tucked inside the building envelope, keeping warmth in and the air clean. “Hydronic radiant heating creates a wonderful heating envelope,” she says.
Tell us: How would you make your home healthier and more comfortable? Let us know in the Comments.
More: To learn more about hydronic radiant heating, visit Warmboard’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Seal All the Goodness Inside
When you’ve created a healthy environment indoors, keep your spaces tucked in tight. “Building a nice shell is important,” Heinrichs says. You’ll keep good air in and pollutants out. She designs thicker double-stud walls, then fills them with as much nontoxic insulation, such as wool or denim, as possible.
Choose windows with a low U-value and walls with a high R-value. Make sure to air-seal the house with caulking and foam insulation, Heinrichs says. A hydronic radiant heating system can be tucked inside the building envelope, keeping warmth in and the air clean. “Hydronic radiant heating creates a wonderful heating envelope,” she says.
Tell us: How would you make your home healthier and more comfortable? Let us know in the Comments.
More: To learn more about hydronic radiant heating, visit Warmboard’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Warmboard is a whole-home hydronic radiant solution that provides ultimate comfort, compared to any other radiant... Read More
Warmboard is a whole-home hydronic radiant solution that provides ultimate comfort, compared to any other radiant... Read More
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I would remove my carpeting - although in good condition, it is hard to keep clean and sanitary. Replacement flooring would be something low maintenance and environmentally safe - no VOC's. I would also convert the shower/tub in the master bath to a walk-in shower with seating, grab bars and adjustable shower head.