Just like architectural styles, there are unique and out-of-the-ordinary home foundations that may be more intriguing than basements, crawl spaces, and monolithic concrete slabs. It may be time to consider elevated foundations that are common in coastal and beachfront homes. Think piles, piers, and screw pile foundations that can be as versatile as the customary types.

It’s all in the pitch – roof pitch, that is. One of the most visible aspects of a roof and a home, roof pitch matters in terms of the safety and aesthetic appeal of a home. We explore this feature, its importance, the varying degrees of pitch possible, and how it affects the roofing system.

Imagine all the "must-haves" you ever envisioned for your dream home – without settling for the next best thing on the market. Building a custom home is a considerable investment that presents many challenges, but think of the finished product and the satisfaction of having done it. Are you ready for the big step?

From sketchbooks and blueprints to today’s building-design software, architectural drawings have undergone an evolution. As digital technology permeates the architecture and home building fields, computerized images are slowly but surely replacing hand drawings. We focus on computer-aided design (CAD) and how it is changing the house plan industry.

The finished basement can add style, function, and value to a home. Recent remodeling trends include basement spaces that accommodate guests, work-at-home parents, relaxing spaces, and more. We focus on hot trends: the daylight basement and walkout basement, where you can just walk out onto a patio or walkway without stairs.

From The New American Home 2021, with its innovative design concepts, to the creative use of features in home spaces, the International Builders' Show highlighted some key trends that are likely to resonate in the architectural residential market. Here are home-building-design and product trends gleaned from virtual sessions at the IBS Show.

Is it “New Year, New Home” for you? Have you designed the perfect home in your mind, with beautiful features and fixtures? While there are challenges, consider the benefits of building a home that exactly matches your lifestyle. Before you take the leap, explore our tips, which will help the process run smoothly.

Want a more unique look in your home’s exterior facade? For sheer visual appeal and character, there’s nothing like the unconventional touch and charm that vertical siding adds to the home and its architectural features. We explore some of the ways vertical siding can enhance your home’s appearance both inside and out.

When building a house, it’s important to track your costs throughout the project. So how do you know if you can include your favorite designs, materials, and other elements? By using The Plan Collection’s Cost-to-Build Report, you can create a realistic building budget for your dream home.

One of the three common foundations, crawlspaces may show up at the end of the list of features in a new home and are predominant in warm and dry climates. Here’s a closer look at the crawlspace foundation, its pros and cons, and its increasing numbers in certain regions of the country.