Best Home Adds and Fixtures

[OverlanderJK]

As some of you may know I am currently building a house and was curious what some of you have added to your house that is a must have and some things you hate. I just finished framing the inside so now is the time to add as I do electrical and whatnot.

So anything that is a must have in a home that you added or would like to add?

 

[Bullwinckle]

Iv always liked the idea of a pot filler faucet over the stove. Surround sound speakers built in, also speakers on the back porch to listen to music.

 

[OverlanderJK]

Iv always liked the idea of a pot filler faucet over the stove. Surround sound speakers built in, also speakers on the back porch to listen to music.

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.

 

[Masjkf84]

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

Once I started adding all the smart devices the WiFi became saturated and the kids constantly streaming. The direct cable runs, where possible, really helped out.

Also a nice WiFi mesh system with a wired back haul.

 

[Bullwinckle]

That’s a good point on the pot fillers. I would think though that the chances of it leaking would be about the same as any faucet. Accessing the plumbing would be the hard part. I know if I had one I would use it all the time. lol Once you get it installed I would like to hear your thoughts on it.

My buddy has his speakers built in and I believe he has Bose. So far he hasn’t had a problem with them and they sound great considering they are 5+ years old. I’m sure it shouldn’t be too hard to replace them though when it’s the time to upgrade. Unless you wanted to upgrade every year. I’m like him though where I don’t like seeing it on a shelf (wires hanging, etc) if I don’t have to.

 

[Masjkf84]

I’ll be curious to see what other people post. Outside of a dedicated electrical box for the garage (wish I had), as you can never have to much power to the shop… I don’t really think I have anything out of the ordinary

 

[OverlanderJK]

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

Once I started adding all the smart devices the WiFi became saturated and the kids constantly streaming. The direct cable runs, where possible, really helped out.

Also a nice WiFi mesh system with a wired back haul.

Yup, all rooms will be hardwired.

 

[OverlanderJK]

I’ll be curious to see what other people post. Outside of a dedicated electrical box for the garage (wish I had), as you can never have to much power to the shop… I don’t really think I have anything out of the ordinary

I’ll have a sub panel in the garage but when we get the house done we plan to start a full shop build so don’t need anything crazy in the house garage.

 

[WJCO]

Some of these i have, built later, or wish I had.

Plan electrical now if you're planning on doing wall sconces.

Outside electrical for patio fans.

Possible backup generator wiring?

I have an electric fireplace in my office so I put an outlet there.

I think with outlets, if you're even discussing something now, put one there.

Plenty of chair rail height outlets in the garage.

Pocket door framing (if you're planning any).

Natural gas hook ups for outdoor fireplace or grill.

Water in garage for pressure washer?

Hot/cold water in garage for a sink.

Higher outlets for outdoor security cameras.

Closet lighting.

 

[Ddays]

We just redid our kitchen & besides the heart attack induced at the cost of the cabinets we ended up thrilled with the end

*Do ceiling height cabinets. Decorating the tops of the lower versions is overrated & dust catchers
*Double wall ovens if you have the space
*We went without the pot filler even though I wanted one originally. As stated above there’s more bad than good.
*I put flood lights on all 4 corners of the house with a central switch upstairs & downstairs. House looks like a ufo at night when it’s all lit up but nowhere to hide when they’re on
*Bury a good sized conduit to your garage so you can pull lines as you need. Make sure it’s Bob approved plastic. stub in water lines now & cap off. Even if not needed they’re there.

There’s a bunch of others I’ll think of. We did ours 25 years ago & there’s a bunch I didn’t do that I wish I had

 

[Mike Pierson]

A lot of great answers here. My 2c.

Definitely hard-wired networking all home runs to a location easily accessible to an exterior wall. Have power there for modems, switches and routers.

Quality wiring for speakers for 7.1 all home runs to your AV closet or at least to the area behind your AV system.

Also, nice to run a pair out to your patio so you csn switch on for parties and hanging out.

A whole hours fan! But one that’s mounted remote inside the attic and has an insulated door in the room/hallway.

Higher amped outlets in the garage, not 220 as you said you’re going to have a shop, but for refers and freezers.

Radiant floor heating, at least for master bathroom.

Exterior walls 2x6 or 2x8 for better insulation and sound.

Master walls with staggered studs for sound deadening.

Don’t cheap out on ceiling insulation, double it up now.

 

[OverlanderJK]

Some of these i have, built later, or wish I had.

Plan electrical now if you're planning on doing wall sconces. - probably not

Outside electrical for patio fans. Yes, and outdoor heaters

Possible backup generator wiring? Planning that or at least a disconnect to go offgrid in the future

I have an electric fireplace in my office so I put an outlet there. Will have that in the living room

I think with outlets, if you're even discussing something now, put one there. Yup

Plenty of chair rail height outlets in the garage. Will have outlets every two feet. Have a lot of freezers for meat

Pocket door framing (if you're planning any). Was but we changed to none. Easier framing

Natural gas hook ups for outdoor fireplace or grill. Propane in ceiling heaters. With electric too

Water in garage for pressure washer? Have hot and cold water out side of garage and outside of house.

Hot/cold water in garage for a sink. No plumbing in the garage. Will have a shop and the laundry/mud room is right off the garage with a sink.

Higher outlets for outdoor security cameras. Yup

Closet lighting. Thinking about this. Wife said no but thinking yes.

Good stuff! Responses above.

 

[TonyT]

Agreed on everything mentioned above.

A dedicated instant hot water faucet at the kitchen sink is on my to-do list. One of those with the filtered/heated unit underneath the sink.

I switched to a tankless water heater and it's been awesome. The electrical work was more than the unit itself with the higher power needs, so maybe having both options already wired would be good regardless what you have going in now.

My panel box outside is maxed-out as far as room for more breakers. Anything else and Im going to have to replace it with a bigger unit or add a second box. Ive been eyeballing a smart panel (like SPAN,) but not sure if it's useful or just me thinking I need it.

 

[OverlanderJK]

We just redid our kitchen & besides the heart attack induced at the cost of the cabinets we ended up thrilled with the end

*Do ceiling height cabinets. Decorating the tops of the lower versions is overrated & dust catchers -

we are doing this. 10 foot ceilings ain’t gonna be cheap for cabinets lol

*Double wall ovens if you have the space

Single range with double ovens probably. One bigger than the other. Probably similar to Andy’s. Not a fan of wall ovens.

*We went without the pot filler even though I wanted one originally. As stated above there’s more bad than good.

We do a lot of canning so figured it would be more benefit than hinderance.

*I put flood lights on all 4 corners of the house with a central switch upstairs & downstairs. House looks like a ufo at night when it’s all lit up but nowhere to hide when they’re on

Trying to figure out the outdoor lighting. I like it dark lol

*Bury a good sized conduit to your garage so you can pull lines as you need. Make sure it’s Bob approved plastic. stub in water lines now & cap off. Even if not needed they’re there.

There’s a bunch of others I’ll think of. We did ours 25 years ago & there’s a bunch I didn’t do that I wish I had

Garage is attached. The shop we will probably run off grid solar only but we are getting 400 amp service at the house to feed the garage if desired. Driveway is like two years out so no issues with conduit.

 

[OverlanderJK]

A lot of great answers here. My 2c.

Definitely hard-wired networking all home runs to a location easily accessible to an exterior wall. Have power there for modems, switches and routers.

Yup. You know my father in law. That’s his department lol

Quality wiring for speakers for 7.1 all home runs to your AV closet or at least to the area behind your AV system.

Also, nice to run a pair out to your patio so you csn switch on for parties and hanging out.

I’ll at least wire for it if I don’t install

A whole hours fan! But one that’s mounted remote inside the attic and has an insulated door in the room/hallway.

Like a vent fan in a bathroom type?

Higher amped outlets in the garage, not 220 as you said you’re going to have a shop, but for refers and freezers.

Will have 220 as well but the freezers don’t take much power. 15 amp would be plenty but will have multiple circuits.

Radiant floor heating, at least for master bathroom.

Did throughout the house and garage.

Exterior walls 2x6 or 2x8 for better insulation and sound.

Post frame barndo so walls are 8ish inches thick and we did spray foam.

Master walls with staggered studs for sound deadening.

Doing rockwool

Don’t cheap out on ceiling insulation, double it up now.

Have spray foam in the roof so no need for ceiling insulation.

 

[OverlanderJK]

Agreed on everything mentioned above.

A dedicated instant hot water faucet at the kitchen sink is on my to-do list. One of those with the filtered/heated unit underneath the sink.

Not sure I know what this is. I’ll look it up.

I switched to a tankless water heater and it's been awesome. The electrical work was more than the unit itself with the higher power needs, so maybe having both options already wired would be good regardless what you have going in now.

We are doing tankless for sure.

My panel box outside is maxed-out as far as room for more breakers. Anything else and Im going to have to replace it with a bigger unit or add a second box. Ive been eyeballing a smart panel (like SPAN,) but not sure if it's useful or just me thinking I need it.

I got a 40 spec box for the main and have two 20 space sub panels. Will do 60 space outside panel.

 

[Mike Pierson]

Yup. You know my father in law. That’s his department lol

I’ll at least wire for it if I don’t install

Like a vent fan in a bathroom type?

Will have 220 as well but the freezers don’t take much power. 15 amp would be plenty but will have multiple circuits.

Did throughout the house and garage.

Post frame barndo so walls are 8ish inches thick and we did spray foam.

Doing rockwool

Have spray foam in the roof so no need for ceiling insulation.

Whole house, not bathroom fan. You put it centrally in the house. It’s amazing because you can exchange all the air in the house in minutes. Open windows throughout about 2 inches and turn it on and it cools even on a warm day.

Whole House Fan Products

CentricAir and QA Deluxe whole house fans offer unmatched energy efficiency and quiet performance. Shop now to transform your home’s ventilation!

www.centricair.com

 

[OverlanderJK]

Whole house, not bathroom fan. You put it centrally in the house. It’s amazing because you can exchange all the air in the house in minutes. Open windows throughout about 2 inches and turn it on and it cools even on a warm day.

Whole House Fan Products

CentricAir and QA Deluxe whole house fans offer unmatched energy efficiency and quiet performance. Shop now to transform your home’s ventilation!

www.centricair.com

That’s pretty cool. Not too expensive either. I’ll add it to the list.

 

[NPC 6060⁸42]

Geothermal heat and a/c. You’ll pay a shit ton more initially but the cost savings long term are worth it. Put in a back up well for your house. Skip the pot filler, we have one and we do use it but it’s really not worth it.

 

[Andy5160]

As many said plan your outlets wisely. Location and height especially.

If you plan under kitchen cabinets light make sure wires are ran and hidden well. You don’t want exposed bx cables hanging around there with some weird connections, saw it way too many times.

Water lines freezing prevention. In addition to insulation I would wrap heated wire around the outside pipe.

Back to the outlets, wish I had a few floor recessed once.