Blog Post

So you've decided to purchase the Cornerstone home of your dreams! You've owned a home before, but you're finally at the point in life where you have the resources to build a home that perfectly suits your lifestyle.

This is an exciting time. That’s why Cornerstone Homes gets you involved in the building process. We work with you, answering your questions, and letting you see first hand the details that make your Cornerstone home so special.

After you have your initial meeting to discuss your needs, options and preliminary pricing, the next step is to Select & Confirm Your Homesite Location. You and your Sales Manager will walk through your community, and confirm the homesite you chose. Your Sales Manager will discuss the grading and positioning of your home during this meeting, along with the impact of natural lighting and energy-efficiency. Let’s look into these topics a bit further. 

The Views

At Cornerstone Homes, we consider all of the views when deciding to build on a site. We understand the importance of what you will see when inside your home as well as what others will see as they approach it. Depending on the Cornerstone Community you choose, your homesite may have wooded or water views. It might have hills, slopes, or amenity views. All of these details are important to note as you walk around the property and visualize your new home on the site.

Positioning

The way your new home is positioned will impact both its ambiance and its energy efficiency. 

Will your home be located on a sunny corner or nestled in the shade? Will it be set up on a crest or down in a valley? Will it be close to the main road, or sit back in the community? We have home sites that cover a variety of positions, so you can choose the one that fits your preferences.

Grading

Another thing you will discuss when visiting your new home site is grading. Grading is the process of making the exact spot where we will build your home level, as well as ensuring proper drainage, establishing the height of the site, and protecting the environment from stormwater runoff and erosion. The process of grading requires digging and excavation to remove large amounts of dirt and soil. A land surveyor determines how to fill any low spots on the property and how to level any slopes.

Natural Light

Cornerstone floor plans are designed to maximize natural light, creating inviting living spaces that feel bright and airy without needing artificial light. Consequently, we always take advantage of the natural light on each home site. When deciding how to lay out home sites, we pay close attention to where there are potential sources of shade on the property, such as established trees, groves of vegetation, or outcroppings. We strive to capture the light as a heat source in the winter, while shading the home in the summer. 

Why does it matter? In the winter, south-facing rooms get the most sunlight. However, during the summer, those rooms remain cool. A north-facing room gets pretty consistent natural light throughout the year. A room that faces east will get the benefit of the most morning sunlight. So, an east-facing kitchen or breakfast nook might be ideal, but if you're not an early riser, you’ll want your bedroom to be on a different side of the house. A west-facing room has the advantage of the best evening light, which might be a consideration for your outdoor spaces (decks, patios, terraces, etc.) if you want a sunset view. 

Energy-Efficiency

The direction your home faces doesn't just impact the amount of light inside your home. It also directly impacts the heating and cooling costs of your home. The cost to heat and cool a home is one of the most significant contributors to your energy costs. 

In addition to how we position your home, we incorporate energy-efficient components, such as low-e glass, thermal pane windows, radiant barrier roof decking, and a tight thermal envelope that holds warm or cool air inside the house. 

Building a House On Your New Homesite

There are many important things to consider when you're figuring out where to build your Cornerstone home. Taking into account the views from and of your home, and how it is positioned to harness natural light are two of the most important. 

Cornerstone Homes has been dedicated to exclusively building homes for 55+ communities and active adult homebuyers for over 25 years. For more information on our unique home building process, contact Cornerstone Homes.