Building a custom home is never an easy task. There is a lot of planning, designing, fixing, and adjusting. There are certain areas that require even more special planning. Many locations in Ocean County and Monmouth County demand custom home builders plan for special weather events and daily exposure to salt air. Following Hurricane Sandy, this area has really changed the way buildings should be designed and with what materials. Expert Ocean County custom home builder Monetti Custom Homes know exactly what it takes to build and protect shore homes. During the entirety of the design process, safety and protection are top concerns. The best builders understand the extra steps necessary when building a home on New Jersey beaches.
Materials Dictate Design
The foundation of the design of a custom home is, well, the foundation. Building in shore towns requires some extra thought and planning. High speed winds, flooding, and salt air all affect what materials builders use. Homes along the shore must be strong and resilient. Due to the strength of the materials that must be used, not all designs may be appropriate. An inexperienced builder may not know that one wrong choice in material could be the reason a home experiences major damage during a storm. Time is also a huge factor because of the sea air. The constant exposure to the salt in the air can increase the speed of corrosion of many materials. Selecting the right ones is the only way to correctly build a home on the beach. Materials like cement and concrete are commonly used. No matter the material, however, it usually has to be treated.
Ocean County Custom Home Builder Needs to Take Extra Precautions
One alternative to what you think of as a typical foundation is to have a raised home. This is a home that is situated on wood pilings. This erases just about any chance of flooding and is extremely common for homes that are close to the water. Building a home on pilings obviously adds in another level of difficulty for even the best Ocean County custom home builder. Other next-level protection options can include using things like hurricane resistant glass and installing storm shutters. Items like this used to just come in one standard option. Now there is a very large variety of styles and levels for homeowners and builders to choose from. This allows builders to remain true to a design while providing extra protection to the home and its inhabitants. Where once safety could restrict your design, now it can enhance it.
Sea Air Can Destroy Homes
The salt in the air in and around shore towns can do significant damage to homes and the materials used to build them. Corrosion and rust are both likely results if builders use the wrong materials. This often leads to catastrophic damage and costly repairs. The salt in the air near large bodies of water like an ocean and a bay can break down even the sturdiest of materials. Special treatments can help defend against the effects, but eventually the salt will win. Doing things like keeping windows clean, washing the exterior of your home at least once a year, and performing regular visual inspections are all things that homeowners can do to extend the life of their home. However, parts of the home like the HVAC system should also be inspected annually, but make sure it’s done by a professional.
Experienced Ocean County Custom Home Builders Conquer Issues
Deciding to build your own home at the shore is a big decision. Once you have determined that this is a journey you are ready to take, picking out an experienced Ocean County custom home builder is crucial. Builders who may not have the experience and knowledge of additional hurdles of building homes at the beach. Not knowing what materials to use and which to avoid can lead to disastrous results. Even after the home is built, homeowners need to take extra steps to ensure their home stays protected. Building a home at the beach needs to be guarded against many different weather events as well as the salt in the air. Only the best Ocean County custom home builders are able to jump these hurdles while keeping the vision of the owners dream home fully intact.
Keeping Up With New Codes and Innovations
Since Hurricane Sandy, building codes and regulations across Ocean and Monmouth Counties have become increasingly strict. These rules are in place to help protect shore homes from the ongoing threats of flooding, wind damage, and long-term corrosion caused by salt air. A truly experienced Ocean County custom home builder not only stays current with these ever-evolving requirements but embraces them as part of the design process. Monetti Custom Homes has consistently kept pace with these updates, ensuring every home they build complies with the latest standards while maintaining a high level of aesthetic and structural integrity.
Innovation in building materials and methods has also advanced significantly in recent years. From composite decking that resists rot and insects to advanced waterproofing membranes and energy-efficient building envelopes, the tools available today allow for stronger, safer, and longer-lasting homes. Builders who are committed to quality and forward thinking are constantly researching and integrating these innovations into their projects.
Another trend gaining traction is the incorporation of smart home technology in custom shore builds. From storm tracking and automatic shutter systems to remote monitoring for HVAC and sump pump functionality, homeowners now have the ability to manage and protect their beach homes from anywhere. These features are becoming increasingly popular, especially for second homes and vacation properties along the Jersey Shore.
Choosing a builder who understands how to incorporate code requirements, modern materials, and smart tech without compromising on custom design is essential. With Monetti Custom Homes, clients get the peace of mind that their home is not only beautiful, but built to last. Shore homes face challenges, but the right builders turn those challenges into opportunities for smart, resilient design.
