The A-Frame homes are some of the world’s most popular house plans for an outdoor-oriented lifestyle. Incredibly versatile, functional, and iconic, these triangular-shaped structures often cost less than building a full-sized cabin, yet still provide a unique cabin experience.
If you ever thought about making one yourself, or perhaps investing in making one yours, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we are going to cover some of the basic information about how A-Frame cabins are built, how much they cost, what are some of the benefits of owning one, and what you can ultimately expect.
What is an A-Frame House?
The A-Frame house is a triangular-shaped structure with enduring quality, mainly famous for its unique design approach. They are usually built out of a series of rafters and roof trusses that join at the peak, to form a gable roof and descend outwards to the ground. There are no vertical walls. They are most often characterized by steep roof pitch, large windows, a vaulted ceiling, and an open concept floor plan on the main level, however, some A-Frames come with a second floor usually for extra storage space.
A-Frame houses are ideal for vacation homes or full-time living, especially if your lifestyle is more outdoor-oriented. Some of the basic benefits of owning this type of structure are:
- Requires less building material
- Adaptability and versatility
- Good insulation
- Timeless architectural style
- Minimalist design
- Maintains heat in winter, and cold during the summer period
- Scalable build
- More affordable than a classic four-wall structure
On the other hand, what many consider to be the primary challenge with building, owning, and living in an A-Frame, is the modest floor plan that results in a limited living area as well as limited storage space. But despite these special pitfalls, the flexibility of these house plans allows for creative solutions such as lofts, dormers, and additional components that help with these issues.
Building an A-Frame House
If you’ve made up your mind about owning an A-Frame home, there are two ways you can approach getting your dream house at your dream spot. Your first option is to build it from the ground up, while your second option is to buy your own A-Frame house plan.
Both options have pros and cons that mainly revolve around your budget, time, and skillset. While some may value customization and independence as well as taking on the challenge to build their A-Frame from scratch, others might appreciate the clear instructions and carefully designed A-Frame house plans that can be purchased from qualified companies.
In general, triangular structure homes are easier to build than a traditional cabin, cottage, and house designs.
If you decide to go down the route of buying house plans, the need for significant building experience or even hiring an architect may be eliminated, however, you will still need to hire builders, and heavy machinery, and spend time reviewing the plans to make sure everything is in compliance with the local codes.
Deciding which route to take when building your unique A-Frame or buying house plans really comes down to these several points:
- How do you want to use the space? (For living or as a vacation home?)
- How many rooms do you need?
- What is your budget?
- Does the size of the structure conform to what’s permitted to be built in accordance with the local zoning requirement?
- Do the property, neighborhood, and additional costs such as well, septic and driveway support the size of house you are choosing from an investment perspective?
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices and options, there are several types of A-Frames house plans you can choose from.
Types of A-Frame House Plans
1. A-Frame House With a Loft
The majority of A-Frames have room for a loft space as a result of their shape and construction. For example, if the house is tall enough for a loft area, there will also be lots of space for a great room on the main floor, which is perfect for a larger number of guests or family home plans.
Having extra loft space is always a big plus, especially if you are planning on bringing luggage or need an extra storage area.
2. A-Frame With a Wraparound Deck
Perhaps the most quintessential A-Frame always packs a large wraparound deck or a sprawling porch, perfect for outdoor gatherings and enjoying the beauty of the surrounding area.
The building or attaching a deck to an A-Frame is not difficult, even if your plans don’t include a deck.
3. Small Home A-Frame Plans
Simple, straightforward, and ideal for beginners that like DIY projects, the small home A-Frame plans offer a building experience that is easy and doesn’t require lots of time.
The small A-Frames are perfect for camping and are trending among travelers all over the world.
4. A-Frame With a Garage
Similar to standard larger A-Frames, the Garage addon is usually found on one side of the structure and allows for not just plenty of additional space for storage or an extra room, but you can also utilize that space for a vehicle.
This is perhaps the best A-Frame house plan if you want to invest in a larger structure.
