When it comes to bragging, 3,000 square feet does not cut it. While this type of home is prevalent, it is often built without following architectural design principles. McMansions are often an odd blend of styles, with the details arranged unconventionally. The interiors are also unusual and are not always what one expects. Here are some things to keep in mind when evaluating whether a McMansion is an actual mansion:
3,000 square feet
If you’ve ever driven past one, you’ve probably noticed the massive size of a McMansion. They range from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet and are often designed unconventionally. McMansions have the added benefit of being more expensive than average houses, with many homeowners facing large utility bills and landscaping costs. But if you’re planning to live in a McMansion, consider the drawbacks.
A 3,000-square-foot McMansion typically requires six bathrooms. In Los Angeles, six bathrooms are the norm. That makes them more horizontal than vertical, which is a good thing! McMansions are not unreal, with a price tag of $500 per square foot. While they may be out of reach for most people, the recent fires in California have caused a significant demand for building materials. Lumber prices have risen by as much as 300% in some regions.
Many housing economists have noted a spike in demand for large homes. Among Seattle metro home listings, 34% are over 3,000 square feet. Its tech industry has kept the need for large homes high in Seattle. While they may have lived in a larger home in their childhood, they probably don’t want 3,000 square feet of extra space. But that doesn’t mean the big-home lifestyle is dead.
The term «McMansion» has become a derogatory term for large homes. While there is no exact definition of a McMansion, it can describe a group of large homes and a single house that is new construction. A McMansion must have over three thousand square feet, and it must replace a modest home on the same lot. Otherwise, it would appear out of proportion in a neighborhood of mid-century homes.
High ceilings
The trend toward large, upscale homes in the late 1990s and early 2000s created a demand for ultra-high ceilings. However, many homebuilders see a shift in their clientele’s preferences. The high ceilings of the McMansion era are giving way to lower tops that are both beautiful and practical. Although high ceilings are a desirable aesthetic, they can also hurt the wallet. They can convey a feeling of luxury and higher social status. Besides, homebuyers may pay extra for custom designs, so they feel they have to have high ceilings to set themselves apart from others.
The height of McMansion ceilings was a must-have for the wealthy who wanted grand entrances. Hence, the doors and living rooms were usually two or three stories high with chandeliers at their center. It was also essential to have an oversized garage, as two to three cars could be parked there. The oversized garage also gave off the impression of multiple vehicles, another appealing feature of McMansions.
The untrained eye can’t distinguish between a McMansion and a modern, luxurious home. The built-in garages and enormous windows are a telltale sign of a McMansion. A new blog, McMansion Hell, aims to highlight the absurdities of the «McMansion» with Kate Wagner’s snarky commentary. It’s the architectural equivalent of mug shots, and it’s well worth checking out the site.
McMansions are notoriously large and out of proportion to their building lot. They are not well proportioned to the surrounding neighborhood, and their entrances are typically bombastic. McMansions are not built to adhere to architectural principles and are a mash-up of different styles. As a result, they lack any absolute design standards and are often an expression of wealth and excess. McMansions are the «mc burger» of architecture.
Customization
The word «McMansion» has several nuances. While it may seem like a neologism, McMansions are variations on the McDonald’s concept, which puts efficiency and production ahead of individuality. This, in turn, results in less-than-stellar quality and lower cost. However, many McMansions have a distinct character that makes them unique. The following are some ways that a McMansion can stand out from other homes:
Many McMansions are prefabricated, but not all. Some are commissioned and customized. McMansions built in this way usually follow a Home Depot catalog design. These homes can be beautiful and unique but are not as functional or luxurious as traditional homes. Consider commissioning a custom design if you want a McMansion that is uniquely yours. Then, you can tweak the design to meet your needs.
While McMansions are often built on smaller than single-family houses, they were initially built on large lots and were the objects of scorn from locals. However, this era’s housing boom resulted in construction of McMansion subdivisions in wealthy suburbs worldwide. Many of these structures have almost identical floor plans and are custom-made with decadent add-ons.
McMansions are typically 3000 square feet or larger. That’s bigger than most homes around the world. Although a McMansion may be smaller than its actual size, it will look more luxurious during its peak, as long as it’s enormous. But McMansions are not for everyone. As a result, they are not designed to be used by those with smaller incomes. They are designed to be extravagant and opulent during their peak.
Location
The phrase «location of a McMansion» evokes images of McDonald’s restaurants. While the word may sound like a menu item, this modern home was designed from a historic mansion from the 1700s. The Denton House in New Hyde Park, NY, is an example of a McMansion built on a former decommissioned building. In the 1980s, the construction was scheduled to be demolished and turned into a fast-food restaurant.
The phrase «location of a McMansion» is derisive. But, in reality, the term refers to the mindset required to purchase one. These homes are typically multi-level and sprawling and often have odd, unwelcoming styles. One McMansion may have a Tudor-style roof over a Colonial porch, or it may have a ramshackle interior with no regard for basic principles of architecture.
While a McMansion has many positive attributes, critics argue its flashy and antiseptic style. This is due in part to the similarity in design. The McMansion floor plan may call for a great open room with generous windows. McMansions tend to be big, so they have substantial heating and cooling needs. Also, McMansion builders may not orient their homes to take advantage of the natural arc of the sun. The open layout makes it difficult to create additional bedrooms or a home office, as with traditional single-family homes.
The reputation of McMansions as tacky is partly due to a culture change. In the 1980s, McMansions became a symbol of wealth and comfort. They were built using mass-produced materials and a generic plan. McMansions are typically concentrated in «sudden valleys» of fast-rising suburban housing tracts. Many McMansions, however, reflect the American paradox of affordable luxury and often come under fire for being tacky.
Cost
Considering a McMansion, you’re likely wondering how much it costs to build one. While they are not as expensive as some luxury homes, McMansions are still very costly to produce. Most of them are made using energy-inefficient materials and require significant energy consumption. Many critics say they contribute to the negative carbon footprint of the nation. For this reason, many McMansions are branded as «Greenhouse Gas Powered Houses.»
A McMansion’s environmental footprint is massive: it consumes seven acres of forested land for every twenty houses. The vast amount of materials used to construct the McMansion resulted in massive deforestation and environmental degradation. And that’s just the beginning. A McMansion can cost as much as twenty percent more than a smaller, more sustainable home. Even worse, many homes require multiple HVAC systems and a vast amount of water.
The idea that McMansions are cheap was a fad spawned by the home improvement and house flipping television shows of the eighties and nineties. They prompted a shift in American homeownership habits that encouraged people to buy more extensive and luxurious homes. These homes were meant to display economic success and keep up with the Joneses. However, the early 2000s are now reaching their expiration date.
Considering the size and amenities, McMansions is a perfect example of a supersized American house. Unlike traditional homes, McMansions often have a huge «wow» factor. Their rooms are enormous and boast high ceilings. In addition, McMansions are equipped with many amenities, including a gourmet kitchen, sunroom, walk-in pantry, and multiple garages. Most McMansions are around 2,500 square feet, depending on the area and the local construction costs.
