Designing an Outdoor Fireplace for Your Screened or Covered Porch

Posted by tbhadmin on December 13, 2024

An outdoor fireplace is the ultimate centerpiece for a screened or covered porch, creating a cozy, inviting space to enjoy year-round in Chatham County, NC. Whether you envision gathering around with friends and family on cool evenings or simply relaxing with a book by the fire, adding a woodburning fireplace to your porch enhances both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your custom home.

At Travars Built Homes, we work with you to plan and execute this stunning feature as part of your custom build. Let’s explore why an outdoor fireplace is a valuable addition and what you need to consider during construction.

Why Add an Outdoor Fireplace?

An outdoor fireplace adds warmth, ambiance, and value to your home. Here are some reasons it’s a favorite feature for custom porches:

Cozy Atmosphere: An outdoor fireplace transforms your porch into a comfortable space for all seasons.
Architectural Focal Point: A brick or stone surround creates an elegant, timeless design.
Outdoor Living Extension: Perfect for entertaining or relaxing, it bridges the gap between indoor and outdoor living.
Increased Home Value: Thoughtfully designed outdoor features are highly desirable for resale.

Planning for Your Outdoor Fireplace

Unlike backyard firepits, built-in woodburning or gas fireplaces require meticulous planning. Here are the key considerations:

1. Foundation and Engineering Requirements

Outdoor fireplaces are substantial structures, especially with full brick or stone surrounds. They require specific foundation work to support the weight. These structural needs must be addressed early in construction to ensure proper integration into your custom porch design.

2. Fireplace Design

Outdoor fireplaces typically feature full brick or stone surrounds, which provide both durability and visual appeal. Whether you prefer the rustic charm of natural stone or the traditional look of brick, the materials you choose should harmonize with the overall design of your home and porch.

3. Hearth Placement

A woodburning fireplace requires a hearth, which should be considered when configuring furnishing layouts or traffic paths.

4. Venting and Chimney Design

Proper venting is essential for woodburning fireplaces. The chimney design must comply with local building codes and ensure safe smoke and heat dispersion.

5. Space Considerations

Think about how the fireplace will fit into the layout of your porch. It should enhance the flow of the space, leaving room for furniture placement and foot traffic.

Customizing Your Outdoor Fireplace

There are many ways to personalize an outdoor fireplace to suit your style and needs:

Stone or Brick Variations: Choose from different types, colors, and textures to create a unique look.
Mantels: Add a wood or stone mantel for extra character and functionality, perfect for decorating or mounting a TV.
Built-In Seating: Consider built-in benches or adjacent walls for additional seating around the fireplace.
Lighting: Incorporate sconces or recessed lighting to enhance the ambiance.

Why Plan Early?

Outdoor fireplaces must be factored into your custom home design early in the process. Here’s why:

Foundation Preparation: Ensures the structure can support the weight of the fireplace.
Structural Engineering: Prevents delays by addressing design and safety requirements upfront.
Material Sourcing: Allows time to select and source high-quality materials that match your vision.
Integration with Porch Design: Ensures the fireplace complements other features, such as ceilings, columns, or flooring.

Let’s Start Planning Your Outdoor Fireplace

Adding a woodburning or gas fireplace to your screened or covered porch is a timeless addition that enhances outdoor living in Chatham County, NC. Ready to incorporate this feature into your custom home?

See our floor plans to find inspiration for your new home, or contact us today to start planning the foundation, design, and details of your custom outdoor fireplace!

Why Build a Custom Home with Travars Built Homes?

At Travars Built Homes, we specialize in designing custom homes that reflect your lifestyle and enhance your outdoor living experience. From the initial planning stages to the finishing details, our team ensures your outdoor fireplace is seamlessly integrated into your screened or covered porch.

We offer:

Customized Floor Plans: Modify layouts to include features like a pet center in your laundry room.
Expert Guidance: Work with our design team to choose finishes, materials, and layouts that align with your vision.
Attention to Detail: From hidden litter boxes to built-in dog beds, we ensure every detail is crafted with care.
Energy-Efficient Solutions: Enjoy a home designed with sustainability and comfort in mind.

Designing a Pet-Friendly Laundry Room for Your Custom Home in Chatham County, NC

Posted by tbhadmin on December 6, 2024

For pet lovers in Chatham County, NC, incorporating a dedicated pet area into your laundry room is a practical and stylish way to enhance your custom home. At Travars Built Homes, we understand the importance of creating spaces that cater to every member of your family — including the furry ones! By designing a multifunctional pet friendly laundry room, you can blend functionality with thoughtful architectural detail while providing your pets with their own special space.

Why Add a Pet Center to the Laundry Room?

The laundry room is often an underused area in the home, making it the perfect spot to double as a pet center. With careful planning, this space can become a hub for pet care without disrupting the rest of your home.

Benefits of a pet center in your laundry room include:

A Dedicated Space for Pets: Keeps pet essentials organized and contained.
Enhanced Home Design: Adds charm and functionality to an often-overlooked area.
Simplified Cleanup: Keeps messes in an easy-to-clean zone with durable materials.
Multi-Purpose Use: Can accommodate pet beds, litter boxes, or storage solutions.

Creative Ideas for Your Pet Center

Here are some ways to design a pet-friendly laundry room tailored to your lifestyle and your pet’s needs:

1. Built-In Dog Bed or Crate

Create a cozy nook beneath a countertop or within a custom cabinet where your dog can rest. Adding built-in features keeps the space looking tidy and integrated into the overall design. Consider using durable, pet-safe materials for comfort and longevity.

Wendell North Carolina New Homes | Built in Dog House Under the Stairs

2. Hidden Litter Box Area

For cat owners, a concealed litter box is a game-changer. Incorporate a discreet compartment with proper ventilation and easy access for cleaning. This keeps odors contained and the litter box out of sight.

3. Storage Solutions for Pet Essentials

Include custom drawers or cabinets to store pet food, leashes, grooming supplies, and toys. Pull-out bins or cubbies make these items easily accessible while maintaining a clutter-free space.

4. Pet Washing Station

Elevate your laundry room with a small pet washing station. A tiled, low-level shower or tub with a handheld sprayer makes bath time easier and keeps muddy paw prints from tracking through the house.

5. Stylish Design Touches

Incorporate architectural details like shiplap walls, farmhouse trim, or decorative molding to blend the pet area seamlessly into your laundry room. Choose finishes and colors that complement the overall design of your home.

Start Planning Your Pet-Friendly Custom Home Today

Building a custom home in Chatham County gives you the flexibility to include creative features like a pet center in your laundry room. Ready to get started? Explore our floor plans and see how Travars Built Homes can help bring your vision to life.

See our floor plans to find inspiration for your new home, or contact us today to discuss how we can design a home that works for every member of your family — pets included!

Built in Dog House | Chapel Hill New Home Builder

Why Build a Custom Home with Travars Built Homes?

Travars Built Homes specializes in creating personalized spaces for every member of your household. Whether it’s a built-in pet center or another unique feature, our team works with you to design a home that reflects your needs and lifestyle.

We offer:

Customized Floor Plans: Modify layouts to include features like a pet center in your laundry room.
Expert Guidance: Work with our design team to choose finishes, materials, and layouts that align with your vision.
Attention to Detail: From hidden litter boxes to built-in dog beds, we ensure every detail is crafted with care.
Energy-Efficient Solutions: Enjoy a home designed with sustainability and comfort in mind.

Raleigh and Durham Named Best Places to Live in America

Posted by tbhadmin on May 24, 2023

Central North Carolina’s reputation as a wonderful place to work and live continues to grow, as people and companies move to the region.

Among the accolades and recognition: Raleigh and Durham tied for third place as “Best Places to Live in America” in US World News and World Report’s Best Places to Live rankings for 2023-2024.

Green Bay, Wisconsin came in first, followed by Huntsville, Alabama.

The designation was based on life quality, job market, housing affordability, cost of living, and desire to be here.

Among the categories analyzed, Raleigh and Durham scored highest in quality of life for access to museums, theaters, a thriving restaurant scene, parks, greenways, and college and professional teams.

Besides #3 in the best places to live in the country, U.S. News found Raleigh and Durham:

#29 in best places to retire
#1 in best places to live in NC
#13 in best places to live for quality of life, and
#21 fastest growing places

Contact Travars Built Homes about building your custom home in one of the most desirable locations in the nation.

Travars Built Homes builds incredible custom homes in Chatham County and surrounding regions extending into Alamance, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Randolph and Wake Counties.

Search for floor plan?

We work with you to build your home the way you want it in Fox Oak, other available homes and land or on your lot in Pittsboro, Chatham County and surrounding regions extending into Alamance, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Randolph, and Wake counties.

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Raleigh and Durham Named Best Places to Live in America

Awards

Custom Home Builder Awards: Travars Built Homes wins Gold in the Chatham County Parade of Homes

This Travars Built Home was designed and built in Pittsboro, North Carolina. It was honored with a Gold award from the Chatham County Parade of Homes.

The exquisite countryside cottage was created by the Travars Built Homes team with an interesting medley of architectural designs. See examples from mountain house to modern farmhouse to arts and crafts. This home has superb craftsmanship with an incredible open floor plan filled with sunshine and space.

It was designed for indoor and outdoor living. The verandah style 8′ deep covered porch runs across the front of the home and culminates in a screen porch. Double sliding doors create a glass wall with access into the gathering room.

The thoughtful layout was designed with aging-in-place details such as a sunken step-down tub, roll in shower, extra wide hallway, and lever doors. A practical office is located off the first floor primary suite.

Storage space is tucked in everywhere. There are three pantries (a hidden pantry, bulk storage pantry and canning pantry), and extensive bookcases and cubbies. Wonderful cabinetry has lots of pull out drawers. There is also a walk-in storage room upstairs that’s bigger than the guest room.

Grounded with with lightly stained oak hardwood floors and wood-look tile in soft grey and blue, the welcoming open feel is further accentuated by a soaring 17 foot ceiling over the gathering area. A sloped roofline above the kitchen enables a clear sight line from the upstairs loft.

This Travars Built Home defines “custom home” with creative artistry inspired by the wooded countryside setting. It brings a mountain retreat feel of peacefulness and tranquility.

Photo Tour: Chatham County Parade of Homes Gold-winning Custom Home

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Custom Plans with Home Offices

Posted by Travars Built Homes on March 1, 2023

Home offices are now a top request in custom home floor plans

New house plans with home offices can give you an “office environment” within the comfort of your own space. Now that working from home is more common than ever, it’s no surprise that a first floor office has become a top request.

Plans with Home Offices Located Near the Kitchen

This home office is just inside the breakfast nook, separated by farmhouse style barn doors. This flexible layout lets in lots of natural light.

House Plans with a First Floor Office | Barn Doors for Office

Inside the home office, there’s lots of desk space to spread out and a window for natural light.

Plans with Downstairs Home Office | Blue Cabinets Built In

This office is also located near the kitchen. It is tucked away from most high-traffic zones so you can focus on work.

Home Office | Chapel Hill New Home Builder

Offices Located Near the Foyer

Looking for a more classic, traditional space? This first floor office has glass French doors, white wainscoting trim, and large windows.

First Floor Office | Wainscoting Walls in Office

Trey ceilings aren’t just for the living room anymore. This first floor office opens up into a trey:

Home Office Floor Plans | Chatham County Local Home Builders

Offices Located Near (or in) the Primary Suite

Just want a nook-style-office to work in, off the primary suite? Here’s one way to create your own space:

Plans with Home Offices | Office inside the Master Suite

When you look at floor plans for an office location, it may be clearly marked. If you don’t see a home office listed, consider using the dining room for an office (or second office) if you don’t need a formal dining room. Or ask us how we can modify a floor plan to meet your needs.

Design Gallery

Get home design ideas here – and see why every Travars Built Home is decidedly different. Our approach to custom building provides the flexibility to create your forever home the way you want it.

Hand-Crafted Kitchens with Custom Home Design Ideas

Living Rooms with Fireplaces, Built-In Bookcases, and Ceiling Beams

These living room examples showcase custom home design with: cedar fireplace mantels, stained wood ceiling beams, stacked stone, brick, board and batt, tile, and ship lap fireplace surrounds, built-in wooden shelving and cabinetry, and much more:

Living Room Built In Media | Mebane NC New Homes

Modern Farmhouse | Chapel Hill Custom Home

Custom Tile Showers

These en suite bathrooms feature custom tile showers with white subway tile, herringbone designs, built-in storage alcoves, dual shower heads, built-in tile benches, frameless and semi-frameless surrounds, and much more:

Custom Home Design Ideas: Formal Dining Rooms

Work From Home Offices

These home offices showcase built in desks and bookcases, glass French doors, white wainscoting walls, trey ceilings, sliding barn doors, and much more:

Floor Plans with a Home Office | Custom Home Design Ideas

Drop Zone Built In Storage Units for Custom Home Design Ideas

Chatham County New Home | Drop Zone Built-Ins

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New Custom Homes For Sale

MOVE IN READY. IN PROGRESS. COMING SOON.

Wembley Place at Big Bear – COMING SOON

35 Big Bear Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 2.5 Wooded Acres | $1,335,000

4626 Sq Ft Under Roof | 3568 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 4 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite & Guest Suite, 3 Car Garage

Top trending feature: Caterer’s Scullery Pantry – room-size walk-in “messy kitchen” designed for food preparations and storage. Cabinetry and countertops, second dishwasher, prep sink, and space for a second refrigerator.

Request a Floor Plan

River Ridge at Hamlets Chapel – COMING SOON

4025 Hamlets Chapel Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 1.5 Wooded Acres | $900,000

3,380 Sq Ft Under Roof | 2702 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | Main floor Guest Suite & Separate Office | New Custom Homes For Sale North Carolina

Top trending features: Guest suite and office on main floor. Media room upstairs. Open floor plan designed with spaciousness and privacy.

Request a Floor Plan

Pamlico Sound at Silk Hope Gum Springs Rd – COMING SOON

5491 Silk Hope Gum Springs Rd, Siler City, NC | 1.94 Wooded Acres | $700,000

2,864 Sq Ft Under Roof | 2,415 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite | New Custom Homes For Sale North Carolina

Top trending features: Potential for two first floor offices if you don’t want formal dining. Thoughtful open floor plan.

Request a Floor Plan

Carolina Cottage at Silk Hope Gum Springs Rd – COMING SOON

5545 Silk Hope Gum Springs Rd, Siler City, NC | 1.51 Wooded Acres | $745,000

3,272 Sq Ft Under Roof | 2,405 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Top trending features: Wonderful gathering spaces with chef kitchen as focal point.

Request a Floor Plan

Forsyth Knoll at Fox Oak – COMING SOON NEAR JORDAN LAKE

97 Fox Oak Trail, Pittsboro, NC | 4.2 Wooded Acres | $1,342,000

5,289 Sq Ft Under Roof | 4,171 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 5.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite & Guest Suite

New Custom Homes For Sale North Carolina

Top trending features: Spacious chef kitchen. Big laundry room. Vaulted covered screen porch.

Request a Floor Plan

Teesdale at Henderson Tanyard – UNDER CONTRACT

1147 Henderson Tanyard Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 5.9 Wooded Acres

3,992 Sq Ft Under Roof | 3,188 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 4 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite & Guest Suite

Top trending features: Private entrance to laundry room from first floor primary suite. Guest suite on main floor. All bedrooms ensuite. Spacious open living with extended height ceilings.

Request a Floor Plan

Riverstone at Fox Oak, lot 5 – UNDER CONTRACT

98 Fox Oak Trail, Pittsboro, NC | 4.2 Wooded Acres

3,883 Sq Ft Under Roof | 3,089 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Top trending features: Gorgeous curb appeal. Great layout. Wonderful kitchen. Craft room designed for work or play – in addition to a big bonus room!

Request a Floor Plan

Get more information about available homes:

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Home Plan Type:
One StoryTwo StoryMain Floor Primary Suite

Must have:

Sq Ft:
2000 - 25002500 - 30003000 - 4000+

Build Budget with Site Work (Lot Additional):
500 - 600K600 - 700K700 - 800K800 - 900K900K - Mil+

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My New Home Portal

Sign in to see everything happening with the build of your Travars Built Home: Make selections. See progress. Browse photos. See allowances. Message your team. Your personal Co-Construct portal keeps everything organized and available to you, throughout your project.

Custom homes in Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham

Blog

How to modify custom house plans

3. A larger shower in the master bathroom (and no tub)

Doing away with the tub isn’t for everyone – what do you prefer? One (larger) shower, or a “traditional” tub and shower combination?

Master Bathroom with No Tub | Custom House Plan

4. A bigger pantry with custom-height wood shelving, sink, microwave, and other personal touches

Modern Farmhouse Walk In Pantry
| Custom House Plans

5. A sun room or screen porch

North Carolina’s climate is great for sun rooms and screen porches that can be used year-round, especially when you add a cozy outdoor fireplace or outdoor kitchen!

6. A secret passage, secret pantry, or hideaway

Secret passageways can be tucked is so many places! Check out these ideas, with a secret door:

Under the staircase (leading from foyer to living room)
Between upstairs bedrooms
From the master closet and home office (using a Murphy bookcase door)
From the master closet to an expanded coat closet

Category: TBH

Why Add an Outdoor Fireplace?

Planning for Your Outdoor Fireplace

1. Foundation and Engineering Requirements

2. Fireplace Design

3. Hearth Placement

4. Venting and Chimney Design

5. Space Considerations

Customizing Your Outdoor Fireplace

Why Plan Early?

Let’s Start Planning Your Outdoor Fireplace

Why Build a Custom Home with Travars Built Homes?

Why Add a Pet Center to the Laundry Room?

Creative Ideas for Your Pet Center

1. Built-In Dog Bed or Crate

2. Hidden Litter Box Area

3. Storage Solutions for Pet Essentials

4. Pet Washing Station

5. Stylish Design Touches

Start Planning Your Pet-Friendly Custom Home Today

Why Build a Custom Home with Travars Built Homes?

Besides #3 in the best places to live in the country, U.S. News found Raleigh and Durham:

Search for floor plan?

Custom Home Builder Awards: Travars Built Homes wins Gold in the Chatham County Parade of Homes

Search for floor plan?

Home offices are now a top request in custom home floor plans

Plans with Home Offices Located Near the Kitchen

Offices Located Near the Foyer

Offices Located Near (or in) the Primary Suite

Hand-Crafted Kitchens with Custom Home Design Ideas

Request Custom Home Building Information:

Living Rooms with Fireplaces, Built-In Bookcases, and Ceiling Beams

Custom Tile Showers

Custom Home Design Ideas: Formal Dining Rooms

Work From Home Offices

Drop Zone Built In Storage Units for Custom Home Design Ideas

Search for floor plan?

MOVE IN READY. IN PROGRESS. COMING SOON.

Read more about new custom homes for sale in Pittsboro’s new Fox Oak neighborhood

Wembley Place at Big Bear – COMING SOON

35 Big Bear Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 2.5 Wooded Acres | $1,335,000

4626 Sq Ft Under Roof | 3568 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 4 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite & Guest Suite, 3 Car Garage

Top trending feature: Caterer’s Scullery Pantry – room-size walk-in “messy kitchen” designed for food preparations and storage. Cabinetry and countertops, second dishwasher, prep sink, and space for a second refrigerator.

River Ridge at Hamlets Chapel – COMING SOON

4025 Hamlets Chapel Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 1.5 Wooded Acres | $900,000

3,380 Sq Ft Under Roof | 2702 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | Main floor Guest Suite & Separate Office | New Custom Homes For Sale North Carolina

Top trending features: Guest suite and office on main floor. Media room upstairs. Open floor plan designed with spaciousness and privacy.

Pamlico Sound at Silk Hope Gum Springs Rd – COMING SOON

5491 Silk Hope Gum Springs Rd, Siler City, NC | 1.94 Wooded Acres | $700,000

2,864 Sq Ft Under Roof | 2,415 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite | New Custom Homes For Sale North Carolina

Top trending features: Potential for two first floor offices if you don’t want formal dining. Thoughtful open floor plan.

Carolina Cottage at Silk Hope Gum Springs Rd – COMING SOON

5545 Silk Hope Gum Springs Rd, Siler City, NC | 1.51 Wooded Acres | $745,000

3,272 Sq Ft Under Roof | 2,405 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Top trending features: Wonderful gathering spaces with chef kitchen as focal point.

Forsyth Knoll at Fox Oak – COMING SOON NEAR JORDAN LAKE

97 Fox Oak Trail, Pittsboro, NC | 4.2 Wooded Acres | $1,342,000

5,289 Sq Ft Under Roof | 4,171 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 5.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite & Guest Suite

Top trending features: Spacious chef kitchen. Big laundry room. Vaulted covered screen porch.

Teesdale at Henderson Tanyard – UNDER CONTRACT

1147 Henderson Tanyard Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 5.9 Wooded Acres

3,992 Sq Ft Under Roof | 3,188 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 4 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite & Guest Suite

Top trending features: Private entrance to laundry room from first floor primary suite. Guest suite on main floor. All bedrooms ensuite. Spacious open living with extended height ceilings.

Riverstone at Fox Oak, lot 5 – UNDER CONTRACT

98 Fox Oak Trail, Pittsboro, NC | 4.2 Wooded Acres

3,883 Sq Ft Under Roof | 3,089 Heated Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Top trending features: Gorgeous curb appeal. Great layout. Wonderful kitchen. Craft room designed for work or play – in addition to a big bonus room!

Get more information about available homes:

Our creative team can work with you to find the right plan, or modify custom house plans to include:

1. An open kitchen layout with large islands, built-ins, and window walls

2. Separated personal space with multi-gen, mother-in-law, or dual master layouts and amenities

Want to learn more about building a new home in Chatham County, North Carolina? Get started here:

3. A larger shower in the master bathroom (and no tub)

4. A bigger pantry with custom-height wood shelving, sink, microwave, and other personal touches

5. A sun room or screen porch

6. A secret passage, secret pantry, or hideaway