Category: Construction

Ocean County Home Builders Love These Construction Materials

The sea air, the ocean, and the beaches entice thousands of people to build a home in Ocean County, New Jersey. For builders in this area, there are many extra precautions they need to take because of these very things. Salt in the air is an element that builders constructing homes away from the beach don’t need to consider. However, for Ocean County home builders, this particle can negatively affect homes in a number of ways. In addition to that, sand greatly affects the selection of flooring materials.

Impact-Rated Glass

Anyone who has spent any time at the shore knows that storms can be severe. Winds are typically stronger on the coast. These winds can be so strong that they can shatter glass by themselves. This gives home builders who work at the Jersey shore something to consider because the plans for many beach homes include floor to ceiling windows and glass doors. Rather than skipping out on the view, Ocean County home builders select impact-rated glass, otherwise known as hurricane glass.  

It isn’t just the wind alone that can destroy glass. Flying objects are a pretty common occurrence at the shore during severe storms. Many beach houses keep a lot of their accessories outside. Umbrellas, boogie boards, sandy toys, and chairs are often stored under raised homes in open areas making them easily picked up and flung by strong gusts of wind. All homes built along the shore should include impact-rated glass windows and doors.

Flooring Materials That Can Withstand Sand

The number one choice of home builders in Ocean County for flooring material is ceramic tiles. They don’t scratch, they’re easy to clean, and they are also water resistant. When it comes to building a house at the shore, all of those qualities share top bidding. Materials missing just one of those characteristics won’t last long in a shore house. A second-tier choice is engineered hardwood or laminate flooring. These materials are both extremely durable making them ideal for homes where there is a lot of foot traffic. Not all houses built in Ocean County are for primary residences. Many are constructed with the intention of being a vacation rental home. These homes, in particular, are subject to a much higher rate of wear and tear which makes choice of flooring material very important.

Humidity Affects Everything for Ocean County Home Builders

It isn’t just the salt in the air that dictates building material choice for Ocean County home builders. Air is moist near the beach. Anyone who lives in a humid environment knows just how much the moisture can affect a home. Wood swells making it difficult to open and shut doors. Moist air also encourages the growth of mold and mildew, can cause paint to bubble and peel, and leads to warped floors if the wrong material is chosen.

One way Jersey shore home builders help to resolve these issues is with the installation of whole home dehumidifiers. Whether this is included as a part of the HVAC system or as a stand-alone appliance, these electronics help reduce moisture within homes. Other important additions to homes in Ocean County are exhaust fans. No one wants to take cold showers which is why bathroom fans are so important to adequately removing steam from the room while showering.

Many humidity control measures are relevant only after the house is constructed. Home maintenance is an important part of keeping humidity levels low. Cleaning gutters often reduces the risk of water leaks. Fixing leaky pipes and faucets does the same. Not using your dryer and drying clothes outside is another way to reduce humidity in the home.

Ocean County home builders reach for materials like waterproof paint, concrete, and tiles to help minimize the effect of humidity on new homes.

Ocean County Home Builders Build Homes Different

Plans for Ocean County home builders with a black pencil on top

Constructing a home in the woods versus a home in the city versus a home by the water all require a different set of materials and considerations. For builders in Ocean County, humidity, salty air, and strong winds all play a part in what materials they select. Materials that are less affected by moisture, corrosion, and impact are not just recommended, but necessary. Learn more about how Ocean County home builders design their homes.

Ocean County Home Builders Know Coastal Design

Ocean County home builders build beach houses like this blue 3-story home with white trim. Picture is shot looking down a boarded walkway with beach grasses and tropical trees on each side.

Custom home builders need to be versed in a wide variety of subjects. Engineering, planning, construction, and design, along with a host of other topics, are all things that builders deal with daily. Compound that with the fact that different areas prefer different types of design and certain regions require special considerations and it’s hard to imagine how they keep everything straight. It is because of this that some custom home builders specialize in, or only build in, a limited area. This allows them to concentrate on a certain set of design parameters. Instead of knowing a little about a lot, focusing on area allows a builder to, rather, know a lot about fewer design choices. On the elite end of the spectrum, there are Ocean County home builders, like Monetti Custom Homes , who excel in all areas of custom home building.

How Ocean County Home Builders Design at the Shore

We would like to talk about structure over design. Building a home on the coast brings with it its own set of hurdles and requirements. From the salt content in the air to severe wind and flooding, certain materials and design ideas work better than others. It is important to know and take all of this into consideration from the first day that someone decides to build a custom home on the New Jersey coast. Things like hurricane resistant glass to prevent breakage and tie-down straps and trusses to secure roofs in high winds are all important to incorporate into the design. Custom home builders must be knowledgeable about what building materials work by the ocean and which fail miserably. It doesn’t matter how beautiful a home is if it starts to fall apart after a year. Experienced Ocean County home builders know how to build long-lasting, elegant beach homes.

Exterior Beach House Features

Just like you know a colonial when you look at one, when you see a beach house, you know it. But what is it about their design that makes them so identifiable?

No Brick

Sometimes it is what is not included that makes a design style stand out. For coastal design, it’s brick. Especially red brick. Mostly for the reason that brick is very vulnerable to moisture damage. This makes it the number one material to avoid using along any coast and therefore, rarely if ever found in beach house design.

Colors

Ocean County home builders build beautiful homes like the one pictured which is taken at a distance and is backlit by bright sunlight and surrounded by beach grasses in the foreground

Most homes will be a light, airy color. Many homes have white exteriors at the shore. But, beautiful light blues and grays, are also very popular. On the opposite end, homes covered in deeply pigmented colors matched with high-contrast trim, when done correctly, can also fit right in.

Outdoor Spaces

Whether the home is going to be a full-time residence or a rental property, many beach houses have great outdoor spaces. Ocean County home builders know that large, spacious porches are a staple of shore life. Plus, gorgeous patios and decks on all floors give the views that everyone builds at the shore for. On the backdrop of the often-muted colors of the homes, porches and decks are obvious spaces to add tropical pops of color that is so common in beach house design.

Natural Materials

Because spending time at the shore means spending time outside, the use of natural materials is a reasonable design choice to make. You will see a lot of mixing of materials like stone and wood in coastal design. This is because it is replicative of nature and therefore, evokes calm, relaxed feelings.

Ocean County Home Builders Know Every Detail Matters

Aside from everything else in the design, the smallest detail can help pull the whole design together. It is important to note that coastal design is not the same as nautical design. Not all coastal designs need anchors and compasses incorporated. The choice of outside lights, door knockers and knobs, as well as landscaping all matter when it comes to design. Another detail that is a must in every coastal home is the inclusion of a lot of natural light. Most beach houses have a lot of windows and often have walls made of glass doors. This keeps the interior of the homes light and airy, just like the outside. Ocean County home builders know each and every detail matters.

Coastal Interior Design: Bringing Ocean Inspiration Indoors

When building a home in Ocean County, embracing the coastal aesthetic inside your home can create a refreshing, serene environment that complements the beachside landscape. Coastal interior design combines light, airy spaces with natural materials and ocean-inspired hues to reflect the beauty of the surrounding seascape.

Light, airy, coastal inspired living room designed by Ocean County custom home builder

A popular trend among Ocean County custom home builders is an open-concept floor plan, which allows natural light to flow seamlessly through spaces. This enhances the home’s connection with the outdoors. Large windows are a key feature, offering beautiful views of the water or nearby nature and making rooms feel expansive. These designs often include spacious living rooms that open into the kitchen and dining areas, creating an ideal setup for both relaxation and entertaining.

Natural textures are essential in achieving an authentic coastal look. Home builders in Ocean County use materials like reclaimed wood, wicker, and rattan in both furniture and decor. These elements add warmth and rustic charm, grounding the light and breezy design with an earthy feel. Incorporating driftwood accents, sisal rugs, or jute baskets also brings a tactile connection to the shoreline indoors.

Color palettes in coastal design are inspired by the sea, sand, and sky, featuring soft blues, whites, sandy beiges, and shades of gray. These hues evoke a calming atmosphere reminiscent of a day at the beach. Accents in coral, teal, or seafoam green add depth while keeping the aesthetic fresh and lively.

Ocean-themed decor is another way to infuse personality into a coastal interior. Subtle touches like seashell mirrors, nautical rope details, or ocean art can enhance the ambiance without overwhelming the space. The goal is to keep things minimalistic, maintaining a clean, uncluttered look that aligns with the peaceful nature of coastal living.