Have you dreamed of living in a beautiful home on a hillside overlooking the city, the woods, or the Ohio River? If so, you’re in the right place. Cincinnati’s seven hills make it ideal for custom homes that offer breathtaking panoramic views.
Designing and constructing a home on a slope comes with some sweet benefits, but it can be challenging, especially if the hill is steep. Below, we discuss some of the most popular reasons to build a custom home on a hill and some important things to consider.
How we build homes on a slope
Cincinnati builders usually employ one of two methods when constructing custom homes on Cincinnati hillsides. One method involves either cutting into the existing hillside or using the unearthed land to anchor retaining walls, or bringing soil in to fill and level the area.
Occasionally, hillside homes in Cincinnati are built using stilts. In this method, a crane is used to lift a home onto supporting steel or wood columns.
Top reasons to build a custom home on a hillside
Unique floorplans (and bonus space)
Designing a home on a slope requires creativity, meaning your floorplans and overall aesthetic will be unforgettable. And it often means that your custom home will have quite a bit of extra space. For example, a house on a hillside or slope could feature a walkout basement that could serve as additional living space.
Amazing views
Whether you love the skyline or looking out over a beautiful canopy of trees, choosing to build a custom home on a slope can offer incredible, expansive views. In the right location, your home could feature city views and views of the Ohio River and Kentucky.
Privacy. When a hillside hides a lot of your home, you have excellent privacy. If you have been craving a little seclusion and a home that serves as a quiet haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city, building a house on a slope might be an ideal choice.
Stunning light
From floor-to-ceiling windows to bay windows and sliding glass doors on every floor, homes on slopes offer incredible opportunities for letting in light.
Beautiful landscaping
Hillside gardening doesn’t require a green thumb. In fact, most plants, shrubs, and trees grow well on hillsides, while some just seem to be made for hills. Slopes allow you to plant flowers in tiers, meaning every level can be easily seen – something that isn’t so easy when planting on flat, even ground.
What to consider when building a custom home on a slope
Sure, constructing a home on a hillside or slope involves some ingenuity and experience. But the stunning results can be worth the extra effort and planning. Still, knowing some common challenges is essential before you get started.
Foundation considerations
A solid foundation is critical for every home; those built on slopes are no exception. But unlike homes on flatter, more even land, those on slopes often go through a longer process to design and build the foundation, including excavation and blasting and the addition of retaining walls. All this can add up when it comes to construction time and costs.
Drainage
Homes built on slopes require drainage systems that direct rainwater away from the foundation. While this is important for every home, those on hills can be susceptible to mudslides and erosion if the drainage isn’t designed correctly. French drains, retaining walls, and culverts can play a part in keeping water from damaging homes built on slopes.
Where do you park the car?
Access to the property is a big consideration when building a home on a slope. If it’s steep, switchback driveways may be necessary, which can be more challenging to navigate in snowy or rainy weather. Choosing where to place entry doors and the garage may require some ingenuity, and construction costs might increase should there be little – or no – space for construction vehicles.
Want to learn more about Classic Living Homes and hillside building? We build homes on some of Cincinnati’s most challenging terrain. We’d love to build your beautiful home on the hill, too.
