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Pro Spotlight: Build Your Ideal Mountain Home
A Durango contractor shares how to make the most of a rocky setting
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Who: Troy Dyer of Veritas Fine Homes
Where: Durango, Colorado
In his own words: “The more difficult part of the process is the tough building sites. There are pretty rocky conditions in Colorado, so we have to blast through rock for the home. A lot goes into designing a home in this area.”
A home in the mountains is a retreat from the outside world. Before you jump into building one, however, there are a few things to consider that will ensure your long-term happiness. Troy Dyer, the owner of design-build firm Veritas Fine Homes in Durango, understands the challenges that come with building a mountain home and enjoys working with his clients to overcome them.
Where: Durango, Colorado
In his own words: “The more difficult part of the process is the tough building sites. There are pretty rocky conditions in Colorado, so we have to blast through rock for the home. A lot goes into designing a home in this area.”
A home in the mountains is a retreat from the outside world. Before you jump into building one, however, there are a few things to consider that will ensure your long-term happiness. Troy Dyer, the owner of design-build firm Veritas Fine Homes in Durango, understands the challenges that come with building a mountain home and enjoys working with his clients to overcome them.
A family affair. Dyer is a third-generation carpenter. “Both my father and grandfather built buildings, so this is a natural fit for me,” he says. “At a very young age, I was out with my dad nailing planks in the lumberyard.” His father continues to work with him today.
Client-inspired builds. “My clients inspire me,” Dyer says. “I’m open to any type of architecture. Their enthusiasm is what fuels me; their trust is what drives me. I want to make sure the client is nothing but pleased — awe-inspired — by the roof over their heads.”
If you’re ready to begin building your dream home in the mountains, read on for Dyer’s advice.
If you’re ready to begin building your dream home in the mountains, read on for Dyer’s advice.
1. Get Ahead of Infrastructure
Before you buy a lot on which to build, “it’s important to get a builder out on the space who understands how to work with the utility companies,” Dyer says. “Infrastructure is important and can be expensive to install. Know what you’ll be getting into for utilities ahead of time.”
The home outside Durango seen here is built into solid rock. “We created the driveway and built the home into the bedrock. The blasting team used quite a bit of dynamite, and we incorporated that stone throughout the landscaping,” Dyer says. “The home also includes a geothermal heating system. To install that, we drilled four pillars, each 400 feet long, into the ground.”
See more of this project
Before you buy a lot on which to build, “it’s important to get a builder out on the space who understands how to work with the utility companies,” Dyer says. “Infrastructure is important and can be expensive to install. Know what you’ll be getting into for utilities ahead of time.”
The home outside Durango seen here is built into solid rock. “We created the driveway and built the home into the bedrock. The blasting team used quite a bit of dynamite, and we incorporated that stone throughout the landscaping,” Dyer says. “The home also includes a geothermal heating system. To install that, we drilled four pillars, each 400 feet long, into the ground.”
See more of this project
2. Build for Your Lifestyle
Understanding how you want to use your home will determine how specific design and structural elements will be implemented, Dyer says. For example, “if you’re planning on spending the winters in a high-elevation area, snow conditions can be very intense. The driveway, entryway and garages should get the most direct sunlight for arriving guests and commuting homeowners.”
The home in Durango seen here was built for a baby boomer couple looking to downsize. To accommodate their hobbies, work and guests while keeping the overall square footage of the home down, a number of rooms multitask. “A movie theater functions as an additional sleeping area; his office has a Murphy bed; and her office, off the master suite, includes a reading area,” Dyer says. “The garage includes hobby space, storage lockers and an indoor gym.”
See more of this project
Understanding how you want to use your home will determine how specific design and structural elements will be implemented, Dyer says. For example, “if you’re planning on spending the winters in a high-elevation area, snow conditions can be very intense. The driveway, entryway and garages should get the most direct sunlight for arriving guests and commuting homeowners.”
The home in Durango seen here was built for a baby boomer couple looking to downsize. To accommodate their hobbies, work and guests while keeping the overall square footage of the home down, a number of rooms multitask. “A movie theater functions as an additional sleeping area; his office has a Murphy bed; and her office, off the master suite, includes a reading area,” Dyer says. “The garage includes hobby space, storage lockers and an indoor gym.”
See more of this project
3. Take Advantage of the Outdoors
When you’re in the mountains, you’ll have great views. However, Dyer says, “you’re coming to Colorado to hike, bike and ski — get outside! You’ll have your views, but you’re also going to want to keep walking at the door’s threshold onto your patio or into your backyard.”
The same Durango home as above has a flat roof over the porch to protect the homeowners and their guests from the sun and rain, but it doesn’t block the great views. “The homeowners love to spend time out on their patio,” Dyer says.
More: For more information on Troy Dyer and examples of his work, visit Veritas Fine Homes’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
When you’re in the mountains, you’ll have great views. However, Dyer says, “you’re coming to Colorado to hike, bike and ski — get outside! You’ll have your views, but you’re also going to want to keep walking at the door’s threshold onto your patio or into your backyard.”
The same Durango home as above has a flat roof over the porch to protect the homeowners and their guests from the sun and rain, but it doesn’t block the great views. “The homeowners love to spend time out on their patio,” Dyer says.
More: For more information on Troy Dyer and examples of his work, visit Veritas Fine Homes’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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