Homes in Northwest Arkansas can be pretty odd, but despite the oddities, they are some of the most sought-after in the state. They offer beautiful views of the Ozarks and are the best hiking and camping spots in the country. If you can get past the oddities, you’ll find that homes in Northwest Arkansas are extraordinary.
Homes in Northwest Arkansas can be odd, as some don’t have basements. Additionally, there are very tall roof lines designed at steep angles to capture the heat. The grass is ignored in favor of trees, and you’ll see a lot of bricks, concrete, and blocks.
In this article, we will discuss residential homes in Northwest Arkansas and some of the differences you’ll notice compared to traditional homes in other states.
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There Are No Basements
The first weird thing about Northwest Arkansas, and maybe Arkansas in general, is the fact that there are no basements here. As someone who’s spent time in Illinois, basements are an essential “must-have” because you can do so much with them. However, there are no basements in Arkansas. Part of the reason is that there is a lot of rock underground. Northwest Arkansas and Ozarks, in general, are very rocky places.
Therefore, it becomes costly to dig down and construct a basement. Financially, it’s not a rewarding proposition, and as such, people avoid creating basements altogether. It just doesn’t make sense. This is also why there’s no access to natural gas in the region.
It is too costly to drill out all the rock to get natural gas. Now, in Illinois, you could quickly drill a couple of dozen feet below the surface, and it wouldn’t be a problem. But here in Arkansas, it’s hard to get through solid bedrock.
Weird things in Northwest Arkansas? This is Weirder! Homes in NWA – Part 2
Tall Roofs
If you ever get the chance to visit Northwest Arkansas, one thing that you’ll notice quite often is how tall the roofs are here. This is actually a pretty ingenious solution to the previous problem. In Arkansas, there are very, very tall roof lines. The reason is that there’s a lot more heat down south, so the roofs are designed at steep angles to capture the heat.
On top of that, people use the extra space for storage instead of the basement. So oftentimes, when you start looking at homes around the area, you’ll notice a visible attic area from afar. People typically use the extra space to store Christmas lights and all sorts of things that you usually store in a basement.
Little side note, do not put candles in the attic. I happen to know somebody who did that, and it did not turn out well for them. So, keep that in mind. If you do end up bringing some things that are heat sensitive, DO NOT put them in the attic.
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The Grass Is Not the Crown Jewel
The grass in Northwest Arkansas is not the crown jewel. If you’re coming from a more tempered environment, like Illinois, Chicago, Wisconsin, or Iowa, your grass is very, very important to you. It’s kind of like a Midwestern thing. You HAVE to mow the grass; it’s a necessary requirement.
However, in Arkansas, the grass is not the pride jewel around here. What that means is that people don’t take care of the grass like they do in other states. It doesn’t mean you can’t have great-looking grass. It just means that people aren’t as concerned about the grass. People obviously mow the grass, but they don’t hire services and go out of their way to remove weeds, aerate the soil, etc. The grass is really not that important.
What is the crown jewel? Oftentimes I would say the trees and landscaping. People care more about that than the grass itself. So keep that in mind if you are kind of a grass fanatic. You can live your wildest “grass dreams” here, but just know that your neighbor might not see eye-to-eye with you.
Brick, Concrete, and Block
There is a lot of brick, concrete, and blocks in Northwest Arkansas. The majority of homes are typically built with brick fascia. It is a common theme in the region, and it’s something that’s not very popular in other states in North America.
Now, architects prefer using brick because it’s a lot cheaper to get here and very easy to manufacture and ship. A plethora of stony materials is also readily available to manufacture. Additionally, concrete is also very affordable. A lot of times, people will lean towards constructing a concrete pad rather than installing a wooden deck. It’s cheaper, and it makes more sense to do a block patio rather than a wooden deck.
If you’re gonna purchase a home in Northwest Arkansas, there’s a good chance it’s going to be a brick fascia because it’s pretty affordable around here. Even some of the most interesting designs are made from simple materials like brick and concrete.
Brick is an excellent material because it is durable, low maintenance, and stylish. It can withstand all sorts of weather conditions, from high winds to freezing temperatures. Once installed, you won’t have to worry about painting or staining it. And, it won’t show wear and tear as easily as other materials.
No One Replaces Their Roofs
Last but certainly not least, one of the most interesting things about homes in Northwest Arkansas is that no one ever replaces their roof. Every ten years or so, there are all sorts of hail storms that will come through the area, devastating and damaging rooftops. Typically, insurance teams will come through and take care of everything for you. Obviously, not everyone does this, but it’s the recommended approach.
If you have a roof that is nearing its end of life, you should hang on to it for a couple more years. Let a few more storms roll through, and then decide what to do next. If you need to call your insurance broker and ensure that there’s no damage – not a problem. However, this will affect your insurance policy.
A lot of times, people will wait for the next hail storm to come through. Hailstorms don’t come around all that often, but every five to seven years, there might be a hailstorm that ravages different parts of the city. It’s during these times that people will eventually consider replacing their roofs.
Final Thoughts
Sure, homes in Northwest Arkansas can be a bit odd and different from usual. But despite all of these quirks, you’ll find that homes in Northwest Arkansas are truly special. You’ll definitely enjoy living here if you can get past the oddities.