Q: What is a cool roof?

A: A cool roof is just what it sounds like: a roof that stays cooler than a typical roof on a sunny summer day. This, in turn, keeps the attic from overheating and eases the burden on the air conditioner. Although most people think that a cool roof has to be white, new coating technologies let manufacturers build reflectance into a variety of colors.

The best accessible features are really just good design

By some estimates, the decade from 2011 to 2021 saw a quadrupling of households with parents and grown children. Last year's increase was especially sharp—the National Association of Realtors reported 15% growth in demand for multigenerational homes between April and June of 2020.

As home prices continue climbing, the best financial decision for a lot of families is to gather under one roof.

This poses a design challenge: How do you create spaces that are friendly to older people with physical limitations without looking like a nursing home? It may be easier than you think—if planned well, an accessible home should feel great to everyone. And when the time comes to sell, the home will have an edge in the market.

Here are some features to think about when planning your new home.

Getting in and out. Everyone loves easy entries. The ideal would be no steps to and from the garage, the front of the house and the outdoor living space. If this isn't practical, then at least create flat or sloping access to the deck or patio. That way, someone with difficulty climbing stairs won't feel trapped inside.

These are actually great ideas for all homes, when you consider that anyone north of 40 is at higher risk of orthopedic problems like broken hips and bad knees. (The average age for knee replacements is 50.)

Don't forget hardware. Although lever door handles obviously help people with arthritic hands, they will be appreciated by anyone entering the house with an armful of groceries.

Safer sleep. A first-floor bedroom with an en suite bath is a valuable long-term asset. Leave sufficient space around the bed for caretakers and for someone with physical limitations to easily get in and out.

Making the shower floor flush to the bathroom floor eliminates a tripping hazard and provides a clean, contemporary look. If you don't need grab bars yet, the builder can add blocking behind the drywall to support them when needed.

The bedroom can also serve as an office, den or guest suite. Some homeowners design the bath with doors leading to the bedroom as well as to a common area, so visitors can use it.

Moving around. Building codes set the minimum residential hallway width at three feet, but four is better. Wide hallways make room for wheelchairs and walkers and also feel luxurious. The downside of a wide hallway is that it takes space from adjacent rooms.

If you prefer standard-width hallways, at least consider wide interior doors. A three-foot width is just a few inches wider than a standard interior door, but it's more accessible and simplifies the moving of furniture.

Looking great. Aging eyes will appreciate more light and better contrast between surfaces, but these elements also make for more appealing spaces. A good interior designer can make sure they're done right.

Also consider low pathway lights to illuminate stair treads and certain floor surfaces. Besides reducing the chance of falls, they help everyone get around after dark without turning on the main lights.

Other possibilities. There are plenty of additional touches to make a home work better for all who live there. For instance, an induction cooktop stays cool to the touch even when turned on, which means that old and young alike are less likely to get burned. Hard surface floors are easier than carpet for a wheelchair to navigate, and they lessen the chance of dust and mites.

The point is to bring accessibility into the discussion, even if you don't include all these elements in the final design. That open-mindedness is a hallmark of good planning.