When Chad Norton and his wife were planning a new home for their family, a combined shop-house offered a lot of appeal.
“We met with Morton Buildings because they have a good reputation and quality products,” Norton said. “We looked at shop-houses on their website, which provided a good understanding of what the final outcome would be.”
The 5,000-square-foot facility, located in Okeana, Ohio, sits on a 5-acre lot. Morton built the shop and insulated shell of the post-frame house, and Norton subcontracted the home’s interior work.
Norton owns a nearby convenience store and uses the shop to store his trucks, trailers, tools and equipment. He enjoys the efficiency of having the shop connected to his residence. The family previously lived in nearby Harrison, Ohio. For storage, he used two family-owned barns about 15 minutes from the home.
He also likes the shop design. “It has large, double garage doors for easy access, a high ceiling and plenty of room to maneuver. I don’t have to worry about bumping into anything or scratching equipment.”
The three-bedroom home features a spacious, open design, including a large upstairs loft area. “The house is great for entertaining, and our two young daughters like to ride their scooters around inside,” Norton said.
Exterior décor elements include rooftop cupolas, a wraparound porch, an eyebrow overhang and stone wainscot. A recent addition to the property was a freestanding pavilion that includes a hot tub and fireplace.
Norton said the working relationship with Morton was fantastic. “They’re a great company to work with. I would use them again for any future project.”
