An ankle break suffered by Nancy Herhold several years ago made her appreciate the convenience of one-level living.

She and her husband, Don, started talking about what they would do if one of them was confined to a wheelchair or using a walker.

“What would happen if we had stairs,” Mrs. Herhold said. “We wanted something all on one level.”

Their Spring City house is about 2,500 square feet of interior space, with another 2,500 square feet of covered porches and three garages. It has a large, central great room and kitchen, two bedrooms and baths, a bonus room and office.

Right down to the levered door handles on all interior doors as well as the seven exterior doors offering entry from every room to the expansive wraparound covered porch overlooking the lawn, lake and dock, the home complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Doorways and hallways are wider than normal to accommodate wheelchair traffic.

“One thing I insisted on was having the counters a few inches higher,” Mr. Herhold said. “It’s better for your back. You don’t have to bend over.”

The only stairs are on the back of the house leading to the dock and a natural area filled with nesting great blue herons, deer and other animals native to the area.

“We can add ramps back there when the time comes,” Mr. Herhold said.