Home addition: Its Different Types and benefits

As families continue to expand in the California area, they are outgrowing their home space. What is even worse is that some of these families are deciding to grapple with the little space they cannot fit in or are considering remodeling their entire houses. Other families are even considering moving to larger houses which is a recipe for accrued construction, and architectural and structural design costs. However, a home addition can breathe a new life and space into a family residence at a minimal cost. Home addition is just what the phrase asserts is: adding to a home. It is the most appropriate way to add more space to a home without being compelled to sell it, buy a bigger one or remodel it entirely.

Need for a Home Addition Expert

Despite the necessity for more space for a family, one may only want more space for recreation, renting, and other different functions. What’s more, the additions come in various forms and sizes. One may decide to build outwards, upwards, or downwards from the home structure in existence. Therefore, depending on what a person hopes to achieve with a home addition project, it is necessary to seek an architectural design consultant or structural engineer to help with the questions about the home addition cost, arrangement, family needs, architectural and structural design, specific materials, planning, etc. The architectural designer or structural engineer will help bring clarity to the home addition project, which may be the most valuable asset one brings to the table.

Want to talk to an expert directly? Contact us!

Advantages of a Home Addition

While many families across California opt to move to bigger houses or remodel the entire house, others make the most of the many benefits home additions offer. The following are some of the most valuable advantages of home additions.

• Additional Space:

Among the main reasons, a majority of homeowners build home additions is to increase indoor living space. Whether one adds a small addition or a simple living room, a home addition is an economical way to provide the extra space needed. Besides, it significantly increases the usable square footage of a home.

• Additional Income:

Homeowners can as well rent out a home addition. Whereas the home may become overcrowded, some homeowners are deciding to rent out their home additions to compensate for the costs incurred during construction. Though it is not a commonly followed route for home additions, it is indeed a route that can be overlooked given the current era.

• Increase in Value:

It is necessary to note that not all home additions increase a home’s value in the same way. For instance, the remodeling of a basement can improve the home’s value, along with its efficiency and comfort while other additions only add value. However, working with a team of experts, e.g., architectural designers and structural engineers can generate the best possible outcome.

• Cheaper than Moving:

If a person is leaving in a house that s/he sees him/herself living in for a long time, but recognizes that lacks the necessary space, then a home addition is a great option. Rather than moving out of a home one loves, one can add some rooms instead.

• Room for Family & Friends:

For people who expect their families to expand or know that their house may become a place where friends or relatives prefer to stay on various occasions, home additions may offer the extra bedrooms and space required for guests.  Or if they have parents who need to downsize and they desire to keep them near, adding a well-designed in-law apartment could be sufficient.

Types of Home Additions

There are many distinct types of home additions that people from the California area can select to fit their personal touch. And they can be designed by architects and structural engineers to stand out or match their desires. Understanding the different kinds of home additions can, therefore, help people picture home additions as well as imagine the way they can fit into their lives. The following list and description of home additions that can be built in the California area.

• California Room

The first type of home addition is the California room. It is an outdoor space that boasts indoor amenities just like a porch but is more luxurious. It is increasingly becoming a prevalent feature in contemporary homes, especially in warmer climates. Therefore, given the favorable weather in most of California, a California room may be an exciting way to bring the outdoors in and the indoors out. Such addition is linked to the main house using sliding glass doors. However, contrary to a patio, it has a ceiling as well as two or more walls. Typically, a California room is lavishly appointed and blends the outdoors serenity with indoor comfort.

• Sunroom Additions

Sunrooms are spacious and usually look good irrespective of where they are put. A sunroom addition may as well be a Huge Family Room. The roofing, as well as siding in existence, is matched with the current home and a sunroom is built off the preferred existing external wall with a crawl space footing.

• Dormer Addition

Designers may create space by adding a rear or front dormer addition. Architects and structural engineers are the ones who design such home additions.  They give a home’s upper floor(s) more flexibility and space. A front dormer often provides a household with excellent curb appeal. However, it also allows more entry of light and increases the circulation of air on the upper floor(s). The existing roof is cut in the section where the dormer addition is built. A dormer is then framed to the owner’s custom specifications.

• Bump Out

Instead of constructing an entirely new room, many house owners fancy building bump-outs. Bump-outs are when you extend existing rooms to give more space. Homeowners may make small kitchens large enough for islands, semi bathrooms sufficient for a shower installation, or make cramped dining rooms big to accommodate more guests comfortably. Builders usually build bumps out with their roof structure to avoid tampering with the structures that are in existence.

• Room Addition

In this case, entirely new rooms, whether kitchens, living rooms, or bathrooms, are built onto the existing structures. A new room plus one, for instance, a bathroom attached to a master bedroom can even be added. As such, additional wiring, plumbing and HVAC may be needed depending on what is added.

• Garage Conversion

One may decide to construct a freestanding garage separate from the old garage attached to the house. In such a case, a garage conversion may be a good idea. A garage conversion is when the attached garage is ready to become an additional room within the home. The process involves HVAC systems installation, finishing floors and walls, insulating. It also needs adding design features to unify the garage with the rest of the house. Garage conversions work well as guest rooms, hobby rooms, or small apartments.

Conclusion

Home additions are among the many ways people can convert their current abode into their dream homes. Besides, having a variety of options to choose from, home additions are cheaper than most remodeling works. They are also more affordable in comparison to relocating. However, you should notice that adding a room to a house doesn’t automatically translate to more usable space or increase the value of a home. You should plan for a home addition. Then you should design, and put in place in such a way it matches the existing home’s flow and layout. Therefore, the best way to achieve the desired outcome for home addition is to seek guidance from experts like an architect, interior designer, and structural engineers.

Need help with your home addition? Contact us!