A new addition may be just what it takes to accommodate a changing family or special needs. You can expand a kitchen, add a bath or change your existing home into the house of your dreams.
As with any renovation, the construction of an addition requires careful planning. Before you decide to go ahead with the project, it is important to clearly identify the features you want. Just as important is a thorough inspection of the current structure so that any existing problems can be corrected.
Common Situations
Many homeowners are happy with their present location. When extra space is needed, an addition is often a more desirable alternative than moving to a different house. The size and scope of additions vary widely. A simple project may involve a larger entry area or adding a small bay onto a kitchen or living room, while larger additions can substantially increase the size of your home.
As you plan your addition, here are some important things to consider:
Size and design €" Before deciding on a new addition, evaluate whether rearranging the existing space might give you the changes you want. It is important to determine what size the addition needs to be and how it will integrate with the rest of the house. Homeowners often underestimate how much space that items like stairways require. The addition will be more appealing if the style complements the design and architectural details of your house and neighbourhood.
Fixtures €" Since the addition is essentially new construction, new fixtures may be required.
Structural problems €" The addition will often involve structural changes to the existing house, which may involve foundation considerations, roof details or the construction of openings in the existing building. As part of the work, any problems found in the existing building and foundation will have to be repaired.
Moisture €" The cause of any moisture problems in the existing house will need to be diagnosed and remedied as part of the renovation work. Existing problems can affect new areas of the building.
Plumbing and electrical €" The increased plumbing and electrical needs may exceed your existing services, requiring significant upgrades. Remember to run cables for telephone and computer connections, cable TV and security or home entertainment systems.
Heating and ventilation €" Existing heating and ventilation systems may not have adequate capacity to handle the increased demand.
Finishes €" Always pick finishes that match or complement existing finishes and are durable enough to take the wear and tear of daily use.
Zoning and regulations €" New work will have to comply with provincial building codes as well as local bylaws and zoning requirements.
Healthy Housing„
Renovating is an ideal time to make your house healthier for you, the community and the environment. When designing an addition to your home, be sure to consider the five essentials of Healthy HousingTM.
House as a System
A house is much more than just four walls and a roof €" it's an interactive system made up of many components including the basic structure, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, the external environment and the occupants. Each component influences the performance of the entire system. A renovation provides an opportunity to improve how your house performs.
An addition gives you the chance to use up-to-date, energy-efficient construction practices. These projects often require changes to HVAC equipment that can improve moisture management and air quality in the house. Some equipment such as a large volume exhaust fan can cause combustion heating appliances to backdraft. Structural changes may give you a chance to improve airtightness and insulation, resulting in increased occupant comfort and house durability.
Avoid Surprises
Once you start work on an addition, changes become costly or difficult and can lead to delays in the completion of the project. Thorough planning at the beginning will help you to develop a realistic understanding of the work to be done and the costs involved. Here are some of the likely situations that people encounter. However, it's always wise to consider hiring a qualified professional such as an engineer, architect or professional renovator to assess the structural issues.
As with any renovation, the construction of an addition requires careful planning. Before you decide to go ahead with the project, it is important to clearly identify the features you want. Just as important is a thorough inspection of the current structure so that any existing problems can be corrected.
Common Situations
Many homeowners are happy with their present location. When extra space is needed, an addition is often a more desirable alternative than moving to a different house. The size and scope of additions vary widely. A simple project may involve a larger entry area or adding a small bay onto a kitchen or living room, while larger additions can substantially increase the size of your home.
As you plan your addition, here are some important things to consider:
Size and design €" Before deciding on a new addition, evaluate whether rearranging the existing space might give you the changes you want. It is important to determine what size the addition needs to be and how it will integrate with the rest of the house. Homeowners often underestimate how much space that items like stairways require. The addition will be more appealing if the style complements the design and architectural details of your house and neighbourhood.
Fixtures €" Since the addition is essentially new construction, new fixtures may be required.
Structural problems €" The addition will often involve structural changes to the existing house, which may involve foundation considerations, roof details or the construction of openings in the existing building. As part of the work, any problems found in the existing building and foundation will have to be repaired.
Moisture €" The cause of any moisture problems in the existing house will need to be diagnosed and remedied as part of the renovation work. Existing problems can affect new areas of the building.
Plumbing and electrical €" The increased plumbing and electrical needs may exceed your existing services, requiring significant upgrades. Remember to run cables for telephone and computer connections, cable TV and security or home entertainment systems.
Heating and ventilation €" Existing heating and ventilation systems may not have adequate capacity to handle the increased demand.
Finishes €" Always pick finishes that match or complement existing finishes and are durable enough to take the wear and tear of daily use.
Zoning and regulations €" New work will have to comply with provincial building codes as well as local bylaws and zoning requirements.
Healthy Housing„
Renovating is an ideal time to make your house healthier for you, the community and the environment. When designing an addition to your home, be sure to consider the five essentials of Healthy HousingTM.
House as a System
A house is much more than just four walls and a roof €" it's an interactive system made up of many components including the basic structure, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, the external environment and the occupants. Each component influences the performance of the entire system. A renovation provides an opportunity to improve how your house performs.
An addition gives you the chance to use up-to-date, energy-efficient construction practices. These projects often require changes to HVAC equipment that can improve moisture management and air quality in the house. Some equipment such as a large volume exhaust fan can cause combustion heating appliances to backdraft. Structural changes may give you a chance to improve airtightness and insulation, resulting in increased occupant comfort and house durability.
Avoid Surprises
Once you start work on an addition, changes become costly or difficult and can lead to delays in the completion of the project. Thorough planning at the beginning will help you to develop a realistic understanding of the work to be done and the costs involved. Here are some of the likely situations that people encounter. However, it's always wise to consider hiring a qualified professional such as an engineer, architect or professional renovator to assess the structural issues.