Types Of Home Additions

By Author: Mary Morris
Total Articles: 32
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When a home no longer fits your needs, it may be time to consider a home addition. A Home addition is a great way to add some additional living space, customize your home, and keep neighborhood ties. There are several types of home additions to choose from. Here are some ideas:

Bump-Out Addition

Bump-out additions are the perfect option for those who would benefit from slightly more square footage space. With the high costs associated with most full-sized additions, bump-out additions are a great option for those yearning for a little more space. As opposed to full additions, bump-out additions can only extend up to 3 feet away from the home and add 10 to 12 feet in width. These types of additions are best for those who want to add a little space to a particular room without reconfiguring the adjacent rooms in the home.

First Floor Addition

First floor additions are popular for homeowners who wish to have more entertainment space. This can include an extension of the kitchen, living room, or dining areas. Other options would be to build on a sunroom or formal sitting ...
... area to provide a more "private" entertainment area. More recently, there has been a spike in popularity in first floor master suites. This may be due to the desire to age in place; as well as the increasing popularity in multi-generational living situations. One thing to keep in mind about first floor additions is that they will take up some yard space, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences.

Dormer Addition

A dormer addition allows for a little extra living space on the top floor of a home with a steep roof line. Many homeowners choose to build a dormer when they are in need of more space in their home, specifically an extra bedroom, guest room, or bathroom. For example, many homeowners may buy a home that fits their needs initially; however, their needs can change as the years pass. Dormer additions can be built in several styles. Some types of dormers to consider include: gable, shed roof, and hip roof. Additionally, dormer additions can be a great way to enhance the curb appeal of your home since they add an interesting architectural element.

Second Story (or Third Story) Addition

A second story, or third story, addition is a great way to take advantage of any views and to maximize yard space. Building a second story addition can allow you to locate all bedrooms to the same floor. Our rule of thumb is to add 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms to the second floor; however, every home is different and has different requirements. We recommend researching the average number of bedrooms and bathrooms in your neighborhood prior to coming up with the final numbers. By locating the bedrooms on the second or third floor, this will most likely provide more space for the kitchen, dining, and living areas on the main floor. Hello, open concept living!

Garage Addition

Garage additions are perfect for storing your cars, tools, and other miscellaneous items. It can serve as the perfect place for a workspace. The size of a garage addition can differ greatly due to the variety of car sizes available on the market today. Garages can be built to be either attached or detached, with advantages and disadvantages for both options. Attached garages are more convenient, since they allow for easy access to the main house. On the other hand, detached garages offer more flexibility in size and location.

While the type of home addition that you built can differ greatly, so will the costs. The cost of building an addition will depend on the type of addition, size, quality of materials, the age of your home, and other factors. Overall, building an addition that you and your family will enjoy is well worth the cost.