4 Types of Home Additions

There are often instances when homeowners desire space for reasons. It could be due, to a growing family, evolving lifestyles or simply a desire to enhance the functionality and appearance of their homes. This is where home additions prove to be valuable. Now lets delve into the types of home additions and explore what sets each one apart.

1. Conventional House Addition

When building a traditional home addition, it often involves constructing a new structure with multiple rooms that can be easily accessed from the original house. With careful planning and consideration of the existing architecture and design, the addition can seamlessly blend in and expand the living space, resulting in a harmonious and roomy living experience.

You have the freedom to choose from a variety of room options when considering an addition for your home, such as a dining room, great room, guest bedroom, family room, bathroom, or even a spacious master bedroom. While many homeowners may shy away from the idea of a kitchen addition, as it is usually unnecessary to have more than one kitchen, it can be a beneficial undertaking if you are looking to expand your existing kitchen. In fact, adding a practical room that serves a specific function can be a clever solution for smaller homes in need of extra space.

2. Room Addition or Bump Out

A room addition, as its name implies, is a standalone room constructed next to an already existing house. Its purpose is singular, such as serving as a home office.

In contrast, a bump-out is a scaled-down version of a full-scale home addition. It allows for smaller projects, like expanding the kitchen to accommodate a dining table or adding a new nursery near the master bedroom on the upper floor. These additions not only add space but also alter the overall appearance of the house, requiring a new roofline and exterior materials.

Despite being less expensive than a complete home addition, they still come with their own cost, including adhering to building codes, zoning laws, and obtaining necessary permits, similar to other home retrofitting projects.

3. Sunroom Addition

A sunroom is often seen as an opulent addition rather than a practical one, with its external plush doors setting it apart from the main house.

These structures have a transient nature and can be put together on-site using materials such as aluminum, glass, and pre-fabricated components. As a result, they can have a distinct appearance from the rest of the home.

Due to their temporary nature, sunrooms typically lack the amenities of a traditional living space, such as a bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom. Instead, they are commonly used as leisure areas or as a greenhouse. Additionally, the absence of heating and cooling systems contributes to the affordability of constructing a sunroom.

4. Garage Addition

To put it simply, a garage conversion project involves transforming garage space into a functional living area. By installing proper flooring, ceilings, and replacing the garage doors with sturdy walls, the garage can be transformed into a cozy living room or bedroom based on your needs.

Since the essential components such as walls, roofs, and foundations are already in place, the process of converting a garage into a livable space is relatively straightforward. In most cases, the existing structural elements provide a solid foundation, and basic necessities like electricity and windows are already present.