Neighborhoods, schools, taxes, proximity to work, and special interests are just a few of the reasons why you may desire to adapt your home to your changing lifestyle instead of selling and buying another home.
Additions and home renovations are a very good solution to get that extra area you may be in need of, or to just transform your existing home into your ideal home. When considering an addition, homeowners typically think of adding a room to the existing footprint of the home; however, local building standards may restrict or make it difficult for a main floor addition for several reasons. Property line setbacks, previous requirements, water retention, tree issues, and septic systems are some of the most common deterrents you may face. Unfortunately, when homeowners are faced with such obstacles, they become discouraged and decide to table the whole idea of adding on when there may be a very appealing alternative they may not have considered – the addition of a second story.
Naturally, as with any type of renovation in the very surroundings where you eat and sleep daily, you can expect some inconveniences. The addition of a second story has both favorable and unfavorable considerations, but the advantages are definitely more significant.
To begin with, let’s take a look at some of the disadvantages of adding a second floor. In most situations, there will be a need to move out of the home due to the amount of demolition and the possibility of exposure to the weather. Generally speaking, this type of addition will require a renovation of the existing main floor to some extent. You can expect to incur additional costs such as moving expenses, rent, and storage of your belongings. An experienced builder can coordinate and arrange the construction schedule to add the second story and minimize the time you would need to relocate to another area of the home or move out of the home entirely.
Adding a second story has many desirable aspects. A second story offers the ability to maintain setback requirements with minimal effect on the percentage of impervious surfaces allowed on the lot. Impervious surfaces are those areas that would not percolate, resulting in water run-off. In addition to stormwater management, the impervious limitations set by the city protect vegetation, trees, and landscaping. A second story also conserves square footage of the lot area for desired future additions such as pools, gardens, or other landscaping and outdoor living options. It also provides the opportunity to increase main floor ceiling heights from the dated 8’ ceilings to the modernized 10’ or 12’ ceilings.
Naturally, adding the second story will incorporate a stairway. Through the services of Stair Masterz professional design team and their selections of different finishes, Stair Masterz can highlight any interior decor. This type of an addition makes for convenient energy improvements to the home’s heating and cooling system and attic insulation. This results in improved indoor air quality, a more comfortable home, and a savings to your monthly operating costs.
Another aesthetic advantage to adding a second story is the curb appeal it furnishes. For example, a second story addition to the traditional ranch style home naturally transforms the front elevation of the home. It is important to consider the future outer appearance of your home when you are contemplating a second story addition. What do you visualize or hope for your home to look like? You will need to keep this in mind because there are varieties of new exterior options which are now available that can transform your home’s character and enhance its curb appeal, grabbing the spotlight in your neighborhood.
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