MIL moving in need to put addition without Tying into Roof
reynica young
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
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Mark Bischak, Architect
10 months agolast modified: 10 months agoRelated Discussions
'Green' Roofs Could Help Put Lid On Global Warming
Comments (39)Actually, I must continue to disagree as well:-) I don't think you are aware of the facts behind this technology nor how rapidly it is progressing and becoming commonplace. Seattle is by no means on the forefront of green roof activity - we are well behind Portland and Vancouver BC in this regard - but the real hotbed of activity is in the midwest. Chicago has more green roofs than any other US city - over 200 and covering more than 2.5 million square feet. Dearborn, MI has the largest, 10.4 acres covering the Ford Motor Company truck plant. Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Raleigh NC, Atlanta, New York City and Toronto are all very active green roof areas as well. And then of course there are the dozens of green roofs scattered across California, both commercial and residential. This is not an isolated movement nor is it a flash in the pan technology. Modern green roofs have at least a 30 year history in this country. There is a very active and increasingly growing community of architects and contractors specializing in this approach and scores of companies dedicated to the technology and materials to build and plant living roofs - a simple search through Google will turn up literally hundreds of them. One of the incentives that stir this on is the same you claim to be a deterrent - the downturn in the economy has made it even more appropriate to pursue this technology. Initial costs may be higher to design and install a living roof compared to a conventional roofing system, but this is easily offset by the extended lifespan, the lower maintenance and the energy savings realized over the life of the structure - an investment in a living roof actually saves money....See MoreDream Addition: What Would You Put In?
Comments (46)We are putting on an addition about 1500 sq ft. Dream? Well, not to anyone but us. We are a family of 5, soon to be 6 - my dad will be moving in part time - and we live in a less than 1500 sq ft 3 bed/2 bath home, no basement, with bedrooms the size of some of your closets. I do "dream" about or lose sleep over thinking about the house. Here's what we're doing... adding a 2nd story to our home which will include a master bedroom, bath and walk-in closet, 2 bedrooms for the kids (boys will share), playroom and kids bathroom current bedrooms on 1st floor will become... office/guest room off of foyer workout room dad's bedroom/den - he sleeps in a recliner since he broke his hip back in 93 so it's a multi purpose room for him - man has nine lives losing our garage and turning it into a rec/entertainment/family room - since we don't have a basement. It's filled with mostly workout equipment which will go in the new workout room. I'm thinking about making it a step down. adding a mudroom, extra closets and a 1/2 bath off the back of the house. So happy not to have kids slip sliding through the house after coming out of the pool, or trapsing dirt all through the house to get to the bathroom. adding a new small kitchen 15 x 15 with a big pantry We have waited a looooong time to do this. Did basically nothing to the house since we bought it. Just outside. I can't wait for my kids to have their own space to get rowdy inside the house when it's too cold to go outside, and for me to actually be able to turn around in a room with a laundry basket without bumping into something. It's enough to make me nuts!! Our addition is planned to start in March/April, and I can't wait!!!!!...See Morefeedback on kitchen layout for MIL’s house post-fire
Comments (14)Sarah, you are wonderful! Thank you!! Lots to think about. I think you may be on to a great idea... would keeping the layout basically the same but have the range across from the sink instead? And just have seating on the end. I do like the galley but don’t think she will. And I don’t think she will want to split up the window and put the range there. I think she will want to keep the kitchen shape as is. And good thought about handicap accessible. I suggested the same thing to her yesterday! She is about 72. But says she only plans to live there a few years, then sell. I don’t know why!? I want to live there! I’ll draw another option with the island turned. And I’ll increase the aisle too. I agree and suggested it be bigger. She doesn’t really entertain much. And doesn’t cook much. But may have as many of 4 over at a time. She has 2 grandkids. And good idea re: the dishwasher. And good catch re: trash!! Would you keep the microwave drawer where I have it? Thanks so much!! I’ll work on this some more....See MoreGarage & Mudroom Addition - Design Feedback Needed
Comments (49)@3onthetree I'll attach the 2nd story plan below. Another thing that can't be commented on is the 2nd floor. I assume the area over the Mudroom will be designated for the Bedroom's bath and closet, which neither will have windows. The slope of the roof will reduce the available floor area of both the bedroom and bonus room. And I think you are saying even after adding the upstairs bedroom you will still have the same 4 bedrooms when you are done (by eliminating the basement bedroom?), and know that the septic is sized for #bedrooms and will remain adequate? Speaking of HVAC, you have the propane tank and septic existing off of this corner. So where is the electrical feed and panel, here too? Where is the current garage, if any? Actually the space above the mudroom / laundry is not being used as livable space. The bedroom / bonus addition are over the garage. The basement is not being extended; there will be a walk-in crawl space below the mud/laundry addition. The propane tank is being excavated and removed & converted to natural gas. Septic tank is off the back corner of the deck, with pump line running straight out to the field (see photos above). There is no current garage - original photo is the entirety of the house. Electrical panel is off walkout basement (near bedroom in basement). We will have an extra bedroom (master on main, 2 original bedrooms on 2nd floor, bedroom in basement, plus new bedroom above garage). The septic perks for 5 bedrooms and is therefore adequate (confirmed by septic company) - I still don't understand the FP. Does it only serve the 1st floor, and as it sits now you will keep it for use and it will now be located in the deadman's space between the Dining and Living? The original fireplace is super bizarre to me in that it's a woodburning fireplace that only serves the basement. Our plan is to convert it to gas logs (when they switch from propane to natural gas). This has been verified that it's no problem by 2 separate companies that service gas. We are switching from propane to natural gas because 1) we have to relocate the propane tank anyway in order to put the addition on...the tank is right where the addition is going, 2) if we have to relocate it, might as well just switch, 3) originally natural gas was not available in our area (when the house was built in the 1970s) but is now available so it makes sense to make the switch. It's an expensive proposition due to the fact the house sets back several acres from the main road, but I think it's worth it in the long run. - The amount of fill approaching 4' deep under a garage slab is concerning (and expensive) if it is not done correctly, and usually it isn't by residential contractors. Having a deeper hole from the propane tank to fill even adds to the potential failure of your slab. I am really worried about this as well. The contractor is currently reaching out to companies that specialize in this. But I'm open to other design ideas that would prevent this from being necessary. I am genuinly not at all attached to the floor plan as drawn but haven't been able to come up with a viable solution. I am willing to move septic IF the design is something I'm in love with. - Things like removing brick, matching brick, installing beams, fill compaction, etc that the contractor has said "not a problem," well, he/she's sorta correct as anything can be done depending on how much money you throw at it. However, the contractor is not so concerned with your cost and how those things affect the layout at this stage, if ever. All brick is being painted white to 1) prevent need to match closely and 2) because I don't like red brick (just personal preference), 3) trying to modernize the house a tad bit. We've given them our all-in budget and they said it's no problem but I won't lie I'm nervous. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your help!!! This is the biggest investment of our lives and I don't want to mess it up. Edit: floor plan didn't attach, edited to add it 2nd Floor: Basement:...See Morereynica young
10 months agoMark Bischak, Architect
10 months agoreynica young
10 months agoreynica young
10 months agolast modified: 10 months agoMark Bischak, Architect
10 months agoDeWayne
10 months agoPatricia Colwell Consulting
10 months agolast modified: 10 months agoJennz9b
10 months ago
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