The addition we built on the existing home of a young family in need of more living space included a family room, dining room, and bonus room.
Foundation Work
Our addition project began with excavating next to the house for the foundation, then wooden forms were constructed to support a poured concrete slab. The layout and construction of concrete forms is important, since they have to hold back the weight of the concrete and provide a level top to screed the surface smooth after it’s poured.
When the concrete had set, pressure treated wall plates were bolted to the slab. Since the house is in a hurricane prone area, threaded rods were also installed from the slab through the top of each wall to provide continuous tie down support.
Wall and Roof Framing
Next the walls were framed up on the ground, then lifted in place and toenailed to the bottom wall plates. The ridge board from the existing roof was extended out over the addition, and the rafters nailed to it.
Plywood roof sheathing was nailed to the rafters, then covered with 15-pound building felt to keep water out of the addition until the roofing could be installed. The exterior walls of the addition were also covered with plywood sheathing followed by housewrap.
Matching Wood Trim and Bricks
To match the addition to the existing house, the same rough sawn cedar was used for the soffit, fascia, and board and batten gables as is on the existing house. The wood was then stained to match the rest of the house.
Matching the bricks and mortar color on an addition to the existing house can be difficult, if the bricks are not readily available. It may require trips to several brickyards and salvage stores to find a match.
Interior Construction
Next, the crew began work on the interior. After the electrician had roughed in the wiring and insulation was installed in the walls, the drywall was hung and finished.
Next came the trim molding and installation of the interior door units, followed by laying 12”x12” tile floors throughout the addition.
Foundation Drainage
The floor on one end of the addition was below the grade of the lot, so a retaining wall was built and the area next to the house sloped downhill to prevent water from seeping into the addition.
Perforated drainage pipes were installed next to the house and covered with landscape fabric and limestone gravel. The buried pipes run down to the street to channel any rainwater away from the house.
Finished Addition Project
The finished addition is a big improvement to the house. The new dining room, family room, and bonus room—which serves as a guest bedroom and home office—add much needed living space to the home.
Due to our careful matching of bricks and trim, the exterior of the addition blends perfectly with the existing house.
Further Information
- Family Addition Project (video)
Other Tips from This Episode
Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
Tile Drilling Trick
Drilling into tile with a carbide tipped masonry drill bit can be difficult since the bit tends to wander on the slick, glazed tile surface. Before drilling into tile, start by applying two overlapping pieces of painter’s masking tape to the tile in an “X” pattern. The rough surface of the masking tape will give the drill bit something to grab onto, and prevent it from wandering while drilling.
Best New Products with Danny Lipford:
Levolor Magnetic Café Curtain Rods
Attaching curtain rods to cover the glass on a metal entry used to require drilling into the door to attach the rod, but thanks to Levolor magnetic café curtain rods, it just got a lot easier. Simply thread the curtain on the rod, position the rod where you want it on the door above and below the glass, and the powerful magnets on the rod do the rest. Levolor magnetic café curtain rods are available at The Home Depot.
Around the Yard with Tricia Craven Worley:
Hot Water Weed Killer
Pouring boiling hot water over weeds in cracks on driveways and sidewalks is a chemical free way of ridding hard surfaces in your yard of weeds. Simply heat the water to boiling in a pot, then pour it over the weeds. Hot water can cause less damage to surrounding plants than chemical week killers, which can run off and kill grass and other plants. Don’t use hot water to kill weeds in your yard, however, since it may kill any grass or plants around the weed as well.
