Home Addition

If you’re a homeowner who wants to expand your living space, a home addition might be the perfect solution for you. It can provide a bigger kitchen, an extra bedroom, or a larger bathroom, making your house more comfortable and spacious.

There are several types of home additions available, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. From modest attic or basement expansions to elaborate conventional additions requiring excavation, additional siding, and roofing, there’s something to suit every budget and style.

Here’s some basic information on six common types of additions that can give you more living space. Consider these factors when choosing the best one for you and your home.

Attic/Basement Conversion

If you want to add more space without increasing the footprint, consider converting your basement or attic into usable space. This cost-effective renovation can recoup its investment through added real estate value. However, please note that specific structural requirements must be met for converting these spaces. Basements must be dry, and attics must have adequate insulation, ventilation, and egress exits for any sleeping areas.

Conventional House Addition

A conventional house addition is a multi-room structure permanently attached to your existing house. It can include areas like a great room, dining room, family room, bathroom, guest bedroom, or primary bedroom. However, it’s rare for an addition to include a kitchen.

Keep in mind that major additions have the same building codes and permit requirements as new home construction. This means you’ll need to consider extensive excavation, foundation work, and subcontractors for wiring, plumbing, and HVAC service. With proper design, a house addition can seamlessly blend with your existing home and create an entirely new living space. Additionally, an addition that includes all the necessary features could qualify as an attached accessory dwelling unit (AADU) if you’re looking for independent living space.

Room Addition or Bump Out

If you need a new room, a room addition or bump out is the perfect solution. Whether you need a new bedroom or bathroom, this type of addition can meet your needs. However, it’s essential to ensure the design complies with the recommended building codes and permits. A properly designed house addition can seamlessly blend with your existing home and create a whole new living space. Also, an addition with all the necessary features can qualify as an attached accessory dwelling unit (AADU) for independent living.

Sunroom

A sunroom is an addition to the side of the house that usually serves as a supplemental living area. You can typically close off sunrooms from the main part of the house using doors.

Sunrooms are smaller than full-size additions and are often made of pre-fabricated materials like aluminum and thermal-resistant glass, which are assembled on-site. In some cases, sunrooms are stick-built using lumber, concrete, and other materials, resulting in a solidly built living area that matches the existing house visually.

Garage

Consider converting your garage into a comfortable living area. With a few modifications, such as adding flooring, a solid wall, and a ceiling, your unused garage can transform into a cozy living room or bedroom. If you’re interested in a full accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with a kitchen and bathroom, consider creating an attached ADU (AADU) while building a new detached garage on your property. Converting your garage is an affordable and attractive option since many foundational elements like walls, subfloors, and roofs are already in place. Some garages may even have drywall already installed, reducing the number of tasks you need to complete.

Tiny House or DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit)

For those looking to create a separate living space or generate additional rental income, a detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) is the perfect solution. DADUs, also known as backyard cottages, tiny houses, guesthouses, granny pods, or granny flats, add extra space to your property without being physically attached to your primary residence.

The ADU movement is gaining momentum, with many communities relaxing restrictions on building additional structures on traditional properties. DADUs have become an increasingly popular choice as they provide more living space for families to live together harmoniously and can be rented out to offset mortgage costs.