Has your family outgrown the space in your home? Are you unhappy with your first-floor layout because you don't have a secluded family space? Are you embarrassed when guests have to pick their way between the toys on the floor or climb over toys to find a place to sit? Would you love to have a formal living room that isn't cluttered with toys and homework and computer games? Then maybe a family room addition is right for you.
Adding a family room to your home can create the perfect space for your family to actually live in. Family room additions generally are not clearly visible the moment a guest walks through the front door. They provide extra space that you can define and redefine as the needs of your family change. It is also worth considering the increase in the value of your home that would result from adding a centrally heated and cooled living space. Most people who look at homes prefer a first-floor family room. A first floor location makes the space more accessible, easier to monitor, and more functional. According to Remodeling Magazine's latest cost/value estimate, you can expect (on average) to recoup about 83% of the cost of the addition when you sell your house. This estimate can vary from one location to another, so it is a good idea to check on the local estimates.
First steps in planning your family room addition should include Assess the property (grade, easements, etc) and determine where you will build your family room addition Consider access to the new family room. If you place the addition in a particular location, how will it connect to the existing structure? What changes to the existing structure will be necessary to provide access to the new family room What changes to the existing structure will be necessary to provide access? How will this affect the functionality of the existing space If your home is on a sloped lot, how much will you need to "build up" the foundation to position the new space on the same level as the existing structure If you must "build up" how will you use the space under the new room? Is this a good space for storage? Is it something that can be finished into another usable space? Is it a place to store lawn and gardening equipment and supplies, or bicycles and other outdoor items.
What is the appropriate size of the new family room? You will want to consider not only your space needs, but also the size of the existing structure. Proportion is important, especially when considering resale value. You will need to determine the size and scale that fits and complements the existing home. Don't make it so large that it overwhelms the house or so small that it doesn't acent the rest of the house. What kind of roofline will fit into the existing roof? What kinds of roofing materials are indicated in order to match the rest of the house How will the exterior walls match or complement the rest of the exterior of the house What kind of windows and doors are appropriate in order to make the addition look like it has always been part of the house Is this an opportunity to build your addition in a way that improves the energy efficiency of your home. Should you add skylights or solar panels.
Adding a family room to your home can create the perfect space for your family to actually live in. Family room additions generally are not clearly visible the moment a guest walks through the front door. They provide extra space that you can define and redefine as the needs of your family change. It is also worth considering the increase in the value of your home that would result from adding a centrally heated and cooled living space. Most people who look at homes prefer a first-floor family room. A first floor location makes the space more accessible, easier to monitor, and more functional. According to Remodeling Magazine's latest cost/value estimate, you can expect (on average) to recoup about 83% of the cost of the addition when you sell your house. This estimate can vary from one location to another, so it is a good idea to check on the local estimates.
First steps in planning your family room addition should include Assess the property (grade, easements, etc) and determine where you will build your family room addition Consider access to the new family room. If you place the addition in a particular location, how will it connect to the existing structure? What changes to the existing structure will be necessary to provide access to the new family room What changes to the existing structure will be necessary to provide access? How will this affect the functionality of the existing space If your home is on a sloped lot, how much will you need to "build up" the foundation to position the new space on the same level as the existing structure If you must "build up" how will you use the space under the new room? Is this a good space for storage? Is it something that can be finished into another usable space? Is it a place to store lawn and gardening equipment and supplies, or bicycles and other outdoor items.
What is the appropriate size of the new family room? You will want to consider not only your space needs, but also the size of the existing structure. Proportion is important, especially when considering resale value. You will need to determine the size and scale that fits and complements the existing home. Don't make it so large that it overwhelms the house or so small that it doesn't acent the rest of the house. What kind of roofline will fit into the existing roof? What kinds of roofing materials are indicated in order to match the rest of the house How will the exterior walls match or complement the rest of the exterior of the house What kind of windows and doors are appropriate in order to make the addition look like it has always been part of the house Is this an opportunity to build your addition in a way that improves the energy efficiency of your home. Should you add skylights or solar panels.