How to go about Second Story House Addition
Building a new second story addition to a house is a daunting task and among the most difficult of home additions projects. There are a lot of structural details that must be kept in mind. Things like the material used in the construction of the roof or the type of chimneys or any additional structures that might be constructed into the roof should be noted. This form of information is critical to your house addition project. Like in the case of ceiling joists, you might have to add lumber to provide additional support that will be required for the new floor of living spacey. Also, you will have to account for existing structures that either go through or rely on your ceiling for support in your new addition plans.
Many home elements like electrical wiring, and HVAC systems rest majorly in the ceiling. Your current ceiling will most probably house a large portion of your electrical and mechanical wiring and so on. That is why while planning your home additions, it is essential to keep those in mind. Building a second story addition would require extensive rewiring and you have to be careful while doing that. Adding a second story house addition will mostly likely involve the cost of upgrading your electrical service to have the capacity needed to run another floor of living space. Of course this depends on the types of rooms you are putting up there in the first place.
Depending on the type of your current ceiling, you would be required to adjust your house addition plans. It is important to note the type of roof and the kind and number of layers within it. Also note the materials that have been used in constructing these layers. This information has to be included in your plan for your home additions along with the proposed size of your second story addition project. In many cases demolition of the roof would require the family to relocate until the construction ends. Also your telephone and additional wires along the side of your house may have to be disconnected before demolition begins.
When beginning the demolition process for your home additions, commence by working on the supports that the ceiling relies on. It is best to start with the soffits. A circular saw can be used to slice off big portions of the sheathing. Make long vertical and horizontal cuts every 32 and 48 inches respectively. Remove the whole section by using a sledgehammer and pry bar. Once you are done with the sheathing move onto rafters. Cut them away from the ridge board. Slice them again into manageable sections and remove them through sledgehammers again. After removing the roof, add ¾ inch plywood or OSB as a sheathing to the joists for the new subfloor. This is the first step to your house addition project.
Before you progress further in your home additions contact your plumber and electrician to rewire or reroute the pipes and wires through the proposed layout or behind a knee wall. Install doors and windows to keep the weather elements out. Also tie nylon tarps over the structure until it is complete to protect the lower level from water damage. If you have a proper plan for your house addition then your work will be completed much quicker than if you just tried winging it.
Do you want to know more about home additions ? Please visit our website to know more about house addition plans and various things you need to keep in mind if you are planning the extension of your home.
Processing your request, Please wait....
