Adding A Second Story To Your Home

The first step to planning a second story addition is making sure your home can support the additional space and that local residential zoning codes allow such significant additions. A professional, licensed contractor can work with you and talk with city officials for you to procure the permits necessary.The second step is hiring an engineer to inspect the foundation and structure of the house to ensure it will be ale to support the additional weight. A plumber and electrician should also be consulted: you will undoubtedly need electricity in your second story addition, and if there will be more than one room a bathroom is also a good idea. Once you have these expert opinions the real planning can begin.

Before starting the plan for your second story addition, there are a few things that need to be done. First, contact your city and ensure local zoning and building codes allow for second story additions (a licensed contractor can do this for you). Second, contact an engineer for a foundation inspection. You must ensure your foundation and the supporting walls will be able to handle the weight of a second story, even if it's just a room or two. Third, consult a plumber if you want to add a bathroom (which is a good idea if there will be more than one room) and an electrician for your lighting. Once these professional consultations are complete you can begin the real planning.

One of the biggest benefits that building up has over building out is it can be less expensive when the foundation and supporting walls are solid. A second benefit is building up keeps the back and front yards intact and allows you to make the most of your space, truly adding on, rather than converting land. Third, an addition allows you to assess the style of your home and potentially change it, especially if your addition will be visible from the street.

A caveat to second story additions, however, is the house is largely unlivable during construction because the roof must be removed. Plan your addition during the summer when there's little or no chance or rain or other inclement weather, and possibly during a time when you and the family will be out of town or be able to make other arrangements.

Second story additions are perfect for families with growing kids, live-in parents or frequent visitors, but they can also be ideal for households that require space for activities and hobbies. The design of your second story will be 100% yours and can be used in any number of ways. Your second story addition offers an enhanced feeling of pride and ownership in your home, which is something that can't be found anywhere else.

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Conservatories, Orangeries, and Summer Houses: Functions

These rooms and small structures are popular in colder or temperate climate countries like New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and most of Europe, and the United States. These rooms serve a variety of purposes, including offices, playrooms, living rooms, entertainment centers, and dining rooms, among other functions.

Conservatories are made of various materials like hardwood, PVC, or glass. The entire framework of a typical conservatory is hardwood, treated soft wood, or PVC and is closed by double-glazed glass panels all throughout. Conservatories come in various designs and sizes and are usually built according to a client's specifications. Various architectural styles include Georgian, Victorian, antique, and classic. Oftentimes, hardwood framing is preferable to PVC because hardwood is durable and ecologically-friendly.

Clients prefer orangeries to conservatories. An orangery is a substantial extension than a conventional conservatory. An orangery is best for certain types of buildings and can even be granted planning permits in a conservation zone. Orangeries are becoming popular and are becoming the preferred alternative for contemporary glazed extensions. Wooden orangeries have a timeless elegance to a place and add aesthetic value.

A summer house is different from a conservatory or orangery, but their functions are basically the same. Summer houses is used as a place for relaxation during the summer or warm weather. A typical summer house is a small, timber, roofed building and is perched on a wooden deck. They can also be built in a park or garden. Summer houses use interlocking tongue and groove timbers, resulting in a secure and strong structure. A typical cabin also has styrene-glazed Georgian doors and windows that allow daylight to filter.

Timber built conservatories, orangeries and summer houses add coziness to properties. A conservatory, orangery, or summer house - more importantly - is a place for recreation and allows its occupants to commune with nature.

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What Type of Orangery Would Suit You?

Our individual requirements mean that, like anything, a variety of orangery designs are required to meet everyone's needs. Orangery styles vary widely, meaning that whether you're a mother, child, professional who works from home, or an elderly person, there's an orangery for you.

Professionals The contemporary orangery design can be the perfect type to suit the wide variety of people who work part, or full time from home. Unlike many of the offices we are used to working in, professionals from home can enjoy a wonderfully light and airy place of work with an orangery. Contemporary orangeries not only look modern and stylish, they also mean that you get plenty of sunlight, even during those darker stages of the year.

By investing in a high quality orangery for your workspace you can benefit from a light but secluded area that's conducive for efficient work.

Orangeries provide great insulation as well as an array of heating properties, including under floor heating and great double glazing qualities. This ensures a comfortable place to work during the colder months, just as much as during the wonderful summer time.

Parents Those who have children will find an orangery of great benefit for a number of reasons. People with children often use the orangery as a great place of respite and quiet when things get a little too much. By turning your extension into a place of quiet and concentration you can get away from the squabbles, bangs of loud toys and the pace of life. Having your own particular place to unwind can be great for your mental happiness and your own peace of mind.

Others find that turning the orangery into a playroom and a place for children can also make family life all the more enjoyable. Children love having all their items in one place and so will you, as it means they aren't scattered throughout the home. The bright setting also makes the whole area all even more suitable. In the summer months of course you can leave the doors open, allowing them to play in between the garden and orangery.

Older People For elderly folk the orangery can be the perfect place for relaxation, pondering and leisure activities. The fact orangeries have a fantastic mix of heating, blinds and glazed windows, yet allow you a fantastic view of the outside world, make them wonderful places to spend some time.

Traditional orangeries have a classic element that may be aesthetically appealing and are great places to indulge in your hobbies, as well as to enjoy your gardening activities from. In colder months, a great orangery, comfortable chair and engrossing book are the perfect pastime.

Orangeries offer everyone some excitement and enjoyment and so should be considered for those looking for extra space, more light, and another room in their home.

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Custom Home Design Tips: Choosing the Right Designer

Whether or not you have already purchased a lot that your custom home plans must be designed around, following the tips we've gathered below will ensure that your custom home designs will produce the house of your dreams.

1. Establish excellent communication.

Poor communication can ruin a set of custom house plans. For instance, if your architect doesn't really understand what you want in your custom home designs, you could end up with a custom built home that you don't actually enjoy. Alternatively, you could be shocked to see your "custom" plan in a new housing development. (Some architects turn their best custom plans into generic, widely available floor plans.) Avoid both of these unsavory outcomes by clearly outlining what your custom home plans should include, and whether or not you're comfortable with your custom design being tweaked into a universal house plan.

2. Choose a designer with experience working with similar properties.

If you've already purchased the land for your dream home, ensure that your designer has background in working with your type of property. For instance, while a steeply sloped lot often offers up the best views, it also poses unique design challenges.

3. Check that your architect has liability insurance.

Accidents do happen - that's why insurance was invented. If something doesn't come out right in your custom home design, liability insurance can cover rebuilding costs or other unanticipated expenses. Professional engineers and designers carry insurance to defend their customers against expensive errors. Make sure your custom home plans come from a designer with liability insurance.

4. Zoom in on the details.

A complete set of custom home plans will include enough information to facilitate construction. Contractors must be able to quickly find details on dimensions, materials, and building techniques. Unclear floor plans will bring all sorts of problems. Expensive errors often occur because contractors can't read or find the necessary details on a set of custom home plans. The last thing you want is a carpenter or plumber making guesses as to what your custom home designs intend. Work with an architect that includes plenty of construction details on the home plans.

5. Ensure building code and state certification compliance.

Federal and local building legislation is always changing. If your custom home design doesn't follow these building guidelines, city officials could reject it and you'll face more expenses to bring your design "up to code." Because this is such an important issue, be up-front about it with your designer. Ask about how they ensure code compliance, and check with previous customers to make sure the city approval process went off without a hitch. One final bit of due diligence: Check that your architect or designer is professionally certified with your state. If any red flags come up during this investigation, select a different architect. Otherwise, you could be stuck with home plans that can't actually be built.

6. Select an architect whose style matches yours.

Doctors specialize in bodily systems; writers specialize in different types of communication; architects specialize in different design styles. Be sure that your designer has experience producing the type of home you prefer. For instance, if you like the Tudor style, you should choose a designer who has produced lovely custom houses in this design mode. Don't expect a Frank Lloyd Wright lover to suddenly switch to a Tuscan approach.

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How to Make Your House Look More Impressive

We would surely like all of our houses to look more impressive than the way it does right now. The good news is that there are definitely a lot of things that we can do in order to make its appearance seem better. There are a lot of things that can be done in order to achieve just that.

Here are some tips that you can use in order to make your home look more impressive than before:

1. Your move should start on the outside. Put your lawn back into shape by mowing it and cut down the dead branches on your trees and plants. That's the first thing that people would see in your house.

2. A new coat of paint can do wonders. If you can, start painting lintels and even the front door. Now, if that's something that you don't want to do then just make sure that you clean them up.

3. Leaks can ruin the look of your house because it can cause stains. Besides, it gives the general impression that a house is very poorly maintained if there are leaks in it. So fix those as well.

4. Clutter can take up space unnecessarily so get rid of as much as you can. Throw away or giveaway unused furniture and clothing. Anything that you have been hoarding that does not have any real use, should go.

5. If you're using carpets then you should have it professionally cleaned. You cannot achieve the same level of cleanliness that professional carpet cleaners can deliver and you might also stain them. A well maintained carpet can add a elegant look to your home's interior.

6. Have some new caulk in your bathroom. That would be the next best thing to having your bathroom renovated. It can lend it a new feel.

7. Lighting is a good way to enhance the look of your home. Try to use more intense lights in and around your house. A well lit place is generally more impressive than one full of shadows.

8. Give your living room that cozy and comfy feel to it by placing cushions and pillows all over the place. See to it that it has that lived in feel, but don't make it look cluttered or disorderly. You need to strike a balance.

9. Try to remove strong odors such as those produced by smoking. There are air fresheners that you can use, but a natural way is to place a bowl of vinegar in the open. That would counteract the smell.

10. Make sure that your windows are always clean and free from dust. All your efforts will go to waste once people see that you can write on your windows because of the thick dust that has collected on the surface.

11. Make sure that your kitchen and dining place are as clean as you can manage. These places have to be spotless.

These are just some of the ideas that you can follow if you want your place to look as impressive as you can manage it.

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Questions To Ask An Architect During Your Selection Process

Designing and building a house is huge commitment - both financially and monetarily - therefore taking your time to ensure you partner with the right people to guide you through the process is essential. This may be one of the biggest undertakings of your life and it can be a very stressful yet rewarding time so making sure that you have the right professional alongside you should be a decision not lightly taken.

Your architect - who will usually double as your project manager too - plays a major part in the process so to ensure you hire the right person you should conduct some interviews with prospective architects and find out whether they are someone you can work with during this demanding yet exciting time.

These are some of the questions you should ask your prospective architect during the selection process.

What qualifications and experience do you have? Whilst experience may not be the most important factor, especially as newly qualified architects may have lots of new and innovative ideas, it's also important to ensure that your architect will be able to complete your house without concern for their ability.

What do your services include? It's essential make sure you know exactly what services your architect is going to provide. This will not only make comparing the different architects easier but also you will have a clear idea of what things are included in the fee and what aren't. One architect may only include their design fee, others may also include project management. As project management of a build is an intensive part of the process, knowing how much of this is included will be important to the rest of the build.

What is your fee structure? Although cost is not everything when choosing your architect, it's important to understand what you are paying for and when payment is due. You should expect to pay a fee upfront and then progress payments during the build.

How many projects will you be managing during our build? Your architect may be talented at design and also at 'selling' themselves but if they are spread too thin, on too many projects during your building process then you may find things are not happening as they should. You should be able to sign on the dotted line and walk away confident that your architect is going to provide you with the best possible service for your money.

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