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This project consists of the demolition of an existing on grade addition to a classic four square home built in 1912. The present single story addition was built on grade with only posthole footings. It accommodated a side entrance to the house, stairs leading to the kitchen, and modified stairs leading to the basement. Due to the nature of the construction being on grade with a dirt floor, water came into the foundation of the remaining original basement with each rain.

The Owners objectives included elimination of the moisture problem, installation of a full 11 course basement, expand the kitchen to include remodeling of the existing kitchen, enlarge the dining area, create a family room out of the formal dining room, create an entrance at the rear of the new addition with a mud room that contained ample closet space, and a second story master bedroom with an office for the home owner that offices out of the house. All of these improvements were to be made so as to be indiscernible in every detail that this was not an addition in any respect, inside or out. The caveat was that the owner wanted as little exterior maintenance as possible and challenged us to utilize alternative building products to meet this end.

The existing addition was removed. The plans called for a modest increase in the footprint of the new addition. Concrete was saw cut and removed. Excavation for a full basement required going 2 feet below the existing basement floor to allow for 11 courses of block. Subsequently, new drain tile and a sump pump system was installed in the new addition and connected to the existing drain tile of the house.

The framing of the addition actually consists of 4 individual levels, the basement, the mudroom, 1 ~ floor, and the second story master bedroom. Additionally, after the original Proposal was accepted the owner elected the option of adding a gas, direct vent, fireplace to be installed in the new family room where the dining room buffet existed thus requiring additional demolition, reframing of window openings, and extensive plaster, and finish carpentry work.

Matching the existing exterior conditions of this 88-year-old home was as much of a challenge as was finding low maintenance building materials that would achieve the look. The home has extensive trim detail that only could be crafted out of natural products however, the 3" exposure clap board siding and the cedar shake siding on the second story are comprised of vinyl on the addition. It was an acceptable compromise for the Owner. The "cedar shake look" vinyl is specially formulated to accept paint that was blended to match the green shake on the rest of the house and the 3" vinyl on the lower floor was installed so that there are no butted seams and it maintains the appearance of conventional wood siding. Adding to the illusion, a strategically placed down spout conceals where the addition adjoins the rest of the house on the north elevation. In every respect from the exposed rafter tails, beaded soffit with crown moldings, frieze board, 5/4 casings, and beaded corner boards it is a dead on match with the rest of the house.

With this much attention to detail on the outside the inside would entail more of the same. Multi piece baseboard and casing existed throughout. The window easing all incorporated a crown molding with egg and dart details, the newel post and balustrade leading up to the kitchen is an exact reproduction of the existing balustrade for the second floor. The heating is cast iron baseboard heaters and crown molding is everywhere.

The owners had previously remodeled the kitchen with white cabinetry. All of the existing cabinetry was reused in the remodel and new cabinetry was installed to match the existing for the 3-time increase in space. New counters, an island with granite, new sink and faucet, and the addition of cabinet hardware were included as part of the project. A separate work area at the back of the dining area was installed for a family organization/work center. The powder room is conveniently located at the top of the stairs off of the dining area.

Finally, the buffet was removed from the old formal dining room and the gas fireplace with a custom fabricated mantle and surround was installed in its place. This new addition adds approximately 720 square feet to the home including the new basement.

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