Home Additions

Turning the unused areas of a house into practical living space is the number one way to add resale value to an existing home. Basements and garages are prime candidates for creating usable space....

A home addition is different from renovation or remodeling because additional new space is being added to an existing home. A home addition should flow well from the existing house, it should be...

With the availability of attractive outdoor patio decor including gas grills, fire pits, weatherproof upholstery and rugs, market umbrellas and wicker and iron patio furniture, the popularity of...

Your home is probably your biggest financial investment. Whether you are planning to remodel, add on or build from scratch, a general contractor will be the person responsible for your endeavor....

Adding a carport to the side of your existing house is a job that a beginning do-it-yourselfer can do. A carport will protect your car from harsh weather, provide a shading spot for an outdoor...

A sauna room can be a wonderful resource in the wintertime. In addition to offering relaxation, a sauna can be a healthy way to help the season pass more quickly. Building a sauna with a kit can...

Although wireless intercoms are becoming more popular, many people still prefer to wire their intercom system. By wiring your system you will eliminate having to frequently change the batteries....

Pool ladders can add safety and easier access to swimming pools in your home. Ladders that are not constructed and installed properly can lead to injuries and accidents. It is better to invest...

Before any construction starts on a mobile home addition, the homeowner has to file for the applicable permits. Building codes and regulations for mobile homes vary from place to place, but...

want to fix up a room in your house maybe finish the basement. This should help you out.

Wooden blinds can be the final accent piece to set off a perfect home ambiance. Choosing perfect wooden blinds can be tedious, because they not only have to satisfy your home design, but they also...

Trex decking boards--made of wood and plastic fibers--have the appearance of wood but won't splinter like wood, according to Trex.com. The manufacturer also claims Trex decking doesn't require...

Cupolas are decorative elements that you can install on a house's roof. Mimicking a bell tower or a lookout and frequently topped with a spire or a weather vane, cupolas come in a wide range of...

If you're looking for a way to improve your home's value or give yourself more space, you may want to add a garage. Traditionally, people have used garages to park their cars in, but they also can...

Wooden steps could have several problems requiring repairs, ranging from squeaking to splintering and surface damage.

The most foolproof method to secure wood to brick is with construction adhesive. You could also drill holes or use explosive fasteners, but both of those can break the brick. PL-400 is the most...

Stair stringers are the long boards underneath the stair treads that provide stability for the staircase. In a normal-width staircase there are typically three stringers, one on each side of the...

Saunas are rooms or self-contained units that are heated to around 180 degrees Fahrenheit, with 25 percent humidity, for the purpose of relaxation. Saunas are a way of life in Finland and the...

A dumbwaiter can be a very useful addition to your home. Depending on where you install it, you can transport laundry to your basement, food to your dining room, or groceries from and garbage to...

A house addition is not a one-man job and should not be attempted by a do-it-yourself beginner. Adding a room to a home requires extensive knowledge of electrical wiring, plumbing and, of course,...

Adding a garage to your home can help increase its value as well as providing you with much needed extra space. While the traditional use for a garage has been as a place to park your car, people...

Low voltage lighting has become the landscape and internal mood lighting du jour of the do-it-yourselfer. These systems are inexpensive to start with, you don't need an electrician to install them...

A barometer uses the effect of air in the atmosphere pressing down on a fluid to measure atmospheric pressure. The pressure moves the fluid by force. As a result, the fluid in a barometer rises or...

Garage additions turn a boring, cramped garage into a spacious storage area with increased functionality. Planning a garage addition takes attention to detail and an understanding of design and...

Many homeowners have a garage that is open on at least three sides. These open garages serve little purpose other than to shelter your cars from rain, sun and snow from above. The good news is...

Converting a garage or basement can be an economical way to gain additional living space in your home. However, like all major remodeling jobs, you must consider the value of your home in the...

A new garage can add value to an existing home, especially if there isn't already an existing garage. Garage kits can save money and allow the garage to be built by the homeowner. Garage kits come...

It usually costs more to install a sunroom from a factory package versus one that you design yourself. Assembling a prefabricated sunroom is usually faster, and the typical floor-to-ceiling glass...

A sun porch can go by several names, including a sun room, a patio enclosure or a screened-in patio. Sun porches are ideal for families that need that little bit of extra space but can't afford or...

In recent years, home elevators have become increasingly popular. With hundreds of ways to customize home elevator apparatus, the task of selecting the best setup at the best price can be...

The facts are in: alternative green energy techniques can save households tens of thousands in annual utilities bills, and homeowners everywhere are answering the call. By taking your power off...

An addition can increase the value of your home and add to your quality of life. It could be a bigger kitchen, another bath or bedroom, an additional living space or an in-law or rental suite....

A food storage cellar, or root cellar, is an underground room that maintains a consistent and cool temperature based on the temperature of the ground. In addition, the open dirt floor allows for...

Adding a room on to your home can create more space for a growing family, and it may help increase your home's value. Building a room addition yourself means that you do not have to spend money on...

The rough opening of a garage door opening is usually six inches wider than the width of the garage door. Before installing the garage door, the framing of the door opening needs to be finished....

When removing, modifying, or adding to your existing gas lines, it is necessary to know the exact size of the pipes of your system. Without a precise measurement you will not be able to purchase...

Garages are usually square or rectangular in shape, so laying out the foundation is very straight forward. Nevertheless, careful and detailed planning is always required because once the slab is...

Want to add extra utility to your home? An enclosed room inside of a spacious garage can serve as a workshop, storage area or hobby room. These enclosed rooms in your garage add value to your...

Adding a room to your house is an excellent way to increase its value, and the pleasure you derive from the house. One of the main steps to this is building non-load bearing interior walls.

The trusses on a shed are one of the most important pieces to design. They consist of two rafters, which will hold up the roof of the structure. After they are finished, the trusses are lifted and...

An attic bedroom offers a great way to add additional square footage and another bedroom to your house. However, because heat rises in your home, sometimes this space's height prevents it from...

Converting a garage into an apartment isn't cheap. Estimates run anywhere from $10,000 - $25,000 for a basic remodeling job, which includes closing in the garage door wall, wiring, flooring,...

Carports are an affordable alternative to adding a garage onto your home. They are lightweight and easy to assemble. The lightweight nature of carports lends them to toppling over in moderate...

Depending on the area in which you live, you may be legally able to build and add on a structure, such as a garage, in a floodplain. Some localities do not allow additions to existing structures...

A crawl space is a kind of basement which is not high enough for you to stand up completely. This height may be as little as a foot. The surface of a crawl space is normally soil. Turning your...

Having a garage is incredibly convenient, particularly in cold weather climates. But building a garage if you don't have one is costly and can set you back over $10k in constructions costs....

If you are building a room, the odds are you will have a light fixture somewhere in that room. This article will cover how to install the box for the light switch to be contained in. NOTE: this...

Your home needs a wheelchair ramp to facilitate safe entry and exit for anyone who is physically challenged. A basic ramp does not require advanced building skills. You can have a home improvement...

You can add value to your home by building a DIY screened sunroom. You can easily create this additional living space by converting an existing deck or patio. The screens in your sunroom keep the...

There are many reasons for homeowners to desire a room addition for their home: a new baby, grandparents moving in, or just for the additional space. Putting dreams to reality can be a daunting...