Expand Your Home with This Smart Home Additions Ideas

 Getting home addition done is a serious commitment that has to be executed with full intelligence and smartness. If done this way, the resale value of the property will improve along with the space that would enhance. Second story additions in particular help a lot in the overall functionality and style of any kind of property. As a part of the second story addition, you can go to different areas in your home and some of them are discussed here.

Image source: https://apexalterations.com.au/

A SPARE BEDROOM

People looking for extra space for the growing family can get a spare bedroom during the home additions project. Siblings can share a bedroom when they are young and minor, but when they grow up, they search for their own space and in this situation, a spare bedroom can be very handy.

ADDITIONAL BATHROOM

A spare bedroom is incomplete without a bathroom because no one would appreciate someone coming to his room at midnight just for peeing. This bathroom could be connected to the new bedroom or it can also be a stand-alone area to use commonly.

A HOME OFFICE

The pandemic that started in 2019 made most of us work from home and now companies have allowed people to work from home, as it helps them a lot in cost cutting. As a part of the second story addition, you can get your home office built where you can work with full focus and engage in video conferencing and webinars. It's important to allow adequate natural light during the day and arrange artificial lighting in adequate quantities for the night. You can also get plenty of shelving and similar places constructed for storing books, equipment etc. All this will enhance the functionality, if they are coupled with an ergonomically designed desk. 

As a part of the home additions project, you can also think about improving outdoor living and for this, get an outdoor kitchen and outdoor entertainment area constructed. Outdoor entertaining areas are particularly more useful as they don't just enhance the resale value, but also create a comfortable and engaging space for relaxing, socialising and spending quality time with the family.

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Luxury Home Additions That Every Family Would Love

Getting new luxury home additions done can be a separate project or included in the regular home additions project only. In both ways, it is advantageous for the property as well as the family in a number of ways. These additions will come with features that will improve the functionality of your home and at the same time, make it look more luxurious. Let us go through the top additions that can make your home a home of your dreams.

Source: https://apexalterations.com.au/our-services/house-extensions/

GOURMET KITCHEN

Gourmet kitchen is the top choice of homeowners as well as chefs who are hired to prepare food for the family. A home addition company Sydney is required to get this kitchen included, but there are some questions as well that have to be answered like what kind of dishes you would like to prepare and how many people will cook. 

Then, you will also have to determine the primary function of the kitchen and once this is done, you can decide about getting a gourmet kitchen included. A gourmet kitchen will have top range appliances, island area, multiple sinks, multiple height backsplash and a spacious kitchen layout.

INDOOR SPORTS COURT

With the help of the professionals from the chosen home additions company Sydney, you can also get an indoor sport court included into the property. It will ensure that irrespective of weather conditions, you workout every day to stay fit and burn every extra calorie out of your body. Your kids will also get a spacious area to play and spend some time in leisure.

A HOME THEATRE

A home theatre is one of the most desired house additions that people love to have inside the property. This area is used by the entire family to spend some time relaxing and watching the favourite Netflix series.

Then, there are other additions as well like a wine cellar and expanded lawn or a garden that will strengthen your connection with nature and enjoy fresh air every day without restrictions.

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Factors That Influence Your Decision of Getting Second Story Built

People who have this desire to add more space to the property without extending outwards are often found confused. They don't know the solutions available, and with this problem, they seek services from a reputed home additions company. In most cases, first-storey and second-storey additions are what these companies recommend. 

The reason is that these additions give more room to live, and also, there is a vast potential of enhancing the visibility and adding significant value to the home. However, there are some factors that influence the decision to get a first-floor or second-storey extension done. Let's go through them here in this post.

THE SPACE AVAILABLE ON THE GROUND

The block size will dictate the square metres available for your extension, and this is not a secret that block sizes are shrinking every single day. People these days are having smaller blocks, according to home addition company experts, and they are happy because they don't have to maintain a garden or a lawn. This does not allow you to extend sidewards then, you will have to get the first floor or second floor constructed by your home additions company Sydney.

THE DYNAMICS OF THE BLOCK

The dynamics of your present block will also play a massive role as far as first-floor and second-storey extensions are concerned. For example - a slightly sloping block will require a totally different kind of design, engineering and earthwork for constructing an extension. In this situation, the cost would rise for sure. If the home is on a clear space of a block, again, the cost of clearing the additional block will be incurred.

THE CONDITION OF THE EXISTING PROPERTY

A lot would depend on the present state of the property when it comes to constructing first-floor or second-story additions. According to experts from the home additions company, a solid block style home will allow you to add a second story more quickly than a small timber home. It is believed that some types of home's support 2nd story additions rapidly, while some require structural beams or interior lining strips in order to reinforce another structure. In this situation, your home additions company would be very crucial as the team there will understand the requirements of the property and create the architectural plan accordingly.

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Home Renovation vs Rebuilding - What Is Better?

The process of home renovation includes home additions as well, and often people are confused between getting the renovation done or starting right from scratch and building a new property. In both these situations, the services of a home additions builder Sydney would be required. Experts recommend that only by going through the pros and cons of both these processes, called ‘renovation’ and ‘rebuilding’ you can find out the best option for your property. Let us do the same in this blog post, where we review the benefits and drawbacks of renovating and building.

RENOVATING

PROS

By going for the renovation process with the help of the first floor additions company, you will get unlimited opportunities to modify your property and add value to it. The question, however, remains the same whether the added value will be more or less than the decision to get the entire home demolished and rebuilt again. There are also the chances that you might over-capitalize on your property. The first benefit of renovation is that you can put a new stamp on your old property by creating a new floor plan. You can choose to carry out a full-blown getting of the property. You also have the opportunity to select a completely new renovation by removing walls and updating parts such as kitchens, bathrooms, etc.

The downside of involving in the renovation process is that it will not be cost-effective. You will also have to determine whether any restrictions are imposed, such as heritage listing and so on.

BUILDING

PROS

The immediate benefit of rebuilding an entire property is that you will get an opportunity to start fresh and complete a new property to your family's needs. With the help of a second story additions company, you can also get a second story added and use the maximum part of the block and, in fact, every square metre. When choosing a new build, the home additions builder Sydney will ensure that there are no hidden surprises and that the home will be functional and as stylish as you want it to be. You can also maximise the street appeal by choosing the modern face of your property.

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Ideas On Choosing The Right Home Renovation Option

Two of the most significant renovation projects that a homeowner could be involved in are the ground-floor extensions and first-floor additions. In both these projects, the most significant role would be of the chosen home additions builder Sydney, and if completed well, both these projects will allow you to expand the space inside your property enormously. But both these projects have their share of pros and cons, and while determining which one to choose, you will have to consider some essential points. You will have to consider your unique requirements, the kind of space you are working with and what you want the outcome to be.

CREATING MORE OPEN SPACE

For creating more open space in your property, a ground-floor extension is certainly an excellent choice. However, an ample amount of space would be required to plan a large open-plan kitchen and living space and still have some open space left. Experts recommend that ground floor extensions are ideal if there is plenty of space present in your property that is still not fully occupied.

MOBILITY

While creating first floor additions plans, the company should ensure that mobility and accessibility are kept as the two top priorities. This is important because often, people have family members with limited mobility due to advanced age or some disability. In such situations, it is the responsibility of the second storey company to create a layout in such a way that it makes the entire property accessible for people with mobility issues.

GOT A GOOD VIEW

If you wish to enjoy the scenic views of the surrounding areas, then a first floor addition is the right choice, and without any delay, you should get in touch with a reputed first floor additions company. A benefit of first floor additions is that they allow you to enjoy lovely views and panoramic surroundings using a balcony or terrace. At the same time, it can also help you yield a much higher resale value because of the added number of bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces and kitchens.

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Interesting Ideas to Use Second Story Addition Smartly

For many decades now, extensions have remained the most popular way of adding space, followed by additions. In terms of additions, second-story additions are more preferred rather than extensions for increasing the living space horizontally. 

With some smart home addition ideas, the usability and functionality of your upcoming expansion can be increased multiple times.

WHY ADD A STOREY?

A very important question that people often ask is why extension is less preferred than addition, and here is the answer. The fact is that additions usually cost lesser than extensions while adding the equivalent space on any floor. Moreover, it has been observed that additions avoid potentially expensive ground preparation and also the cost involved in foundation preparation. 

People often prefer 2nd story additions as they don't want to lose their outdoor space or the open space around the property. This space is used by children to play and also as a lawn to enjoy open skies and great view of this surrounding.

MAKE YOUR ADDITION SUPER SMART AND FUNCTIONAL -

CHILDREN’S FLOOR -

The most common step that one could take as a part of second story additions is adding a children's floor. Kids start seeking their private space, like a bedroom, as they grow up. 

Global pandemic Covid-19 has made kids develop this habit of staying at home, and this is where they start asking for a separate space on the floor. 

A children's floor is the solution to all their demands, and while preparing it, the builder can use multiple opportunities of making these living spaces more functional. There could also be an additional room for a TV and game console.

THE PARENTS’ RETREAT -

A second story property can also be used by the parents of the family owner to give them a separate area to spend some quality time with each other. You can set up a master bathroom that has an in-built bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe. 

A balcony to sit on in the evening is a perfect combination. Keeping them upstairs is a great idea, and you can also spare some space for a new office away from the noise of the kitchen, lounge and also traffic.

People may know also : Home Addition Ideas for Small Homes

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Advantages of Getting Second Story Extensions Built

Getting second story extensions built on your existing property will cost you a significant amount of money. 

With the help of expert construction professionals, you will not just keep the costs inside your budget but also ensure that you are getting the best outcome of everything. 

This is a big decision and therefore, experts recommend that before finalising anything, you define all the advantages and disadvantages for your family. 

Here in this blog post, we will talk about the advantages that this construction would give to your family and your overall life.

MORE SPACE -

This is the number one reason why everyone having a first floor already built things about getting second story additions built. A house that was built a decade back will surely start appearing short of space cramped and small. With the family growing, it becomes useful for anyone to opt for second story extensions.

REDESIGN OPTION -

Any kind of construction, addition or extension put a huge influence on the inner and outer appearance of your property and changes it drastically. So if you are dreaming about giving a new look to your property, you can go for second story additions as this will also enhance the space inside the property.

INCREASED VALUE -

Renovations, extensions and additions all have the potential to enhance the space inside their property and also its value. The home will become more appealing and spacious with second story extensions and these two features will straightway influence the resale value and increase it by at least 10%.

TOP 5 STEPS TO PLANNING A SECOND STORY ADDITION

It is not easy at all to get this construction done because there are so many complications and preparations involved in it. 

Experts recommend taking every step smartly right from the beginning to complete it successfully. There are some valuable tips given regarding this and we have listed them below here.

• Check with your local building codes
• Estimate costs
• Partial second story additions
• Roof replacement 
• What is your timeline

People may know also: Amazing Advantages of Second Story Extensions and Additions

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How to Make Home Additions More Useful?

 To add more space to the property, the best solution that people have is of home additions, but this is also a huge challenge to confront. Yes, a reputed home additions builder Sydney will be there by your side, but still a well-planned strategy is needed for the same. 

The services of home building team can be very useful here because they will guide you on all the steps throughout the project and help you follow a systematic approach. 

This blog post will give you some intelligent ideas on how to make this process simpler for you.

START WITH THE FOUNDATION -

The most critical part of any property’s structure is the foundation and this is why we have kept this name on the top of the list. In terms of home additions, experts recommend that you should very carefully match the floor and roof lines or elevations. 

Then, the second most important thing is the depth of the foundation and second story company experts say that the depth should be as per the standards mentioned for your area or location. 

This is important because the depth varies region to region depending upon the weather conditions prevailing there. 

This is very important and home addition builder Sydney says that failing to do so may cause shifting problems in the long run for your new addition.

MATCH THE EXTERIOR FINISHES -

Matching the exterior finish is another very important thing to take note of and in this regards, experts recommend starting with the roof and move your way down. 

It is the duty of the chosen home additions builder Sydney to ensure that the room additions are matching even the smallest detail of the existing property.

This is often very easy to do, but yes, a challenging situation might come, when there is something needed that is no longer available in the markets. 

Home additions don’t have to match exactly, but the design should always be complementary in all the aspects.

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Why Build A Second Storey Extensions And Additions?

For accommodating the increasing family or to simply increase the living space inside the property, people have this option of going for second story extensions. 

But some people advocate that ground floor extensions are a better option, but the fact is that all kinds of construction processes have their own advantages and disadvantages. 

Here in this blog post, we have done a comparative study of different types of constructions and let us start with house extension versus house additions.

A HOUSE EXTENSION VS. A HOME ADDITION -

Regarding these two types of constructions, the first thing to note is that both of them will add to the space as well as the resale value incredibly. 

Here are the advantages that you get by getting a double storey extension built on the property.

WHY BUILD A SECOND STOREY ADDITION?

This type of extension is ideal for you if you want to build more rooms and get some more space inside the property. With this construction, here are the advantages you avail – 

• Build extra bedrooms for your children, extended family, and guests
• Create a second living space and other rooms like a small library, home office or a home theatre
• Enjoy natural landscape or cityscape around you

There are some more advantages that you will get to avail from two storey home extensions.

• Instantly double your home’s floor space
• Preserve your current outdoor space
• Enjoy lovely views
• Boost the resale price of your home

WHY BUILD A GROUND-LEVEL HOUSE EXTENSION?

Source : https://www.houzz.com/photos/full-house-refurbishment-and-ground-floor-extension-modern-phvw-vp~106465301

Ground floor extension is the best for those having a spare piece of land inside the property and when you opt for this construction, you will be able to – 

• Get Additional room for lounging and entertaining
• Get a more spacious, open plan living space
• Get an indoor-outdoor space that you’ll love
• Get a more accessible home for people with mobility issues

But there are some downsides as well and we have listed them here – 

• The cost of laying a foundation is expensive
• Sacrifice a portion of your lawn and garden

People may know also: 3 Tips That Will Decide the Course of Home Additions

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A Small Guide Related To Home Extensions

No matter how big is the home, when we have grown up, we eventually start feeling the necessity of more space. Yes, we grow up, families increase and in these situations, what we all look for is the additional space. This space is available by the name of first floor and second story extensions and additions. 

But these constructions are huge and you just cannot go for them without any planning or careful considerations. 

As far as these considerations are concerned, here are the top things that you will have to mull upon as you start planning any of these construction projects.

DEFINE YOUR GOALS -

In the first step, you actually need to find out as to what you are going to achieve by constructing these double storey extensions. 

For this, defining your goals right in the beginning is very important and based on them, you can search for an idea on easy sources such as the Internet or home improvement magazines. 

You need to mull upon factors like are you planning to increase your property’s square footage or just want the layout to be a bit different.

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS -

One thing is guaranteed that you will require an expert builder for getting your two storey home extensions built. You will come across several of them and finding the right one is possible only when you put the right questions before them. 

Some top questions that you should never ignore are – 

How much is it going to cost?

The research conducted by you would come in really handy because you will also be able to get an estimate of the overall expenses related to second storey extensions.

IS IT GOING TO BE WORTH IT?

The cost quoted by the shortlisted builder can be compared to the potential benefits and drawbacks that you will face due to your double storey extension. If you feel that the benefits are more and you are very close to get the fullest worth of your investment, you can surely go ahead with the plan.

People may know also: 3 Tips That Will Decide the Course of Home Additions

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Questions To Work on During Home Additions

Getting more space added to your present home is a big project and a huge investment and this is why, you will surely look for the most competent and established home additions company Sydney. 

The reason is that only one such kind of company would be able to help you in your project right from the beginning to the end and ensure that all your specifications are met. 

To find such a company, you will have to involve in some hard work and it would mainly include interviewing the shortlisted builders. 

You can put the following questions before them at the time of interview.

HOW WILL THIS SPACE BE USED, AND WHO WILL BE USING IT?

Once you have decided to go ahead with this project, this is the first question that you need to place before you. You will have to contemplate on how much additional space you will get, how much you want and how you are going to use the space. 

Definitely, the best answer of the first two questions can come from the chosen home additions builder Sydney, but the last question, that you will have to answer yourself. These factors can help shape your new space, so you can be sure that it will be appreciated and used long into the future.

HOW MUCH SPACE ARE YOU PLANNING TO ADD?

Once you have in mind as to what you are going to use this additional space for, you will get an idea of the space required. Based on this, you can consult with the express of the chosen home additions company Sydney on how they are going to deliver this much space to you. 

Then, you will also have to consult them regarding any zoning issues and other legal factors that might trouble you later.

WILL ADDITION MATCH THE EXISTING STRUCTURE OF YOUR HOME?

This is something that your chosen home additions builder Sydney should guarantee you about and ensure that new and old, both properties match with each other. For this, they will have to pen down the things that have to be matched like windows, doors, exterior finishes and interior paint and so on. 

It would be the job of the chosen home additions company Sydney to work and come up with design ideas that can fulfil this requirement of matching the property.

People may know also : 3 Tips That Will Decide the Course of Home Additions

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Winter Care Tips for Your Asphalt Parking Lot

Winter season is particularly busy for asphalt companies Blacktown because they all have to stay geared up for newer projects regarding asphalt maintenance, repair and replacement. This mainly happens because we as users are solely concerned about using the asphalt area, but not maintaining it. 

In this regards, experts say that just with a few maintenance related steps, you can keep the area functional and looking like new for years to come. 

These steps will also make sure that you don’t have to avail services related to maintenance that quickly.

AVOID SALTING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE -

This is something that you can give the name of "basic tip" because de-icing salt is not good at all for your asphalt construction. The reason is that salt is corrosive and can contribute significantly in terms of damaging the construction. 

If services of asphalt contractors Blacktown are not availed, you will see salt taking years off from the asphalt construction. In this regards, experts recommend using a material that calcium chloride as the main ingredient.

SHOVEL AND SWEEP SNOW AND DEBRIS -

Before the arrival of the winter season, experts recommend that you should shovel away all dead branches, leaves, twigs and all other kinds of debris. 

The reason is that this way, it will stay prevented from any damage that cold weather and these things could cause and moreover, once cleaned thoroughly, it would be easy to clean the area throughout the winter season. 

LIMIT LARGE TRAFFIC -

Try and keep heavy traffic away from the asphalt surface until this season prevails. Here, the term, "heavy traffic" means heavy vehicles such as trucks, multi-axle trucks and other similar heavy vehicles.

 Parking of these vehicles is something that you should totally ban during the winter months because the weight might cause asphalt to expand and eventually develop cracks. Instead of parking on the driveway, stick to the garage or the street.

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Ground Floor or First Floor Additions – Choose Wisely with These Points

In terms of major home renovations, the name of ground floor extensions and first floor additions/extensions is always on the top of the list. 

Both these options can generate a huge amount of open spaces and they make the interiors more open, but this is also a fact that both of them come with their own share of pros and cons. 

Therefore, the decision mainly depends upon the homeowner as to what his requirements are, what is the budget, etc. 

In this regards, experts say that the main decision depends upon what your requirement is, what kind of space is there, the budget and finally, your expectations as well.

CREATING MORE OPEN SPACE -

When you are looking to get more space inside your property, as mentioned above, both these options are really close competitors. With ground floor as well as first floor extensions both, you can be assured about large living room, open kitchen, spacious bathrooms and so on. 

In this segment, this needs a mention that you should go with ground floor extension when you have a plenty of space that you haven’t been able to utilise to its best till now.

MOBILITY -

If there are family members with mobility related issues in the family, in that case too, the best choice would be a ground floor extension. But in case, there is a land or space crisis, you can plan first floor extensions with mobility related issues resolved completely with the help of residential elevators, stair lifts and so on.

GOT A GOOD VIEW -

First floor additions are again a great alternative for properties located in areas with scenic beauties around. In that case, first floor additions would be real estate value enhancer because you can use those scenic views from the first floor as your property’s USP. 

First floor extensions can be planned keeping these views in mind and if there is space and adequate budget, you can easily get a couple of bedrooms with attached bath and a kitchen built. This property can be rented out too for additional income out from your investment.

People may know also : Top Kinds of House Additions Sydney Offered By Builders

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