Considering a Home addition in Philadelphia? Do you need more space for a home office, guest room, or master suite? If so, you are not alone. Many homeowners in the Philadelphia area are looking for ways to add extra space to their homes. A 3rd-story addition is a great option. Years of experience have shown that this is the best way to add extra space to a row house. This article will elaborate on what you need to know before starting a home addition project in Philadelphia. If you want to find more information, keep reading.
Philadelphia Row Houses
Since row houses are typical Philadelphia dwellings, let’s start with their history and definition.
The term “Philadelphia row” was coined in the nineteenth century to characterize the rows of houses. In 1799, the first row houses were constructed. According to the American Community Survey, the average age of a conventional home in the United States is 37, whereas the average age of a row house in Philadelphia is 93. Today’s buildings must keep up with modern energy-efficiency requirements. You could maintain the historic elegance of your row home while saving energy and money if it was built in the nineteenth century.
A row house is a one to four-story house with a small street frontage joined to adjacent houses on both sides. This design enabled builders to fit more buildings on a given block while providing each home with an efficient energy source. Furthermore, builders could copy designs and acquire materials in quantity, so building houses in a row was cost-effective and efficient.
Finally, because these houses were constructed with thick masonry walls, they would last a long time as well as prevent fire from spreading from one house to the next. There are twelve different types of row houses in Philadelphia. These styles are different from each other in many ways. Some have been renovated to today’s standards and others remain as initially built. Philadelphia row houses can be categorized as small, medium, and large. However, the majority of houses are small to medium in size. So, if you require extra space in your Philadelphia home, keep reading this article.
Read More: 10 Tips for Old Philadelphia Row House Renovation
Adding Extra Space to Your Philadelphia Home
Do you need more space for a home office, a guest room, or a new family member? Do you want a gym, library, or children’s playroom in your house? Probably, the first thing that comes to your mind is moving. If you like the neighborhood, moving may not be a good choice for you. Furthermore, since moving costs more than a home addition, adding extra space to your current property could be a better option. You can build up, down, or out for the home addition. You should figure out which option best suits your home.
The extra space could be used for the following:
- Home office
- Guest room
- Private living spaces
- Library and reading room
- Home gym
- Kids’ playroom
- Master suite
- Roof deck
Ways to Add Extra Space
There are several ways to add extra space to your home. The most common ones are as follows:
Remodeling Your Living Area
Think of remodeling when you want your living room, kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom to feel more spacious. Some ways of making the space look larger without increasing the square footage would be to use strategic interior design and color selections. Also if you want to make one room larger, you could borrow space from an adjoining room. For example, if you want a larger kitchen you could take space from the room next to it. This does not increase the size of your house, it just moves space from one room to another.
Building Down (Basement Remodeling)
Row houses in Philadelphia typically feature two floors and a basement. Basement remodeling may easily convert the basement into usable space. This extra area can be used for a home gym, home office, or children’s play area to name a few. When using the basement as a living space, you also need to consider ventilation and natural light.
Building Out (Cleaning Up and Remodeling Backyard)
If your house has a backyard, building a room is another option. The size of the backyard determines the size of the room. So, you may not be able to add much space. Besides, building outwards expands the home’s footprint and necessitates greater yard excavation. It’s also possible that maneuvering around electrical wires and sewer lines will increase your prices.
Building Up (3rd-Story Addition)
The last and the best approach to add extra space is a 3rd-story addition. As previously stated, a typical Philadelphia row house has two floors. As these houses are joined together by their sidewalls, building up is the best way to add a home addition. The 3rd-story gives you the space you need for everyday living.
Why Consider a 3rd-Story Addition in Philadelphia?
Adding a 3rd-story to your home is an excellent method to increase living space and property value. As a result, a 3rd-story addition in Philadelphia provides you with more space while also increasing the value of your home.
For example, Matrix Company Solutions Corp. added a 3rd-story to a house and the owners saw an increase of approximately $100,000 in their property’s value. Although each situation is different, adding a 3rd-story will increase your property’s livable space and value. Take a look at this video:
Furthermore, compared to other methods building up is the most cost-effective alternative for adding extra space because it involves less material and labor. For example, excavation for a foundation is often required for the main floor or second-floor addition, which leads to landscaping work and more costs.
Most importantly, building the 3rd-story preserves the existing layout of your main floor while requiring minor adjustments to your second level to fit a staircase and any mechanical or structural changes. This is a significant benefit as it allows you to add square footage to the house without affecting other areas during construction.
What You Need to Do After Deciding to Add the 3rd-Story
When you have decided to add a 3rd-story to your Philadelphia row house, keep the following pointers in mind before starting the job.
- List your needs. This is the first thing to consider. Clarify what you need and expect from your 3rd-story addition in Philadelphia.
- Check the options. Depending on the situation, you may have some issues due to the current state of the property. For example, what is the maximum square footage you can add as a 3rd-story? Take this step seriously before moving forward.
- Consider your everyday space needs. Determine how much space you want to gain from the 3rd-story addition in Philadelphia.
- Remember, hire a good contractor. Adding extra space to your home is a professional job and should be done by an expert. Hire a professional contractor and rest assured the job will be done correctly.
- Finally, when determining your needs for the extra space, keep your budget in mind before deciding on the final project.
Considerations When Adding a 3rd-Story Addition in Philadelphia
As opposed to constructing a building from scratch, adding a 3rd-story presents various challenges that must be considered. Below is a list of the most important ones to think about.
Improving insulation and energy saving
The majority of row houses were constructed with very little insulation. You might find that your 3rd-story is especially vulnerable to the weather. In the 3rd-story addition process, insulating the roof and exterior walls should be considered to keep cold (or warm) air in and save money on energy bills. You can also save energy by purchasing energy-efficient appliances.
Interior design
It is worthwhile to keep the interior design of the 3rd-story in harmony with the rest of your home. Many row houses, for example, have beautiful staircases as a focal point in the property. Keeping the existing staircase as well as updating it for safety reasons will preserve the original look of the house. Building a new staircase to the 3rd-story should complement the existing one and blend the design to create the desired look and feel of the home.
Structural considerations
The structural strength of your current home is probably the most critical aspect in evaluating whether or not you can add a 3rd-story. The extra weight should be supported by robust walls, columns, foundations, and soil. Experts should assess the situation and verify that the additional load will not cause damage to the building.
Mechanical considerations
The current mechanical systems are sometimes insufficient to support the additional 3rd-story. Separate mechanical systems such as heating, cooling, and plumbing may be necessary. Also, it is important to link the new systems to the existing ones.
Zoning rules
Zoning regulations limit the size of a house, the height of the addition, and the available building options. These rules may also affect the design of the 3rd-story addition in Philadelphia by regulating roof lines and setbacks from property lines. The 3rd-story addition must comply with zoning rules. For instance, roof decks must be situated back at least five feet from the extreme front building line, according to the Philadelphia building code (closest to the front lot line).
Also, fences or guardrails used to surround roof decks must not be taller than 42 inches. You will need to collaborate with your contractor to develop a plan that adheres to the city’s zoning regulations. Ensure the contractor is familiar with these guidelines and has experience working on a project comparable to yours.
The Process of Adding a 3rd-Story to a Philadelphia Home
Now that you have an overview of the 3rd-story addition, let’s look at Matrix Company Solutions Corp.’s process as a general contractor. First, you will consult with our experts to discuss your needs and expectations. After evaluating your property, we will do a financial analysis for you. If you need financing, we will assist you in using our 203(k) construction service.
After getting the necessary permits, the job starts with architectural and structural design. We have professional interior designers who can design your 3rd-story addition. We provide a 3D model of the designed project for you to review and if not happy, change any detail. Next, the demolition (if necessary) and construction will begin. We will explain everything to you throughout the construction process to ensure your needs and preferences are being met. When you work with a good company, home addition is easy.
Add Extra Space and Sell Your Property
Matrix Company Solutions Corp. is a 203(k) contractor with 3rd-story addition experience. Adding a 3rd-story can increase your property’s value. Whether buying a new property or planning to sell your current row house in Philadelphia, you can benefit from the added space of building up. If you are thinking of selling your property after the home addition is complete, we can help you do so quickly and effectively by referring you to one of our experienced Philadelphia area Real Estate Agents.
Also if you are interested in adding a 3rd-story to your Philadelphia home, don’t hesitate to contact us via our FREE Consultation Service.
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