Home Addition
Second story addition
Elm Grove, WI

What a dramatic change to this tri level home in Elm Grove with the addition of a second story to accommodate a new master suite and guest room.

We started with tearing off the roof and completely gutting the first floor. The first floor is cantilevered, creating a structural challenge to support the second floor addition. We used a 24’, 1,300 lb. steel structural beam to support the second floor and steel columns to support the beam. First floor windows were relocated to accommodate the new columns.

The weather was a challenge, because we entered into sub zero temperatures the week of tear off. Not to worry, we had the home weather-tight in one day. Floor sections and panelized walls were brought in by crane and set in place. A key benefit to using this panelized construction is that it greatly reduces the amount of time the home is open to the environment, and in the middle of winter in Wisconsin, this is vital.

Nearly all of the windows in the home were replaced. The chimney had 26 courses of height seamlessly added to the new addition, with a match so close it is impossible to distinguish old from new.

By gutting the first floor and supporting the weight of the second floor with the beam, this opened up the entire first floor for a spectacular open concept kitchen, dining and living room.

The OAR (Owner Assisted Remodeling) concept was a perfect match for these homeowners who took on the task of the interior demolition, provided their own fixtures, cabinetry, and flooring.

Home Addition
2300 Sq. Ft.
Wind Lake, WI

The objective was to expand and enhance this modest 1 ½ story lake home. We did this by replacing the existing garage with a 2300 sq ft, two-story addition with a new attached garage and by completely renovating the existing home. It was important to provide good visibility from the heart of the home to the rear and front yards, so we moved the kitchen into the new addition, and added a large french patio door for great lake visibility from the kitchen. A first floor master suite was added with corner tub, large walk-in shower and huge walk-in closets. The second floor contains two bedrooms, an office space, playroom and full bath. The full basement under the new addition has been prepped for a future theatre room, kitchenette and canning/storage area. Upon completion for the new addition, the existing home was gutted. Half the original second floor was completely removed allowing for the newly created great room (previously the kitchen, dining and family rooms) to vault upward in excess of 16’. The removal of this wall allowed us to design and engineer a massive wall of architectural windows facing the lake. The balance of the original second floor is now an open loft.

Home Addition
1000 sq. ft.
Elm Grove, WI

This 1950’s ranch home in Elm Grove nearly doubled in size with the 1000 sq ft addition with full basement. The addition includes a large kitchen, dining area, master suite, nursery, mudroom and 3 season room. With a strong desire for building green, several material and construction choices were made to accomplish this goal. Brick that was removed from the existing home was reused by incorporated a brick ledge into the foundation and reinstalled as a brick beltline around the north and west walls of the addition, keeping the south wall opening for a future deck. The master suite includes a bedroom, large walk in closets, a master bath with large walk-in shower, separate whirlpool tub, double bowl vanity and ceramic tile. Green remodeling materials chosen for the interior include all new Pell windows, concrete countertops in the kitchen and snack bar, bamboo flooring, and a new high efficiency furnace/AC system. The new kitchen features Alder cabinetry, concrete tops, tile backsplash, farm sink and elevated snack bar.

Home Addition
Kitchen addition, mudroom, full basement
Wauwatosa, WI

This Wauwatosa ranch expanded dramatically with a 12’x 20’ ft2 addition which includes a new mission style kitchen with island, dinette, mudroom and full basement.

As with nearly all homes of this vintage, this 1950’s ranch home was originally designed with a very small kitchen, no mudroom and no attention paid to family traffic flow patterns. Additionally, the minimal space for the kitchen table and virtually no countertop surface area to work with, limited this family’s ability to fit their busy lifestyle and host the desired family gatherings.

The craftsman style was incorporated by using Woodland brand, maple wood, shaker door cabinetry, and copper rust slate tile backsplash in a geometric pattern, along with a touch of modern stainless steel appliances. Additional project materials incorporated into the unique design were PELLA brand windows and doors, Wilsonart laminate countertops, Mannington vinyl flooring, and vinyl exterior siding to match the existing home. Finishing touches include a new back door and deck providing direct access to the new mudroom and coat closet.