Posted by Jason Gettum on Sun, Feb 24, 2013 @ 08:23 AM
Home office expansion and modification
For a Carmel, Indiana home owner, additional office space was more important than an exterior balcony. The orginal house was built with an upper level, walk-out balcony porch that attached to what is now a second floor home office. The door to the balcony was centred in forty-five degree angle exterior wall.
Essentially, this angled wall with a door out to the balcony encroached the room by four feet. And unfortunately, the exterior balcony was constructed in a way that relied on a rubber membrane to protect the outer floor system from the weather, as well as keep the finished first floor space below dry!
Existing pictures:
In this case, the change that was about to become was a good thing, as the rubber membrane balcony porch floor was beginning to leak. The plan was to remove the 45 degree angle wall and sqare off the corners. As the floor system was already in place, construction involved extending new sub floor and new exterior wall system. New windows, siding and trim were installed to blend the new into the existing. In place of a rarely-used tiny space, the homeowners regained more wall area and more volume and did not sacrifice much light.
The pay-off for this family was useable all space, about eight additional feet in all. As well, there is now a peace of mind knowing that no further damage would occur in the first floor below from a leak in the balcony floor above. To blend in the new expansion with the existing roomf, the interior walls, ceilings, baseboards and crown moulding were extended. The new space looks as though it was constructed that way originally, which is most always the goal with an addition or expansion of any kind. Check out the finished pictures below.
New expanded office space pictures:
While not always apparent, there are many creative ways to add more family living space, more bedroom space and, in this case, a larger home office. An experienced Indianapolis area design and remodel contractor can help assess your needs and come up with a solution to accomplish your goals. Choosing the right contractor for your next project will ensure your overall happiness by working with you to not only meet your needs, but build it in a way that makes it look like it was always that way! For more information about reconfiguring your existing space, click below.
Posted by Jason Gettum on Wed, Oct 31, 2012 @ 09:35 AM
Wall removal and a noook addition help create an open floor plan for a west side, Indianapolis family
Job Scope:
The goal of this project, designed and constructed by Gettum Associates Inc is to add more space. This has been accomplished by the removal of existing interior and exterior walls separating the kitchen/nook and sunroom/family room along with the installation of a nook addition. The final result will be a more open feel, as well as more space! Along with the modifications to the indoor living space, a large screen in porch addition was added to extend the indoors outward!
Existing pictures:
Pictures of the existing family room/kitchen, kitchen/nook and interior of existing sunroom
Demolition and construction pictures:
Pictures showing the completion of interior and exterior wall removals and installation of structural header beams and posts
Column and beam trim installation pictures:
In-progress pictures of the installation of interior trim to the structural beams and columns. The built-out, raised panel column detail add a great touch!
Completed pictures:
Project completion pictures showing the finished nook addition and the combined family room, nook, kitchen and sunroom spaces.
Are you looking to open up or expand your living space? Give us a call at 317-888-5681 or click below:
Posted by Jason Gettum on Tue, Oct 09, 2012 @ 01:10 PM
Want to knock out walls?
Wait, not so fast!
Its true, more and more homeowner's are choosing to modify and remodel their existing homes rather than building new or buying an existing house. The reasons for doing so are many, but one of the biggest reasons to remodel a home is to gain more space.
Sure, a family room or kitchen addition adds more space, but can also be costly. An alternative for many is to combine spaces, or open up space, by removing walls partitioning off one or more existing rooms.
While there are many DIY friendly remodel projects that homeowner's can proudly accomplish on their own, wall removal is not one of them! This is one project best left to the professionals! A reputable local area remodeler has knowledge of which walls are bearing or non-bearing, and has the experience to know how to best remove walls and install proper structural support in it's place. Not properly supporting existing ceiling or floor joists, during wall removal, can be a disaster!
Another benefit or hiring a professional remodel contractor is they will apply for, and obtain proper building permits as required by your particular jurisdiction. It always makes sense to get permits on this type of work, for many reasons. Not only to make sure the work is performed correctly, but also for the safety of you and your family. And last, but not least, future potential buyers of your home may ask what improvements were completed on the home and if proper permits were issued.
Do-it-yourself remodeling is a popular way to improve homes in a cost-effective way. There are many projects a homeowner can accomplish that don't pose a significant risk to one's home or health. Wall removal is not one of these projects! Be sure to consult with a remodel expert when considering wall removal to accomplish your family's needs.
For a remodel consultation around the Indianapolis area, give Gettum Associates Inc a call. Since 1987, Gettum Associates have turned hundreds of houses into dream homes!
Posted by Jason Gettum on Mon, Mar 26, 2012 @ 03:52 PM
Kitchen wall removal can help join living and cooking spaces
Much has been written of the current trend of incorporating our living spaces with our kitchens and effectively creating one big room, with separate but open areas. Demolition of partion walls not only opens up traffic patterns, but allows people in both spaces to be able to communicate freely. Many homeowners ask if it is possible to do it to their homes. In most cases, the answer is yes. For those who are interested, the biggest challenge becomes envisioning what it will look like!
Thankfully, we have recent pictures that demonstrate what is possible in your own home. A home remodel project, currently in progress in Greenwood Indiana calls for the removal of the walls between the kitchen and living room, and represents a typical layout of these spaces in many of our home. Along with the addition of a large skylight, centered over the middle of the kitchen, the removal of soffits above the cabinets and peninsula cabinets will make the space feel even larger.
Check out the project progression so far:
Existing Living Room-
Existing kitchen-
Wall demolition-
Wall demolition, 2-
Skylight opening installation-
More kitchen remodeling pictures coming soon!
For more information on expanding your kitchen and combining spaces within your home, contact Gettum Associates Inc, award-winning Indianapolis area remodel contractors.
