Micro Additions: If You Just Want a Little More Space

20 Sep

Micro Additions: If You Just Want a Little More Space

Sometimes your existing home is just a little too little for what you want to do there. If only there were another foot or two in that one room. You’ve talked it over, but you are reluctant to include on as the cost and inconvenience is too good, and you really don’t need an”inclusion” per se. What can you do?

Try a cantilevered micro-addition. Essentially, this is a little”bump-out” situated where you want the space and where the existing structure permits. In certain ways, it is just like a bay window that crosses wall to wall and floor to ceiling. And as the inclusion is cantilevered from the existing structure, it requires no foundation work, saving money and time — and possibly also a mature tree nearby.

From kitchens to bathrooms to household rooms, these kinds of additions can be used just about for anything where only a bit more space is needed.

Bosworth Hoedemaker

A cantilevered micro-addition is much like a bay window floating over the ground and enlarging the footprint of the space. Just remember to insulate a flooring exposed to the components.

Bud Dietrich, AIA

A little, cantilevered micro-addition can home an entertainment center, such as this one within a 30-inch by 11-foot bump-out. The space feels much larger and works much better with the electronic equipment, speakers, television and cabinetry from the way.

Michael Sisti

A cantilevered micro-addition can be used to raise the magnitude of a master bath — so now you’ve got space for that spa tub you have always wanted. The important consideration is maintaining water pipes are from the cold.

Bud Dietrich, AIA

Using a cantilevered micro-addition is a great way to add only right quantity of space into a kitchen. Within this project, a 5′ x 25′ cantilevered improvement supplied the space required for this particular kitchen to have a island.

Bud Dietrich, AIA

By cantilevering this kitchen inclusion, the demand for a foundation was eliminated. So the ground and tree roots weren’t bothered, saving the bamboo tree right outside the kitchen window.

A cantilevered micro-addition works particularly well on those wood framed neo-Colonials built in the last half of the 20th century.

Though every condition will be exceptional and you should consult with a qualified professional prior to undertaking any project such as this, below are some general tips and tricks for creating a cantilevered micro-addition.

1. The simplest method is to”sister” new flooring joists along side the existing joists. This can be carried out with minimal damage to the space below.

2. Based on the roofing condition as well as how the micro-addition was created, you could wind up with a lower ceiling in the added area. This may be a good thing, particularly if the added area will be utilized to get a featured element just like a spa tub.

3. In this generalized sketch, the existing roof slope is continuing to the new outside wall. This does not need to be the case. There as many approaches to design this roofing expansion because there are forms of roofs.

4. Using a cantilevered micro-addition to enlarge a bathroom or kitchen can be a great way to find that extra space to get that spa tub. Nevertheless, ensure no water pipes or plumbing lines are set up in an unheated space.

5. A cantilevered micro-addition on an existing second floor can also be used to add space to the space below. Rather than supporting such a niche from below, it can be suspended from above.

Again, which can not be stressed too much, so make certain that you engage a qualified professional before undertaking any project like this, and make certain you adhere to local codes, ordinances and regulations.

Next: Bay Window Expands a Small Kitchen
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