Architecture

It is almost always advisable to match the "Architecture" of your home when planning your shell addition.

Overhangs should line up exactly so that gutters work properly. Roof pitches and roof styles should match for overall aesthetic reasons. If you have quality windows and doors in your house then utilizing these same products is recommended. However, if your existing windows and doors are worn or problematic, then consider using replacement type windows and doors for the addition that would match your new replacements for your existing home. These products are affordable and energy efficient.

Matching the exterior is important because any home's architecture can be overpowered by a poorly designed or poorly executed framing and foundation.

More often than not, brick and mortar will not match exactly unless your house is very new. Often times Siding may be discontinued or weather may have faded your existing siding; therefore planning your addition to start a couple feet away from a corner of your house instead of directly in line will work better.
With additions, compromises are generally made with the siding or brick veneer. A good example would be a brick house needing an addition that has unmatchable brick. A compromise might consist of removing the brick at the tie in area of the addition and reusing those bricks to do the foundation and installing siding that matches the mortar color of the brick. There may not be enough brick to do the entire foundation, so adding a deck to hide that area would be an excellent solution.

Extending existing rooms is probably the most expensive addition of all. This requires expert and expensive techniques to hide the old to new joints in the interior plaster, wood trims, floorings, painting and fixtures. Good framing and foundation techniques do not allow uglies like a beam hanging down where the ceiling joint is or the floor having a noticeable hump or step.

Using our proven Trim Waste Tips will also help save you money.