How to Make an Addition to a Split-Entry Home

Make a Plan

• 1

  Identify the problems that you hope to solve with your proposed addition. Common goals are: adding space, light and curb appeal; updating kitchens and baths; upgrading materials, and adding new or replacing worn-out features.

• 2

  Establish goals for the project. An important issue to consider is the degree to which return on investment is important. Generally adding square footage or updating kitchens and baths have the greatest ability to pay back the investment. The value of improvements to your home facade may be more difficult to quantify. Renovations that have no impact or detract from the value may be justified if they create significant personal gains.

• 3

  Establish a budget. This will help you understand the types of solutions that you can consider. Many issues can be addressed with alternatives such as improved landscaping and furniture arrangements if extensive construction is out of the question. Budget limitations may also be addressed with sweat equity which will also have an impact on the feasibility of different options.

Design Solutions

• 4

  Consider how the addition will look with your existing structure and its placement on your lot. Avoid adding to the ends of homes that present their long sides to the street. It is usually best to place the addition on the back side of your home. This configuration will make it relatively easy to create an expanded kitchen and master bedroom suite to address common weaknesses of split-entry homes.

• 5

  Add enough windows to maintain your home's visual appeal. This can imply creating windows where none currently exist, increasing window sizes or adding windows to extended wall areas. Maintaining a good ratio of glass to siding and keeping features properly scaled enhances the curb appeal of the home and improves the interior lighting.

• 6

  Consider the look of all four sides of your home. Often split-entry houses were designed as if they were two-dimensional, with decorative features only on the front. Carrying design elements such as shutters and brick from the front to the sides and back elevates your home's appearance.

• 7

  Add style to your entry way and facade with features such as porches, shutters, columns and gables. The basic split entry offers nothing but long walls with a door in the middle. Many homes are built with stylistic details that enable them to mimic more interesting designs such as Tudor. Look for good examples to inspire your creativity.

• 8

  Consider a small addition on the front to adapt the awkward foyer characteristic of a split entry. While the stairs cannot be changed, you may be able to rework your entry with outside stairs or a new addition.