Wondering how to go about building an addition above our garage to serve as the master bedroom. We have a standard 3 bedroom bungalow built in the late 1970's. What would be the steps to take to do this. And heating the room? duct work is not really an option we are presently on forced air electric and have a wood stove in the rec room in the basement we were thinking of maybe going gas and changing the wood as well.but what would be our options for the addition?....raditant floor..? nice gas fireplace? ...... not too sure even where to start?
Answer:
You'll have to start with a drawing so you can get a building permit. I would plan on having a crawl space under the floor so you can heat that. About the only system that appears to work in this sort of situation is to lower the garage ceiling creating a crawl space. The walls and floor of this crawl space are heavily insulated and the area heated. This makes the space above comparable to the rest of the house as regards heat. After that, you can put in whatever you wish for room heat. The radiant floor heat will still be an option even if you don't heat the crawl space but the crawl space is still very important for creature comfort and energy conservation.
In the interests of retaining credibility and in fairness to all, I cannot recommend prices, people nor companies for various projects. Courtesy of Ren Molnar, Construction Consultant at HomeFocus.com. I can also be reached at (613) 748-3003 and Home Focus – The Radio Show is broadcast live 8 to 10 A.M. (Ottawa, Ont. time) on Saturdays on www.cfra.com.
Remember, even if you don’t do your own work around the house have to hire someone, you put yourself at a great advantage when you can intelligently discuss a project with the various trades people.
"Ren’s Ren-O-Vations Tips" is a monthly journal that talks everything to do with HOME OWNERSHIP & MAINTANENCE.
It is sent out in time to have it in your mailbox or on your computer by the 20th of the month – every month.
To order, simply send a cheque or money order to: Ren, P.O. Box 9411, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 3V1
E-mail – 12 issues (1 yr.) $17.95. Regular mail – 12 issues (1 yr.) $33.95. (subject to change without notice) Credit card companies take a cut from payments so we are not credit card friendly - can't justify it. Ren’s Ren-O-Vations Tips makes the perfect gift any time for almost everyone: Be My Valentine, Easter, Christmas, Mothers’ Day, Fathers' Day, Birthday, Wedding, Congratulations New Home Owner(s), Thinking Of you, Good neighbour Ren
