Additions

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The homeowners of this ranch home located along the beautiful Menomonee River Parkway in Wauwatosa wanted to add a sunroom and expand their two-car garage. 

The existing patio, adjacent to the kitchen, served no functional purpose and blocked natural light from entering the kitchen.  Adding a sunroom would allow natural light into the kitchen and create a new functional space.  The expanded garage would house antique vehicles and basic tools as well serve as added space for overflow while entertaining.  The main concern of the homeowners; keep within the unique architectural theme of the ranch home.

Six Pella patio doors were installed to allow natural sunlight into the kitchen through the sunroom.  Pella double-hung operable transom awning windows were installed above each door to provide maximum lighting.  Three motorized, remote-controlled Velux skylights with shades were also installed. This combination achieved the homeowner’s goal of allowing the most natural sunlight possible into the home.

The original garage was demolished to accommodate a new five-car garage and expanded driveway.  To keep within the architectural theme of the home, a 10’ x 20’ dormer was built. It mimicked the one in the front of the home, provided natural light and kept within the architecture of the home.

SUNROOM CHALLENGES

Due to the lack of points of attachment, structural “racking” was a possibility.  We used 5/8” exterior sheathing, along with 5/8” interior sheathing and 5/8” drywall instead of the standard ½”.  This ensured a sound and stable edifice.

Traditional forced air heating/cooling was not an option in the new space due to lack of basement access.  Therefore, 1,200 square feet of ½” floor PEX tubing, set at 6” on center, with an electronic hot water tempering valve circulator and thermostat was installed.  To cool the room, a Mitsubishi MS24 two-ton ductless split air conditioning unit was installed.

GARAGE CHALLENGES

While preparing for the new garage slab, it was discovered that the existing slab was Spancrete, not concrete.  After further investigation, a 20’ x 24’ unfinished space was discovered underneath the garage. 

The homeowner decided to convert the unused space into a workshop, however, the strength of the existing steel I-beam was severely compromised from years of moisture and lack of airflow.  Shoring was built to allow for old steel to be removed and new steel to be installed.

Also, the original garage blueprint called for the rafters to be 16” on center.  However, those would block natural light as well as the windows views.  Instead, we tripled the rafters with equal spacing for a more open concept look and feel.

SUMMARY

This project proved to be challenging both functionally and aesthetically.  The homeowner’s needs were met and the home’s design and look stayed in line with the original architecture with the creation of a garage dormer and the use of stone from the original garage structure.  All challenges were met and the homeowners even gained an extra room.

This outdated attached screen porch was dismantled to make room for a 16’ x 25’ four-season sunroom. A majority of the living space faces away from the sun so the goal was to allow as much natural sunlight as possible into the new space. This was accomplished through the use of five Pella casement windows, a Pella transom window, two Velux skylights and a Pella patio door.To match the exterior of the client’s home, we used matching brick and cement board that matched the existing siding, soffit and fascia. Warm Floor was installed under Sydney Cotto, 18” x 18” tiles accented with honey colored grout. Millwork was matched to the existing.

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