When you consider your dream home, how does it differ from your current one? If you envision a nursery for a future child, a guestroom for your in-laws, or a private study for yourself, you might benefit from a home addition. The next decision comes down to layout — building out or up. To learn more about these options while brainstorming for your home addition, take a look at the following comparison.

Vertical Home Additions

When you build up, you don’t have to dig up part of your yard or sacrifice your patio — you can simply build on top of the existing structure. By adding another story, you can make the house feel larger than if the same square footage was tacked onto the side. You could also add a room over the garage or expand the roof to create a livable attic space.

In any case, a contractor will probably have to bolster the foundation or framing of the house to support the new weight. While you won’t have to worry about encroaching on the neighbors, you might run into limits on residential building heights for the town. You’ll also have to extend HVAC, plumbing, and electrical units upward, which can be trickier than a horizontal extension.

Horizontal Home Additions

Whether you want to enlarge a living room, add a formal dining room, or create a playroom for the kids, there are countless ways to build out a home. This necessitates giving up some of the space surrounding your property — whether that’s a few rows of shrubbery, a deck, or an entire lawn. You might also run into zoning restrictions set by the city, as they won’t allow you to build within a certain distance of a neighboring property.

To prepare for the build, the contractor will use excavation techniques to lay a foundation. Then, they’ll cut through part of your home’s exterior so that they can attach the new room or wing. In this case, you won’t have someone working overhead — just to the side of the house — so it can limit the interruptions to daily life.

Whichever option you choose, turn to Gildehaus Construction of New Haven, MO, to discuss your vision. They have over three decades of experience constructing, remodeling, and adding onto existing properties — plus an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau®. Your home will be in skilled and trustworthy hands. To learn more about their services, visit the website. Call (573) 459-2111 to request a free estimate for your home addition.