The Ranch House is an American classic of the 1950s and ’60s. Suburbia exploded with this style home for its relative spacious floor plan and larger lot sizes though most lacked interesting design details. Growing families looking to move from the city to bring up the children in a more natural environment with grass and trees gravitated to the ranch-style house. Now many of these homes are being renovated to add interesting details for curb appeal or additions for more space.
Expanding a Ranch Style House
Adding a Second Floor
The house was a classic 1960’s rancher on a large lot an ideal condition for expansion both upwards and out for this waterfront residence. The overall architectural approach was to add a large addition to the roadside of the structure which was able to accommodate a garage and bonus room. The waterfront side addition was to include a master suite on the first floor and an adult gathering space with a screened porch on the second floor. The overall house doubled in size and made a very appealing transformation from the box-like rancher it was built to be in the ’60s. To see the before photos go here.
If your goal is to substantially increase square footage, and setbacks on your property prohibit building outward then an experienced remodeler can build upward. This will involve an extensive remodel removing the roof and adding a second floor. A set of stairs will also be required to reach the new second floor so the first floor will need to be reconfigured and remodeled as well. Adding a second floor to a rancher drastically changes the home’s architecture redefining the home as a colonial. Keep in mind that a second-floor add-on affects the entire home and updating of the exterior will need to also be considered. This alternative to expanding your rancher is more costly and requires a contractor with experience and vision for design, but can allow for an expanded footprint of your home on a smaller lot.
Adding a Rear or Side Addition
If your home is situated on a larger lot accommodating a new rear or side addition you will minimize cost by adding the same level addition. Choosing this option will allow you to continue living in your home during the renovation. Adding an addition in this “L” shape can afford for a courtyard to be included thereby adding outdoor living space which increases the value for the home. The cost of designing and building this type of addition is usually 25-30% less cost than a second-floor addition. Ranch houses often have low pitched gable or hip roofs. These are easily copied and emphasize the horizontal lines of the house. Maintaining the horizontal look by repeating the roof line and having a consistent exterior material over the addition as is on the existing house are some of the most important characteristics to assure that your addition will not look tacked on but will enhance your home’s curb appeal.
Sunroom Additions
If you are considering a sunroom addition and have any style home you may want to check out this article. Owings Brothers have renovated many porches to four season rooms and can offer their design help for your sunroom addition whether you choose to build on a two-story colonial or ranch style house.
In Law Addition
If you are needing to expand your home to facilitate aging parents or additions for your young family we can offer ranch house or two-story renovation ideas. These additions can be added as a second floor to a rancher or an extension to the second floor over a garage of a colonial. Perhaps you have a large lot where we can design and add to the rear or side of the existing home. Whatever your building needs our 35 years of experience can offer to you the assurance that we will build it right the first time and on time.
