How feasible is it to build a conventional addition to a log home?

3/17/2015 at 5:30:43 AM

Without seeing the property, my thoughts are adding the breezeway and putting the additional space above the garage. With that said, there are a couple of things to consider. First and foremost. Does the garage have footings/foundation or slab on grade? If there is footings, they need to be inspected/engineered to make sure they can support the 2nd floor addition. Does the cottage have a crawl space?

My process if both exsiting buildings have footings, would be to connect the footings of the log home and garage. Tying together the two buildings allows the breezeway to "attach" to the exsiting buildings. Also this allows the buildings to move as one unit. The breezeway could house the stairwell to avoid losing space in the garage, and build a loft style office with a view of the property.

Hope this helps with your decision.

Rob

3/17/2015 at 11:26:17 AM

Hi Bonnie,

Without seeing you your home and garage and their relationship to each other I can only hazard an opinion on my experience with designing similar buildings in the calgary area. To add a traditional style addition between your house and garage should not be an issue for construction but may look out of place without the proper exterior finishes that match or compliment your existing log home. I.e. log siding or hardie plank in matching colours or profiles.

Is there a reason your husband feels that removing the log home and replacing it with a new home would be less expensive? New construction costs should be in the $150 to $200per sq.ft. in your area if you choose to go that route.

Cheers

Vaughn S.

3/17/2015 at 11:48:42 AM

Hello.

You can most definitely add an addition to the log cabin. It is very important to have a contractor that has experience in joining a difficult addition to a existing home. The idea is to usually get behind the existing siding on the existing home. Some times we do not have that option as there my be stucco we cannot tile into. we usually complete the addition with a stucco tie in we call it. this will make it water proof and so on. This will need to occur on your home. cost can run approx. 250 - 300 sq foot to build depending on size. The larger addition, the more cost effective it is.

Thank you,

Gerald

Impact Construction