What are shed dormers and why are they so popular around here?
The Twin Cities are filled with story-and-a-half homes that are perfect for a certain kind of addition, called a shed dormer. Learn more about this popular remodeling project.
Modern Addition, Traditional Minneapolis Home
A remodel is underway. Take a look inside.
Follow along as we build a contemporary 2-story Addition on their traditional American Foursquare style home.
Current Step
Demo & Excavation
Demo & Excavation
It's time for the old screen porch to come down! The homeowners took on the demo of the old screened porch and existing paver patio themselves.
The Homeowners Tackle Some Teardown
We started to demo, preparing for the Addition construction. Our clients, using some good old fashioned elbow grease, tore down the old screened porch and removed a paver patio themselves.
Prepping For An Excavation During A Minnesota Winter
The next step is digging a hole for the new Addition foundation. At the end of November, we laid frost blankets to keep the ground from freezing, making excavating less difficult.
Excavators needed to get from the street to the backyard. Laying plywood across the yard limited the damage from heavy excavating machinery.
Once the screened porch and patio were removed, ground insulating blankets were laid down.
Excavation begins.
We discovered a failing area in the original foundation during excavation.
Surprise Challenges & Solutions
We started to dig a hole for the new Addition foundation. Old houses are sometimes full of surprises! On the second day of excavating, we discovered a problem. A laid up stone foundation under a portion of the home was deteriorating. We shored up the area, preparing to repair the crumbling failing foundation below. Another portion of the house also cantilevered out unsupported by the foundation, so measures were taken to support this area as well. We will repair these areas of the home’s foundation while laying the foundation for the new Addition.
Support must be created for a portion of the home cantilevering off the original 1908 foundation.
Want to learn more about
this type of project?
We’re here to help! Check out our planning resources below, or reach out to us here.
Think you can’t afford that remodel? (There are more options than you think.)
So you’d love to upgrade your kitchen or add a shed dormer with a primary suite, but you’re not sure how to pay for it? Learn about three ways to finance your remodel.
Every White Crane Remodeling Project Starts With Design
Learn why having both designers and construction professionals on our team allows us to guide clients seamlessly through the entire remodeling process.
