How To Do The Roof Garden In Commercial Projects

red house before roof construction begins

When the homeowners of this country house in the Catskills, N.Y., were confronted with reroofing, the time seemed right for implementing a long-considered structural change. With it came added space, light, and views.

red house before roof construction begins

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Shot of House Before Raised Roof Construction Began

Heres the house when it was first bought: A sweet little cape that just needed some cosmetic workor so we thoughtand a new roof. But once we moved in and started ripping out the old, we began dreaming about what the house could become with just a little construction work.

exterior of house

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Raised Roof Construction Project Exterior of House

The plan seemed easy enough. By raising the roof in the rear we would be able to convert 300 square feet of attic space into a master bedroom/bathroom/home office suite. We would also be able to install generous-sized windows in the rear of the house to take advantage of backyard views and light (something the house sorely lacked).

stripped aluminum siding of house in the yard

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Stripped Aluminum Siding of House

Imagine our surprise when we drove up to the house (already stripped of its aluminum siding) to see the debris that was being removed. If youre having difficulty making out the photo, imagine an explosion inside the house where every piece of debris has been forced through a small side window.

raised roof construction project house plan

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Raised Roof Construction Project House Plan

When we saw the architects rendering we were convinced it was the way to go. How could we not fall in love with a design that was going to double the size of the existing side bedroom, give us an additional bathroom and home office, and fill the back of the house with windows. It all looked so simple.

peak of house gets framing

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Peak of House Gets Framing in Raised Roof Construction Project

Four dumpsters later, the roof was off and the framing begun. We discovered that the peak of the house would have to be raised about four feetnot the one to two feet we were originally led to believejust to get the necessary pitch in the back and proper height for the windows. For at least a month we were convinced we ruined the proportions of the house.

bare room with windows and frames installed

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Room With Windows and Frames Installed

Once the house was closed up, framing complete, and windows installed, we were a little bit more at peace. The space WAS amazing. The classic double hung window units from Pellas Architect Series were the perfect choice from both a design and energy-saving standpoint.

exterior view of house with green shingles on roof

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Renovated Roof in Raised Roof Construction Project

The house was also shaping up on the outside. The new clapboard siding was nearing completion and the Oakridge Pro 40 shingles in Chateau Green from Owens Corning were installed. What a difference a little color and texture make on a roof.

bathroom with ann sacks bali pebble stone flooring

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Remodeling of Bathroom for Raised Roof Construction Project Begins

In the bathroom, the Ann Sacks Bali Pebble stone flooring was installed and the custom-built vanity moved into place. Rather than install the bead board wainscoting to chair rail height, we opted to raise it to 5 ½ feet.

pine panel door

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Pine Panel Door

Since our goal was to match the original details in the house, we looked for salvaged doors and hardware locally and online. We found four beautiful pine panel doors online at Recycling the Past and had them crated and shipped to the house from New Jersey.

finished wood floors

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Finished Wood Floors for Raised Roof Construction Project

Next came the wood floors. The bedroom that had been extended posed the biggest challenge for installers and finishers since new floorboards needed to blend with the original ones. You would be hard-pressed to know by looking at the finished floors today.

gee bend rug from abc home carpet in blue and red

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Gee's Bend Rug From ABC Home Carpet

Once you start painting and bring furniture into a space you know youve made it to the home stretch. When we found the Gees Bend rug at ABC Carpet & Home in New York City, we knew it would be a distinctive accent for the room. (If you are unfamiliar with Gees Bend, we encourage you to find out more at quiltsofgeesbend.com.

beautyrest black top mattress

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Beautyrest Black Top Mattress

Typical of old homes, the stairwell prevented us from getting some furniture upstairs, including a queen size box spring. But we discovered that Simmons now makes a low-profile, split box spring that was a breeze to get upstairs. The thick Beautyrest Black top mattress still needed to be coaxed up and around the newel post, but voila!

bedroom remodeled in raised roof construction project

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Bedroom in Raised Roof Construction Project

We love rescuing furniture from the street (and theres plenty of good stuff to be foundtrust us!). Its fun when you can pair something like the red chest and 50s lamp (both street finds) with something as beautiful as the new Quincy Bed from Ethan Allen.

bathroom with sink and focal corner shower enclosure

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Bathroom in Raised Roof Construction Project

In addition to the Iron Works cast iron tub from Kohler, the bathroom does feature a Focal Corner Shower enclosure. The doors glide open from the front corner, rather than open out so it is the perfect solution for smaller spaces.

green and gray remodeled house for raised roof construction project

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After Shot of Remodeled House for Raised Roof Construction Project

When we look at where we started and the house we have today, we do feel that we made the right decision in taking on the remodeling project (something we would have been reluctant to say a couple months into the nightmare and mess of construction.) But it is the dream home that we envisioned and the one we now plan to enjoy.