Jennifer and David DeLuna live in an long-established neighborhood of Glen Ellyn where teardowns are increasingly commonplace. Despite the trend, they have no intentions of following suit. Instead, they plan to expand into the attic of their Chicago-style bungalow.
“The living space is adequate now, but we have two small children who are getting bigger and louder every day and they can use the extra space,” said David. “We could move but we’ve got a great house with plenty of oak floors, trim and windows, plaster walls and a barn-like garage.”
The 75-year-old home features three bedrooms, one bath, a formal dining room and a recently remodeled kitchen-all lavished with architectural details. What they would like to do, they explained to architect Ronald LaPage of LaPage & Associates in Wheaton, is create a bedroom, family room, computer room and a bath with shower. This renovation will measure approximately 500 to 600 square feet.
“We’re not into big master bedrooms with baths,” said Jennifer.
Tight squeeze
Access to the 54-by-25-foot attic is gained through a steep, narrow L-shaped staircase that opens to the kitchen. The DeLunas hope to open up the bedroom closest to the front door and create a formal foyer and new staircase there.
“How would you like to get a bedroom set up here?” asked LaPage as he made his way through the tight squeeze to the attic.
“Futons are about all you could do,” said Jennifer.
After inspecting the floor and roof, LaPage proclaimed the space adaptable to renovation. The roof shows no sign of water over the decades and its steep pitch affords plenty of head room even after insulation and a ceiling are put in.
The first step, he said, is to reinforce the floor. The 2-by-6-inch joists were designed to support the first floor ceiling but are undersized for everyday living. New joists can be laid alongside the old ones.
The second step is insulation and construction of a ceiling. Now bracing the roof is a system of collar ties and vertical studs, each about two feet apart. To provide adequate clearance, the collar ties will have to be moved up about a foot and a half.
“We’ll still need them?” asked David.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, as you move them up you’ll probably add them to every rafter,” said LaPage.
Another issue to consider is light. The attic’s existing three windows let in some, but not much, natural light. The DeLunas will want to add more windows and possibly skylights.
“Do we have to do the skylights right away or can we rough them in and wait until the roof goes?” asked Jennifer. The roof is not leaking now but will have to be replaced in about three years. The couple would prefer not to invite problems by cutting holes into the roof at this time. LaPage thought that was a good idea.
Dormer OK
On one side of the attic is a small dormer-like window built into the slope of the roof. The couple would like to incorporate it into the design of the bedroom but are concerned about the low clearance on what will be that side of the room.
“That’s fine,” said LaPage. “The building code says 30 percent of a room can be less than 7 feet 6 inches in height. This is a small amount of space.”
Jennifer asked about the advisability of overhauling the narrow staircase so they have two accesses to the second floor. They could do it, said the architect, but they would have to increase the tread width and rise to meet the building code. The stairwell would have to be extended and cut further into the attic floor.
“In a house this size it isn’t worth it to put in a second staircase unless there is a good reason,” said LaPage.
The total cost of the DeLunas’ proposed renovation can vary widely, depending upon the amount of space they finish and how elaborately they finish it. LaPage ballparked figures between $25,000 and $40,000 but added they could save money by doing some of the work themselves. “One thing we’ll pay more for are oak moldings,” said David, who purchased the doors from a nearby teardown with this project in mind. “I don’t care if I have to sacrifice a room or have a smaller size but it’s important for us to have the same look of the house.”
The DeLunas can realize additional savings if they act as their own general contractors, LaPage pointed out. Building codes require them to use licensed plumbers and electricians, however.
“We have an old house,” said David. “We certainly know plenty of plumbers and electricians.”
