Home Additions
An addition that reads as part of the house.
New footprint framed, tied into the existing structure and finished to match roof pitch, siding profile and trim, so it is hard to tell where the original ends.
How is a home addition tied into the existing house?
A well-built addition should be invisible from the street. That means matching roof pitch, siding profile, trim details and window proportions to the existing structure, and detailing the intersection between old and new so the roof and wall assemblies stay watertight where they meet.
Overview
Three junctions decide the outcome
A well-built addition should be invisible from the street. That means matching roof pitch, siding profile, trim detail and window proportion to the existing structure, so the eye reads one house rather than two. Getting the proportions right costs nothing extra at the design stage and cannot be fixed afterwards.
It also means expanding living space for a growing family without relocating, which for many homeowners in the Twin Ports is the whole point. The alternative is leaving a neighborhood, a school district and a lot you chose deliberately.
Scope
What a home addition includes
- Design coordinated to match the existing structure
- Permit application and inspection coordination
- Excavation and new foundation to full frost depth
- Framing tied into the existing structure at all three junctions
- Roof intersection detailed and flashed, with a cricket where needed
- Exterior envelope matched to existing roof pitch, siding and trim
- Mechanical load evaluated, with zoning added where required
- Interior finish work through to completion
Home Additions
A well-built addition should be invisible from the street.
Covenant Builders
How it is done
Where old meets new
There are three junctions between an addition and the house it joins: the foundation, the framing and the roof. Each is a place where water and air get in if it is detailed casually. The roof intersection is the most demanding, often needing a cricket to move water away from the wall rather than into the corner.
The new foundation is designed for the actual soil conditions and taken to the same frost depth as the original. Some differential movement between old and new is normal in this climate, so it gets accommodated in the detailing rather than fought.
Mechanical capacity gets evaluated during planning. Adding conditioned square footage changes the heating and cooling load, and an existing furnace that was correctly sized for the old house may not carry the new one. Finding that out during design is considerably cheaper than finding out in January.
Where we work
Home Additions across the Twin Ports
Each service area page covers all twelve services and what makes building there different.
What homeowners say
Work that earns the referral.
Reviews left by Covenant Builders customers on Google.
“Went with Covenant Builders as they were the least expensive of 3 estimates. They did the roof on my house and garage in one 12 hour day with high quality products. Their cleanup was also great. I literally found just one nail after they were done. Roof looks great and so far has been leak free.”
Matthew ZemlerRoof replacement · via Google “Jared was great to work with. Out of all the contractors that gave a bid on doing the roof of my house, he did the best inspection to help minimize surprise costs. He is professional, polite, and respectful. I had a great experience working with him!”
Abby DuggerRoof replacement · via Google “I had an excellent experience from start to finish with Jared and Covenant builders. The estimate process was easy to understand; I new exactly what I was getting and what I would be paying for it, no pressure at all. The work crew was efficient and took extra care not to damage my garden. I look forward to saving monry on my homeowners insurance with class 4 rated shingles.”
Karen St. GeorgeRoof replacement · via Google
FAQ
Home Additions questions
How is an addition tied into the existing house?
At the foundation, the framing and the roof, and each junction is a place water and air can get in if it is detailed casually. The roof intersection is the most demanding: it needs proper flashing and often a cricket to move water away from the wall. Matching pitch makes that connection cleaner as well as better looking.
Will the addition's foundation settle differently?
It can, which is why the new foundation is designed for the actual soil conditions and taken to the same frost depth as the original. Some differential movement between old and new is normal and gets accommodated in the detailing rather than fought.
Can the existing furnace handle the added space?
Not always. Adding conditioned square footage changes the heating and cooling load, and an undersized system will run constantly without keeping up. Whether the existing equipment can carry the addition, or the new space needs its own zone, gets evaluated during planning.
How long does a home addition take?
Considerably longer than an interior remodel of the same square footage, because it includes excavation, foundation, framing and a full exterior envelope, and because permitting and inspection happen at multiple stages. Weather also constrains the foundation and framing phases in this climate.
Will I be able to live in the house during construction?
Usually yes for much of it, since an addition is built largely outside the existing envelope. The disruptive window is when the wall between old and new opens up. That period gets scheduled deliberately and sealed off so the rest of the house stays livable.
Other services
One contractor for the whole house.
Roofing
Full roof replacement built for heavy snow load, ice dams and freeze-thaw cycles.
Learn moreSiding Installation
LP SmartSide and fiber cement siding that seals out drafts and resists freeze-thaw warping.
Learn moreGutter Installation
Seamless gutters sloped and mounted to carry snowmelt away from your foundation.
Learn moreWindow Installation
Insulated replacement windows that cut drafts and lower winter heating costs.
Learn moreDoor Installation
Insulated entry and patio doors installed square, sealed and weather-tight.
Learn moreInterior & Exterior Painting
Prep-first painting that holds its finish through Minnesota temperature swings.
Learn more
Ready to talk about home additions?
Call, or send a few details about the property and we will get back to you with next steps.
Mon-Sat 7:00 am to 7:00 pm · Closed Sunday