Architecture/home addition

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Expert: - 3/30/2005


Question
I am adding on to my house.  The addition will include a breezeway approximately 10'x16' that connects the current house to a 24'x24' room with two bedrooms above it.  The breezeway will be framed with typical 2x6 studs with a 8' ceiling and the roof will utilize 2x6 trusses, the larger room will have the same stud height but have 14” floor joist on top of the top plate and 2x10 roof rafters.  Both the breezeway and larger room will have a 12:12 pitch roof.  What truss design would you use to get the fascia from the breezeway to line up with the larger room or is it even necessary to have the fascia line up?  Thanks in advance.

Answer
Jay - thanks for your question!  I would have gotten back to you earlier but I've been out of town.

Whether or not the fascias need to align is a question of the design.  When you draw the elevations, which looks best to you?  What is your intent - do you want the additions to look like they were always there, or are you trying to create a contrast between the new and the existing?  Try a couple of sketches both ways to help you decide.

Trusses can be made with raised or lowered "heel heights" to create various architectural effects, or to make fascias align.  If you know where you want the fascia relative to the top of the wall, the truss company can take it from there.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtastudio.com

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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