Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 2/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: Bruce;
We have a 1 and 1/2 story, and want to 'bump out' living room to connect with back yard.  In working the details, realize it might be ok to go up to second level 'bump out' but roof line is awkward. I could send pics as explaining will be difficult but I'll try:  Orig. footprint is 2 stories at the fireplace. The end of living rm., running the length, is beginning of 2nd story.  We have (from fireplace across width of house) a gable roof; and off that is a rear gable.  But, the rear table slope cuts off ceiling in upstairs closet.  Upstairs bathroom outer wall(on outer edge of house) ends before outer closet wall.  Here is where the slope drops quickly.  The roofline, from fireplace back (running the length) has gradual slope of about 20 degrees. Then slopes again about 25 degrees and then(this is upstairs bathroom)drops (at upstairs bath) 90 degree right angle (to the roof of the rear / perpendicular gable).  Easy around this would be to simply add downstairs bump out, but if cost is fractions of second story, but we would end up with yet another 'roofline' - what is involved with matching up these differences in roofs, build out on the length (not including fireplace, would remain 'outside')
If pictures would help,will send; we sure could use the help.  Have asked a contractor friend and he just scratched his head. * Great, just found 'attach image' will do! Thanks very much, Anders

ANSWER: Hi Anders, from what I can gather (I'm not sure how much of the side you want to "bump out") I would just match the existing roof lines if the gable side is being bumped out both floors.  Or if you want to change the look of the gable and make it one pitch on the left side in a more traditional "salt box" look you can do that too and just put a cricket on the back side of the new second story additon where the double pitch is taking place or reframe this existing roof section to eliminate the double pitch.  I don't see the dilemma here.  Not sure why a contractor wouldn't be able to figure this out. It looks pretty straight forward.I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters,sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Bruce, thanks very much.  First, what is a 'cricket' ?
I have attached a drawing for both thoughts;

the #1  smaller box is the orig. idea of the living room bump out, which would come out level from the living room, about 12x10, more or less.
#1 What roof-line/extension would need to be built if just 1st story bump out? * except not a 'shed' roof. Semi-hip? Gable, etc?

#2 is the idea of # 1 and adding upstairs. (but possibly starting at end of living rm, rep'd in orange. (Upstairs/down baths same location.)

#2 Would the second story come out in the re-build, starting at the center of the rear-facing (West side) running towards the South?  What seems to be drawing my attention is the costs of re-doing any of the original roof.  And we don't necessarily want to change the entire west side/rear  at all, going outside its' foot prints.

Ideally, we would like to get rid of the little triangle created by the roof's right angle, and have a new more uniform roof-line but without using the entire budget on just the roof.   

The blue line represents the approximate area of the rear gable.  

also; there is an attic, high in the center at fireplace, running N and S.  

thanks very much, Anders

Answer
Hi again Anders, for just a one story bump out definately a gable end matching the shallower pitch on the left of the double pitch at the second floor.  This would give the addition a look like it belongs there.  Personally I would do the two story addition as follows:
beginning at the far left where the opposing single story gable roof abuts the two story part of the home; from this corner would be the left side of the new addition.  The new addition roof pitch would match the shallow pitch of the double pitched roof, come to a peak in the center and then go back toward the fireplace with the same shallow pitch (4/12?).  By doing this you make the shallow roof pitch become an extension with the steeper pitched roof in the back ground. To keep water from being trapped against the fireplace  a "cricket" will be used to shed water from this area.  A cricket is just a triangular piece of elevated framing installed over a flat or dead end place on a roof that has no way of draining.  It creates a high spot for water to escape into a valley and then off the roof.  If you email me from my website I might be able to send you a simple drawing, at no charge. Please include the shot of the exterior again and I will do an overlay to illustrate.  I have no way of doing that on this website.  Sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com