Squirrel Hill Addition

Existing structure, small single-story addition, previous kitchen, shallow unconditioned crawlspace, original home.

mini excavator, existing addition demolish, original home, brick construction, boarded openings

mini excavator, debris removal, brick facade, addition removal, rear roof dormer.

Excavation site preparation, Takeuchi track loader with bucket attachment, exposed foundation conditions, boarded window openings, brick facade of existing residential structure, site grading and removal operations.

Excavation site with excavator removing concrete and debris, workers monitoring site conditions during foundation preparation, existing brick residential structure and boarded openings visible in background.

Excavation site preparation, Bobcat E55 compact excavator, residential foundation area, soil removal and grading for addition construction, existing brick structure facade visible, winter site conditions.

Excavator, residential foundation excavation, construction site preparation, rocky soil conditions.

Excavation site preparation, track loader and excavator equipment, soil and debris removal, foundation residential addition construction in winter conditions.

Sheepsfoot remote controlled Trench Roller. foundation at excavation depth, original 1800's foundation visible in the background. Engineered compaction to subgrade soil density spec

Excavation site preparation, gravel and stone aggregate stockpiles, foundation excavation with visible soil layers, temporary metal scaffolding system, boarded window openings on existing brick structure, residential addition construction in winter conditions. Excavation dimensions 32' X 36' X 12' depth

Existing brick facade removal from the exterior wall in the location of the addition. boarded openings, temporary protective sheeting, metal scaffolding system, masonry preparation work, winter construction conditions, visible structural remediation on residential addition project.

Foundation excavation and preparation, exposed stone and clay soil conditions, worker in winter gear performing underpinning excavation, loose aggregate on ground surface, existing structure visible in background. 1800's style foundation from the original home

Excavation pit with exposed foundation masonry and stone, aluminum ladder for worker access, underpinning preparation for four-story addition, winter construction conditions, brick facade removed in preparation for new construction of the addition.

Existing facade with boarded openings, blue temporary weather protection panels, brick and stone masonry visible, winter conditions with snow accumulation on roof and foundation, preparation for four-story addition construction. All original brick material salvaged and stored waiting to be reinstalled as part of the new addition to blend the new construction with the old.

Temporary wooden beam framing structure, site preparation with excavation debris, exterior HVAC unit, residential addition construction in extreme winter conditions, existing brick facade with boarded openings, metal scaffolding system.

Foundation excavation with standing water, temporary wooden site enclosure, winter weather conditions, residential addition construction site. concrete foundation pit, residential brick building, exterior HVAC unit

Manual foundation excavation, underpinning, extreme conditions, mortared stone rubble foundation from 1800's. detailed manual excavation required for precision. layered rocky soil shown.

Concrete foundation footing pour, rebar reinforcement, PVC drainage pipes, wooden forming boards, site preparation, residential construction, concrete pumping. footing keyway formed into the concrete pour.

Scaffolding, temporary site weather protection, concrete foundation wall form system, extreme weather conditions, pallet of concrete mix.

Construction site, concrete basement wall forming system, extreme weather conditions, temporary site enclosure. Poured concrete foundations generate very high hydrostatic pressure within the form walls. Meticulous tie rod placement is essential to avoid for failure during the concrete pour.

Night view of temporary site enclosure, exterior HVAC unit, building foundation in winter,.

Concrete foundation walls, construction site with excavation, worker safety gear, 2 underpinning cavities shown, concrete structural support column, foundation construction from the late 1800s, concrete beam support pillar.

Foundation excavation with temporary enclosure, protective sheeting allows for working environment during harsh winter months, drainage preparation; green PVC pipe visible for subsurface water management at excavation depth.

Concrete foundation wall with embedded tie rods and surface forms, excavation depth exposure showing construction methods and material condition, temporary site enclosure blue tarp

Reinforced concrete foundation walls shown with forms stripped and exposed tie rods, blue tarp installed for weather protection, 12 foot tall foundation walls

New foundation being opened up to the original foundation. Original foundation walls exposed, wood forms staging and salvage materials organized on site.

Foundation waterproofing application on exterior sub-grade foundation walls, Foamular 250 rigid foam insulation installation. First floor platform built, the new foundation wall being prepared for eventual backfilling.

Foundation excavation with temporary weather protection, insulation board visible on foundation walls, compacted base preparation with layout markings for structural framing. Original 1800's built home in the background showing the brick facade removed and staged to receive the addition tie-in

Foamular 250 rigid foam insulation installation over foundation with protective black drainage membrane, R-10 rated panels positioned for moisture resistance and thermal performance. the process guarantees that moistures stays out of the new basement space.

basement construction, concrete walls, temporary wooden stairs, fiberglass ladders, paint buckets, exposed engineered ceiling joists, work-in-progress interior build-out, drainage PVC piping showing below the basement slab, 2 below grades sumps in the background

Foundation drainage system installation, gravel base preparation with white PVC perimeter drain lines, black sump basins positioned for water management.

Foundation vapor barrier installation, geo-textile fabric laid over gravel base at excavation depth, concrete foundation walls visible in background, foundation footing visible at base of foundation walls, first floor I-joists overhead.

Layered foundation preparation, geo-textile, vapor barrier, Creatherm radiant heat foam board installation, concrete subfloor in progress. Stego Wrap vapor barrier is the key to sub grade ground water containment.

Foundation vapor barrier installation with Stego Wrap, preparation for below-grade construction in concrete foundation.

radiant floor heating system installation, red PEX tubing, Creatherm yellow extruded polystyrene insulation board, concrete foundation walls, in-progress construction, PVC drainage stub outs, sump basin

Rehau radiant floor heating tubing, Creatherm yellow foam insulation board, concrete foundation walls, sub-grade storm and ground water sump evacuation system, sewage evacuation sump system, expansion joints indicate a full 4" slab above the in-floor heating system.

Radiant floor heating system installation, PEX tubing grid installed in the Creatherm dimple method. thermal insulation board with integral thermal breaks, concrete subfloor preparation, in-situ installation in progress, 1/2" rebar grid suspended on 2" concrete chairs

Basement addition space in early construction phase, mono pour reinforced concrete walls, concrete slab basement subfloor, temporary work lights suspended from exposed I-joist ceiling joists, red PEX oxygen barrier tubing converging to home run location in preparation for radiant heat manifold installation, 2 sump basins await provisioning.

Concrete slab floor, cast concrete walls, red radiant heat PEX tubing, floor penetrations, sump basins

Framed wall construction in-progress, second floor platform, winter conditions with bare deciduous trees in background, addition structure framing phase. 2x6 exterior wall framing

Second floor platform construction in winter conditions, existing home with structural clay cinder blocks exposed after brick facade removed, with boarded window openings, snow accumulation on adjacent roof structures, addition exterior wall preparation visible in background with exposed brick and temporary weather protection. Exposed cinder block will eventually be removed allowing the joining of the newly built space with the old.

Exterior facade removal and temporary weather protection in progress, existing residential brick structure with boarded openings and exposed cinder block walls, wooden framing and green Zip panels installed on addition exterior in winter conditions, snow accumulation visible on roof structure and surrounding residential buildings. Exterior HVAC heater side-mounted to provide climate control in harsh winter conditions. Slate roof on original home

Interior framing and temporary weather protection installation in-progress, LVL packed steel I-beam bearing on steel post. wall studs with plastic vapor barrier sheeting suspended overhead, worker on red ladder securing joist hangers to exposed beam structure, winter construction conditions with additional workers visible on site, addition interior, triple LVL patio door header

Roof framing construction in-progress on addition structure, exposed engineered lumber framing with diagonal bracing and ridge beam assembly, green Zip panels visible on exterior walls below, temporary wooden stair access to upper levels, existing residential brick structure with slate roof visible in background, spring conditions with bare deciduous trees and clear weather. 14" I-joist roof rafters provide energy code-compliant R-49 rating

Roof framing construction in-progress on addition structure, exposed LVL engineered beams and joists with diagonal bracing and ridge beam assembly, Zip panels visible on exterior sheathing below, red construction ladders positioned for worker access, existing residential structure with bare deciduous trees visible in background, spring conditions with clear weather. Engineered lumber framing demonstrates load-bearing capacity for upper floor and roof system installation. 14" I-joist roof rafters with compliant blocking, Roof dormers, 12:12 roof pitch

Roof framing construction in-progress on addition structure, exposed engineered lumber rafters with ridge beam assembly and Existing roof structure in the background with the new roof built to meet it, workers on platform securing connections, red circular saw positioned on scaffold, existing residential structure with brick chimney visible in background, spring conditions, 36' x 24" LVL ridge beam joins new and old roofs. The slate roofing has been stripped from the old roof deck

Slate roof tile stripping in-progress on original residential structure, worker secured with safety harness on steep roof pitch removing existing roofing materials, skylight and chimney visible on roof deck, bare deciduous trees and neighboring brick residential buildings visible in background, spring conditions with clear weather, preparation for new roof system installation and integration with addition structure.

Roof framing construction in-progress on addition structure, exposed engineered lumber rafters and ridge beam assembly with diagonal bracing visible overhead, temporary metal scaffolding and work platforms positioned for worker access, Zip panels and scrim reinforced plastic sheeting visible on exterior walls, existing residential brick structure with slate roof visible through framed openings in background, spring conditions with clear weather, roof system installation with structural connections in-progress.

Interior framing construction in-progress on addition structure, exposed engineered lumber floor joists and stud walls with temporary bracing visible, red construction ladder and metal scaffolding positioned for worker access, Zip panels and sheathing installed on exterior walls, mechanical piping and rough-in systems staged on upper platform, existing residential structure visible through framed openings in background, spring conditions with clear weather, preparation for floor decking and wall closure installation.

Roof framing construction in-progress on addition structure, exposed engineered lumber rafters and sheathing installation on steep roof pitch, temporary wooden bracing and metal scaffolding positioned for worker access, existing residential structures with brick construction visible in background, spring conditions with clear weather, preparation for roof system closure and weatherproofing installation. Dormer roof on the left and main roof on the right

Roof framing construction in-progress on addition structure, exposed engineered lumber rafters with intermediate bracing and support beams visible, white plastic sheeting covering upper surface, temporary metal scaffolding and work platform positioned for worker access, spring conditions with clear weather, preparation for roof decking and substructure closure installation. I-joist rafters and LVL ridge beams

Roof framing construction in-progress on addition structure, exposed engineered lumber sheathing with fasteners visible on steep roof pitch, white Ice and Water Shield installed on the roof deck, temporary wooden bracing and metal scaffolding positioned for worker access, roof decking and weatherproofing system installation.

The original roof being overlayed with R-10 foam board. to improve overall energy performance. 3/4" plywood was then installed on top of the foam board. The old roof's combined rating R-31 - great improvement

Four-story addition structure in-progress with exterior wall framing and Zip panel sheathing installation visible, with temporary wooden bracing and metal scaffolding positioned for worker access, exposed engineered lumber framing on upper floors and roof structure with dormer and main roof sections, existing residential brick structure visible on left side in background, large dormers on either side of the 3rd floor

Stacked engineered sheathing panels with green Zip system covering visible, Zip insulated panels are made by laminating 1/2" OSB + 1" foam board making them both strong and efficient, Carrier HVAC unit and existing brick chimney visible in background, spring conditions with preparation for interior wall framing and floor closure installation.

Covered patio roof structure, exposed LVL engineered beams and floor joists with intermediate blocking and support members visible, temporary wooden bracing and metal scaffolding positioned for worker access, late spring conditions with preparation deck installation and later metal standing seam roof panels

Patio roof structure attached to addition structure in-progress with exposed engineered lumber roof framing and LVL beams installed on upper floor level, green Zip system sheathing and weather barrier visible on exterior wall in background, wooden rim board and intermediate floor joists with fasteners visible, temporary wooden bracing positioned for worker access, late spring conditions with preparation for floor decking and interior wall installation.

Second floor exterior wall framing and sheathing installation in-progress with green Zip system panels and R-sheathing visible, temporary scaffold and ladder positioned for worker access, salvaged brick being reused on the addition lateral wall, guarantees best match between old and new, existing brick wall structure visible below with window and door openings, early summer conditions with preparation for envelope closure and interior framing installation.

Existing residential brick structure with half-timbered upper facade and decorative gable pediment, showing multi-pane window openings and cream-colored trim details, photographed during mid-summer conditions prior to addition construction commencement, our goal was to match the original architectural style, half-timber, diagonal bricks between timbers, upper cantilevered wall with decorative exposed floor beam ends

Second floor exterior wall framing with green Zip system sheathing and weather barrier visible on upper level, existing brick wall structure below with window and door openings, temporary metal scaffolding and wooden work platform positioned for worker access, mid-summer conditions with preparation for envelope closure and interior wall installation.

Half-timbers installed, ready for the diagonal bricks between timbers, Third floor exterior wall framing and sheathing installation in-progress with green Zip system panels and weather barrier visible, temporary metal scaffolding and ladder positioned for worker access, existing brick wall structure visible below with window and door openings, mid-summer conditions with preparation for roof installation and interior wall framing. Cantilevered 2nd floor wall waiting for the exposed floor beams. Montigo fireplace exhaust wall vent.

Existing residential structure detail showing decorative gable pediment with cream-colored trim and ornamental carved molding, cream-colored vertical trim board with finial detail at peak, multi-pane window installed, late summer conditions during addition construction phase, architectural detailing preserved to match original design intent.

Second and third floor exterior wall framing and sheathing installation in-progress , rear pation with tongue and groove ceiling and standing seam metal roofing, Marvin windows, reclaimed brick

Four-story addition exterior rear view, metal canopy structure over lower level entrance visible with standing seam metal roofing. Large bay window visible in the 3rd floor home office. Second floor master bedroom patio door opens onto balcony over the breakfast room, brick columns support the patio roof

Masterpiece unfolding, 3rd floor dormer reaching completion, complete new slate roof with copper accessories, half-timber upper floor walls with angled brick between timbers, Marvin Ultimate windows provide the perfect transitional look, tongue and grove patio ceiling with pre-wiring for infrared heaters, balcony showing in the background with railing

Completed rear patio exterior showing brick columns supporting standing seam metal canopy structure with German copper guttering, tongue and groove wooden ceiling with ceiling fan and installed Infratech infrared heaters, large multi-pane Marvin Ultimate windows and black-framed glass doors providing transition to interior spaces, porcelain patio flooring, brick was reclaimed from earlier brick facade removal integrated into addition design, spring conditions with landscape preparation visible.

Completed residential addition exterior showing half-timber upper gable with herringbone brick infill pattern, cream-colored trim detailing, multi-pane windows with black frames, brick foundation and lower level with standing seam metal roofing, wooden pergola structure visible in foreground, spring conditions with established landscape and green lawn, post-construction phase showing finished exterior systems and material integration. Slate roofing

Completed rear patio and lower level entrance showing brick columns supporting standing seam metal canopy with tongue and groove soffit detail, black-framed glass door providing transition to interior spaces, copper gutter system, Infratech infrared heaters, porcelain patio flooring, reclaimed brick integrated into addition exterior walls, metal railing on upper level balcony visible above, spring conditions with established landscape and evergreen plantings, post-construction phase showing finished exterior systems and material integration.

Exterior wall detail showing herringbone brick pattern with white-painted timber frame divisions, black-framed Marvin Ultimate windows with multi-pane configuration, cream-colored trim at soffit line, copper downspout visible at upper left, reclaimed brick integrated into addition facade, post-construction phase showing finished exterior material systems and transition details between addition and existing structure.