Bungalow Renovation in East York
Going down to the studs is a serious undertaking, even for a skilled renovation company like Sosna. It’s also one of the best options for refreshing an aged space. This is especially recommended after a home is used as a rental for a while. A client in East York approached us for this very reason. She had enjoyed the rental income from the unit for a time, but she was ready to reclaim it and share it as a home with her son. She not only wanted a complete refresh of every major part of the home but also a reorganization and replanning of the entire space. This was one of the largest and most complex projects we had handled in a while. Everything from the roof downward needed updating, upgrading, or replacement. The only materials that were to remain were the exterior framing structure, the subfloors, and the bricks dating back to its original 1940s construction. We pulled off a complete renewal for this classic bungalow so it can continue to serve its residents well for many decades to come.
It wasn’t all as simple as it could have been either. In the process of demolition, we discovered some real surprises. Thankfully our expertise prepared us for anything that a home from the 1940s could throw at us. We handled big surprises that could have been catastrophic with grace and ease. The project wrapped up with just 5 months of active work during the installation phase, keeping us on schedule despite the extensive work the structure needed. Find out how we completely transformed this classic Bungalow into a modern home that makes the most of every inch of the 800 square feet.
Renovation Details
- Total Renovation Cost:
- Design Timeline:
- 3 Months: August 17, 2021 – November 11, 2021
- Construction Timeline:
- 5 Months: February 14, 2022 – July 12, 2022
- Designer:
- Project Manager:
- Pre- Renovation Drawings:
- Proposed Renovation Drawings:
Project Overview
This East York bungalow renovation presented both exciting opportunities and unexpected challenges. Our client desired a complete transformation of her property, including a reconfigured layout, modernized amenities, and a stylish refresh. This meant addressing everything from the basement to the roof, while also ensuring the home’s structural integrity for years to come.
Improving a Small Home from the Basement Up
Everything in this design started with the basement. Making the most of the already finished space was a big priority for the client because it was the best option for expanding the amount of usable living space. With limited space available on the first floor, the client wanted to be sure her adult son had plenty of room. Updating the basement and rearranging the HVAC ductwork to lift the ceilings to 7 feet was necessary to conform with local building codes. It was quite a process to rethink the HVAC installation for maximum basement height, but we pulled it off.
Opening up the basement ceiling revealed the first surprise we faced with the Bungalow. We found asbestos inside the space, necessitating the use of special equipment and procedures to safely remove it. Once the hazardous materials were removed and remediated, it was safe for us to dismantle the HVAC equipment and reroute it. The goal in the basement was to create a suitable living space for the son and a home sauna and spa area for the client. It made sense to start from the bottom up since it gave us a chance to verify the foundation was in good condition and that the framing of the first floor was still sturdy.
Tackling the Main Floor and Discovering Serious Structural Concerns
Of course, the work didn’t end with the basement improvements. The client requested a complete redesign of the main floor to create a new layout with two Master Bedrooms with Ensuite Bathrooms. The former layout included two bedrooms, but only one was designed as a Master Bedroom. Since we wanted to reallocate space in a dramatic way, we investigated the possibility of removing the main load-bearing wall of this floor. In the process of considering the engineering details, we realized that the structure was in serious danger due to the way it was designed. The load-bearing walls of the structure did not line up properly with the roof or basement load points. That meant that the load of the house’s weight could have caused serious problems at any time.
Structural Challenges and Solutions
When we moved up to the roof, we discovered problems caused by that exact lack of load support in the rest of the structure. Settling and aging had left the roof trusses in very poor condition, risking a roof collapse. It wasn’t enough to simply remove old shingles and put on new ones. We had to replace the trusses and the other components connecting to them, securing the roof and the rest of the structure. Along with the shingles we replaced all of the soffits and eavestroughs, resulting in a whole new roof. The weight of the roof is appropriately distributed down through the rest of the framing all the way to the basement load points. The residents of the home don’t have to worry about the integrity of the structure since we’ve inspected and improved practically every inch of it in this extensive renovation process.
Moving On to Interior Design Improvements
Thankfully we were already prepared for demolition and redesign, so putting in structural improvements to balance the load didn’t interfere with the rest of the plans. We settled all of the various issues with the walls and designated the larger bedrooms the client wanted, along with the addition of a new entryway by moving the side entrance and staircase to the back of the house.
Design and Aesthetics
Then we were free to move on to the interior design work, planning out materials and features that would reflect both personalities in their own spaces. For example, the client wanted a clean and modern color palette based mostly around cool white shades, while the son wanted bolder colors and designs. We accommodated the tastes of both of them without compromising on timeless décor that would age well over time. You’ll see that the Main Floor reflects her preferences and the basement mostly his due to their planned uses of the separated spaces.
Maximizing Functionality in a Small Space
The basement really was the key to fitting everything our client wanted into the renovation. Not only did it serve as a living space for her adult son, but she also dreamed of having a home spa and sauna to enjoy whenever she wanted. The jacuzzi tub is perfect for unwinding after a long day. Even though basements pose plumbing challenges due to the depth and concrete construction, we easily converted the spa space with all of the features the client wanted for a luxurious experience.
Aside from the home spa, the basement design featured an entertainment center for the client’s son, complete with a bar. There was no need to build from scratch just to fit all of these great features into the Bungalow’s small footprint. The home has been truly transformed, and not just with new interior looks. It’s also much safer to occupy now and won’t develop dangerous conditions due to issues with the structure and roof trusses. The basement walls now fully support the rest of the home, resulting in a design that should last much longer. It’s always great to make the most of an older home with great bones that just needs some improvements to stay in use for decades to come. This Bungalow in East York had plenty of charm and value. Our team specializes in finding a path to modernization for homes like this one that doesn’t waste any of the materials or features that can be saved from the past.
The Benefits of Renovation over New Construction
With all the work we did to transform this Bungalow into a new space for our client and her son, you may wonder why she didn’t choose to build a new structure instead. For the majority of Toronto area homeowners, renovating makes more sense on many levels.
First, you can use the existing structure and expand upon it without the extra work of clearing land, pouring a foundation, or securing approvals and permits for a brand-new structure. In crowded parts of the area with small lots and tight setback requirements, it can be hard to find a place to put a new home. Making the most of an older structure makes a lot of sense in these cases.
Second, older homes have a lot of charm and often need fewer repairs than you might think. Coming in and putting on a few coats of paint and some new cabinetry may be all you need to refresh your current home. Considering the costs and long delays that come with new construction, you’re likely to spend a lot less on renovating.
Finally, you’ll be surprised at how much we can do to change up the same old home you’ve been living with for years. When you return after a major renovation that involves changing the layout of walls, stairs, and more, you might not even recognize the place. You get the feeling of a brand new home with much less hassle.
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While you can’t “teach an old dog new tricks”, the sky is the limit on how much you can transform an old home into a new one. Your current home can become the home of your dreams with our help.
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