Home Additions
Brick Colonial Sunroom Addition in Sterling, VA
Remodeling Need
After 20+ years in their home, our clients were ready to bring their long-awaited sunroom vision to life—a space originally planned but cut due to soil challenges during construction. Built along the scenic Potomac River, this project required overcoming the unique demands of poor soil conditions with a specialized foundation and deep basement.
Design Solution
For this sunroom addition, the client collaborated with their original architect to ensure the new space seamlessly matched the details of the original home. The design featured intricate brickwork and carefully crafted interior trim to preserve the home’s character. Windows saved from the original build were incorporated, while two new windows were sourced and custom-trimmed to closely match the existing ones.
Challenges
Given the home’s location on the Potomac River, additional measures were necessary to address environmental challenges. High winds common to the area often caused drywall cracking and nail pops in neighboring homes. To counteract this, the engineer added wind bracing support to mitigate lateral forces on the addition.
The poor soil conditions presented another obstacle, requiring a specialized floating foundation. The engineering team designed a structural basement floor with over 12 inches of concrete atop gravel, turned down onto oversized T-footings. To ensure stability, excavation extended over 12 feet to reach suitable soil, with high-grade backfill brought in to reinforce the foundation.
To manage water runoff on the flat, non-porous terrain, all downspouts and the sump pump were carefully routed to drain away from the addition, preventing water accumulation against the structure.
Result
The result is a structurally sound, meticulously crafted sunroom that seamlessly blends with the original home’s design while overcoming the site’s unique challenges. This beautiful, light-filled retreat enhances the home’s charm and provides the perfect space to enjoy stunning river views year-round.
Project Location
Trust Your Home Addition to the Design Build Professionals in Northern VA
Schroeder Design Build has worked with over 1,000 clients, many of whom have hired us to design and build a home addition. We take pride in our approach, which prioritizes the preservation of each home's unique character. Our goal is to help you rediscover the joy of your home by exploring options that fit your budget, while also incorporating modern design elements that enhance the home's overall aesthetic appeal.
When you remodel with an addition, you don’t have to move to get more space. The final result is a home that looks and feels exactly as you imagined, with more room and better functionality.
