Additions and remodeling in Downey, Los Angeles County
Home additions in Downey
A Downey second story starts with where the stair goes, how it fits the floor below and how the new bedrooms stay comfortable on a hot night.
For a Downey family adding bedrooms upstairs, the stair is the piece of the house we think about longest. It takes floor space from the rooms below, sets where the upper hall lands, and on an inland urban lot it also acts as a chimney that carries warm air up to the new bedrooms. Placing it well means the downstairs still works and the kids upstairs can sleep on a hot night.
Finding room for the stair
A straight run needs a long strip of floor, while a stair with a landing can tuck into a corner of the family room or the end of a hall. We measure the ground floor and test a few spots against headroom, the width the code calls for and how people move through the kitchen and living room. Sometimes a closet or part of the garage gives up the space. The stair opening also cuts ceiling joists, so the framing plan shows the headers and posts that carry them before any drywall comes down.
Keeping the upstairs comfortable, and the permit
Warm air climbs an open stair, so the new floor gets its own return air path, insulation to the depth the energy forms set and attic vents at the eaves and ridge. Low-e glass and shaded openings help on any wall that takes strong afternoon sun. An engineer checks the existing walls and footings to confirm they can carry a second floor. The City of Downey reviews the drawings and inspects the framing. When the old roof comes off, a temporary cover protects the rooms below, and the kitchen and baths downstairs stay usable through most of the job.
What we build in Downey
Additions and second stories lead the list. Every other service is available here too, alone or as part of a bigger project.
Nearby cities we also serve
Need more room in Downey?
Send the address and tell us who the space is for. We will check the local rules and set up a visit.