Split Level Home Additions

Adding Space and Value to Your Split Level Home

Throughout the 1950s to 1970s, split level homes were one of the most popular architectural styles throughout the country. As needs change, style preferences evolve, and homeowners need more space than what their current home offers, adding an addition is one of the most consistent requests when it comes to remodeling a split level home.

Adding on to your split level home has its perks, including:

Expanding floor plans to create more seamless transitions between levels, helping to eliminate the cramped or compartmentalized feel.

Taking the opportunity to modernize the home’s design and features as you improve functionality.

Planning for the future by ensuring the addition meets your needs and enhances the home's value for years to come.

Split Level Home Addition Ideas

1. Master Suite Addition to a Split Level Home

Because of their staggered floor plans, split level homes often have smaller bedrooms compared to other styles. Adding a master suite to a split level home not only provides more bedroom and bathroom space, but it also allows you to create a personalized retreat that’s uniquely yours.

This kind of addition can also help you plan for the future, offering the perfect setup for aging in place if you plan to spend your retirement years in the home.

2. Addition on the Back for New Rooms & Bedrooms

Adding to the back of a split-level home is a practical way to increase your living space without disrupting your home’s existing floor plan.

Expanding off the back of your split-level home allows you to add new rooms, such as extra bedrooms or living areas. This type of addition can help you maximize available space, provide more privacy, and create room for the personalized features you want. It’s ideal for growing families or those looking to age in place, offering the flexibility to design a home that fits your lifestyle now and in the future.

3. Kitchen Addition / Creating an Open Concept Kitchen

Kitchens in split-level homes, typically located on the main or upper level, are often enclosed by walls that divide them from the dining and living areas. The limited space and the placement of staircases or half-levels can also restrict openness. This creates the compartmentalized feel that’s common in older home designs—and that many homeowners want to eliminate down the road.

Expanding the kitchen allows you to embrace more of an open-concept design, seamlessly connecting the kitchen to the living and dining areas—perfect for gathering and entertaining! This type of addition not only comes with the opportunity to upgrade outdated features with a kitchen remodel, but can also increase your home’s value and your enjoyment of the home for many years to come.

4. Second-Story Additions (Pop Tops)

Where local building codes allow, your addition to your split level home may take the form of a second story addition, or “popping the top” on your split level ranch home. Careful planning and consideration of your home’s structural integrity are very important in these types of projects. Because of their varying ceiling heights and load-bearing walls, a structural engineer will be required to see if your home’s foundation can handle this type of addition.

Second-story additions (or pop tops) are popular in the Denver and Northern Colorado areas as they offer a significant space increase. With the right planning and professional pop top contractors, popping the top can make your split-level home much more spacious, with extra bedrooms, a master suite, or anything else you can dream up.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Planning & Designing an Addition to Your Split Level Home

Have you decided to add an addition to your split-level home? The next crucial step is planning and designing your proposed changes as well as evaluating your home’s current state.

You will need to work with experienced architects, structural engineers, and builders to design and build an addition that complements the existing structure and adheres to your local building codes. Because of all of these moving parts, working with a general contractor is one of the easiest ways to complete your project stress-free.

Working with Professional Local Home Addition Contractors

Get more space from the home you already own—without compromising on what you truly want. Discover the possibilities with experienced builders who can help you design a space to fit your needs for the long term.

Home Addition Services in Denver, Boulder, and Northern Colorado

Planning a home transformation? PR Builders are trusted, licensed and insured home addition builders in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and the surrounding areas, including:

No project you envision is too big or too complicated for us to find you the perfect solution.

FAQS

Can you put an addition on a split-level home?

Yes, you can put an addition on a split-level home, and it is one of the most popular types of remodels because it can significantly enhance both the space and value of your property. Since split-level homes are unique in their layout, typically with staggered floors, you may run into some challenges when going through addition ideas for your split level home. However, several options are available and may suit your goals, such as popping the top, additions to the back or side, garage additions, and creating an open concept by adding on horizontally.

How can I modernize my split-level home?

To modernize your older split-level home, you have options: from minor exterior refreshes like siding or paint to a complete opening up of your floor plan with a structural remodel. If you opt to do some load bearing wall removal and opening up your layout, that’s also a great opportunity to update with modern materials, flooring, and lighting. You can also choose to incorporate smart home features and choose sleek, modern furnishings and decor. When remodeling, the sky’s the limit with what you’d like your new style to be.

Are split-level homes harder to sell?

The reason you might have trouble selling a split-level home is usually due to their unique layout and multiple levels, which might not appeal to everyone—many prefer single-level or open-concept designs. The stairs throughout the home can also be a concern for families with young children or individuals with mobility issues. However, updating a split-level home may significantly enhance its appeal. Modernizing the kitchen, bathrooms, and interior design can make the home more attractive to buyers, as well as open-concept remodels. In markets where split-level homes are common, these updates can make a big difference.

Is it cheaper to add a second floor or an addition?

The cost of adding a second floor versus a horizontal addition depends on several factors. Adding a second story or “popping the top” typically involves reinforcing the foundation and structural framework, which can be expensive but may be more cost-effective if space is limited or expanding outward isn’t possible. On the other hand, ground level additions often require excavation, foundation work, and possibly adjusting utility lines, which can also become costly depending on the scale of the project. For more information on your unique project, feel free to ask us.

I have another question about an addition project.

If you’re local to Northern Colorado and have a unique project you’d like to ask us about, please feel free to send us a message online or call us at 970-692-3122. We work in Denver, Boulder, and throughout Northern Colorado.