Exterior & Interior Remodeling In Glenview

Sometimes, there are houses that, instead of renovating, it is better to tear them down and put up a new building in their place. Perhaps, in the case of this project, this is justified, but the owners of the property on Indian Ridge Drive decided to carry out an extremely complicated remodeling. Literally everything has changed – from the foundation to the roof. We would like each of you to take at least a brief look at the results of 4 years of hard work and huge budgets invested in both interior and exterior remodeling.

We thought for a long time whether we should classify this project as new construction, but due to the use of existing foundations and some framing, we classified it as an unusually large remodeling.

Planning Stage

The house we were to renovate has been in the possession of one family since 1987. The building, which was built 7 years earlier, had undergone virtually no changes until the owners decided to remodel it. Very importantly, we undertook to keep the design as classic and elegant as possible – the family living in the house has a strong connection with it. For this reason, we carried out a technological revolution, but not a stylistic one.

The plan was to extensively interfere with the structure of the building. Due to its poor condition, the basement, roof, and many walls had to be completely demolished, and we also removed the chimney and cracked bricks that were on the house’s facade.

First Impression & Demolition

The first stage of the renovation was a thorough demolition – we removed absolutely every element from inside the building, from the furniture to the insulation. The finish, reminiscent of the 1980s, was already badly damaged in many places. The basement was infected with mold, and the wallpaper was peeling off. The electrical installations also required immediate intervention by specialists.

Exposure of Foundation & Further Demolition

As we were removing furniture and trims, we began to uncover the foundation. The only way to carry out some of the work in the basement was to excavate near the house – we must remember that a two-story, 4-bedroom house still rested above the basement. A few weeks later, we also removed the old, heavily worn cedar roof, which was already in significant disrepair and leaking. Due to structural damage, the roof truss was not eligible for further use. It had to be removed in its entirety, just as part of the framing.

Basement

The basement remodeling was in full swing. After breaking through the foundation walls, we gained access to the space that would soon turn into new rooms. After the new floor was poured and the load-bearing walls were built, it was time for a technological break. For safety reasons, construction had to be halted in order for the building to stabilize. Otherwise, a collapse could occur.

Framing & Roof Truss

At this stage, the structure of the house was already completely exposed. The walls, completely stripped of insulation, could be inspected very carefully for any structural damage. With the old roof trusses removed, we were also able to install new, stronger rafters, sheathing, and, together with a leading Chicagoland roofing contractor, prepare the underlayment for the laying of new cedar shakes. After that, we were able to begin the interior and exterior finishing process.

Roofing

The owners of the house at Indian Ridge love natural cedar roofs, which is why, despite our recommendations, they chose not to use DaVinci or other synthetic shakes. Nevertheless, thanks to the use of special preservatives and selected cedar, the installed roof should serve smoothly for many years and please the eyes of the owners.

Windows

No other window brand works as well for classic projects as Marvin. The traditional-looking model we used matched the brick facade perfectly.

Installation Work & Wall Insulation

Exposing the framing also allowed us to embed all the plumbing, including the HVAC system and electrical wiring. After this stage, we were also able to prepare an insulation layer of foam and, in some places, mineral wool. We paid special attention to insulating the attic, which until now had not provided comfortable conditions for staying in winter as well as summer, especially in combination with the previous leaky cedar roof.

Masonry, Concrete Work & Trim

The time has come to give the house a touch of charm. By using classic red brick and white joints, the facade was given a classic look, typical of the Colonial Revival style. The owners were keen on privacy on the terrace, so the lounge space located on the side of the house was surrounded by openwork walls. Our specialists also took care of trim – we decided to use products from CertainTeed.

Carpentry & Interior Finishing

The time has come for the final touches. In accordance with the owners’ wishes, all the floors were covered with top-grade oak parquet, and the staircase was made of exclusive wood. In the hallway, we placed a custom-made wooden closet.

The interior design was to combine coziness with modernity, so most of the walls were covered with patterned wallpaper. The living room, which is located in the attic, was decorated with wood painted white, which, combined with pillows and floral patterns, created a unique atmosphere.