We ran into the same issue and ended up using reclaimed boards from a salvage yard, but even then, the patina never quite matched.
Matching siding is the bane of my existence, honestly. I’ve had projects where even “identical” new boards looked off once the sun hit them. That quote about “spot the difference” is too real.
On the bump out vs. build up debate, I lean toward building up when possible. Less site disturbance and you keep your yard, which buyers love. But yeah, air sealing can get tricky—especially with older homes where nothing is square. Had to redo insulation twice on one place because of weird framing surprises behind the walls... not fun, but worth it for the extra light and views upstairs.
Had to redo insulation twice on one place because of weird framing surprises behind the walls...
Man, that’s the stuff nightmares are made of. Ever open up a wall and just stare at the mess, wondering who thought that framing was a good idea? I get the appeal of building up for the yard, but does anyone else worry about stairs eating into the floor plan? I always wonder if buyers notice that tradeoff or just get wowed by the extra light upstairs.
Bumping out always seemed like the more budget-friendly move to me, especially when you factor in the cost of adding stairs and all the weird little things that come with building up. I get what you mean about stairs eating up space—suddenly your open living room feels a lot tighter. Plus, I swear every time I’ve looked into second-story additions, the quotes just balloon with all the extra engineering. Sometimes I wonder if the extra sunlight is worth the headaches...
Yeah, the stair thing is a pain—lost a whole closet once just to make room for them. When you bump out, you’re usually dealing with fewer structural surprises too. One thing I’d add: if you’re looking to stay energy efficient, a bump-out lets you use better insulation and fewer windows (if you want), which can help with heating and cooling. Building up can get tricky with air flow and keeping temps even. Sunlight’s nice, but man, those second-story HVAC tweaks can get expensive fast...
Funny you mention HVAC—I've seen more than a few clients underestimate what it takes to keep a new second floor comfortable. Sometimes you end up with one room that's freezing and another that's a sauna, just because the ductwork can't keep up. Have you ever tried mini-splits for those tricky spots? They’re not always the prettiest, but they can save a lot of headaches if you’re not keen on redoing all your existing systems.
I’m curious, though—when you did your bump-out, did you run into issues matching the exterior materials or rooflines? I’ve had projects where the addition stuck out like a sore thumb until we got creative with siding or trim. Wondering if that was a hassle for you, or if it blended in pretty easily...
