Tri-Level Home Remodeling Tips for Wisconsin Homeowners

The tri-level home is a variation on the split-level or split-entry home style. While we're not sure who created the first designs for this popular home style, we do know that the split first appeared in the Chicago area during the 1930s.

Modern Homes, a Sears & Roebuck planbook published in 1935 included several home plans with all of the traits of the contemporary split level home: living space a half-flight of stairs from the garage, bedroom stacked over the garage a half-flight of stairs over the living area, and a half basement level with daylight windows.

The style officially took off during the post-WWII building boom in the late 1940s. Built on different levels, without a full basement, they were cheaper to produce than popular styles like the Cape Cod and were a perfect solution for small, hilly lots. The split-level offered efficient use of space, with the feel of a two-story home, in a story and a half.

The tri-level house is a variation of the split-level. They are related to architect Frank Lloyd Wright's low-slung, “prairie style” home which was designed to blend into its natural surroundings.

What Is A Tri-Level Home? It Looks Like The Brady Bunch House

The main characteristic of the split-level, split entry, and tri-level home is that they all have living spaces on two to four different levels. The simple split-level home opens into a small foyer with half-stairs leading to upstairs and downstairs living spaces. Unlike a ranch or Cape Cod style home, there is no ground floor. 

Splitting the interior in this way allows the garage slab to be at grade, a basement level to sit a half-flight below grade and both to sit on frost footings, safe from winter heaving, common in Wisconsin. The half-basement also offers other advantages. It's less expensive to dig, it allows for taller windows making for brighter, bedrooms, and because it's only a half-flight from the main living levels, it feels more like a part of the house, and not a basement. 

The classic tri-level floor plan typically features a front entry at the center of the home. The single-story level may be to the right or left of the entrance and is generally built on a slab. This level contains the kitchen, dining and living rooms, and may open to an outdoor patio. On the two-story side of the house, there are two short staircases, one leading up to the bedrooms and bathrooms, and the other pointing down to the garden level area featuring additional living space, a laundry room, playroom, or family room and the attached garage.

Remodeling can be challenging but can provide several significant benefits. A renovation will make your tri-level more livable, lighter, more open, attractive, welcoming, and increase your home’s resale value, and appeal.

Remodeling Your Tri-Level Home for Today's Lifestyle

Like many home styles, tri-levels offer homeowners benefits and drawbacks. Homeowners who love their homes enjoy the distinct separation between the different levels and the different uses for each. The bedrooms are separate from the main living level and are private. Utility rooms are located in another area away from the main living space. The basement doesn't seem like a basement as it is only partially underground. The larger windows let in plenty of natural light. Many have an open floor plan, and the levels only a half-flight away make the home feel more open and connected. 

Many tri-level homeowners have concerns like the narrowness of the front entry, the small landing, and a coat closet is often small. In fact, as a general rule, there tends to be a lack of closets and communal storage space. There can be heating issues as it can be difficult keeping all levels at an average temperature. For older homeowners, the stairs can be a problem as they age. It can be challenging to bring in groceries and hard to get around. 

The exterior of tri-levels often lacks style and has little curb appeal. The front is dominated by large garage doors, bland styling, and a subdued, nondescript entryway.

Making Changes to the Exterior

Updating the exterior of the home can significantly up its curb appeal, and value. Typical updates include;

• replacing the garage door with a more modern style

• adding texture, such as stone to the “basement” level facade

• opening the entryway with sidelights

These changes can make it easier to meet and greet guests, as well as bring more light into the foyer of the home.

Another approach to creating a more welcoming entry is to extend the roofline over the front entrance and add columns to create a front porch area. This can shift focus away from the garage door, making the front entry area a new visual focal point. 

Other exterior changes that can really up a tri-level's curb appeal include adding, enlarging and replacing the older style, single-pane windows that were typically used in these types of homes with more modern, energy-efficient double-pane windows. Also replacing the roof shingles with a darker color or a metal seamed roof can give your tri-level a more modern, sleeker look.

Updating the Interior

The changes homeowners often request when updating their tri-level include enlarging and opening up the entry foyer to make it easier to greet guests. This update gives the home a more open and airy feel. 

While tri-levels typically have a more open floor plan, the kitchen is usually a smaller space and is segregated by partial walls, as is the living room. Opening up space by removing walls and installing a header beam can connect these spaces allowing for better sightline. Opening the floor plan provides more natural light, and gives kitchen users more views when working. The addition of a kitchen island will better define the space, add storage, and add provide additional seating for guests. 

Adding windows on the sides of the house will increase natural light. Adding a window on the second wall on the corner can dramatically improve the quality of the space as well. 

One of the defining elements of a split is the different levels. Stairs are necessary to connect the levels, and part of living in a tri-level is coming to terms with the stairs. Rather than making changes to the stairs, consider ways to create transition spaces at the landings. Expanding the entryway, or adding a mudroom can create a space to greet guests, sit down and take off boots, and create some breathing room for the stairs.

The fact is, an excellent design-build-remodeler will work with you to determine your tri-level renovation options. While it can be challenging to remodel a tri-level, with a creative approach, you can modernize your home to better fit your family's lifestyle and needs.

If you own a tri-level in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area and are considering updating your home, give the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel a call at (608) 846-5963 or click here to schedule an appointment. We can help you bring your tri-level home to the next level!