Project Overview & Homeowner Objectives in Cranberry Township’s Ehrman Farms & Freedom Road Corridors

Across established subdivisions like Ehrman Farms, Sunningdale, and newer communities near Park Place in Cranberry Township, PA, many two-story colonials built between 1992 and 2008 feature central load-bearing walls that pinch the kitchen off from the formal dining room and family room. In this showcase renovation, our goal was to eliminate an 18-foot structural partition wall, create an expansive single-level culinary island, and upgrade all mechanical utilities without dropping an unsightly bulkhead across the ceiling.

Property Profile & Pre-Renovation Challenges

The existing layout suffered from a cramped 42-inch work aisle, an angled peninsula that blocked patio door traffic, builder-grade oak cabinets, and HVAC supply ducts plus a 2-inch cast-iron plumbing vent stack running directly inside the load-bearing wall scheduled for removal.

Scope of Work & Turnkey Trade Coordination

• Temporary shoring wall erection and recessed triple-ply LVL structural beam installation.
• In-house rerouting of second-floor HVAC supply trunks, drain-waste-vent plumbing stacks, and electrical home-run circuits.
• Custom full-overlay shaker cabinetry, 10-foot quartz waterfall island, and under-cabinet LED task lighting.

Structural Engineering, LVL Beam Installation & Mechanical Rerouting

Recessed Flush-Beam Framing & Point-Load Transfer

As specialists in kitchen remodeling in Cranberry Township and Western PA, our framing team built dual temporary shoring walls on both sides of the central partition before cutting pockets into the second-floor I-joists. We hoisted a triple 1.75-inch by 11.875-inch 2.0E Microllam LVL beam flush into the ceiling cavity, securing every intersecting joist with Simpson Strong-Tie HUS heavy hangers. Down in the basement, we installed solid blocking and a structural steel post directly beneath the new triple-stud king/jack packs to carry the point loads safely to the concrete footing.

In-House Licensed Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC Integration

Rather than waiting weeks on outside subcontractors to move utilities out of the demolished wall, our in-house mechanical trades executed the reroutes the very same day. Our electricians wired four dedicated 20-amp GFCI/AFCI small-appliance branch circuits, a 50-amp 240V circuit for a 36-inch induction range, and pop-up island receptacles compliant with the latest NEC code. Our plumbers relocated the main vent stack and ran insulated PEX-A lines to a workstation apron-front sink and wall-mounted pot filler, while our HVAC crew installed a 400-CFM rigid-ducted exterior range hood paired with a motorized make-up air damper.

Custom Cabinetry, Quartz Countertops & Cranberry Township Code Compliance

Precision Millwork & Thermal Envelope Protection

We laser-leveled the subfloor and installed custom 3/4-inch plywood-box cabinetry featuring solid maple dovetail drawers, Blum soft-close hardware, a concealed dual-bin waste pull-out, and custom-scribed two-piece crown molding touching the 9-foot ceiling. The centerpiece 10-foot island was topped with 3cm Calacatta Laza quartz featuring a mitered waterfall leg.

Cranberry Township Permitting & Western PA Freeze-Thaw Protection

Because the kitchen sink was positioned along a north-facing exterior wall exposed to bitter Western PA winter winds, we stripped the exterior cavity and insulated behind the PEX supply lines with closed-cell foam to prevent freeze-ups. All structural engineering drawings and trade inspections were approved through the Cranberry Township Community Development office.

Dependable Home Solutions | PO Box 23, Worthington, PA 16262 | (724) 243-2553 | https://www.dependablehomesolutions.net | PA HIC #PA212478 | EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm | Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM