Choosing the Right House Extension: Exploring Your Options
With numerous options available, each offering its own advantages and considerations, it’s crucial to explore and understand the different types of house extensions before making a choice. Whether you’re looking to expand your kitchen, add extra bedrooms, or create spacious open-plan living areas, this article aims to provide insights into the various types of house extensions.
In basic terms, a home extension involves expanding the existing structure of a property to create additional space. Homeowners choose home extensions over moving for various reasons, such as accommodating a growing family, creating a home office, or enhancing the overall aesthetics and functionality of their home. The cost of a home extension depends on factors such as size, complexity, materials used, and location.
Materials commonly employed in home extensions include treated timber framing and brickwork for the construction of the extension’s frame and walls. If you’re looking for glass windows and doors that are often used to provide ample natural light and connect the extension with the outdoors, you can compare them here.
Rear Extensions
A rear extension involves extending the property from the back, typically into the garden. This type of extension is favored by those with sufficient garden space that they feel is not being used to its full potential. Rear extensions are versatile and can be designed to serve various purposes, such as expanding the kitchen, adding a larger dining area, or building a conservatory that acts as an affordable extra room.
Side Extensions
A side extension utilises the width of your plot of land to extend the property and often involves using the space of a side alley or walkway adjacent to the home. While less common than rear extensions, they can be an excellent option for properties with limited garden space or those that value their gardens. Side extensions can be used to create additional bedrooms, a home office, or a larger utility area.
Wrap-around Extensions
This type of extension maximises the available floor space and can make a significant difference in the overall square footage of a property. With a wrap-around extension, homeowners can create a harmonious flow throughout the extended areas, integrating them seamlessly with the existing layout. This extension type provides ample opportunity for creating spacious open-plan living areas, a larger kitchen, and extra bedrooms.
Double-Storey Extensions
A double-storey extension involves extending the property both at ground level and above. This type of extension is ideal when additional rooms are needed on both the ground and upper floors. Double-storey extensions offer considerable flexibility in terms of design and functionality. They can be used to add extra bedrooms, bathrooms, a home gym, or a dedicated study area. However, it is important to note that this is an expensive and laborious job.
Over-Structure Extensions
Finally, over-structure extensions are a niche option that requires a ground-level room without a floor above it. This type of extension is suitable for adding an extra bedroom or extending the upper floor of a ground-level room that has already been extended. While specific requirements must be met, over-structure extensions can provide unique solutions for expanding living spaces in certain properties.
Speak to an architect
To maximise the potential of your extension, it is highly recommended to enlist the expertise of an architect or architectural designer. They possess the necessary skills and experience to ensure that your extension complies with planning laws, appeals to potential buyers, integrates well with the existing structure, and, most importantly, optimises your budget.
By collaborating with a professional, you can benefit from their knowledge of design principles and industry best practices, resulting in a well-executed extension that not only enhances the value of your property but also aligns with your goals and vision.
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