Extensions

There are three main types of extension found in British cities: the rear extension, the side return extension and the wrapped extension. A rear extension is one that goes across the full width of the property – from garden wall to garden wall – out towards the garden. A side return extension makes use of the awkward space at the side of the rear projection on Victorian and Edwardian homes. Some properties already have a closet wing with a small alleyway on the side of the property. Side return extensions incorporate that alleyway into the property and extend the closet wing to the full width of the property. A wrapped extension runs across the side elevation and back of the property and can be either single or two storey. ‘The most common type of extension is a single storey to the rear of the home. Victorian and Edwardian properties can feel very old at times. By extending out you can link the areas together and create a bigger, more open space. It can add a great deal of value to the home, make it more pleasant to be in and, if done well, can bring in a lot of daylight.’

 

Rear & Side Extension

Where sufficient space is provided a rear house extension has enormous potential to change the very nature of your house. This type of house extension idea can include internal property alterations such as to open up your kitchen to your back garden and create an open-plan area that can be used as a combined kitchen, dining and living area . With this option you will not only benefit from the size increase of your property but you will also add a considerable amount of value to it too. You can use this type of house extension to increase the space of your rooms or you could use it to modify or even completely reorganise the way you utilise the interior floor space.

A well designed and constructed side extension will look and feel like a natural part of your home and not like a foreign body.

 
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Side Double Extension

A multi-storey extension can be built to any part of the existing building.

A double storey side extension can be used to add an additional bedroom or bathroom upstairs or even the creation of a dining room with a spectacular ceiling height.

Due to its more complex nature the costs are higher than the single story house extension. Also, the impact on neighbours is much greater and can be done only in detached or semi detached houses with side plot or garden.

As would be expected, the larger the scale of the extension, the higher the value.

This type of house extension will most probably require planning permission.

 
 
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Front Extension

Single storey house extensions are built onto a part of the house whereby one or more sides of the extension is attached to the property and there is only the ground floor plus any basement built to it. Single storey extensions require building control but they might not require a planning permission.

The addition of Single Storey Side Extension can add significant value to your home, and here are some of ideas you can turn your home extension in to:

  • a dining room

  • a home office

  • a new bedroom

  • a play room

  • a new kitchen & utility

The greatest considerations of this type of extension are the size of the extension, how the roof will work with the existing building/s and its impact upon neighbours. Other potential difficulties are the positions of drains and chimneys and / or any needed excavations.

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Wrap around Extension

Wrap around type of extensions are created by combining a side return extension and a rear extension together, creating L shaped wrap around extension. Mostly they involve building the side wall closer to the neighbouring building border and moving the rear wall of your property into the rear garden, creating an L shaped house extension.

You could select to have an open plan wrap around extension in order to create a wonderful spacious and illuminated area. A wrap around house could also be great if you want an entire floor remodelling, an increase of your kitchen size, an additional dining room, a living room extension or just to create an additional bedroom or guest-room.

Other additional benefits of this extension type is the high flexibility and the huge increase of value to your home. You can work out your value by using a calculator.

However, when you are planning a wrap round extension there are various ideas and things you might want to consider such as the overall design balance of your home and the more disruptive nature of this type of extension. Few of examples include: wrap around conservatory, L shaped extension.