Extensions

Single storey home extensions are only considered and agreed to be carried out by the property owner if they have chosen to remain where they are instead of buying new property to move somewhere new. The option of having a single storey extension instead of buying and living in a new property have hugely economic benefits as paying for a house extension is much cheaper than buying a new house. A new extension also increases the value of your home and provides additional  space helping you to gain as much benefits as you can from your property.

Summary of the benefits of single storey extensions

• Increases the amount of available living space
• Adds value to the property
• Much cheaper alternative to buying a new house

Fig.1: Example of a single storey extension

2) Double Storey Extensions

A two storey extension is similar to the single storey extension in that it increases the capacity of your home by increasing the area of ground floor areas such as the lounge, kitchen, dining room, living room etc. This is another affordable alternative to buying another house.

Summary of the benefits of double storey extensions

• Increases the amount of available living space
• Adds value to the property
• Much cheaper alternative to buying a new home

N.B. A two storey extension is slightly expensive than a single storey extension as both extensions require foundations and a roof.

Fig.2: Example of a double storey extension

3) Side Return Extension

A side return home extension is a type of property extension used to improve the look and feel of rear kitchen areas for Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses. Originally when Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses were first designed and built, there was much less importance placed on the gardens and kitchens compared to the other areas of the house which were more pleasant looking. Side return home extension is a method to improve the look of the rear kitchen to make the modern property owners more satisfied about their home. In this extension, the side walls of the existing kitchen are removed and the kitchen area is increased. The whole of the new kitchen area is redesigned and considered e.g. from deciding if the roof is to be all glass or slate with roof lights, deciding if the type of doors to be installed is a folding sliding door or a standard wooden patio door, what type of kitchen is desired, whether the floor is to be made of tiles or wood and whether the new room is to be heated by radiators or underfloor heating.

Summary of the benefits of side return extensions

•  Increases the amount of available living space in kitchens etc
• When a side return extension roof is modified to include windows, it can have a very dramatic feel on the room, increasing natural light etc.

4) Rear home Extensions

There are a number of legal requirements for having a rear home extension such as the requirement that the maximum depth of a single storey rear extension is to be ‘three metres beyond the rear wall of an attached house and four metres beyond the rear wall of a detached house’. Having a rear home extension completely changes the look and feel of your rooms found at the rear of your property, making your kitchen and dining areas become full of bright, natural light as the back garden is brought to full view in these areas.  The kitchen and dining areas become living areas that are great places for entertainment.

Summary of the benefits of rear home extensions