Types of Home Extensions (Part II)
- Tania Udaondo Bernau
- Dec 20, 2022
- 6 min read
House Extensions Starter Guide : Everything You Need to Know
In the previous post we explored the first 4 types of extensions, in today's post we'll be exploring the rest of the list.
Picture #1: Multiple house extensions in Fulham including, ground floor rear, loft, POD and full basement extensions. Picture of the ground floor side and rear extension also called wrap-around extension. Project finished while our founder was a project architect at EMR Architecture.
Most houses have the potential to be extended and knowing which types of home extensions exists can help you decide what is the best option for your needs. We all could use more space but don't usually want to move houses so this is the perfect way to add space and value to your current home.
In this article we'll give you an overview of the different possibilities you have and what are their advantages and disadvantages.
Contents:
Home Extension Type #5: Wrap-Around Extension
A wrap around extension combines a side return or Infill extension with a rear extension. This extension uses the unused space on the side and creates an L-shape new internal area by moving the walls in two directions. They are great to create and open plan kitchen in connection with the garden. With this new space you an also extend the works to the whole ground floor to maximise the impact of the renovation in terms of functionality. Since there are no floors above the new extension using rooflights maximises the natural light in the ground floor.
Pros: Adds a significant amount of square metres to the house (on average 20 sqm) resulting in a good return of investment, its impact on the ground floor layout is remarkable but also on the use of the garden space making it more enjoyable, you can also live upstairs while doing the works allowing you to save some money in having to rent another place in the meantime, it is attractive to big families and people that love to entertain.
Cons: reduces the size of the garden or patio which something especially important to take into account if your outdoor space is not big, you need a party wall agreement with both neighbours if it's a terraced house, it can take 6 months to complete depending on how many internal changes you need, it involves a lot of structural changes such as foundations and elements to hold the floors above when opening the rest of the space to make the most out of it.
Sketch #1: Wrap-around extension. Residential Extension Guidelines SPD, London Borough of Hounslow
Home Extension Type #6: Additional Floor
The new floor has to be built on top of the main footprint of the existing building and any previously built lower extensions are excluded. The new storey can't extend further than the front or side of the existing building and usually is better perceived by councils if they are set back or have a mansard roof to the front but also the materials used are important so its impact from the street is reduced. Before extending your house upwards you usually need planning permission specially if your house was built before 1948 or is in a protected area. Other things to consider are the loss of light and overlooking or loss of privacy to neighbouring properties which can make this type of extension a bit difficult to implement in urban areas.
Pros: adds a bigger amount of usable square metres than the usual loft conversion, resulting in a larger impact in both functionality and return of investment, it makes it possible and easier to split the house into flats if you'd like to and doesn't impact the garden space or patio size.
Cons: it may not be well perceived or approved by the council, it may cast shadow over your own house or neighbours, you need a party wall agreement with your neighbours, it can take more than 6 months to complete, requires scaffolding, it involves big structural changes so the main house can hold the additional weight, need to move out to carry out the works and it is overall more expensive than a normal loft conversion.
Home Extension Type #7: Porch Extension
This is one of the most common extensions done by homeowners. It adds value to the house although not adding much space. This type of extension is especially interesting for houses with and open living room where the entrance door created draught and cool down the internal space as the porch creates a separation while creates a space to leave the shoes and cover on rainy days avoiding bringing the wet inside. Planning permission is not needed in most cases which makes it even more popular.
Pros: no planning permission is needed, quick to build with almost no disturbance, increases internal comfort, it doesn't involve structural changes.
Cons: doesn't add much space, you don't gain an extra room.
Sketch #2: Porch extension. Residential Extension Guidelines SPD, London Borough of Hounslow
Home Extension Type #8: Basement Extension
This type of addition extends under the existing footprint of the property. It can add as much space as the ground floor area but it can also be done as half basement to the front or the rear of the property instead. If you already have a cellar, it can make economic sense to increase it and transform it into habitable space. Because of how big this extension is and the amount of square metres it adds to the house, this type of extension can increase the value of your property up to 30%. Depending on the original footprint of the house we can manage to achieve an extra bedroom and bathroom, a family room and a utility room, resulting in lots of space for the family to enjoy. Basements require planning permission and not every council will grant it. They involve lots of planification and consultants before works can start. Therefore, it's a big investment and the construction phase can take up to a year.
Pros: adds a significant amount of square metres to the house resulting in a good return of investment, its impact is remarkable as it doesn't take much space from the garden apart from a lightwell, you could also live upstairs while doing the works allowing you to save some money in having to rent another place in the meantime although it is very noisy and dusty so not an option for everyone.
Cons: it's expensive, takes up to 1 year to complete, you need a party wall agreement , it involves a lot of structural changes and other consultants, needs planning approval, not every house is suitable.
Sketch #3: Basement extension. Residential Extension Guidelines SPD, London Borough of Hounslow
Home Extension Type #9: Outbuilding or Garden Studio
A garden studio or outbuilding extension is a stand-alone building located in the garden. It is therefore completely detached from your home. It is designed and built to the same standards as any room in your house so it can be used all year round and can include a full bathroom in it so its use is flexible too.
This building is a great option to add an office space separated from the main house, a guest room, play/art room, music studio or any use you might need and can't have elsewhere.
As well as providing extra space the are practical, cost-effective and pretty much hassle-free compare to other extensions.
Pros: adds an extra room, has a great impact in both functionality and return of investment, it is flexible and separated from the main house so can be used for slightly different purposes, it is quick to build and cost-effective, you can live in your house during the construction period and lastly most councils are happy with this type of extension.
Cons: reduces the size of the garden or patio, it is detached from the house and need to walk through the garden to use it which can be slightly annoying, increases the value a bit less than extra space to the main house, might need an automatic suppression system in case of fire due to its distance to the main road in some cases.
Sketch #4: Outbuilding. Residential Extension Guidelines SPD, London Borough of Hounslow
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