Often, homeowners find that the space of their home is not enough for certain activities and instead of moving to a larger home they expand their home by constructing more space. Another reason is that the cost of moving is getting high and people are opting to extend their space instead of moving. House extension can therefore be defined as the addition of an extra workspace or living room without actually moving the house.
What should you consider?
Legal issues regarding your expansion, or you may be living in a heritage area. You need to ensure you have a permit of changing the structural look of your home. Another important step you need to do is to know where your extension will be and to what extent. There are different types of room extensions available. Make sure to explore each of them and see the one that will suit your need. When planning extension, designers can assist to choose the best extension design for your home. Make sure you discuss with them about your present need as well as your future need. Another person you will need to talk to is an architect. They will be able to help you come up with an outstanding plan for your extension project.
Types of extensions
Single-storey extension - This type of extension involves a construction that takes up one storey.
Side returns - Side returns also known as side extensions are one of the cost-effective types of single-storey extensions. It is usually solving problems of having a small kitchen dinner. This extension type adds more light to the ceiling thus dark rooms can be turned into bright rooms.
Rear extension - This extension type gives your home a rectangle shape, it is useful especially when you want to expand rooms such as the kitchen, utility rooms, and dining room. Besides, this type of extension links the outdoor space to the garden for easy movement.
Wrap-around extension - This type of extension makes better use of the ground space as it can be extended in both back and side.
Pros and Cons of Single-Storey Extension
This method is cost-effective as its construction is relatively simple for example the flat roof is cheaper as compared to other roof types such as the pitched roof. Since the building is single-storey means no stairs, therefore, this type is safer for the elderly, disabled, and children.
However this type of extension requires frequent maintenance over time, for example, the flat roof requires more maintenance than a pitched roof.
Double-storey extension - In this type of extension, the house is expanded over two floors. This gives owners more space above and below.
Pros and Cons of Double-Storey Extension
Since your extension is upward, the project will leave you with larger outdoor space. In addition to this, it has some privacy as the bedroom will be built upstairs.
Double-storey extensions are time-consuming as the house is built on two floors which require a deeper foundation and construction of stairs.