Create Extra Room with a Cool Extension

There are times when it just becomes necessary to start thinking about expanding, especially if you have a family or are hoping to begin preparing for one soon. I should know, as before we had our loft converted I was spending money every month on storage in Birmingham, as I simply did not have room for all my tools, working supplies and personal possessions. In fact, there are plenty of reasons why a home extension could be a great idea for your property – you might have run out of room for all of your possessions, want to add some extra value to the building, or just crave a little breathing space.

Fortunately, there are just as many different ways to get this extra space. If constructed and designed carefully, a home extension can automatically up the aesthetic and retail value of a property. For instance, just think about how beautiful a spacious and relaxing conservatory is bound to make your house, especially if you implement a unified style.

This guide to the main types of house extension on offer will help you to determine which project holds the most potential for your property.

Conservatories

The modern conservatory can be used in almost any way that you like. Whilst the majority are turned into living and dining spaces, there is nothing from stopping you transforming yours into a greenhouse or an orangery – why not use your extension as a study or laundry room?

In order for an extension build to be considered a ‘conservatory,’ 75% or more of its roof has to be made up of a transparent material (traditionally glass) and at least half of the interior space should be contained within glazed walls.

Single Storey Build

The conservatory is not the only option, however, because you could choose to construct a single story extension – in many ways, this is equivalent to a conservatory, but it does not let in as much natural light. In other words, there is not as much glass used and it typically feels more like an essential part of the house than a conservatory does.

However, it can be more difficult to design and build single story extensions, because they do not have the visual appeal of spaces which let a lot of light in and naturally shape themselves by being a distinctly separate part of the building. The trouble with single storey extensions, if not designed correctly, is that they can end up feeling dark and dingy.

Loft Conversions

Paul Newham, owner of Touchstone loft conversions in Stratford-upon-Avon, says whilst this is not technically classed as a home extension, lots of people tend to treat it like one because it involves a similar amount of work, expense, and care. It should come as no surprise to find that the most popular type of attic or loft conversion is into an extra bedroom, either for visitors or for an older child.

Plus, a loft conversion is inevitably going to be an easier build than a true extension, because the structure is already in place. You might have to alter it a little, but you will not have to create the foundation or the shell on which your new space will rest. This is precisely why city loft conversions are a hugely popular choice with families looking to expand.

Garage Conversions

If the idea of creating extra space up high does not appeal to you, what about an on ground garage conversion? This is exactly what it sounds like – if you have a sturdy and well-built garage, the opportunity is there to transform it into an additional living space. You can use it for whatever you like; turn it into a man cave, a playroom for the kids, or a cool wine ‘cellar.’

There are a couple of things which you need to think about before starting a project like this, however, because garage conversions require a suitable degree of cross ventilation. This means that you might have to put another window in if your garage currently only has the one. It is an extra investment, but an essential one, if the living space is to be comfortable and structurally sound.