Types of House Extension

Are you thinking of extending your home but feel a bit overwhelmed at all the options out there? Our house extensions London and Hertfordshire building specialists have teamed up with an architect to create this article outlining the different types of house extensions to give you an idea of what is involved and how they will transform your property's appearance before and after house extension.

Different Types of House Extensions

Single storey or rear Extensions
Wrap around Home Extensions
Double or Multi-storey
Cellar or Basements Conversion
Over-structure Extensions
Loft conversions

1. Single Storey Rear, Side and Wrap Around

Rear Home Extensions

Side Return Extensions

Wrap Around Extension

(pictured)

2. Double Storey Extensions

If you need to add more than one room to your home, a double-storey extension is a cost-effective option as you will be using one roof and the same foundations for both levels.

With this type of extension, you could create a large kitchen with a dining area and easy access to the garden on the lower half. Have an extra bedroom, large family bathroom, office or even a home gym on the second half.

Double storey home extensions can be built onto the back or the side of the house. A rear double-storey extension can have either a flat or a pitched roof, while an extension added onto the side of the house will generally need to have a pitched roof similar to the existing one with the roofline being preferably slightly lower.

3. Basements

If your property sits on a slope, you could build a semi-basement with a part of the area sitting below the ground. Bringing light and air into half basements is usually straightforward, as you will be able to add windows and in some cases even bi-fold or sliding glass doors.

If you are adding a side or rear house extension to your house, you might be able to incorporate a basement extension into the design, so that you will have a two-storey extension which will only expand one storey above the ground level.

This would be beneficial for properties where building a regular double-storey extension is not an option due to design limitations or planning restrictions.

4. Over-structure Extensions

If your house has an attached garage or a previous single-storey extension, you could build a new extension on top of it. In other words, you are 'building over' the existing structure, hence the name.
Some older garages have single-skin brickwork unable to carry the load of another building on top. If this is the case, more structural work would be required to strengthen the original walls before a new extension can be built on top of the garage.

This type of extension project is great if you want to add an extra bedroom, office, study or a playroom for the children.

Hip to gable loft extension with a flat dormer

5. Loft Conversions

If you have an attic with sufficient floor to ceiling heights, you could create an extra room by simply converting your loft by adding a couple of Velux or other good quality windows to your roof, creating a roof light loft conversion.

If your attic is not high enough, you could still add a room by building a dormer loft conversion or a mansard extension, which will allow you to create maximum head space.

If your property has a hipped roof (a roof that is slopped on three or four sides rather than just two), you might need to extend it by constructing a hip to gable extension first.

Do You need Planning Permission for House Extensions?

Thanks to the Permitted Development rights, some types of house extensions, including single-storey rear and side, two-storey rear extensions and Velux and Dormer loft conversions do not require planning permission unless they exceed a specific size. Mansard conversions, wrap-around house extensions, over-structure extensions and double-storey side extensions will usually need permission from your local authority. Below we listed some of the extension types from our recently completed projects, explaining which ones required approval and why. If in doubt, you can contact house extension design and build specialists such as Marriott Construction, who are happy to offer professional advice.

One Storey Rear House Extension

One storey rear house extension qualify under the Permitted Development if they do not extend beyond the back wall of the original house by more than six metres in case of a terraced or semi-detached house or eight metres in case of a detached property. Your extension must not cover more than half of the land surrounding the original building. The roofline must not be higher than four metres. If you live in a flat, maisonette, listed building, or a home located within a conservation area, you will always be required to apply for planning permission.

This single-storey house extension in Barnet, London did not require permission as it extends less than six metres beyond the rear wall of a semi-detached house.

Two Storey Rear House Extension with Semi-Basement

A double-storey rear extension might qualify under the Permitted Development providing that it does not expand more than three metres beyond the back wall. The distance between the extension and the garden's rear boundary must be at least seven metres. The addition must not be higher than the original house for this type of extension, and the construction must not include a balcony, veranda, terrace or a raised platform. As with all types of extensions, the appearance of the exterior should match the original house.

This sizeable two-storey extension with a partial basement and a terrace in Hampstead, North West London, required planning permission.

Dormer loft conversion at the rear of property

Rear Dormer Conversion

A dormer loft conversion at the rear of the property does not usually require planning permission as long as it is set at least 20 cm from the edge of the original roof.

However, it is important to know that there is a limit to how much you can extend your home under the permitted development rights. If you have previously built a rear or side house extension, you might have used up your allowance. Seek the advice of architects or London design and build contractors who have experience in extending homes in your local area.

Wrap Around Home Extension

Wrap-around extensions, which use both the back and the side of the house creating an L shape, such as this kitchen extension in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, always require planning permission from the local authority.

How to Apply?
You can apply for planning permission online at: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200126/applications

If you found this guide useful, visit our Renovation Blog for more House Extension Ideas.

About Author

Michaela Mrockova
Creating quality content for local construction businesses, including building companies and interior designers

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