How to extend this house?
Discussion
Well we have been in our new house now for nearly a year, i am sure some of you will remember the thread where i thought the agent might have been playing.
Anyway. We haven't done a lot really, mainly just clearing and tidying the outside which is now starting to look really very nice.
After living here a while one thing has become apparent. While it is a decent size house all of the rooms are quite small, this is due to the main supporting wall running centrally along with 3 separate chimney stacks.
The maximum from any room is 4m deep, couple this with fireplaces, windows, doors etc it soon becomes apparent theres no where for anything but the smallest of sofas, poor tv positions, no ability to add en suites (currently all we have is a 4x2m bathroom).
I went through all of the knocking walls through scenarios but i am really against taking chimneys out and also the fact its a huge messy job knocking down these walls. i also do not want to butcher the house and know that taking down these chimneys is sacrilege.
Due to the physical size of the rooms knocking through downstairs gives big floor area but due to position of walls you dont really achieve all that much, still compromised rooms in terms of usability.
So eventually i have sort of decided to extend.
What i can't get away from though is you cant extend off the back. this is because the plot isn't very deep there so an extension and patio would literally consume half the back gardens depth.
Right hand side cant extend because of the existing large trees meaning a piled foundation, it would also take the house closer to the side boundary, something i want to avoid because i love how sort of centrally it now sits. You also have that little front lower right extension which messes it up a bit, its also the darkest side of the plot/house.
So i come to what i have. Extend on the left side.
I propose approx 5.5m width and we will end up with approx 8.1m deep internal. enough room for the open plan kitchen, diner lounge. upstairs leaves enough for a main suite, dressing room, ensuite (i think).
I think a chalet roof type extension might be best, it keeps the shape of the original hipped roof and will hopefully be fairly easy to tie in.
Theres an existing building there already albeit smaller, i hope to be able to get enough bricks from the removal to use on at least the front elevation to make it look original. worst case brick tint......
I have gone on a bit, what do you guys think?
What would be the best way to extend this? should i use totally different materials? should i do full two storey or room in the new roof?
Or leave it, accept the rooms are a bit small and we wont have a big kitchen diner and all that type of stuff and instead renovate what we've got and save my money for something fun like a car.....the car i just sold to help fund this
Excuse my drawing, fortunately i am better at putting stuff together than drawing it out
Anyway. We haven't done a lot really, mainly just clearing and tidying the outside which is now starting to look really very nice.
After living here a while one thing has become apparent. While it is a decent size house all of the rooms are quite small, this is due to the main supporting wall running centrally along with 3 separate chimney stacks.
The maximum from any room is 4m deep, couple this with fireplaces, windows, doors etc it soon becomes apparent theres no where for anything but the smallest of sofas, poor tv positions, no ability to add en suites (currently all we have is a 4x2m bathroom).
I went through all of the knocking walls through scenarios but i am really against taking chimneys out and also the fact its a huge messy job knocking down these walls. i also do not want to butcher the house and know that taking down these chimneys is sacrilege.
Due to the physical size of the rooms knocking through downstairs gives big floor area but due to position of walls you dont really achieve all that much, still compromised rooms in terms of usability.
So eventually i have sort of decided to extend.
What i can't get away from though is you cant extend off the back. this is because the plot isn't very deep there so an extension and patio would literally consume half the back gardens depth.
Right hand side cant extend because of the existing large trees meaning a piled foundation, it would also take the house closer to the side boundary, something i want to avoid because i love how sort of centrally it now sits. You also have that little front lower right extension which messes it up a bit, its also the darkest side of the plot/house.
So i come to what i have. Extend on the left side.
I propose approx 5.5m width and we will end up with approx 8.1m deep internal. enough room for the open plan kitchen, diner lounge. upstairs leaves enough for a main suite, dressing room, ensuite (i think).
I think a chalet roof type extension might be best, it keeps the shape of the original hipped roof and will hopefully be fairly easy to tie in.
Theres an existing building there already albeit smaller, i hope to be able to get enough bricks from the removal to use on at least the front elevation to make it look original. worst case brick tint......
I have gone on a bit, what do you guys think?
What would be the best way to extend this? should i use totally different materials? should i do full two storey or room in the new roof?
Or leave it, accept the rooms are a bit small and we wont have a big kitchen diner and all that type of stuff and instead renovate what we've got and save my money for something fun like a car.....the car i just sold to help fund this
Excuse my drawing, fortunately i am better at putting stuff together than drawing it out
I'm a builder so my perspective is likely different, but I'd knock that down and start again, assuming the financial side makes sense.
It looks like it could be brought forward giving you a larger back garden and then actually get the rooms you want.
What I described is precisely what I'm doing but mine was a dilapidated bungalow so the price was right for demolition.
If the finances aren't in place for such a project, I'd explore the loft as it looks like you may have some room there, then I'd find a way to do some steel work and knock through for the large kitchen, regardless of mess and inconvenience.
It looks like it could be brought forward giving you a larger back garden and then actually get the rooms you want.
What I described is precisely what I'm doing but mine was a dilapidated bungalow so the price was right for demolition.
If the finances aren't in place for such a project, I'd explore the loft as it looks like you may have some room there, then I'd find a way to do some steel work and knock through for the large kitchen, regardless of mess and inconvenience.
Unfortunately knocking down isn't going to happen, i just haven't got that type of money available. I am already at odds with any major work is going to take quite some time to be able to get the money.
And while the house isn't listed its got a lot of history and is well known locally (was a rectory).
I have looked in some depth at doing the loft and it is a viable option, ive had a few conversations with a structural engineer and architect and the structure is very easy to convert. This would comfortably give plenty of room going forward for better bedrooms without doubt.
Downstairs though knocking through just doesn't give a workable space (imo) for the work and effort involved. maybe i will go back to the drawing board though and see just exactly what i get.
And while the house isn't listed its got a lot of history and is well known locally (was a rectory).
I have looked in some depth at doing the loft and it is a viable option, ive had a few conversations with a structural engineer and architect and the structure is very easy to convert. This would comfortably give plenty of room going forward for better bedrooms without doubt.
Downstairs though knocking through just doesn't give a workable space (imo) for the work and effort involved. maybe i will go back to the drawing board though and see just exactly what i get.
Here’s the existing.
Originally I was going to knock the kitchen, breakfast and dining rooms into one.
Kitchen could be squared off into that bit of entrance hall.
Lobby, wc and pantry all into the same space now as well.
Issue is the mess and disruption of this is pretty major, I’m not sure I can stomach it.
It also requires the removal or support of 2 chimneys.
There’s one separating the breakfast and dining room and another one in the kitchen where that wc and pantry wall is.
I’m not sure if I’m comfortable taking those chimneys out.
It’s also a lot of money to spend taking stuff away iykwim.
Originally I was going to knock the kitchen, breakfast and dining rooms into one.
Kitchen could be squared off into that bit of entrance hall.
Lobby, wc and pantry all into the same space now as well.
Issue is the mess and disruption of this is pretty major, I’m not sure I can stomach it.
It also requires the removal or support of 2 chimneys.
There’s one separating the breakfast and dining room and another one in the kitchen where that wc and pantry wall is.
I’m not sure if I’m comfortable taking those chimneys out.
It’s also a lot of money to spend taking stuff away iykwim.
bennno said:
I’d seek out an experienced facelift architect, could be stunning, but isn’t.
The right windows would make a huge difference.
I do have an architect coming this week so will see what he says.The right windows would make a huge difference.
I want to add a window top left where there should be one and its likely the windows will be sash.
m3jappa said:
Well we have been in our new house now for nearly a year, i am sure some of you will remember the thread where i thought the agent might have been playing.
Anyway. We haven't done a lot really, mainly just clearing and tidying the outside which is now starting to look really very nice.
After living here a while one thing has become apparent. While it is a decent size house all of the rooms are quite small, this is due to the main supporting wall running centrally along with 3 separate chimney stacks.
The maximum from any room is 4m deep, couple this with fireplaces, windows, doors etc it soon becomes apparent theres no where for anything but the smallest of sofas, poor tv positions, no ability to add en suites (currently all we have is a 4x2m bathroom).
I went through all of the knocking walls through scenarios but i am really against taking chimneys out and also the fact its a huge messy job knocking down these walls. i also do not want to butcher the house and know that taking down these chimneys is sacrilege.
Due to the physical size of the rooms knocking through downstairs gives big floor area but due to position of walls you dont really achieve all that much, still compromised rooms in terms of usability.
So eventually i have sort of decided to extend.
What i can't get away from though is you cant extend off the back. this is because the plot isn't very deep there so an extension and patio would literally consume half the back gardens depth.
Right hand side cant extend because of the existing large trees meaning a piled foundation, it would also take the house closer to the side boundary, something i want to avoid because i love how sort of centrally it now sits. You also have that little front lower right extension which messes it up a bit, its also the darkest side of the plot/house.
So i come to what i have. Extend on the left side.
I propose approx 5.5m width and we will end up with approx 8.1m deep internal. enough room for the open plan kitchen, diner lounge. upstairs leaves enough for a main suite, dressing room, ensuite (i think).
I think a chalet roof type extension might be best, it keeps the shape of the original hipped roof and will hopefully be fairly easy to tie in.
Theres an existing building there already albeit smaller, i hope to be able to get enough bricks from the removal to use on at least the front elevation to make it look original. worst case brick tint......
I have gone on a bit, what do you guys think?
What would be the best way to extend this? should i use totally different materials? should i do full two storey or room in the new roof?
Or leave it, accept the rooms are a bit small and we wont have a big kitchen diner and all that type of stuff and instead renovate what we've got and save my money for something fun like a car.....the car i just sold to help fund this
Excuse my drawing, fortunately i am better at putting stuff together than drawing it out
I wouldn't knock that down. Anyway. We haven't done a lot really, mainly just clearing and tidying the outside which is now starting to look really very nice.
After living here a while one thing has become apparent. While it is a decent size house all of the rooms are quite small, this is due to the main supporting wall running centrally along with 3 separate chimney stacks.
The maximum from any room is 4m deep, couple this with fireplaces, windows, doors etc it soon becomes apparent theres no where for anything but the smallest of sofas, poor tv positions, no ability to add en suites (currently all we have is a 4x2m bathroom).
I went through all of the knocking walls through scenarios but i am really against taking chimneys out and also the fact its a huge messy job knocking down these walls. i also do not want to butcher the house and know that taking down these chimneys is sacrilege.
Due to the physical size of the rooms knocking through downstairs gives big floor area but due to position of walls you dont really achieve all that much, still compromised rooms in terms of usability.
So eventually i have sort of decided to extend.
What i can't get away from though is you cant extend off the back. this is because the plot isn't very deep there so an extension and patio would literally consume half the back gardens depth.
Right hand side cant extend because of the existing large trees meaning a piled foundation, it would also take the house closer to the side boundary, something i want to avoid because i love how sort of centrally it now sits. You also have that little front lower right extension which messes it up a bit, its also the darkest side of the plot/house.
So i come to what i have. Extend on the left side.
I propose approx 5.5m width and we will end up with approx 8.1m deep internal. enough room for the open plan kitchen, diner lounge. upstairs leaves enough for a main suite, dressing room, ensuite (i think).
I think a chalet roof type extension might be best, it keeps the shape of the original hipped roof and will hopefully be fairly easy to tie in.
Theres an existing building there already albeit smaller, i hope to be able to get enough bricks from the removal to use on at least the front elevation to make it look original. worst case brick tint......
I have gone on a bit, what do you guys think?
What would be the best way to extend this? should i use totally different materials? should i do full two storey or room in the new roof?
Or leave it, accept the rooms are a bit small and we wont have a big kitchen diner and all that type of stuff and instead renovate what we've got and save my money for something fun like a car.....the car i just sold to help fund this
Excuse my drawing, fortunately i am better at putting stuff together than drawing it out
I would be tempted to make the extension parapeted, given that you've got a precedent in the single story section to the right. It will make the extension subordinate and be in keeping with the property.
I'd also start growing something up the front of it. The fenestration (window layout) is a bit wonky and something green and rambling would make that okay.
Done well, that's going to be a very characterful property.
I think there's a door missing from that plan because it appears that the only way to get your food from the kitchen to the dining room is to exit via the lobby on the left and then re-enter the house via the front door or the doors into the lounge and then enter the dining room via the entrance hall!
m3jappa said:
Here’s the existing.
Originally I was going to knock the kitchen, breakfast and dining rooms into one.
Kitchen could be squared off into that bit of entrance hall.
Lobby, wc and pantry all into the same space now as well.
Issue is the mess and disruption of this is pretty major, I’m not sure I can stomach it.
It also requires the removal or support of 2 chimneys.
There’s one separating the breakfast and dining room and another one in the kitchen where that wc and pantry wall is.
I’m not sure if I’m comfortable taking those chimneys out.
It’s also a lot of money to spend taking stuff away iykwim.
Do you need a breakfast room and a dining room? Originally I was going to knock the kitchen, breakfast and dining rooms into one.
Kitchen could be squared off into that bit of entrance hall.
Lobby, wc and pantry all into the same space now as well.
Issue is the mess and disruption of this is pretty major, I’m not sure I can stomach it.
It also requires the removal or support of 2 chimneys.
There’s one separating the breakfast and dining room and another one in the kitchen where that wc and pantry wall is.
I’m not sure if I’m comfortable taking those chimneys out.
It’s also a lot of money to spend taking stuff away iykwim.
We dont need the breakfast room and dining room for eating as such. just what they were labeled.
This is a little floorplan I made for if we extend.
Don’t take it too literally it’s not quite right just a mess about, for example the study and playroom could switch around.
Gives a perfect (for us) layout. its also fairly easy to do this work over a long period as internally theres not much to knock around and the extension is separate so can be shut off until done.
All the services are also that side and the existing side door would become the opening off the existing hallway iyswim.
I can’t label it for some reason but
Far left is new extension kitchen lounge diner
Next is playroom/snug for kids
Middle dining room
Right cinema/lounge
Bottom right study
Middle bottom utility
This is a little floorplan I made for if we extend.
Don’t take it too literally it’s not quite right just a mess about, for example the study and playroom could switch around.
Gives a perfect (for us) layout. its also fairly easy to do this work over a long period as internally theres not much to knock around and the extension is separate so can be shut off until done.
All the services are also that side and the existing side door would become the opening off the existing hallway iyswim.
I can’t label it for some reason but
Far left is new extension kitchen lounge diner
Next is playroom/snug for kids
Middle dining room
Right cinema/lounge
Bottom right study
Middle bottom utility
Edited by m3jappa on Saturday 23 November 10:29
You’re proposing what I’m doing now , albeit mines 2 metres less deep .
I was asked a few times if I was going to knock my house down and build a new , or a couple , of houses on the site .
But I like the house I bought and probably much like yours , wanted to bring it up to date .
My reason for a side extension like yours is I can do a lot of it myself and what I can’t I’ll fund myself by keeping it simple in design and construction and we can live comfortably in the house whilst building it .
It’s very easy to get carried away by an architect with great ideas , it’s not easy to pay for them .
I’d just get some plans drawn up for what you want and will use and be able to build most of it yourself .
I was asked a few times if I was going to knock my house down and build a new , or a couple , of houses on the site .
But I like the house I bought and probably much like yours , wanted to bring it up to date .
My reason for a side extension like yours is I can do a lot of it myself and what I can’t I’ll fund myself by keeping it simple in design and construction and we can live comfortably in the house whilst building it .
It’s very easy to get carried away by an architect with great ideas , it’s not easy to pay for them .
I’d just get some plans drawn up for what you want and will use and be able to build most of it yourself .
I wouldn't knock that down.
I would be tempted to make the extension parapeted, given that you've got a precedent in the single story section to the right. It will make the extension subordinate and be in keeping with the property.
I'd also start growing something up the front of it. The fenestration (window layout) is a bit wonky and something green and rambling would make that okay.
Done well, that's going to be a very characterful property.
[/quote]
I agree re the planting, haven't doe anything yet because i just dont know what to do. i do know an additional window top left will help balance it out quite substantially imo.
Do you mean a parapet two storey? it is something thats crossed my mind but i cant envision it without some help, hopefully this architect will be able to have some input.
paulwirral said:
You’re proposing what I’m doing now , albeit mines 2 metres less deep .
I was asked a few times if I was going to knock my house down and build a new , or a couple , of houses on the site .
But I like the house I bought and probably much like yours , wanted to bring it up to date .
My reason for a side extension like yours is I can do a lot of it myself and what I can’t I’ll fund myself by keeping it simple in design and construction and we can live comfortably in the house whilst building it .
It’s very easy to get carried away by an architect with great ideas , it’s not easy to pay for them .
I’d just get some plans drawn up for what you want and will use and be able to build most of it yourself .
You have basically just described my exact situation. I was asked a few times if I was going to knock my house down and build a new , or a couple , of houses on the site .
But I like the house I bought and probably much like yours , wanted to bring it up to date .
My reason for a side extension like yours is I can do a lot of it myself and what I can’t I’ll fund myself by keeping it simple in design and construction and we can live comfortably in the house whilst building it .
It’s very easy to get carried away by an architect with great ideas , it’s not easy to pay for them .
I’d just get some plans drawn up for what you want and will use and be able to build most of it yourself .
A lot of this work is doable by me, while im not a builder i am in the trade and foundations, brickwork, groundwork etc is what we do anyway. I can do electrics with the help of my electrician mate, plumbing i can do, basically most of it. I wont plaster and i wont do anything with boilers but the rest isn't much of a problem, i also have several builder mates who can help/advise where necessary.
All this can be done over a fairly long timespan without living in a building site, knocking walls down is much more significant for me as its not a quick tidy job and i dont fancy living in that mess for months. And even if i did, i have to take those chimneys away which im not happy with. That involves scaffolding, work to the roof, moving solar panels and the thought of it makes me wobble
Have you got any pics of what your doing? would love to see.
m3jappa said:
It was built in 1925
that little floorplan of a proposed layout above is for me just about the perfect balance of cost and space. I just don't want to make it look like ive bolted something stupid to one end iykwim.
I like how it preserves most of the original layout, which I think with older buildings is really the thing to do. that little floorplan of a proposed layout above is for me just about the perfect balance of cost and space. I just don't want to make it look like ive bolted something stupid to one end iykwim.
In your new layout, where do boiler etc. go? You have dedicated place for them at the moment.
Is the room at the front downstairs a study?
Edit: ah, I see that’s the utility room. Seems quite big!
One thing I’ve read is buyers/people are moving away from open plan living (apparently) but I guess two things to say to that: i) you like it. ii) there are enough other ‘closed’ rooms downstairs that adding one room like it isn’t going to remove the option of a snugger sitting room/dining room/whatever.
Know exactly what you mean with clunky add ons.
I think (as opposed to other posts) a good architect would really help you avoid that, it’s normally caused by proportions being off, or stylistic features being missed/added, or a million other things that most people can see/feel and few can actually identify and pinpoint.
I would be tempted to try to incorporate a utility/boot room to your layout, as a side entrance, personally.
I’d also be looking to keep a ‘main’ sitting room (i like to have one without tv) apart from the kitchen/living room.
You could put the utility room in a ‘corridor’ against the old external wall and opening internally to the kitchen/living room. That then frees what you have marked as the utility room to be a study (or sitting room), you could then have a sitting room where that was in the bit of the house, with a fireplace?
All based on what I’d prefer though, and it’s your house and you know how you live,
Edited by PlywoodPascal on Saturday 23 November 11:15
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff