If your property is terraced and built in Edwardian or Victorian times, it will feature a side return. This sliver of space at the back of your home is perfect for a side house extension, although the additional space will not actually be at the side of your home. This space found at the back of most old terraced houses carves an L shape to the outdoor space created, and is often unused or worse still used for storing junk.
In modern times however, and with city house prices ever-increasing, this valuable piece of space is being exploited. Expanding with side house extension that makes use of the side return allows for the addition of an extra and often spacious room at the back of your property. Expanding into your home this way will add value and increase the property’s footprint.
Side House Extension : For Terraced Properties
Living in a terraced property in a city limits your choices for expanding your home. Thankfully, a side return extension is a common domestic building project that is not too expensive. However, it is important to bring in the specialists from day one. Get things wrong, and you can damage light flow and the quality of your existing space. A side return extension is the perfect answer for homes that have a small, separate kitchen, that is far too small for your liking. So, how do you make sure you get your side house extension right?
When adding a side return extension, you have two basic style choices. You can either compliment or contrast the current style of your home. Both will work well, and there are no rules as to say which you want to use. If you are hoping to knock down walls and open up small rooms, then a contrasting design is perfect. Your new space will be radically different from the rest of your home, marking a new beginning for you and your family.
For a less obtrusive extension that will blend in with your period home, choose some smaller French doors that will add space to the existing layout without spoiling the design of your home. Large bifold doors at the back of a traditional terraced home are not subtle, and they will not suit your property.
Conclusion
If you have the space out the back of your property that most traditional terraced homes do, then a side return extension can add much-needed space. Do not be confused when you hear people talking about side return extensions. They are not extensions to the side of your property, rather an addition to the space that is often left unused at the back of your home. When carefully planned, such an extension will not block valuable light, and will allow for your kitchen and living area to be expanded in keeping with your modern values. Wave goodbye to a pokey kitchen stuck out the back of your home when you open up your property with a stylish side return extension.