If you live in a listed building or a conservation area, you will need planning permission to extend your home. Permission will not always be granted, and when it is, you will need to adhere to strict rules and regulations. So, if you are thinking about extending your cottage or period home, what do you need to know? In this article we will look at single storey extension designs for listed properties.
Single Storey Extension Designs : What Should My Extension Look Like?
If your property has already been altered, it is possible to get permission for a new extension. You may choose to replace a poorly built extension, or plan an entirely new one. It is possible to add a second extension, as long as it does not overpower what is already there. What this means in simple terms is that your extension should be lower and smaller than your existing built. This way it will not dominate your build.
If you live in a small lodge or cottage, it would be easy to swamp your original build with an extension. For this reason, your single storey extension designs should be very carefully planned. An extension should be added to the rear of your property. Adding an extension to the front of any property, never mind a period one, is difficult. You may also consider a side extension, as once again, this won’t project to the visible part of your house.
Connecting Doorways
When planning your single storey extension designs for your period home, you will also need to think about how you will connect your extension to your existing house. You should avoid removing historic walling where at all possible, using an existing doorway where possible. You may however need to open up a wall; this is something that should be carried out by conservation builders who are used to working with period homes. Removing part of a wall in a medieval home can cause structural problems as such properties are often timber-framed.
Materials
Designing an extension for a period home means carefully choosing the materials you will use. They need to be complementary or matching to those of your original build. Depending on whether you live in a conservation area, you may have to match exactly the materials used. In other builds, you may be able to use contrasting materials and a modern design. This is something you need to clarify with you chosen building team in Bristol.
Your windows for your extension will need to be double glazed in order to comply with Building Regulations. Sympathetic styles should be chosen, avoiding tacky UPVC and modern white windows that will clash with your period home. You can invest in modern sash windows, using coloured UPVC that will fit in with the style of your original build. Choosing windows and doors that fit in with your original build is extremely important, and should be a priority when choosing the materials for your new single storey extension.