It seems that struggling with insufficient space for families within their properties is becoming more common in recent years. Moving to another home can be frustrating, stressful and not always affordable; therefore, house extensions are becoming more and more popular. It is a great way to maximise the space you already have and also increase the value of the property.

The main types of home extensions are as follows:

• Single storey side or rear extensions
• Double or multiple storey extensions
• Garage conversions and extensions
• Loft conversions
• Basement conversions
• Outbuilding, orangeries and conservatories

Let’s take a closer look at a few of the most popular ways of transforming your property…

Single storey side or rear extension

This type of extension is only one storey and usually is at the rear or on the side of the property. It is often a relatively small extension, but it can have a great impact on the look and feel of your property especially when coupled with existing internal refurbishment. Single storey rear extensions are the most popular ones as they open up the house and connect it with the garden. People who decide to go with this type usually have a garden in the rear part of their house and they can afford to lose a little bit of it for the sake of extending their home by few meters. Bi-fold doors, which are often being used for this type of extension, makes it feel like you are bringing the outdoors in. The design can vary from a flat roof to a pitched tiled roof. Even though a pitched roof often looks better and lasts longer, you will need to consider access to heights where maintenance is needed. In this case, a flat roof might be a better choice, especially when paired with a roof lantern. Sometimes clients combine a side return extension with a rear extension to create what is called a wrap around extension. Either way, a side return extension is fantastic for housing a larger kitchen and dining area.

Double or multi storey house extensions

This type of extension opens up the potential of the rooms; not only on the ground floor, but also on the other floors. Depending on the size you can either enlarge existing rooms or create completely new rooms.

As these types of transformations will go higher than a single storey, it is important to think about the way it will affect neighbouring properties. Property type and overall design are the key factors that attention must be paid to. Extension must not cause any serious loss of sunlight to rooms and gardens of adjoining properties. The design of the new part of the house must also match the existing property and fit into the character of the neighbourhood.

A double storey extension can transform your home and provide a wealth of space, so this is a brilliant option for your growing family!

Garage conversions or extensions

Garages nowadays are rarely used for their main purpose – storing cars. It is often a place full of unused items and the pile always seems to just keep getting bigger. Why not make the most of it and turn it into an extra living space whilst also increasing the value of the house? The great thing about it, is that by converting your garage, you can avoid losing the garden space that would be lost from a rear extension. The new spaces created from garages are then often used as home offices, kitchen extensions, home gyms or kids’ playrooms.