So, you live in a period property or older style of home and you’re looking at creating a new extension. The amount of articles covering all the possible requirements can be a massive headache, so we’ve put together some easy steps to advise you on what you need to know, as well as some excellent design tips to blend your new extension with your home! Here they are.
Be aware of building regulations
If you live in a listed building, you will almost definitely have to apply for planning permission under listed building consent. This may determine the scope and style of any new extension, or indeed if it can be approved in the first place. We would recommend reaching out to your local council’s housing planning department. Many homes not subject to being a listed building or in a national park qualify for permitted development. You can find out more about this here. However you may wish to put together a proposal to take to them first, in which case…
Be sympathetic to the original building
Materials that do not compliment the original materials of a listed building are likely to be rejected. The same applies if you use a vastly contrasting design of materials in a national park or area of outstanding natural beauty. Your extension should blend, or compliment the original styles used. For example, with dated brickwork you could opt for muted oak wood extension with zinc cladding.
Glass extensions
A nifty way to navigate around extensions for a period property is to consider an all glass extension. Not to be confused with a conservatory, this black frame glass extension reflects the garden and landscape whilst seamlessly providing more living room for this thatch roofed cottage. With an open doorway into the kitchen, it provides a light airy space to dine that blends the kitchen into the home perfectly.
Exposed brickwork
Why not utilise the historic features of your home to highlight your contemporary extension? This exposed brickwork wall lends itself to the white walled extension adding a touch of warmth and decor with the ceiling lights. This interior designer surely knew what they were achieving by contrasting the soft plush white sofa next to the open brickwork!
Opt for for rustic
Similarly, if you have red exposed brickwork you can combine this with terracotta kitchen countertops with modern chrome lighting to uplift your period property and make it more functional. The only exception with exposed external walls should be with live mortar, as this is designed to be breathable and could lead to a build-up of damp.
Create a piece of history
Extensions do not have to be square, clean cut or modern. Just look at this castle-like effect brickwork extension below! It perfectly blends with the original brickwork of the home whilst providing more living space. This designer cleverly contrasted the brickwork with an olive green to further integrate the extension into the home and garden.
Combine styles
Of course, you could always opt to combine styles as this homeowner did! This extension takes exposed brickwork, a side extension, modern teal paintwork and a light kitchen with chrome lighting to create a larger kitchen, dining and living area.
Knocking through walls
Perhaps you feel that you could gain more space from knocking through an interior wall to open up the space. Period properties often have joists which would need to be carefully removed, but this does not mean you need to remove the interior design if you do not wish! You could leave ceiling roses, frames or pillars in support but paint them to the colour of your more modern decor. Look how the previous timbers were incorporated in this one!
Contact Us
In short, when it comes to extending your period home it pays to have a lot of creativity, a clear plan, and of course, an excellent construction company. We’re here to support you with your own ‘grand design’. Contact us today on 01535 653530 for a non-obligatory consultation or peruse a selection of our past projects here.