Home Extension Building Services

A new home extension needs a suitable base capable of supporting the completed structure.

The first stage normally involves preparing the site and carrying out the required groundworks. Existing patios, paths or other surfaces may need to be removed before excavation can begin.

Foundation requirements depend on factors such as ground conditions, nearby structures and the design of the extension. Drainage and existing underground services also need to be identified before or during this stage.

Once the foundations are complete, work can progress to the floor and main structure.

Floor construction needs to meet the requirements of the project and provide appropriate insulation for a room that will become part of the home’s regular living space.

Care at this early stage is important because the dimensions of the base influence the walls, windows, doors and roof that follow.

The main structure creates the shape and dimensions established during the design process.

The balance between solid walls and glazing depends on how the new room will be used.

A kitchen extension, for example, may require substantial areas of solid wall for kitchen units, appliances and storage. A dining or family room might place greater emphasis on garden views and larger glazed sections.

External materials can be selected with the existing property in mind. Some homeowners want the extension to closely match the original house, while others prefer a clearly contemporary addition.

The construction also needs to provide the openings required for windows and doors. Larger openings for sliding or bi-folding doors require careful structural planning because a significant section of the external elevation may consist of glazing.

Many extension projects involve more than constructing a new room outside the existing property.

The original external wall may need to be altered to create a connection between the house and extension. In open-plan projects, homeowners may want a much wider opening to combine the old and new spaces.

This is common with kitchen extensions where the aim is to create one larger kitchen, dining and living area.

Structural alterations need to be properly assessed. Removing sections of an existing wall may require suitable structural support, with the requirements determined for the individual property and opening.

These details need to be established before the relevant construction work takes place.

Planning the structural opening alongside the extension itself also helps create a more natural connection between the original house and new room.

The roof is another major part of our home extension building service.

South Lakes Windows can provide different roof options according to the design, available height and intended appearance of the extension.

A solid insulated roof creates a conventional internal ceiling and can work well where the new room is intended to feel like a continuation of the existing house.

For suitable projects, Ultraframe UltraRoof provides a lightweight insulated roof system with a tiled external finish.

A flat roof can provide a lower external profile and is often used for contemporary rear and side extensions. It also provides opportunities to introduce overhead glazing.

An UltraSKY Lantern can be installed within a suitable roof to create a raised glazed feature, while an UltraSKY Flat Skylight provides a lower-profile source of overhead daylight.

LivinROOF provides another option where solid insulated roof sections are combined with selected glazed areas.

The roof design is considered alongside existing eaves, gutters and first-floor windows to determine what can be accommodated at the property.

South Lakes Windows has extensive experience supplying and installing replacement windows, and this knowledge can be applied directly to home extension projects.

We can supply UPVC, aluminium and timber windows according to the design of the extension and existing property.

Window positions can be planned around how the room will be used. A home office may need carefully positioned glazing around desks and screens, while a dining room could use a larger fixed window to take advantage of a garden view.

A kitchen requires a different approach because sufficient wall space needs to remain available for units, worktops and appliances.

Modern double glazing can be specified throughout the extension, with other glass options considered where required. Depending on the project, these can include solar control, acoustic, obscure, laminated or safety glazing.

Many home extensions are designed to improve access between the house and garden.

South Lakes Windows can install a range of glazed door systems as part of the building project.

Bi-folding doors can create a broad opening by folding several panels together. They are particularly suited to kitchen, dining and family room extensions where the new space leads directly onto a patio or garden.

Sliding doors provide large areas of glass and can offer wide views even when closed. Lift and slide and triple track doors provide further choices for suitable larger openings.

For more traditional properties or smaller openings, French doors can provide direct garden access while retaining more solid wall space around the doorway.

The door system can be selected during the design stage so that the required opening is incorporated into the building work from the start.

A home extension becomes part of the main living accommodation, so insulation needs to be considered throughout its construction.

The floor, walls and roof all contribute to the thermal performance of the finished room. Windows and external doors also form part of the overall specification.

The amount of glazing needs particular attention. Large glazed elevations can provide excellent natural light and garden views, but the glass specification and orientation of the extension need to be considered carefully.

South-facing extensions may experience greater solar gain during sunny periods, while north-facing rooms receive less direct sunlight.

Planning insulation, glazing and ventilation together helps create a room that can be used throughout the seasons rather than concentrating on a single part of the structure.

Our home extension building services can be used to create many different types of additional living space.

Kitchen extensions can provide room for larger kitchen layouts, islands, dining areas and additional storage. Large doors and roof glazing can also help open the kitchen towards the garden.

Dining room extensions provide dedicated space for a full-size dining table and can incorporate lanterns, skylights or large garden-facing windows.

A home office extension provides a separate working area without converting an existing bedroom. Windows can be positioned around desks and computer screens, with sufficient solid wall space retained for shelving and storage.

Extensions can also be used as family rooms, sitting rooms, playrooms or flexible spaces that serve several purposes.

The building specification can be developed around the intended use rather than treating every extension in the same way.

Planning and Building Regulations requirements need to be established before the relevant building work begins.

Some extensions can be constructed under permitted development rights where the property and proposed work meet the necessary conditions. Other extensions require planning permission.

Different considerations can apply to listed buildings, conservation areas and properties where permitted development rights are restricted.

Building Regulations can cover areas such as structure, insulation, glazing, ventilation, drainage and electrical work.

This can be particularly important where the project involves structural changes to the original house or creates a large open-plan connection between the extension and an existing room.

The requirements for the individual property and proposed extension should therefore be considered as part of the project planning process.