To most house owners in the UK, the bigger, more functional house of his or her dream usually boils down to this, a wrap around extension. There is not much space whether you are in London or the surrounding areas. The number of families is increasing, the lifestyle is shifting and modern open-plan living is increasing in demand. One of the cleverest home improvement ideas is to maximise your potential by wrapping around your home, combining style, functionality, and value into a continuous architectural style.
Transform Your Home with a Smart Wrap Around Extension in London
London houses, especially terraces and semi-detached houses, are designed to be extended around. Traditional designs can be very claustrophobic with small layout and small rooms. Wrapping an extension around the side and the rear of your property can open up potential possibilities that bring a new approach to the way you conduct your life.
Do you fancy changing a small dingy kitchen into a sunny open-plan living room or even adding a dining area that can easily lead to the garden? A wrap-around extension not only enhances the usability of your home but also gives character and charm with well designed architecture. This type of option is gaining popularity among London homeowners because it is the ideal combination of modern architecture and a functional family residence.
What Is a Design and Build Company and How Does It Work?
A wrap around extension combines both a side return extension and a rear extension into one continuous design. Rather than either or both, this approach exploits otherwise unused space along the side alley of the house, and also reaches out at the back. The outcome is a sweeping L shaped plan capable of entirely reorganising the ground floor.
Wrap-around extensions have become very popular in the UK and deservedly so. As property prices are soaring in London and elsewhere the move to a bigger home is not necessarily feasible. Instead, homeowners are investing in the properties they have and opting to develop designs that create more space and make the property more valuable. The wrap around extension can provide the wow-factor, transforming crowded Victorian or Edwardian layouts into modern spaces that address the needs of today.
Key Benefits of Choosing a Wrap Around Design
The amount of space that a wrap-around extension provides is one of the greatest benefits of using a wrap-around extension. It is not like single extensions, which enable the homeowner to redesign various elements of the house at the same time. Most families are utilising the additional space by adding a large kitchen or a large dining room or even a home office which is in line with the current way of living.
To learn more about the single storey wrap around extension cost guide.
The other advantage is that one can bring in more natural light. Wrap-around extensions, with smart architectural design, can include skylights, big windows and glass slide doors, automatically lighting up interiors. The relationship between the internal and external areas also becomes less rigid and gardens or patios become a part of your house.
Probably most importantly, a well-planned wrap-around extension is a great addition to your property. Open plan designs and contemporary family living spaces are becoming more attractive to buyers, and so the investment in this type of project can enhance the market value of your home.
Planning Considerations for Side and Rear Extensions
The planning implications should be known before making a commitment to a wrap-around extension. Planning permission is frequently necessary to undertake side and rear extensions, especially in cases where there are significant changes to the structure of the building, or where the extensions affect adjacent buildings. There are certain regulations that local councils must follow in regards to the extent that you can extend, the height of the walls, and how the design should blend with the current building.
Architects who have a history of providing wrap-around extensions in London will normally undertake a feasibility study to help determine the potential of your property. They will take into account aspects such as the impact of light, roof design, and the drainage needs and ensure that your extension is not only abiding by the planning regulations, but also enhances the look of your home in a functional and stylish manner. Building regulations approval: the building should be insulated and secure, structural stability, etc.
Costs, Timelines, and What to Expect
The wrap-around extension cost in London depends on the size, materials and the complexities of the design. The average price is £60,000 to £120,000, but it will cost more depending on custom made finishes or quality materials. The initial cost might look big but is usually way lower than purchasing more expensive premises in the capital.
The duration of the timelines is usually three to six months, based on the planning approvals, construction requirements and project magnitude. This normally begins with design and planning, then proceeds to permissions, construction and finishing. When your build is directed by the right architecture team, you can reduce the disturbance of normal life, and have an easy map to follow at each phase.
How the new space will blend with the rest of the interiors should also be a consideration among the homeowners. The details are what can make or break a wrap-around extension, including flooring options and kitchen layouts. Having professional architects will also help in making sure that your new extension does not look like an appendix to your house but instead a continuation of your house.