A Complete Guide to House Extensions: Types and Benefits

House extensions are an excellent way to add value, space, and functionality to your home. Whether you're looking to expand your living area, create more bedrooms, or build a home office, the type of extension you choose will greatly influence the overall cost, time, and outcome of your project. Here, we'll break down the most common types of house extensions and what you need to know about each.

1. Single-Storey Rear Extension

A single-storey rear extension is one of the most common types of extensions, where the back of the property is extended to add more living space. This type of extension is perfect for enlarging your kitchen, creating a new dining area, or adding a family room.Best for: Homes with generous garden space that can accommodate an extension without compromising outdoor living.Benefits: Adds significant value to the home, creates open-plan spaces, and brings in more natural light through larger windows or bi-fold doors.Considerations: Requires planning permission depending on the size and local regulations, and you may need to address issues such as drainage relocation or structural support.

2. Double-Storey Extension

A double-storey extension offers the same benefits as a single-storey extension but adds two levels, effectively doubling the amount of space created. This type is ideal for growing families who need more living space on the ground floor and additional bedrooms or bathrooms upstairs.Best for: Families looking to maximise living space and add multiple rooms.Benefits: Increases both living and bedroom space, making the property more functional and increasing its resale value significantly.Considerations: More expensive and time-consuming than a single-storey extension. It also requires more detailed planning and design to ensure the upper and lower floors align well with the existing structure.

3. Side Return Extension

A side return extension makes use of the narrow alley that runs alongside many houses. By extending into this often-unused space, you can widen an existing room (typically a kitchen or dining area), creating an open-plan layout.Best for: Homes with limited backyard space but a side alley.Benefits: Maximises often wasted space, improves the flow of ground floor rooms, and can be done on a smaller budget than larger extensions.Considerations: Side returns are usually quite narrow, so careful design is necessary to make the best use of the new space. You may also need to consider light loss, as extending along the side can reduce natural light entering the existing space.

4. Wrap-Around Extension

A wrap-around extension combines a side return and rear extension to completely transform the ground floor space. This allows for significant expansion, often resulting in large, open-plan kitchens or living areas.Best for: Homeowners looking to create a dramatic change to their ground floor space with a completely new layout.Benefits: Maximises the use of both the rear and side space, allows for open-plan designs, and can completely change the layout and functionality of the home.Considerations: A larger project that may require more structural work, planning permission, and increased budget. Also, careful design is essential to ensure you maintain good natural light flow and that the new layout suits your needs.

5. Loft Conversion

While technically not a traditional 'extension' on the ground floor, a loft conversion is another popular way to extend your home by making use of the unused space in your attic. Loft conversions are ideal for adding extra bedrooms or a home office.Best for: Homes with unused attic space and sufficient head height.Benefits: Adds a functional new room without extending outwards, doesn’t impact garden or outdoor space, and can be done with minimal disruption to the ground floor.Considerations: Structural reinforcements may be needed depending on the state of your roof and floor joists, and the sloped ceilings in a loft may limit the room’s functionality.

6. Garage Conversion

If you have an attached garage, converting it into living space can be one of the easiest and most cost-effective extensions. Garages are often underused, and turning them into a home office, playroom, or even an extra bedroom is a great way to add value and space.Best for: Homeowners with a garage that is rarely used for parking.Benefits: Doesn’t require major structural work, usually doesn’t need planning permission, and is relatively quick to complete compared to other extension types.Considerations: Garages can be cold and draughty, so additional insulation and heating will be required. You may also need to replace the garage door with a wall or windows.

7. Conservatory or Sunroom

A conservatory is a glass-walled room that is typically attached to the rear of the house, often used as a second living room, dining room, or garden room. A sunroom is similar but tends to have more solid walls and a tiled roof, making it more usable year-round.Best for: Homeowners looking to add a light, airy space that connects the home to the garden.Benefits: Brings in a lot of natural light, creates a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, and is often a more affordable extension option.Considerations: Conservatories can get very hot in summer and cold in winter unless properly insulated, so sunrooms tend to be more practical for year-round use.

Which Extension is Right for You?

The type of extension that’s right for you depends on your home’s existing structure, your budget, and how you plan to use the extra space. It’s important to carefully plan your project, obtain the necessary approvals from local authorities, and work with experienced builders who can guide you through the process.At Astro Refurbs, we specialise in all types of house extensions, helping homeowners in London transform their homes into more functional, spacious, and valuable properties. Whether you’re considering a single-storey extension or a full wrap-around project, we’ll work with you to design and build the perfect solution for your needs.

Conclusion

House extensions are an excellent investment, offering both increased living space and long-term property value. By choosing the right type of extension and working with experienced professionals, you can ensure that your project is a success.If you’re thinking about extending your home, get in touch with Astro Refurbs today for a free consultation!