Tag: home

Extensions

Everything you need to know about glass extensions

5th December 20220

Deffinition Of Glass Extensions? 

Glass extensions give you the same living space, but with any style of glass construction. The extension looks different to a conservatory, though, as it’s square, and has more of a premium finish. On one side, there are typically a set of sliding or bi-folding doors providing easy access to a patio or garden. This gives a seem less view of your garden and brings the outside in. 

The base required for a glass extension is fairly flexible. You do not require foundations as you would for a conservatory or a brick extension. 

Prices Of The Extensions 

 A glass extension is actually a lot cheaper than it might sound. The real cost of a glass box extension is in the design you choose. On average a glass extension costs around £3,000 per meter squared, just for glazing. A small glass box extension price starts from £14,000 and can go up and over £80,000 for a large project. 

A glass extension is a good investment for your property, it can add up to 7% to your home’s value. A survey by the national association of estate agents, regarding the top home improvements that could add the best value to your property. It revealed that glass room extensions featured highly at the top of the list.  

How To Avoid Heat Loss  

Unfortunately, all of the glass means that the extension could have poor insulation, making a consistent temperature difficult to achieve.  One possible solution is to increase the insulation by having a solid ceiling with roof lights and keeping glass walls. This ensures the space maintains a more comfortable temperature in both summer and winter  

Predominantly glass extensions can be noisy, with high levels of reverberation. Soft furnishings such as rugs, curtains, and cushions are vital to dampen the noise. When it comes to the flooring, timber can also help to absorb echoes and make the space feel cosy, but it’s not so helpful with temperature control.  

Are Glass Extensions Secure?  

Most people assume that glazed extensions prove to be attractive targets to potential burglars. On the contrary, if constructed well, then their toughened glazing and strong joinery can make them exceptionally safe and secure.  

Image: https://www.homify.co.uk/professionals/61397/maxlight

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Advice Center

Keep your neighbours happy and look into the party wall act 

14th November 20220

Firstly, what is the party wall act? 

The party wall act 1996 introduced a procedure for resolving disputes between owners of neighbouring properties. The Party Wall act prevents building work by one neighbour that can undermine the structural integrity of shared walls or neighbouring properties. 

What is a party wall? 

A party wall is a wall that stands on one owner’s land, but is used by two or more owners to separate their buildings.  

What is covered by the act?  

There are certain items of work that you can only be done after notifying the adjoining owners and either receiving written agreement of the neighbour. This includes:  

  • Demolishing and rebuilding a party wall 
  • Underpinning a party wall or part of a party wall 
  • Inserting a damp proof course, even if it’s on your side of the wall.  
  • Cutting into a wall to take the bearing of a beam 
  • Excavating foundations within three metres of a neighbour’s structure and lower than its foundations  
  • Rasing a party wall and, if necessary, cutting off any objects preventing it from happening  
  • excavating foundations within three metres of a neighbour’s structure and lower than its foundations 
  • excavating foundations within six metres of a neighbour’s structure and below a line drawn down at 45° from the bottom of its foundations. 

Reaching an agreement with your neighbours –  

Sending a notice to your neighbours is the first step of the process, without the issue of valid notices, no action can be taken.  

Written notices must be to the neighbours at least two months before starting any party wall works. Your notice must contain: 

  • The name and address of the building owner 
  • The nature and particulars of proposed work. Including plans, sections, and details of construction methods.   
  • The date on which the proposed work will begin 

Once you’ve given your notice your neighbour can: 

  • Give consent in writing  
  • Refuse consent, which will start the dispute resolution process.  
  • Serve a counter notice requesting additional works be done at the same time 

Finally, your neighbour must let you know in writing within 14 days if they consent to your notice.  

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Fire proofing your home: What you need to know 

7th November 20220

A house fire is one of the scariest things a person can experience. More than 37,000 house fires are reported each year in the UK. It is devastating how fast things can take a turn for the worst. Around 200 – 300 people a year lose their lives due to household fires. This is why fire proofing your home is so important. Read on to find the best ways to fire proof your home.  

What does fire proofing mean? 

It’s the process of making buildings resistant to fire damage by including fireproof materials. This doesn’t guarantee that it will never burn, but it can reduce the impact of the extreme heat.  

Is fire proofing necessary?  

Yes, it protects buildings from collapsing and enables time for a safe evacuation of residents in the buildings.  

Ways to fire proof your homes –  

Use fire resistant materials –  

The materials you use for your home can have a big impact on your safety, and not many people know that. When it comes to materials, concrete panels, stucco or brick for exterior walls, steel framing for windows and concrete or metal for roofing are all good choices. Fire retardant paint is also a good idea. For decking, concrete, tiles, stone or brick are better than wood. 

After the great fire of London in 1666, thatched roofs were banned in the city to avoid another rapid spread of fire. Although, statistically homes with thatched roofs are no more likely to catch fire than those with conventional roofs. However, if they do the results are often rapid and spectacular. It seems worse, mainly because thatched fires in unprotected properties usually causes severe damage and therefore receives maximum publicity. 

Check and install smoke alarms –  

Smoke alarms are very important in homes, they provide early warnings of smoke and fire in your house. The best place to put a smoke detector is on the ceiling in the hallways and the landing. You shouldn’t put smoke alarms in the kitchen or bathrooms. You should check your smoke alarms at least once a month to see if they still work. And change the batteries every 6 months.  

Have a fire extinguisher on hand –  

Having an extinguisher handy can make all of the difference between a small incident in the kitchen and the entire house Burning down. A good place to keep one is in the kitchen, as that is where many fires start. Make sure it is handy and accessible to everyone in the house. 

Clear the gutters –  

Even if your roof if made from fire resistant materials, if you have leaves and debris up there it can cause a fire. Cleaning our cutters regularly is a good idea. Also, if you have a chimney, you should get that cleaned once a year to check for soot build up.  

(Image credit: Chris Snook )
Architecture & Building

Advantages and disadvantages of Shipping container homes 

4th November 20220

Shipping container homes have become increasingly more popular over the years. This is because living a more sustainable and cheaper life is becoming more people each day.  

What are shipping container homes? 

If you have never heard of this type of home, they are exactly what they sound like. They are houses typically made up of multiple shipping containers joined together.  

Shipping container sizes –  

Shipping containers come in a range of different sizes. The most common types are 10ft, 20ft and 40ft. A 20ft container can hold up to a 3-bedroom home and have enough room to store all of your furniture, boxes, and appliance, too. Also, these storage containers measure 20’ long, 8’ wide, and 8.5’ tall. 

How much do they cost? 

Furthermore, the total average cost of for a DIY shipping container home in the UK is between £20,000- £80,000.  

Advantages of container homes –  

They are prefab –  

Shipping container homes are available as prefabricated modular homes, meaning construction time shorter. Building inspections are completed at the factory, and this simplifies and speeds up the process. Some companies advertise delivery in under 10 weeks. 

Environmentally friendly-  

Container homes are often labelled as being environmentally friendly because firstly, you’re recycling, which is one of the greenest things you can do. Secondly, you are saving metal resources.  

Easy to transport –  

Because shipping container have been around a while there are experienced delivery systems in place to make the move easy as possible. Once they get to your property it is a quick and simple process of constructing them.  

Disadvantages of container homes –  

Structural issues-  

In addition, if you want to stack the containers to create a larger home, you may have to weld them together. So, this process can be costly.  

Safety concerns –  

Usually, you would be unaware of what was once shipped in the containers such as, hazardous materials. The paints and finishes used on containers are industrial, and not for residential homes, so that they could contain toxic pesticides. 

Photo : studiokfa

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Extensions

Flat pack extensions: how to save money 

3rd November 20220

Every homeowner will need extra space in their home at some point in their lives. Most people think that moving house is the only option, when in reality there are many routes, you could go down. Flat pack extensions are a great way of adding extra space, and are way cheaper than a traditional extension or moving house. 

What is a flat-pack extension?   

A flat-pack extension is a home addition that is built off-site. Either in a workshop or a factory. Once it is constructed it’s delivered to your home, and then put together by the extension provider and a contractor.   

Just like a normal extension, there are many different styles of flat-pack extensions, for example:   

  • Steel  
  • Timber   
  • Brick    
  • uPVC   

How much do flat pack extensions cost? 

On average a flat pack extension can cost between £1260 – £1680 per square metre. A single storey extension (20 sqm) between £26,250 – £35,350. Including labour costs of £150 – £250 per person per day for roughly a week. Although, these prices don’t include fittings or finishings.  

Alterations to the main house –  

By adding an extension to your home, you will be making structural changes to the property. To ensure your home stays structurally sound, you may need to add steal support beams. You might need to hire a chartered surveyor to inform you of the condition of your property before the work.  

In addition, you’ll have to hire someone to install the plumbing, electric and gas before the extension is constructed  

How much cheaper are flat pack extensions compared to a traditional one? 

Flat pack extensions are the more affordable way to add space to your home. They can typically cost 25% less than a traditional extension. 

DIY –  

Whilst you could build your own flat pack extension, it might cost you extra if you make any mistakes. So, it might be best to leave the job to the professionals, as they are more skilled and experienced.  

Copyright © 2013 Dab Architecture.

Architecture & Building

Revolutionary female architects that shaped the Industry

2nd November 20220

Architecture has often been seen as an extremely male-dominated field. However, there are female architects who are changing the industry and are also working to ensure that young female architects feel inspired to keep going.

Eileen Gray (9th August 1878 – 31st October 1976) –  

Eileen Gray was an Irish architect and furniture designer wo became a pioneer of the modern movement in architecture. 

By 1921, Gray was romantically involved with Romanian architect and writer Jean Badovici. He encouraged her growing interest in architecture. From 1922/1923 to 1926 Gray created an informal architectural apprenticeship for herself as she never received any formal training as an architect. 

In 1926, she started work on a new holiday home near Monaco to share with Badovici. The house was given the enigmatic name of E-1027. It was code for the lovers’ names; the E standing for Eileen, the 10 for J, meaning Jean, the 2 for B standing for Badovici. And the 7 for G standing for Gray. 

E-1027 is a modernist villa in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France. It’s an L shaped, flat roofed villa with floor to ceiling windows and spiral staircases. It also had an open plan interior that mixed moving screens with fixed walls.  

Gray only ever completed three more architectural projects. A house for herself near Castellar, a studio apartment in Paris for Badovici, and a final renovation project in St Tropez—before she passed away in the ’70s. 

Getty Images

Dame Zaha Hadid (31st October 1950 – 31st March 2016) – 

Dame Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi-British architect, artist, and designer, recognised as a major figure in architecture. 

For many years, Hadid was a “paper architect.” But during this time, she established her reputation through her drawings, paintings, and by teaching architecture internationally at schools. In the ’90s, her work was finally given the chance to be realised in physical form by way of the Vitra Fire Station. 

More work followed in Europe, each more ambitious than the next. Including the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati, Ohio and the Bergisel Ski-Jump on Bergisel Mountain in Innsbruck, Austria. The New York Times called the former the “most important American building to be completed since the Cold War” and marked the first American museum designed by a woman. 

A year after the completion of the art museum, Hadid was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2004. Not only was she the first woman to receive the prize, Hadid began to attract more media attention as well as higher profile clients. 

Denise Scott Brown (3rd October 1931 – Present) –  

Denise Scott Brown is considered to be one of the most highly influential female architects. She was then a partner at Venturi Scott Brown Architects. She shaped most of the 20th century’s architecture. Furthermore, Denise refers to herself as the grandmother of architecture. Some of her highly acclaimed designs are of buildings such as the Sainsbury Wing of the London’s National Gallery, Provincial Capitol Building of Toulouse and Seattle Art Museum.   

image by frank hanswijk, courtesy of venturi, scott brown and associates
main image by robert venturi, courtesy of venturi, scott brown and associates
Loft Conversion

What are the planning rules for Terraced House Loft Conversions? 

2nd November 20220

When homeowners are looking to add more space to their homes, loft conversions are a great route to look down. According to the ONS UK housing report, there are more than 30% terraced houses in the country. Most of the houses are situated in areas, where people want to live. Which is why many people are looking to add on to their property.  

Factors that need to be considered –  

There are factors which need to be considered when having a loft conversion in a terraced house, but some of them apply to any kind of loft conversion: 

  • Budget 
  • Planning constraints 
  • Access from the floor below 

Budget –  

Before you do any type of work on your home, you need to make sure that you can fit it in your budget. Well done loft conversions can be pricey. For example, a simple loft conversion starting costs can be around £25k.  

Planning application –  

Loft conversions on terraced houses don’t automatically require planning permission as long as they stay within the bounds of what is known as Permitted Development. 

A loft conversion will fall under permitted development and does not require planning permission as long as it meets the following conditions: 

  • The head height must be above 2.2m.  
  • The new loft space won’t be larger than 40 cubic meters for terraced houses. 
  • The loft conversion does not extend higher than the highest part of the existing roof. 
  • The loft conversion does not include any verandas, balconies, or raised platforms. 
  • It is made using materials that are similar in appearance to the rest of the house. 
  • Any side-facing windows must be obscure-glazed (to stop people from seeing in and out). 
  • Any side-facing windows must be at least 1.7m above the ground. 
  • Your home is not located in certain designated areas, including national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), conservation areas, and World Heritage Sites. 
  • A roof extension, with the exception of hip-to-gable extensions, must be set back at least 20cm from the original eaves. 
  • A roof extension must not overhang the outer wall of the original house. 
Image: https://www.absolutelofts.com/galleries/aerial-view-of-l-shaped-dormer-loft-conversion-in-hackney-e5-east-london-victorian-terrace/

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Extensions

Single storey extension: what you need to know before planning  

21st October 20220

Adding a single-storey extension is a great idea to have some extra living space in the home. But before you start planning, check out advice from experts. 

There is no doubt that an extension is a great alternative to moving home. Buying a new home is a lengthy and daunting task than adding a simple extension. We also know that space in the UK is often tight for families in the cities. Hence, an extension is a neat solution to all of their living space problem. 

Most common extensions in the UK –  

When we talk about British homes, there are mainly three types of extensions: Side return extension, wrap around extension and the rear extension. However, we are going to focus on the most common, the single-storey rear extension in this article. 

A rear extension goes across the full width of the house. It goes out towards the garden. Edwardian and Victorian houses have a cellular feel. So, adding a rear extension can link together two areas to provide you with more open space for your family. Furthermore, if your house doesn’t get much daylight, adding bifolding doors or large windows to the extension can brighten the place up.  

Will you need planning permission?  

Whether you need planning permission or you can develop under permitted development rights. Single storey rear extension does require LDC (Lawful Development Certificate). You need to apply for this certificate to your local authority. Basically, it indicates that the extension you are building met permitted development requirements and you don’t need planning permission. It will cost you around £103 which is less than the planning fee. 

Will a single storey rear extension add value to your home?  

Well, how much value it’s going to add depends on the extension and space you want to create. Any extension adds value to the property that’s for sure. But you have to create a balance. You have to make sure that the extension is cost-effective and also adds value to your house. 

Image: https://www.thermaframe.co.uk/upvc-sash-windows-sevenoaks/
Advice Center

Basements: why are they uncommon in the UK?

20th October 20220

Having a basement in your home may seem like a given if you are from most parts of the United States. However, if you are from England, you probably don’t know that much about having a basement. 

When were basements common?  

Although, you may have not seen many, basements/ cellars actually are pretty common in some places in the UK. The Victorians and Georgians loved them. So, any town with lots of Georgian and Victorian housing like Leeds, Manchester or Edinburgh will have lots of basements. As for the places that don’t, you can break them down into a few reasons: 

Age of home. While the technology required to build underground spaces has existed for thousands of years. However, the requirement to do so has not. Before mass urbanisation began in the early 1800s, 60% of people lived in small, communities where land was pretty cheap. The cost of digging a basement for your house compared poorly to the cost of just buying a field out back and building a bigger house. 

Ground conditions. Unlike Scotland, Wales and the west of England, much of eastern and central England is quite low lying, and a lot of the east coast was reclaimed from salt marshes by the Georgians. This means that the ground was too wet and muddy to build a basement in, especially when it’s expensive and impractical to pump the water out every time it rains heavily and the water table rises. 

The weather. One of the main reasons that basements became very common in America is the weather. Both the intense cold in some parts and the risk of adverse weather in others. Foundations have to be built far below the ground to stop them being damaged by frost, so you might as well fill all that space with an extra room or two. Similarly, a basement doubles up as a tornado shelter in other places. The UK has little extreme weather, so basements weren’t as functional in the past as they are in North America. 

Why did the UK stop making basements? 

However, nowadays almost all new build homes have no cellar or basement. This is due to the extra cost of digging down further into the sub-soil and a requirement for much deeper foundations and waterproof tanking.  

How much would It cost to build a basement? 

If you are thinking of building an entirely new basement under your home, you should expect the starting costs to be around £2000 – £3,500 per square meter. On top of this you would need to pay for the contractors to complete the job. So, it’s not often a cheap project.  

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Advice Center, Architecture & Building

Stilt houses: reasons why you should raise your home 

18th October 20220

What is a stilt house?  

Stilt houses are houses built on elevated platforms. They can be built in a variety of locations. They are usually constructed over water, but they can also be built on dry land.  

Why are houses built on stilts?  

Many people have been building homes on stilts since the prehistoric times. Elevating homes can protect them against flooding and keep animals out. Which is why these types of homes are very popular in tropical and coastal regions.  

Are stilt houses safe?  

Even though they may seem unstable, houses built on stilts are normally secure. Builders traditionally use wood, bamboo, cane, or rattan for stilted houses. However, steel is now more commonly used as a construction material.  

Steel usually holds well in the ground and is less likely to break than other materials. Steel stilts will hold up adequately even if you want to build your house on an uneven surface. Although, like any house the structural integrity lies within the hands of the builders.  

Benefits of stilt houses –  

  • Maximise the view. By elevating your home your house will typically stand higher than other houses in the area. This will provide you with amazing views and far-reaching perspective of the surrounding environment.  
  • Extra space and ventilation beneath the house. With the house being raised you have a load of free space under the house, many people use this area as a car port. It also improves ventilation because the cool air can flow under the house. 
  • You can build on uneven ground. Because the house is off the ground you can build above uneven ground. This is good for the environment because the land is facing minimal damage. 
  • Can build over water. This not only makes for an unusual living space, but it also lessens the house’s mass and footprint on the fragile shore. 
Image: Shutterstock