An attractive alternative to the hassle and expense of constructing a second story, the one-story extension is a popular choice for many homeowners looking to increase their living space. With this adaptable addition, you can turn a small kitchen into a roomy paradise, make place for your expanding kids’ playroom or even build a master suite with a private bathroom.
The versatility of the single-story addition is its most attractive feature. It can be built into the house so it blends in with the rest, or it can stand on its own as an eye-catching architectural feature. Because of its adaptability, a single-story addition may work with a wide range of house types, from classic cottages to ultra-contemporary mansions.
Advantages of an Extra Story
The most obvious benefit of adding a single story to your home is the extra square footage it provides for living space. There are a lot of potential uses for this extra room, such as a sunroom for relaxation or a home office.
Enhanced Natural Light: A single storey extension allows for the installation of skylights and wide windows, which allow an abundance of natural light to enter the newly created area. A darkish space may be transformed into a more inviting and breezy one with this trick.
The expansion may be tailored to meet individual demands, such as expanding the kitchen to include a dining area, constructing a home gym, or just making the most of the space available.
The value of your property can be raised by a substantial amount with a well-planned addition of one story. Expansions that increase living quarters, practicality, and curb appeal tend to fetch a premium when it comes time to sell.
Save Money: Adding only one story to your home is usually more economical than adding two. The less complicated structure and cheaper materials are to blame for this.
Various Single-Story Addition Types
To get the results you want and make the most of your one-story expansion, the design is key. Some typical examples of one-story additions are these:
The majority of home additions are rear extensions, which allow for the creation of more usable space behind the house and frequently include the kitchen, dining room, or living room.
An ideal location for a new bedroom, bathroom or home office may be on the side of the house, which is why this style of addition is so popular.
A wrap-around expansion encircles the main home on two or more sides, transforming it into a roomy, multi-purpose room.
An annexe with glass walls that lets in plenty of natural light is called a conservatory. It has several uses: sunroom, dining room, and snug reading nook.
An outbuilding is a detached facility that is typically used as an office, workshop, or guest house. It is typically located apart from the main house.
Important Factors to Keep in Mind When Planning
A single-story addition requires meticulous preparation before construction can begin.
In most instances, you’ll have to get your local authority’s planning permission before you can start building. Before beginning, familiarise yourself with the local ordinances and rules, and think about getting a professional like a planner or architect to help you out.
You still need to follow the rules when it comes to construction, even if you don’t need planning approval. The safety, structural integrity, and compliance with energy efficiency norms of the extension are guaranteed by this.
To begin, you must establish a practical budget that accounts for all costs, such as those associated with supplies, labour, design fees, and unforeseen expenditures.
When planning a single-story addition, it’s important to think about both the home’s current layout and the general style you hope to accomplish. Get in touch with a professional architect or designer to help you create a layout that will complement your current home.
Material Selection: Go for long-lasting, visually beautiful, and reasonably priced materials. Materials commonly utilised for single-story expansions include brick, stone, wood, and glass.
Wheelchair access, step-free entrance, and the placement of doors and windows are all aspects of accessibility that should be carefully considered to make sure the new area is used by everyone.
Building Procedures
Building can start when all the necessary planning and design work is finished. Usually, this entails these steps:
Preparing the foundation to withstand the weight of the extension is the first phase in construction. Excavation, foundation pouring, or basement construction may be necessary.
The framework of the addition is what holds the walls, ceiling, and floors in place. Framing made of timber or steel is typical.
Roofing: The roof must be appropriately insulated and built to endure the local climate.
The next step is to apply the material, which can be brick, stone, or wood, to the outside walls.
The installation of windows and doors allows for the passage of natural light, ventilation, and people to enter the newly created room.
Internal Fittings: During this phase, various fittings such as plumbing, heating systems, electrical cabling, and more are installed.
Painting, wallpapering, flooring, and ornamental element installation make up the last step of an extension’s construction.
Constructing an Extra Story for Your Home
You will be able to take use of your newly built single-story addition as soon as it is finished.
Making the Most of Natural Light: The room will seem light and breezy thanks to the abundance of natural light streaming in via the skylights and huge windows.
The goal of the extension’s design should be to create a coherent and roomy living space by blending in with the existing house.
The additional area may be transformed into anything you want it to be, from a home office to a designated playground.
Extending Your Living Space: The addition can link to a patio or garden, allowing you to enjoy the outside even more.
In summary
Improving your home’s functioning, adding square footage, and raising its value are all possible outcomes of a one-story addition. You may make a one-story addition that improves your house and your living quality by planning ahead, picking the correct design, and using high-quality materials.