Victorian Side Return Extension - Plan Dilemma

5 years ago

Hi,

We're shortly undertaking a standard side return extension on our 2 bed Victorian terrace. We're trying to decide how many windows we need. The draft plans have 4 roughly 1mx1m velux, 3 on the side and 1 on the rear slope. But we do have the option to add another velux to the rear slope for £700. I am wondering is it's needed? FWIW the new kitchen will be 6.4m long and 4.6m wide with 3.5m bifolds out onto a north east facing garden

We're also wondering how to finish the middle living room. Ideally we'd close off where the window currently sits on the side return completely as it gives us all that corner wall space but would it be too dark?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps others have undertaken similar project on here

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Comments (4)

minipie
5 years ago
As you are NE facIng I think it’s worth the extra velux as you’ll get a lot more light. Also for some reason one on its own doesn’t look quite right proportion wise. As an alternative you could consider swapping to larger rectangular rather than square veluxes, you might be able to get away with two on the side and one on the end. The cost of installation is usually per velux so may even save money this way.

As regards the side return opening to the central room, I would say you need at least a window there at least. If you have an internal window (rather than door) there is still space for furniture under the window. Without a window that room is usually too dark. Having said that, I notice your two receptions are open plan and the front window is SW facing, so perhaps the central room gets enough light that way. But personally I’d still keep a window in that location for extra light and in case you ever want to separate the two receptions.

You could even consider a transom window high up on the wall, that will let through lots of light as the light comes from the nearest velux anyway, but leaves plenty of room for furniture underneath. Could look a bit odd with a period look but would work with modern decor.
rinked
5 years ago
To answer one of your questions: No extra velux there, not that size, proportions are off (between the big doors and the window on the second floor).
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Hi Victoria, I don't have any plans to show you, but some construction photos of our side extension - I think we have the same layout as you, but in the mirror :)). We extended our kitchen 4 years ago, unfortunately I'm not able to tell you how much it cost as we'd had a complete house renovation and paid it all as a pack. However, the structural beams and glazing in the kitchen were billed separately; main beam was about £3000, the glass (including folding doors) was £15000. I remember we also asked for a quote for a roof with 3 or 4 skylights, builder said he'd do it for £9000 at the time (we live in Cardiff). We had the same problem, wanting to maximize the use of space and get as much natural light as possible. We decided NOT to have two access points to the kitchen, but close off the middle room double door and have an internal window instead. Our thinking was that, if we keep a door there, the space is lost, as it needs to be 'free of stuff' for access :)) especially because, as with your house, we have a loo in between and the back length of that loo can't be anything but a corridor (aka dead space). By closing it, we gained a fully usable middle room and a somewhat closed corner in the kitchen, ideal for bins, feeding the cats, dumping hoover/ bikes out the way, etc. I hope I make sense (I'm a bit tired and my English seams to fail me at such times... :)) You can even have it as a play corner... There are lots of examples on Houzz for side extensions, just search http://www.houzz.co.uk/ideabooks/query/side-extension and browse the results. I'd be happy to share my experience if you need more details, just let me know. Good luck!
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Martin
Original Author
5 years ago
Many thanks for taking the time to reply. @minipie i'll investigate the larger velux, does seem there's larger rectangular ones which might be the solution

@rinq can you say why you think the proportions are off? The plans show the window won't be centred to the one above so i'm not sure how having an extra one would throw it off exactly?

I find it hard to visualise and some pictures look fine with one at the end, some look dark. Some don't have any on the rear slope.
rinked
5 years ago
It's both the size and the placement that wouldn't work for me. Personally I'd skip the outer two and put a rooflight in the flat part of the roof. And keep the old living room window opening, but remove the glass and frame if there's no door between kitchen and living either. And keep it about 105cm from the kitchen floor and 40cm from the exterior wall, so there won't be any trouble with future furniture placement on both sides. Hope my explanation sounds as logic to you as is does to me ;)

Victorian Side Return Extension - Plan Dilemma

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minipie

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