Is a narrow double side extension worth it?

last month

We have had an offer accepted on a semi detached house which we want to fully extend.
I've already started planning in my head what we will do with the property, but measuring the side plot it's only 2.4m wide which is now worrying me that once you add in external walls, it's not going to leave much space for rooms etc.
Downstairs is simpler because we can add a utility, wc and wider kitchen diner etc (including a big rear extension) so I'm confident we will find a design which makes a great space.
The concern is the upper floor. Will 2m provide useful space? Is it worth doing a double storey with only this much space?
Other family members we have spoken to have said we really should leave side access space, which sounds very useful but then would only leave just over 1m width which isn't going to work on the upper floor.
Has anyone done a cantilevered extension so the upper floor could be wider than the ground floor? Does this look ugly and would it even be approved by the Council?
Help would be much appreciated

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Comments (8)

nicola astafanous
Original Author
last month
last modified: last month

This is the current layout and the 2.2m side space is on the right hand side next to the entrance door
nicola astafanous
Original Author
last month
last modified: last month

This is the front of the house
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The Kitchen Lady UK
last month
I think it's important to look at the functions you need your home to fulfil for you and then you can start to allocate space to these functions. Are you looking for a 4th bedroom, is this as a bedroom or is it a guest room/office/property value reasons. This will say if 1-2m is enough.

Car ports are worth googling, they have been designed for years and are much less expensive than cantelevering but give you that side access. Do you use some of this as a utility room or as the garden shed storage, it's working out the brief that will help work out what work is needed and what can be combined elsewhere.

I've just worked with a couple who were resigned to a £50k extension in a few years because their sitting room is too small as the dining table has to go there …rejig of the kitchen and it's a kitchen diner and suddenly the sitting room is twice the size and the extension is now an option and not a requirement.

If you'd like any help working out your brief and working out how the new flow of the house can work, feel free to get in touch, you can find out more on my website www.thekitchenladyuk.co.uk

Good luck

Emily x
Sarah U-S
last month
As The Kitchen Lady says - it all depends on what you need! My brother had a similar sized extension a couple of years ago - they had a utility and wc downstairs and an addition shower room upstairs. It’s perfect because that’s what the house (and them) needed.
nicola astafanous
Original Author
last month
Thanks both.

I f we were going to go for the expense of a double side, I would want a usable bedroom upstairs to make 4 rooms, but not sure if under 2m wide would be usable? We looked at an option to knock through into the box room to create a nice sized master bedroom with an onsuite returning round the side of the house which would be nice so it's just that smaller room which is in question. And also, how would you best join the landing upstairs into the new side extension?
Lewis Carr
last month
Hmm, it does look a bit limited unless you want to completely rig all upstairs to try an make it work. There will also néed to be a few steps up to side extension rooms from the turning point on the stairs.

You could make a much bigger bathroom.... And a L shaped bed 3, or a very narrow bed 4. But I doubt any of these are what you want.

My recommendation if you want another bedroom is a loft extension!
Guy Brown
last month
I'm in a very similar situation, currently purchasing a semi with similar side access and no garage and working out how best to use it. Fortunately the property has already extended at the rear to create a really nice kitchen/dining area/family room flow, as well as a lift conversion for a decent extra bedroom/ensuite. The property does needs a utility and storage and I'm looking for ideas and costs on this. Hoping a single storey side extension would reduce the cost. Similar to yourself, I'm not sure if the space is enough to warrant a double storey extension. Happy to provide the floor plans for what we are getting and ideas for side access usage. Good luck.
Guy Brown
last month
In terms of "leaving the side access", I can understand why but it depends what you want to use the side for and if it is going to be fully integrated into the rest of the house. If its storage/utility and has doors at either end with side access to house then any external traffic could just walk through hopefully?

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Is a narrow double side extension worth it?

Comments (8)

nicola astafanous
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nicola astafanous
Original Author

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Is a narrow double side extension worth it?

Comments (8)

nicola astafanousOriginal Author

nicola astafanousOriginal Author

Related Discussions

The Kitchen Lady UK

Sarah U-S

nicola astafanousOriginal Author

Lewis Carr

Guy Brown

Guy Brown

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BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

nicola astafanous
Original Author

nicola astafanous
Original Author

nicola astafanous
Original Author