Extension Alternative

last year

Hi Guys, I’m looking into modular ‘off the shelf’ type extensions rather than brick built as a cheaper alternative for adding some additional space to my home. Has anyone got any experience of installing them? Anything in particular that I should be weary of? To be more specific, they aren’t conservatories they don’t have glass roofs and have panelled walls.

Featured Answer

Jo Phillips

last year

Check in with your insurance, mortgage and local estate agent as in the past using non conventional / non traditional building materials has been controversial and can affect value, etc. SIPs and other new green materials may be changing this - but good to check! I’ve been looking into this too.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Ace 23
last year
Interested to know about this too.
Ricky Watkins
last year
You're after a SIPs house extension (Structurally insulated panels). Quickly built but not much price difference against traditional brick I think.
Related Discussions
Help with corner glazing in extension plans
Q
Comments (6)
Hi, We had a feature corner window in our design. Originally it was meant to be a custom glass unit just as the one shown with a cantilever beam. However, the cost of the glazing ate into our budget and would have compromised on something else. Anyway, we went for two separate standard units with a corner post (take a bit of weight but more to join the units together). This worked out much cheaper and still gave us the finish we are happy with. Think it was around £1450 compared to quoted prices of £5000-6000. The builder was reluctant also, but if its in the plans (steel calculations) and they have quoted for it then there should be no issue!. Just having a second look at your plans, the one I would be worried about is the run of glazing (opposite your patio doors). A cantilever beam needs to be much more than the length of the run you are showing from what I understand of engineering. So not sure how they architect/structural engineer have accounted for that!....from my experience. Architects can sometimes get carried away with a design without thought about such practicalities. I would go back and question this design element...Builders vs architects!
...See More
Help - In need of some alternative layouts for our home renovation
Q
Comments (8)
Thank you both @rinked @minnie101 for your comments and feedback. I think flipping the kitchen to the other side of the rear extension looks like it could work, but I think we'll lose some essential kitchen storage space. I like the way you've increased the depth of the utility space, it makes the area look a lot more fuller. If we were to go back to the drawing board and start completely from scratch, how differently would you lay out the spaces??
...See More
Alternative to microcement
Q
Comments (9)
I'm not a flooring expert but a company like this maybe able to help. It suggests Polyurethane-based floors are less susceptible to cracking. https://www.arturoflooring.com/about-arturo/resin-flooring-specialist/ An idea anyway. I just met them at the surface design show and it seems there are various finishes.
...See More
Alternative to flat roof for 5m rear extension
Q
Comments (13)
I'm sorry I'm just not following. Do you mean the space between the two roofs? If so, that space doesn't need guttering. It will form a gully with a hopper at the end to collect the rain water. Also the water collected from the faux roof on the side of your neighbour will be negligible so if it runs on to his roof that is not a problem. We live on a hill and there are a number of properties on this road that have rain water collected on a neighbours roof. So whether you have a gully or not I can't work out how that will decrease your interior space.
...See More
Ace 23
last year
I don't know how good the product is or how wise it is to use something like this but I saw this: https://dunsterhouse.co.uk/garden-rooms-and-porches/addroom-garden-room-brick-effect-5m-x-3m-right#
Jo Phillips
last year
Ps some useful articles on SIPs and other new designs and build methods in current Homebuilding and Renovating magazine.
PRO
9yards architecture
last year
Off-the-shelf and system build can be economical for mass production - so if you're building 30 semis or a hotel with 50 identical rooms then there are quite often savings to be made.

So many times we get clients suggesting they're going to buck the trend by building in some new way. But if there's a new building method that's cheaper than the traditional way using traditional materials your local builders would already be using it.

In 30+ years in the construction industry I've only ever known one small domestic extension to be manufactured off site and craned into position. It was done by a Housing Association as a trial, it's half a mile from my house and it seems to have performed well for 15 years. But they never did another one.

And if you're going to spend the money on an extension for your house, why limit yourself to off-the-shelf rather than get it designed to meet your specific needs and the specific features of your site?

'Off-site' and 'modular' have been big buzzwords in the industry for the lsst 20 years - but they're still far off being economical methods for small-scale projects by small builders.

A good designer will be able to design you a bespoke extension economically - they'll know where the high-cost elements are and should be able to suggest more cost-efficient options.

And if it's construction speed you're after, be realistic about how much time you'll really be saving - especially compared to the length of time you're likely to be loving in the house.

The above comments about insurance are also very relevant - insurers and mortgage lenders may like something today and then run a mile from it tomorrow - just see what's currently happening with sprayfoam insulation.

Extension Alternative

Jo Phillips

Comments (6)

Ace 23

Ricky Watkins

Related Discussions

Ace 23

Jo Phillips

9yards architecture

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US