If you live in a period home but you want to increase the amount of space that you have you have probably considered an extension. When living in a period home an extension is not as straightforward as it is in a modern home – of course you will want to make sure that you keep the character and charm of the property intact whilst making it bigger, and you may also have to check what you can and can’t do if you live in a listed building.
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Older homes bring their own challenges
There are lots of older homes in the UK – some date as far back as Tudor times and even older whereas others can be around 100 years old.
One of the main challenges that you have when you take on a project like this, is ensuring that you retain the features of the property that make it unique. From windows to fireplaces, older properties have many charming features that can remain whilst incorporating modern additions.
Getting inspiration and the right builder
It can help if you start by looking at properties that have been extended that are a similar age and size as yours. This helps to give inspiration and see what you can do with a property like your own.
You also should find a builder that has the knowledge and experience of dealing with older properties like this home renovations Burford based builder https://precisionbuildersltd.co.uk/services/home-renovations/burford
They may also be able to make suggestions to you and may also come up with things that you hadn’t considered.
Summary
This article covers how to plan a modern extension on a period property. It stresses keeping the home’s character and charm intact, checking listed building restrictions, and retaining original features such as windows or fireplaces alongside modern additions. It recommends looking at similar extended properties of a comparable age and size for inspiration, and finding a builder experienced with older homes who can offer suggestions.
Questions this article raises
- How do you find similar extended period properties nearby to use as design inspiration?
- What specific restrictions apply to extending a listed building versus an unlisted older home?
- How do you vet a builder’s experience with period properties before hiring them?
