Extension in Christchurch - Single Storey

                 

This extension project in Christchurch was carried out for a family who had bought a very run down house which needed complete refurbishment and a single storey extension to give an extra room and improve the layout of the building.  We handled the entire project from start to finish, liaising with Building Control as necessary.

Preparation - The first thing to do was remove all the existing sanitary ware from the bathroom, repair the rotten floor joists and prepare the walls ready for plastering.  New drainage was installed under floor level in the bathroom area to accomodate the new wc, hand basin, bath and shower enclosure.  New 15mm copper pipework was run in to feed the wc, towel radiator, handbasin, bath and shower enclosure.

A brand new gas combi boiler, radiators and associated piping and hot and cold water pipes were required throughout the property.  The floorboards were lifted and new 15mm pipework was run in to replace the old 10mm pipework. This was then ready for our Corgi plumber to connect up the boiler and commission.

Partition Wall - A new stud wall was constructed to divide this room in two to provide 2 separate bedrooms. Accoustic insulation was inserted between the timber studs to provide sound deadening, additional lighting installed for the separate rooms, and alterations to the window complying with FENSA regulations made for privacy.

The extension itself was built around the existing building to minimise any exposure to the elements before demolishing the internal walls.  The existing lean-to was dismantled and removed from site.  The foundations were dug and concrete poured, then concrete blockwork backfilled between with concrete laid up to damp proof course level, dpc and dpm skirt inserted (to prevent rising damp) before carrying the blockwork on up to plate level for roof construction.

Cavity walls were 100mm cavity and 50mm celotex insulation, with fire socks and insulated cavity closers to window and door openings as per current FENSA regulations.  The blockwork was finished with a scratch coat of render and a smooth water proof render top coat.

The flat roof was constructed from treated timbers with an opener for the skylight over the dining kitchen area.  3 layers of torch on felt were applied with glue and chippings.  The glue and chippings help to retain moisture and deflect the heat from the sun, avoiding cracks in the felt over the years and extending the life of the roof.

Internal works after the extension was built started with demolishing the existing extension and removing the debris from site.  Once this was removed, we laid the concrete slab floor, levelling the ground internally, compacting 100mm of road stone which we then blinded with sand.  This then had a damp proof membrane laid over, 100mm celotex insulation and a further damp proof membrane.  On top of this we poured our concrete slab and once set, screeded with 75mm sand and cement screed.

In the lounge, the existing gas fire to the fireplace and the surround was discarded of, with a new Italian marble surround installed and a new window complying with FENSA regulations cut in to provide light to this room.  The new gas boiler was installed into one of the alcove cupboards by our CORGI registered plumber, the existing doorway blocked up and the existing window removed to make an entrance into the dining/kitchen area.

The kitchen/dining area formed by the new extension had all first fix electrical installation carried out prior to boarding and plastering, likewise the first fix plumbing was fitted ready for the kitchen appliances and radiators.

Kitchen carcasses were made up and fitted in place, the solid timber worktop was cut into place over the carcasses and the Belfast sink mounted underneath.  Appliances including washing machine and oven / hob were fitted, plumbed in and connected.

In the bathroom, the new curved shower enclosure was fitted and tiled with ceramic tile and mosaic, along with the double ended bath, hand basin and wc.  The customer's preference here was for minimum tiling, so only the shower enclosure and the handbasin were tiled, with mosaics to the handbasin to protect the wall.  Lighting and extraction were also wired in to the bathroom by our electrician.

Outside we laid decking across the full width of the extension, accessed via the french doors, and a small patio between the decking and garage to make the most of the space outside.

Extensions and conservatories are great ways to add value to a home and increase it's usability without having to move area, loft conversions are another way to improve a home and can add character and space, again more affordably than having to move home. Follow this link if you need a builder to tackle your loft conversion.