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Extension Help
- Thread starter sarah j
- Start date
chuckey
Member
- Messages
- 883
- Location
- wenslydale
What sort of extension were you thinking of?. My victorian house has a side two storey extension on its side. It is not original, but was built before 1910 (its on a 1910 map).
Look at your own house, tall windows with curved brick lintels or ham stone lintels. Large over hanging eaves. Large facia and sofit boards, perhaps with some mouldings. One problem you might find is matching ther colour and size of the bricks. You may have to use re-claimed bricks (delivered by Securicor!).
House opposite me had a side extension built, nice job except for upstairs window too wide for its height. I doubt if many people will notice, but I think "If only. . . "
Frank
Look at your own house, tall windows with curved brick lintels or ham stone lintels. Large over hanging eaves. Large facia and sofit boards, perhaps with some mouldings. One problem you might find is matching ther colour and size of the bricks. You may have to use re-claimed bricks (delivered by Securicor!).
House opposite me had a side extension built, nice job except for upstairs window too wide for its height. I doubt if many people will notice, but I think "If only. . . "
Frank
andrew gayton
Member
- Messages
- 527
Why should a new addition match the host building? Some of the worst additions are those that cow-tow.............
I think a modern extension can look great on an old house. I thought that's what conservation officers etc favoured now. The most recent edition of Grand Designs magazine has an article on a very modern extension to an old cottage. If we had the money for an extension then we'd love to put a modern one (glass/timber) on our stone house. I think the contrast between old and new can look great - but design and materials are obviously key to it working. After all, there are plenty of victorian houses around with ugly extensions which were modern at the time...
Probably out-dated thinking now, but I've found some of Hugh Lander's views of the subject to be useful...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Resto...5547138?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197623561&sr=1-8
Mr Lander can be rather proscriptive, and not all of his methods would be approved of, but I've enjoyed the books and they've given me a start in hopefully the right direction.
He's fond of sketching two scenarios for a cottage restoration. In one, everything is straightened and tidied up, modern windows are fitted, roof lines levelled, cement renders applied, conservatories added etc. In the other, additions and repairs are made with sensitivity and respect to the original, and the charm of the historic building and its setting are retained.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Resto...5547138?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197623561&sr=1-8
Mr Lander can be rather proscriptive, and not all of his methods would be approved of, but I've enjoyed the books and they've given me a start in hopefully the right direction.
He's fond of sketching two scenarios for a cottage restoration. In one, everything is straightened and tidied up, modern windows are fitted, roof lines levelled, cement renders applied, conservatories added etc. In the other, additions and repairs are made with sensitivity and respect to the original, and the charm of the historic building and its setting are retained.
bower1
Member
- Messages
- 132
- Location
- Dorset, UK
I'm not sure how windy it is where you are on the IOW, but I've come to realize too much glass is not always a good thing. Its VERY noisy when the storms hit, and, although double glazing may help with outside noise, its no quieter when rain hits it. In fact, I think the highly tensioned modern glass is noisier than old wonky glass?
I think what I'm trying to say is consider materials as much as design.
I think what I'm trying to say is consider materials as much as design.
Stephen
Member
- Messages
- 199
- Location
- Bishop's Stortford, Herts
As Ian has hinted the best thing is to browse your local library. You could also buy the range of glossy mags, etc.
As others have said ther are no rights or wrongs - matching the existing can end up being a poor pastiche if not careful and yet a 'modern' extension can also lookawful.
Once you have some ideas of what might work the real secret to success is then selecting an Architect who understand what you wish to achieve, has some experience with oder buildings and will work with you (not simply impose ideas on you - although a good Architect will bring ideas to you).
Architects who are good at conservation (i.e. repair) are not necessarily always good at designing extesions and alterations. Similarly those who design good extensions etc to historic buildings are not always good at pure conservation.
When you are ready do not be afraid to interrogate the Architect (and interview more than one).
Hope this helps.
Stephen
As others have said ther are no rights or wrongs - matching the existing can end up being a poor pastiche if not careful and yet a 'modern' extension can also lookawful.
Once you have some ideas of what might work the real secret to success is then selecting an Architect who understand what you wish to achieve, has some experience with oder buildings and will work with you (not simply impose ideas on you - although a good Architect will bring ideas to you).
Architects who are good at conservation (i.e. repair) are not necessarily always good at designing extesions and alterations. Similarly those who design good extensions etc to historic buildings are not always good at pure conservation.
When you are ready do not be afraid to interrogate the Architect (and interview more than one).
Hope this helps.
Stephen
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
The Victorian Society has a selection of books that might be of help to you.
Or it might be worth asking them whether you can get advice if you join.
Or it might be worth asking them whether you can get advice if you join.