Understanding the Different Types of Home Extensions for Your Property

Thinking about getting more space but don't want the absolute stress of moving houses. Moving costs a fortune with stamp duty and estate agent fees so staying put makes a lot of sense. Extending your current place lets you get that big kitchen or extra bedroom without changing postcode. But when you start looking into it you realise there are so many different paths you can take.

Here at Astrum Construction we see homeowners get stuck trying to figure out what build actually fits their plot. Choosing the right option depends on your budget, your house style and how much garden you are willing to lose. Let us break down the main choices so you can see what works when looking at different types of home extensions for your property. 

Single Storey Rear Types of Home Extensions 

If you want that massive open plan kitchen diner with the big bi-fold doors leading to the grass this is usually the go to. A single storey rear extension builds straight out into your back garden. It is easily one of the most popular ways to add square footage because it completely changes how you use the ground floor.

And the best bit is you can often do this under permitted development rights. That means you might not even need full planning permission if you stick to certain sizes. It makes the whole process faster and less stressful. We build a lot of these at Astrum Construction and they always turn your dark back rooms into bright family spaces. You can drop in some skylights or a flat roof light to get even more sun into your home.

Side Return Types of Home Extensions 

Lots of older semi detached and Victorian terraced houses have that awkward little strip of pavement running down the side of the house. It usually just ends up holding the wheelie bins and growing weeds. A side return extension takes that dead alleyway space and eats it up to widen your indoor rooms.

It is not the biggest build in terms of square footage but the impact on your kitchen layout is huge. You can knock through the old external wall and suddenly your narrow kitchen is twice as wide. You don't lose any of your main back garden either which is great if your outdoor space is already small. Plus you can use a glass roof over the side return part to stop the middle of your house becoming dark.

Wraparound Combinations 

When you combine a side return and a rear extension together you get a wraparound. It creates a big L-shaped extension that wraps around two sides of your property. If you want the maximum possible space on the ground floor this is how you get it.

But you need to know that these will definitely require a full planning application. They are more complex because you are taking down a lot of the original corner structure of the house. We have to bring in serious steel beams to hold everything up safely. It costs more and takes longer but it gives you a massive multi purpose living area where the family can cook, eat and lounge all at once.

Going Up With Two Storey Extensions 

Do you need extra bedrooms upstairs as well as space downstairs? A double storey extension gives you twice the room without taking up any more of your garden than a single storey one would. You build the ground floor extension and then just keep going up to create a new bedroom or an en suite on the first floor.

Extension Type	Best Used For	Planning Context
Single Storey Rear	Open plan kitchen diners, garden connection	Often Permitted Development
Side Return	Widening narrow terraced/semi kitchens	Great for preserving garden
Wraparound (L-Shape)	Maximum ground floor footprint	Always requires full planning
Double Storey	Adding bedrooms upstairs + living downstairs	Structural checks essential

It is actually quite cost effective when you look at the price per square metre. You are already paying for the foundations and the roof anyway so adding the middle bit doesn't double the price. But an engineer will need to do a lot of structural calculations to make sure everything can take the weight. Your neighbours might also have opinions about their light being blocked so that is something to keep in mind.

Over Structure Alternatives 

If you have a garage attached to the side of your house that is only one storey high you might be sitting on a goldmine of space. An over structure extension builds directly on top of that existing garage. It is an amazing way to get a main bedroom suite or a home office without touching your garden at all.

The main hurdle here is checking if the old garage foundations are strong enough to hold a second floor. Back in the day garages weren't always built with deep foundations. If they are shallow we sometimes have to dig down and strengthen them or build an internal steel frame to carry the new top half.

Making Your Decision 

Every property is different and what worked for a house down the street might not work for yours. Think about what you actually need the space for. If it is just a bigger kitchen then a ground floor side or rear build is perfect. If the kids are growing up and fighting over the bathroom you need to look at two storey options or converting other areas.

Understanding the various types of home extensions available helps you narrow down what fits your lifestyle and your budget. We always recommend getting a professional build team involved early before you fall in love with a design that won't work with your property structure or your budget. If you want to chat through what is possible for your home get in touch with us at Astrum Construction by calling 01908 850 678 or completing our online contact form and we can look at your plot together.