Create More Space For Your Grown Up family With A Home Extension

22 October 2015

Eugene Vargas

As your family grows up and your children become teenagers, you may find that your current living space isn't big enough anymore. Some families will sell their current home and buy a larger property to achieve more space. However, if you don't want to relocate, then creating a home extension may be a better option. There are a number of different types of home extension available, depending on what will be suited to your existing home, the available land, and your personal needs.

Ground level extension

A ground level extension is the simplest way to extend your home and will be the least disruptive to your daily life. Virtually the entire extension can be built without impacting on the current space in your home. The existing wall that joins the extension to your home can be left intact until the dirty work has been completed. This means that when your home is opened up into the extension, the majority of the dust, debris, and noise from the building process won't encroach on your living space.

Ground level extensions will swallow up a proportion of your yard's space. If you don't have very much yard space or you like to have a large garden, then a ground floor extension may not be the best option for you.

Second storey extension

Extending your home upwards is an excellent option if you want to preserve your yard space. You can also effectively double the floor space of your home with this method. Second storey extensions may also provide you with an improved look and are a good way to incorporate decks or balconies for more outdoor living space.

This is a far more invasive way of extending your home than a ground floor extension, because contractors will need to access the inside of your home to complete the work. Second storey extensions will also require the roof to be removed from your home for a period of time, which may mean you will need to find alternative living arrangements.

Basement extension

If a ground level or second story extension isn't appealing or physically possible, then a basement extension is another option. Similarly to a second storey extension, you can almost double your living space with a basement. Basements are particularly good for housing laundries, rumpus rooms, bathrooms, home cinemas, and other spaces that don't require an excessive amount of natural light.

A basement extension will involve a fairly lengthy excavation period, during which you may need to find another space to stay. If your home is on sandy or unstable soil or is prone to flooding, then a basement extension will probably not be approved by your local council due to concerns about the safety of excavation.

If you're still unsure which type of home extension would be most suitable for your home, then it's worth consulting with a professional home extension company, such as Southern Additions Pty Ltd. They will come to your home and give you a comprehensive idea of how much extra space you can realistically achieve and how best to go about it.

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