Home extension: 5 tips for living in the space.

With the increase in real estate prices, small houses are playing skillfully with the big houses on the field of seduction. Their owners often prefer to add a nice extension to give them more space and comfort. This is a winning operation compared to the price of acquiring a large villa. And the satisfaction of seeing one's property grow advantageously to play in the big league! All that remains is to apply the right recipe to successfully absorb the extra square meters.

If you don't want to build an extension, think about converting the attic of your house to increase its living space.

I choose the ideal shape

Whether you want to gain height or extend the width of your house, there is no shortage of solutions for enlarging your home. The only thing left to do is to find the shape that will benefit the aesthetics while favoring the practical side.
Style. Many architects and project managers do not lack imagination when it comes to adding an extension.
So much so that some houses have a style that changes them completely! It is often a project that favors creativity because it is necessary to start from the existing building to create a harmonious whole. Stylistic choices are generally based on contemporary approaches. Like the constructions with very sober lines, even cubic, which give the whole a real personality. Sometimes, the house takes height with the creation of a floor which saves the ground surface. Wooden frames allow for great creativity because the implementation lends itself to numerous configurations. The materials also contribute to the aesthetic success of the project. Like zinc or wood cladding, which coexist well with stone walls, and give a real elegance to the whole.
Regulations. To enlarge an existing building, you are obliged to consult an architect if the floor area after work exceeds 150 m².

THERMAL REGULATIONS ? for large extensions, ? 150 m2 or ? 30 % of SHONRT created, you must comply with the requirements of the RE 2020.

I optimize the living space

In order for the extension to reach its full potential, it is necessary to identify one's expectations and to take a step back in relation to one's future needs. What type of rooms should be added according to your lifestyle?
On thefunctional side, the living room and the master suite are the most popular places in the house. This encourages the construction of an extension when the family grows.
If you want to have more space in the living room, the solution is to create a veranda that constitutes a frame. A solution that favors the contribution of natural light while providing a nice floor space.
For the needs of telecommuting, an extension can include a mezzanine space. It has the advantage of offering a warm atmosphere.
With the arrival of the youngest member of the family, many couples are seduced by the master suite. A very functional room that includes a small hall, a dressing area, a bathroom with shower ... What to have more privacy because this space is not in the immediate vicinity of other rooms of night.
Regulations: If you are building an extension of less than 20 m2 in an area not covered by a PLU, a prior declaration of works is sufficient. In a PLU area, this surface must not exceed 40 m2.

I give priority to energy performance

This new configuration should also be an opportunity to improve the energy performance of the house. It is the moment to rethink the insulation, the energy production.
On theconsumption side. From the top of its few decades, the house undoubtedly admits weaknesses in its heating system or its woodwork. This is an opportunity to take an interest in the RE 2020 (environmental regulation) which favors good orientation, light contribution, insulation, limitation of energy consumption (primary and non renewable). It also aims to improve living comfort, winter and summer, with a threshold of 26° not to be exceeded at night and 28° during the day. Finally, the implementation of the construction system must reduce the carbon impact.
Regulations. For extensions of less than 150 m2 and less than 30% of the SHONRT surface created, a "lighter" thermal regulation applies, much less demanding than for new buildings, and exempt from thermal study.

I deal with the urban planning rules

The only limit to the imagination is the rules that govern all construction at the level of the local urban plan.
Urban planning. The architect or project manager will take into account the different provisions related to, for example, the ground clearance, the height of the extension, the implantation in relation to the seIn protected areas, the project must be submitted to the Architect of Bâtiments de France. In municipalities not covered by a town planning document, the National Town Planning Regulations apply by default.
Regulations. Ask your town hall's town planning department for advice on measures that may affect the configuration of your project.

An extension increases the living space of the house, which is also accompanied by an increase in the housing tax.

I call on professionals

The work will be all the more effective if it is carried out by building professionals. Not to mention all the guarantees they will provide if defects occur.
On theservice side, the use of an architect or a project manager allows for a tailor-made project. Each project is distinguished by its own identity.
Regulations. With the insurances subscribed by the building companies, you benefit from a ten-year guarantee in case of defects.

40 m2: Surface from which it is necessary to ask for a building permit in a zone covered by a PLU (Local Urbanism Plan).

Christophe RAFFAILLAC