Second floor extension

TwoUpTwoDown

Hi all

Has anyone done an extension where they have increased top floor space without the ground floor i.e. had an extension on stilts?

We don't really want to lose patio space downstairs but would like more space upstairs for an en-suite and larger bedrooms.

We may move to see what pre-planning may say about this. We are in a 4 bed link-detached. Some houses have full ground floor extensions but none on the street have a second floor extension. 
If we did a full extension across the back, it would be about 2 metres from each side boundary so think it would fall within the scope of planning.


Thanks 
 

born_again

Something to ask the council. I can't see why not, but that is going to need some serious insulation under the floor to stop heat loss/cooling effect.

Section62

TwoUpTwoDown said:

We don't really want to lose patio space downstairs but would like more space upstairs for an en-suite and larger bedrooms.

It can be done, but what you'll get left with on the ground floor level is less like a patio and more like a covered yard.

In hot climates it could be a good idea, giving an outdoor seating area which is shaded from the hot sun.  But in the UK you'll have a fairly dark and gloomy space which isn't one thing or another.

I don't think there is a doubt that you'd need to make a full planning application for what you are proposing.

TwoUpTwoDown

Thanks

Yes, interesting point about the heat loss/cooling effect - had not considered that!
Regarding the covered area, we wanted to build a trellis/canopy structure as currently there is nowhere in our garden that is sheltered so can't really sit out when it's raining etc... The back is a sun trap and gets very hot in the summer so perhaps a good solution there but i share the sentiment about a gloomy space, especially for the recessed area of the house. 
I guess another solution may be to fully extend but have the bottom open up fully as a sun room or something. 

Would love to go in to the loft really but i can't stand up straight at the centre (i'm 6'2) and cost to raise roof just seems prohibitive and no guarantee of approval here either against other ridge lines.

Might just be easier to move one day!

Bendy_House

Insulation won't be an issue.

Structurally, it won't be an issue either - I've seen quite a few places built on sloping ground where they've built/extended out on 'stilts' rather than build up from full founds. 

Shading (might be a pro, as mentioned above) and light loss to the downstairs (surely a neg, possibly a significant one) are certainly issues to consider very carefully. 

What future buyers might think of it is another biggie, I'd suggest.

All this work and expense 'just' to increase the size of bedrooms (I doubt a priority for many) and add an en-suite (is there already a loo upstairs? If 'yes', then an en-suite is a, yes, desirable 'luxury', but not a necessity)?

Whereas what most folk will want is a truly enjoyable 'living' space - bright, sunny, warm (sky lanterns should give you all of these - there's a good reason they are popular) that will rightly 'wow' them. 

How much patio/outdoor space would you lose with a groundie? And could you make the remains part of that patio awesome to compromise?

For most folk, I think bedrooms are bedrooms. Yes, youngsters will also want to chill out in them (which they surely will, as energy prices increase), but as long as they have 'adequate' storage, and space for a desk, that's all that's 'needed'. Anything more is a luxury.

In general. And imo.

FreeBear

Depending on exactly how you are "linked" to the neighbouring property, it could make more sense to extend sideways. Have seen a house not too far away that had a sideways extension over a carport. For various reasons, they sunk pile foundations for a steel frame to take the weight of the first floor extension - This was a relatively light timber construction.

So what you are considering is indeed possible. Whether it is better to extend to the rear, or to the side, only you can decide. Convention would suggest extending to the side, and you'd probably get a better return on your investment. Extending to the rear and having a dark patio and rear (ground floor) windows in the shade will put some buyers off.

If you want a bit of shade over the patio, an awning may well be a better solution.