Extension decision regret - Can't get over it! what options do I have ???

FreeBear

gemma.zhang said: I am thinking yo change the pitch roof to flat roof, or redo the sliding door opening (increase the opening high to max). Which one is the easier / realistic more affordable out of the 2?

To be honest, neither option is realistic nor affordable.

Taking the roof off and replacing with a flat one will entail having to strip out electrics before you start. Once the roof is off (taking the ceiling with it), walls will need to be built up higher. Then the whole interior will need rewiring, plastering, and decorating. But before you do any of that, you may well need to apply for planning permission.

Ripping out the door and replacing it with a taller one will certainly need a new lintel over the top - You might be able to reuse the one that is there, but you might not have the headroom depending on what is supporting the roof structure. Worst case, the roof will need to be removed (see above) and raised up to accommodate the new lintel height.

Instead, what I would do is get a landscaper in to excavate a large patio area outside the door (4-5m deep, and at least the width of the extension). Build a retaining wall to hold back the slope (consult a structural engineer on the design of the wall) and put in steps to access the upper garden level.

gemma.zhang

The lintel is 15cm height. There is one line of brick. Cant see exactly the height, looks might be 7cm it might be able to increase.  Might be bigger impact if it’s flat roof. Garden is Easter facing, hence we chose pitched roof at first place, as flat roof would block the sunshine coming from the side. 🙈. 

i see some advertisement using glass roof. Just don’t know how crazy the price it is…

Hoenir

Bi fold doors may have been a better option.

Remember you'll be sitting not standing when looking out. 

Are you keen gardners?  I'd focus on the outlook. The steps up from the patio area (?).  The washing line. Possibly a low hedge to divide the upper garden to the lower. A flower bed next to the patio. A garden feature at the top of the garden that draws the attention. 

FreeBear

gemma.zhang said:

The lintel is 15cm height. There is one line of brick. Cant see exactly the height, looks might be 7cm it might be able to increase.  Might be bigger impact if it’s flat roof. Garden is Eastern facing, hence we chose pitched roof at first place, as flat roof would block the sunshine coming from the side. 🙈.

A pitched roof requires much less maintenance and won't require recovering every ~25 years (which isn't cheap) like a flat roof would. Further more, you have a ruddy great lump of steel transferring the load from the corner of the original house to the new wall. That would prevent you from putting a flat roof on unless you had a big steel post in the middle of the extension (and that would need foundations being put in, so floor would have to be dug up). Changing to a flat roof this late in the day really isn't an option.

Raising the lintel over the door is possible, but how much is a new set of doors going to cost - £3,000, £4000 (plus fitting) ?

What seems like a small change, could quite easily cost £10,000, and that extra 70mm isn't going to change the view much. The money would be better spent on landscaping outside.

gzoom

gemma.zhang said:

Here you go. Thank you.

The finish looks good, the glazing too, changing any of the structural stuff now is going to be ££££££, as you’re likely need new glazing, decorating etc. As for a glass roof, the cost will be high, as well heating bills in winter, and for summer you’re going to need AC. You will also have to get it through building regs, as glazing has less thermal efficiency so the rest of the room needs to be very well insulated. 

The view looks good, I would spend any extra funds on getting landscaping done. Even something like a funky retaining wall would make the ‘step up’ a feature rather than eye sore. We are waiting for the metal guys to come back and put some cortan steel on our garden wall. 

Building works is stressful and I think its easy to get lost in the details, but take a step back, the space looks great, see it as an luxury, after all how many people ever get the chance to do a structural extension/renovation .

If you are really set on a glazed roof, you will also need to put steels in to support the glazing. I see your build was originally all wood, so it’ll mean more drawing and essentially a rebuild. We only have one large glazing section (3x1 meters) in the roof, but it required steels to support versus wood for the Vleux windows. 

victor2

It's a lovely looking extension. Just get a good landscaper to suggest some options for the garden.

Section62

gzoom said:

...I see your build was originally all wood, so it’ll mean more drawing and essentially a rebuild. We only have one large glazing section (3x1 meters) in the roof, but it required steels to support versus wood for the Vleux windows. 

There is a large steel beam helping to take the load from the corner of the original house down to the new wall - it slopes down at the same angle as the roof, so not easy to spot at first glance.

If this area was replaced with a flat roof (at a higher level) then that beam would need to be left in place (though boxed in) which won't look pretty.  Modifying the structural steelwork to replace this diagonal part with a new beam to suit the new roof level would be possible, but likely eyewateringly expensive. The alternative (mentioned by FreeBear) would be to install a column under the original corner of the building, but that would mess up the open plan arrangement.

I'm a +1 for leaving the extension as is, and devoting some time and money to getting the garden done to suit the extension.

jonnydeppiwish!

It actually looks really good. As previously suggested, put your armchairs by the glass and enjoy the view.you Don’t need to spend any more, just put your furniture on the best places for you. 

Dont put the kitchen table by the window though - it’s such a waste of a lovely space 

jj_home_80

It looks so lovely. So sorry to hear that you ran into problems.

Beeblebr0x

I don't think it looks that bad TBH. Replace patio with a rectangular shape and have a low wall around the edge that you can grow low-lying plants in? If budget allows, engage a landscape gardener to advise on possibilities.

Reading back through the replies, I see Freebear advises pretty much the same thing.