A wrap around or side return extension is essentially a rear and side extension combined. Once again it can be formed into a single or multi-storey structure, but most commonly they are single storey. They are popular in the capital especially as they utilized the alley space created in many Victorian properties and thus create a very large kitchen/dining and living space without encroaching as much on the garden space. The additional roof space encourages the use of more windows which compared to other extensions generates more natural light into the finished space.

Much like a rear Extension a side extension represents all of the same characteristics, can be a single or multi-storey and is often chosen to utilize the space that the home owner has available externally. A side extension will extend beyond the original home, most commonly into the rear garden, on its side and form part of the existing house by way of a structural opening/s to make the addition seamless internally. These Extensions typically involve more work as larger structural openings are created to blend the old and new structures together. The increased width as to the dynamic or design of the finished space so it’s worth considering the completed look if you have a choice of a rear or side… if not both.

In London Victorian houses often have an L-shaped form looking like an addition. In an adjoined our terrace configuration this creates a natural rectangular alley space between these homes allowing for a side extension or what’s know as an ‘infill extension’ to be created.

Rear Extensions can come in two main forms; single and multi-storey, the difference being the number of floors that are created. Illustrated here you can see the additional space and size generated by this type of extension compared to the original property. A rear extension will extend beyond the original home, most commonly into the rear garden and form part of the existing house by way of a structural opening/s to make the addition seamless internally. These Extensions are typical when a side extension or side return in not possible and the extension must then follow the boundaries of the garden and available space.

These additions give you the advantage of added space, normally forming part of a kitchen and living space, depending on your design choices. A multi-storey extension provides even greater capacity for adding additional bedrooms and bathrooms to the existing property providing double the space for the space footprint.

A London roof, sometimes called a butterfly, roof is an inverted pitched roof with the roof slopping up and outwards from the center of the house. These types of roofs are common in London, hence the name, and though they remain popular in design they are typical of mid-Victorian homes. The design of the existing roof often produces very little internal loft space; so in order to make the most of the property we normally install a completely new floor and add what are effectively a double mansards, front and rear. To do this we will remove the existing roof, construct a new floor above your existing one and build up the walls on either side with sympathetic brickwork. This conversion provides an entire new floor to your property with the same or similar size as your existing ones; the finished look is similar to that of a townhouse. This sort of conversion produces so much additional space that it gives homeowners one of the largest options for use of the conversion, from multiple bedrooms, studios, and rental flats or simply more living space. Though the scale of works is larger the amount of space increase for a London home continues to be a popular residential investment.

A Property that has 3 sloping sides, typically of the Edwardian era is called a ‘Hipped’ roof. These roofs have a lower vertical projection and as a result have a limited amount of loft space available for conversion. To resolve this we will extend your ‘hipped’ end/s up to create a Gable (the triangular space where the end brickwork meets the roof line for normal pitched roofs). This will give you the same Cubic meters space as any local mid-terrace neighbors, which is fully permitted under the planning regulations. Once this conversion form a hip to a gable roofline is completed a much larger internal space is available for you to choose a Velux, dormer or Mansard conversion. Though this involves additional works this type of conversion is very popular as an economic alternative to ground floor extensions or moving properties.

Mansard conversions can be described as a roof extension across the entire span of the roof, end to end. First the head height is increases by building a structure much like a dormer, only a mansard with span the entire width, will have a flat roof that meets the ridge line and has a sloping side dropped to a near vertical. Small Window Dormers are added and inset to the structure. For end of terrace conversions we also build up the outer sidewall/s in matching brickwork to for a sympathetic look with the exiting building. Mansards can be chosen for this synergy between old and new, but can be added to any building where this design is preferred and where it is insisted upon due to restrictions by the local authority. The real benefit is that this shape can give up to a 10-fold increase in space to that of a standard Dormer conversion.

In addition, as with L-shaped Dormers, an L-shaped Mansard can be created to take advantage for the addition space on your roof to create of of the largest conversions available to most homeowners.

This is the simplest and most inexpensive conversion available for homeowners. The idea is to maintain the internal and external space, but by reconfigure the inside to your chosen design or bedrooms, bathroom etc. and by adding Velux roof windows to the existing roof, normally on both sides and complete with a staircase. This is designed to flood the existing space with light but with minimal construction work. The process is quicker for these conversions, and depending on the loft size can still create plenty of space and an affordable price along with fewer restrictions of planning and regulations.

Dormer conversions are by far the most popular option for home development and come in 3 main types: A standard Dormer conversion, an L-Shape Dormer and a Window Dormer. Dormer Conversions are created by making an opening in the existing roof section and adding a new ‘box like’ structure that spans the property and sits on the slope line, normally at the rear of the property with Velux windows positioned at the front. It also has the option to add French doors, Juliet balcony or terrace.

These additions give you the advantage of added space, head height and natural light over a Velux conversion, because it will dramatically alter the potential for the newly created space. This makes it one of the best value conversions that we provide.

If you property is one with an L-shape floor plan, or you have access to an addition section of roof we can create an L-shape Dormer. For Victorian and Edwardian Houses in London this is a common style, created in exactly the same way as a standard Dormer but with the L-shape added to increase the internal floor plan and often creating a natural room divide for bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes or stairwells.

Window Dormer conversions follow the same principles but instead of one large dormer structure we add a series of smaller Dormers complete with full size windows Window Dormers have a limited profile and can often be recommended where the council has conservation limitations or as a style preference for homeowners.