Extending Cottages

Matching Extensions 

Although it may initially seem as though matching a new extension to the original building would be easier than coming up with a contemporary design, this is certainly not always the case. Never assume that all ‘matching in’ involves is finding materials that look the same as those on the original building.

To build an extension that succeeds in blending in with a period cottage, it is essential to be aware of the traditional techniques and materials that were used in the construction of this type of building, as well as finding a designer who can come up with a design that sits well with the original — plus, you will still have to comply with modern Building Regulations.

In order to avoid ending up with an obvious extension, you will need to spend time sourcing appropriate materials, such as reclaimed bricks and roof tiles, as well as spending more money on these materials – and often specialist labour – which work well with the style of building, such as bespoke timber windows and doors as opposed to PVCu. This is not to say that you will have to buy all your materials from salvage yards – many new facing bricks now on the market can blend in well with originals – just bear in mind that older bricks were often a smaller size than modern versions. If you have to use a different size of brick then make sure the transition from one size to the other is made at a corner or behind a rainwater pipe.

Builders of cottages usually used local materials and so you should do the same — nothing will blow your extension’s disguise like building it using a different material to the original house.

You may also have to spend time and money finding specialist labour for aspects such as bespoke joinery, lime rendering and perhaps thatching.

A Bit of Advice...  Don’t always feel that you have to buy reclaimed materials. For example, if you need to replace rotten oak beams, fresh cut oak is a good alterative that will weather beautifully over time.

CASE STUDY 1: "We wanted to extend to the rear without spoiling the existing frontage”

Tim and Jeanne Pepper used reclaimed bricks to match the original building for the extension of their 18th century cottage

Tim and Jeanne Pepper’s new extension to their cottage, built in 1767 and located in a Conservation Area, has increased its size from 120m2 to 214m2.

The two storey extension has been built using reclaimed bricks – the same ones that were used to build the original building – which will weather to match the existing ones over time. Timber sliding sash windows and doors have also been used.

The design of the extension means it is set back slightly from the house so as not to lose the effect of the curved corner bricks of the original building.

Inside, the original layout has been retained, whilst the new entrance porch leads into the extension, housing a large kitchen/living/ dining room on the ground floor with two additional bedrooms, both with en suites, upstairs.

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CASE STUDY 2: “The two parts of the building may be totally different but they work in complete harmony with one another”

Roderic and Sue O’Sullivan’s pretty thatched cottage hides a striking contemporary extension to the rear

When explaining the reasoning behind the radical extension to Roderic and Sue O’Sullivan’s quaint cottage, architect Stan Bolt says: “They wanted to retain all the charm of the quirky thatched cottage and to introduce a totally new element which – although contemporary – would successfully connect with the cottage to give them the space and light they needed.”

The building dates back to 1790 and was extended 100 years later to include a thatched farmhouse section. A later extension was added in 1975 resulting in a dark, cluttered, irrational circulation pattern internally.

The new two storey extension incorporates a glazed sunken living/dining space, doubleheight atrium and a timber framed first floor – containing three bedrooms and two bathrooms – clad in timber and with a zinc monopitch roof.

The original cottage has been renovated and now houses the kitchen, plus two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. Traditional methods and materials, such as lime render and oak joinery, have been used and sit next to the more contemporary exposed concrete, expressed steelwork, glass walls and oak-veneered panels of the new addition.

Whilst working with the original house – “the glazed space brings light into the whole house,” explains Roderic – the extension allows the cottage to take centre stage. “The extension is physically stepped down from the kitchen and hallway — partly to ensure that the new roofline remains invisible from the front of the house,” explains Stan Bolt.

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Contemporary Extensions

You should not feel that just because the cottage you are altering is traditional in its design that any extensions have to be too — why disguise your extension when you could be flagging it up as something new and exciting? Whilst many local planners will stipulate that any additions to period cottages must be ‘in keeping’ with the original building or those buildings in the surrounding area, more and more are becoming open minded to well-designed contemporary additions instead.

A well-planned contemporary extension does not, unlike a matching addition, try to be something it is not and so only serves to highlight the period character of the rest of the building. It also allows you to have the best of both worlds — you won’t have to choose between period charm or cuttingedge living because you can have both. This is often appealing to owners of old cottages, where getting enough light in can be a problem — one that can be solved with an extension which incorporates large amounts of glass.

If you take this route, be prepared to accept that it is likely to prove more time consuming and often more expensive than an extension that blends in. However, for many people it is well worth the extra effort and you might even find that, depending on the scale of the project, it falls within your Permitted Development rights, in which case the planners won’t have a say on what you opt for.

The key to a successful contemporary extension is that it is not just different for the sake of it. It must be well planned and designed to make the most of its site.

Radical extensions will really benefit from a skilled designer — preferably one who has experience of this type of project. In addition, if your design includes materials such as glass, steel or a metal roof, pick a builder who has a good knowledge of working with these materials.

Finally, ensure you don’t neglect to look to the original building and its surroundings for inspiration – the most successful designs pick up on existing elements – such as a striking angle or shape, the surrounding trees, or a particular view, and reflect them in the design.

A Bit of Advice... If, early on, you get a positive response from a planner about a modern extension, ask them to put it in writing in case they move on, so you can use it as ammunition against less-enthusiastic planners later on.

Ways to Make Sure Contemporary Extensions Are a Success

• Don’t Be Too Stubborn Be willing to compromise a little on your design — being stubborn will get you nowhere and you might just find that any restrictions placed on your design by the local planners will result in something even more creative
• Prioritise Experience Choose a designer and builders with experience of the type of project you are hoping for
• Design in Proportion However radical your design, ensure it remains in proportion with the rest of the building — otherwise it will stick out for all the wrong reasons. As architect Stan Bolt says of Sue and Roderic’s extensions, “Although the extension is physically larger than the cottage, it was designed to be subservient and respectful to it, and it crouches down slightly so that it’s virtually invisible from the front approach.”
• Don’t Ignore the Existing House Take inspiration from the original building and its surroundings
• Think About the Whole Result Work towards an extension that can work together with the existing building to create a greater whole

Timber Frame Extensions

Many people extending period cottages choose to do so with a timber framed extension, and there are several reasons why this is a good option.

One of the main problems with old cottages for modern-day homeowners is the lack of natural daylight they receive, due to small windows, and the lack of headroom caused by low ceilings. Although a timber frame extension will not change these features in the existing building, it can very nicely counterbalance the feeling of claustrophobia that they can cause.

Timber frame structures offer lots of potential for double-height spaces and large glazed areas, yet can be clad in most materials, so if you want to match your extension to the original building, you will still be able to do this — brick, weatherboarding, stone and render are all options.

Another benefit of timber frame extensions is that they are often relatively quick to construct to weathertight stage, which is good news for those who plan on living in the cottage whilst work is carried out.

Listed Buildings

• Many Cottages Are Listed If yours was built before 1700, and anywhere up to 1840, then it is likely to be listed
• Listed Buildings Can Be Extended However, the local authority will want to ensure the protection and preservation of the original character of the building. Some conservation officers insist on matching extensions whilst others like to see additions which contrast in style
• You Must Get Permission For Any Alterations If you carry out any work to a listed building without getting permission, you could be liable for a hefty fine and even up to 12 months’ imprisonment

CASE STUDY 3: “The oak frame creates a doubleheight space and fits in with the rural nature of the site”

John and Janet Madden used an oak frame extension to increase the size of their listed cottage

John and Janet Madden extended their listed two bedroom stone cottage using a larch-clad oak frame extension. “At first, the conservation officer was adamant there could be no extension,” remembers John. “However, I was able to show that at the rear of the cottage there used to be a large two storey cottage-style building that was demolished in 1941. When he saw the evidence in front of him, the conservation officer realised we had a very strong case.” The old and new sections of the house are linked by a new double-height hallway, which leads into the new kitchen, dining and utility spaces.

Janet and John are delighted with their decision to use oak frame for their extension: “It is quick to build and looks magnificent. There is nothing like oak for the sort of exposed soaring roof we wanted upstairs, with mezzanine sleeping platforms in two of the three bedrooms.”

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Remodelling

Not all owners of old cottages want, can or need to extend. Instead they may simply be keen to remodel the spaces to suit their lifestyle. They may be bursting with character and charm, but your average chocolate box cottage was not designed for the way we live our lives today. The two main problems associated with old cottages are that they have low ceilings and that they lack natural light.

Most cottages have pretty little (little being the operative word) windows — which means they don’t tend to get much natural light coming in. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the original layout of most cottages involved a warren of smaller rooms leading into one another. Rather than ruin the façade by altering or changing the windows, open up the layout to allow light to flow from one area to another unrestricted by solid walls. Before removing any walls, check which are structural walls, as they will need to be replaced with steelwork and this will require the skill of a structural engineer. You can determine which are structural walls by checking the direction of the floor joists — joists always rest on structural walls.

Of course, open plan living doesn’t suit everyone. In this case, consider using room dividers instead, such as open shelving, a double-sided fireplace or a breakfast bar. Alternatively, you could replace solid doors with glazed versions to allow light to penetrate into the centre of the house.

Finally, use decorating tricks to create the illusion of space — stick to neutral colours and consider painting beams a light colour, and choose low furniture to make ceilings appear higher.

Most importantly, though, remember why you bought the cottage and be careful not to strip it of the character that first attracted you to it.

A Bit of Advice... Opening up spaces and bringing more light in should not mean you have to sacrifice the character of the cottage; in fact, open plan space can often clear the way and highlight interesting original features

CASE STUDY 4: “We wanted to create a modern, open look without losing elements of its original character”

David and Hannah Morgan’s once dark, enclosed cottage is now flooded with light thanks to an open plan layout and neutral colour scheme

When David and Hannah Morgan moved into their 18th century cottage, its low ceilings, tiny rooms and oppressive dark panelling didn’t put them off. The original layout included a sitting room with a bulky 1970s fireplace, a tiny kitchen and dining room separated by an 18-inch-thick wall, and a panelled entrance lobby. Upstairs, a long narrow corridor led to tiny bedrooms and a bathroom.

The Morgans got rid of the entrance lobby, as well as the wall between the dining room and kitchen to create one large room, with a glass door leading out to the garden. Knocking out this structural wall meant installing two rolled steel joists (RSJs) to cope with the new layout. A panel of glass blocks in the external wall brings even more light in. Neutral colours and white-painted beams further enhance the light, airy feel of the house.

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