Blog | 8 Finishing Touches for Your House Extension

This blog post is the third instalment of our series about house extensions. If you have already read our posts about the cost of a house extension and the rules when it comes to planning your house extension, then the next logical step is to consider the finishing touches.

We see a huge variation in spec from project to project, and no two house extensions are ever the same. Hopefully this comprehensive guide to finishing touches for your extension will give you an idea of what options are available and ensure you've got everything covered.

1. Velux roof windows

Velux roof windows are top of many of our customer’s wish lists when they are thinking about what elements will take their house extension from good to great! Velux roof windows are a really affordable way to maximise light, costing from £450 fitted. They are also especially energy efficient with the new installation and glazing variations available.

We fit our Velux windows with a white polyurethane finish as standard for a maintenance-free solution that blends in with modern styling. There are also additional options to consider including obscured glass, electric operation (ideal when installed at a significant height) and a wide range of blinds.

2. Sun tunnels

Sun tunnels are the perfect solution for windowless and isolated areas that are sometimes created by a house extension. A sun tunnel consists of a discreet ceiling diffuser and a specially designed reflective tunnel which goes from the ceiling up to the roof, taking up minimum loft space.

The end result is an attractive circular element in the ceiling which brings through natural light. A sun tunnel is appropriate for both pitched roofs and flat roofs, and costs from only £480 fitted.

3. Roof lanterns & skylights

Roof lanterns are the perfect way to maximise light and add the wow factor to your house extension. You can choose any design from a flat skylight to a contemporary pyramid lantern.

Roof lanterns and skylights are available in Aluminium and UPVC for a virtually maintenance free solution that blends in with modern styling.

With our roof lanterns and skylights we fit energy efficient Pilkington Activ Blue glass as standard - it combines self-cleaning properties with solar control performance, for a cooler internal environment in the summer and heat reflection during the colder months. A pyramid lantern can cost from £1,850 fitted for UPVC or £2,100 for aluminium, whereas a skylight is slightly more cost effective starting at £900 fitted.

4. In-line sliding & bi-folding patio doors

In-line sliding and bi-folding patio doors are a cost effective and attractive way of opening up an extension onto your garden and letting more light in. Various colour and glazing options are usually available with both types so a finish can be selected that really complements the style of your new living space.

In-line sliding patio doors are the cheaper of the two types and offer the advantage of combining an increase in light with the space saving feature of a sliding opener. They come in a wide range of configurations with 2, 3 and 4 pane options. In-line sliding patio doors come in UPVC (from £1,050 fitted), softwood (from £1,550 fitted) and aluminium (from £1,750 fitted).

Bi-folding doors are definitely the most stylish option and will add a really premium touch to your new extension. Bi-folding doors also come in a wide range of configurations with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 pane options available. Again you can opt for UPVC (from £1,950 fitted), softwood (from £2,250 fitted) or aluminium (£2,650 fitted).

5. Composite doors

We believe that composite doors are the future of the industry, and we now fit these as standard into all of our house extension projects.

Composite doors are super stylish, high quality, strong and durable, and require low maintenance. They should never rot, warp, crack or need painting.

They are one of the highest security doors available on the market and come in a multitude of styles and colours so you can reassured that you can find one to suit your property. Composite doors cost from £720 fitted.

6. Kitchens

The desire for a new kitchen is the most common reason for a new extension as modern houses often come with small kitchens. Kitchens can sell houses and add value, especially when done correctly and to a good specification. House extensions specifically for a new kitchen don’t need to be very big as it is common to knock through into the existing space and open it all up - open plan kitchen-dining rooms are really popular too.

A full kitchen fit starts at around £750, and the actual supply of the kitchen can cost anything from £1000 to £20,000 and beyond. We can supply and fix a wide range of Kitchens from a number of different manufacturers or simply fit something you have sourced yourselves. Look out for a blog post coming soon about the different elements needed to create your perfect kitchen!

7. Wet rooms & bathrooms

Wet rooms are becoming more and more popular with people looking to extend their homes; most commonly this is a ground floor wet room which is ideal for families (so the kids aren't trailing through the house with their muddy football gear!) or for when someone in the house would struggle to get upstairs.

En-suites are often added for privacy for the parents or older children, or the existing family bathroom is simply extended to add a shower or larger bath. Ground floor WC’s are also a common feature of a new house extension; they may not add value to your property but they will add saleability and can be essential for young family.

We can fix only or supply and fix, and we even provide floor plans and 3D drawings to help you visualise the space. Don’t forget about the extra elements rather than just the bathroom suite though - Velux windows can add great natural light and ventilation, and glass splash backs or wall tiles can create a stunning finish. The fitting of wall and floor tiles starts at around £25p/m2 including adhesive and grout - the cost can be affected by the size of the tile chosen and the condition of the existing substrate walls and floors.

8. Open plan living

Open plan living is currently on trend for house extensions and even new-build houses. A small extension can create a really large space if the existing rooms are extended by demolishing the existing external wall into the new extension. A further gain in space can be created by demolishing partition walls to open up the whole area - non loadbearing walls are relatively easy to remove and can cost as little as a few hundred pounds.

There are various important considerations with creating a new open plan living space including removing and supporting load bearing walls, adhering with building regulations and fire protection.

The majority of the walls on the ground floor will be load bearing and in older houses the wall may continue up through the first floor into the loft and be supporting the roof. Many factors can affect the cost of removing a load bearing wall including the size of the opening and therefore the size of the lintels, the width and number of skins of masonry to be supported, and whether or not the lintel is situated beneath the ceiling or is to be hidden completely.

Planning a house extension in Leeds or Wakefield?

If you're in the process of planning your house extension and could benefit from some expert advice about costs, regulations, finishing touches or any other element then please feel free to get in touch with our team on 01924 871 044 or 0113 283 9710 - we'll be happy to help and get you one step closer to your dream extension.