You may think that getting a beautiful new addition to your home requires a lot of money. However, that is not the case at all. All you need to do is follow these steps and you will get the look of an extension in your back yard without having to spend a fortune on it. It doesn’t matter how many jobs you have or how much money you have, if you don’t have any decent ideas, it will always be scrappy and DIY-ish. It takes some creativity, a little bit of space, and the right tools. Let’s take a look at how you can get the look of loft extensions for cheap.
GET TO KNOW YOUR OWN HOME
We are all familiar with the idea of dividing a house into functions: the main house for your family, the guesthouse for guests, and the garage for the car. When thinking of adding on to your home, it’s helpful to first get to know it. What is it that you love about your own space? What is lacking? Use this knowledge to your advantage. This will help you know what you need to make your extension successful. If you are building a new addition to your house, this will also help you decide what type of house you want. You don’t have to limit yourself to just adding on to your own house, either. If you are interested in adding on to a house that already has an existing roof, or you just want to coordinate your roof design with your existing roof, this is a great tip.
USE YOUR EXISTING WINDOWS
If you have old windows in your house, then you may be wondering how you can use them to create the look of a new addition. All you have to do is remove the sills and put up a wall. You may choose to have the wall panels made out of the same material as your house, or you may decide to use different materials so that your extension has a unique look. The important thing to remember is to make sure that the sills are at least 40% of the width of the new window. If you do not have 40% of the width of the window in your possession, you can always use a piece of plywood as a sillsill. Another option is to use existing window frames.
DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE
Once you have an understanding of how you can use your existing windows to create an extension, it’s time to decide what you want your extension to look like. Begin by considering how you want to use the space. If you are making your extension into a bedroom, try to put this question into the mind of a future guest. If you are making it into a family room, try to put this question into the mind of your spouse. In this step, you will most likely want to use your imagination. Keep in mind that the more common elements in your extension, the more livable it will be.
GO FOR A U-SHAPED FRAMESET
If your fireplace is on an island in the kitchen, or your living room is divided into an indoor and outdoor space, you are in luck. A U-shaped frameset is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to create a roomy addition to your home. If you are using a standard eaves framing method, you will need to purchase two pieces of lumber: one to be used as the top framing member and one to be used as the bottom framing member. Make sure that the pieces of lumber have a minimum of 6″ between them. If you want your extension to be more open and airy, you can always choose to use a different type of framing method.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERIAL
One of the most important decisions you will make when adding on to your home is which type of material to use. Wood is a naturally pretty material, but it will add bulk to your house and feel pretty dull and unoriginal when done up as an extension. While building your extension, try to think of ways to use different woods in your home. For example, why not use a combination of different hardwoods to create a more modern feel in your extension?
Loft extensions are a relatively easy and cheap way to add space to a house. All you have to do is purchase an existing house and add on the roof, often made out of wood. Although they may not sound like the most exciting project, the finished product will be worth it. The look and feel of an extension will add a lot to the value of your house, and make it much more welcoming to guests.