Life happens, and sometimes you need more space. Whether you have a new baby on the way, have extended family who moved in, or just want more breathing room for your hobbies, there are plenty of reasons why your old home may start feeling cramped.
More and more people are turning to home extensions in Melbourne to increase their space without needing to move away from their homes altogether. House extensions in Melbourne come in three different types: up, under, or out. The best choice for you will depend on your needs and the constraints of your property. Here are the benefits of each, and your quality home builders in Melbourne can help you make a final decision.
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Extending up
You can extend your home upward by building a second storey on top of your existing property. This is one of the best solutions if you want to build home extensions in Melbourne but don’t have a large property as you won’t have to sacrifice yard space for more home space. Extending up is an efficient use of space.
Extending up is also a good choice for aesthetic reasons. Adding a second storey to your house can improve your view, which is particularly valuable if you live near the sea or other gorgeous landscapes. The extension will receive plenty of natural light, brightening the overall appearance of your home.
These kinds of extensions can blend seamlessly with the rest of your home, creating a natural look that other types of home extensions may not mimic as easily. You can also play around with your creativity by building a second storey that contrasts with the first one, for an abstract, modern look.
Last but not least, extending up is a cost-efficient, minimally invasive way of expanding your space. Most of the construction can happen while you still live in the first storey without impeding your quality of life too much. With other types of extensions, you may have to move out for a little while until the construction is finished.
Extending Under
Another way of expanding your home’s space without compromising on your yard space is by building an extension under your home. You can do this by excavating under your home, effectively creating a new basement, or by raising your existing home. You will not have to worry about aesthetic disruptions to your home’s appearance too much as building under can still create a cohesive look.
Before building underneath your home, you should think about why you need an extension and what rooms you are hoping to place in your new space. Rooms that are at least partially underground are cooler, making them perfect refuges during hot Australian summers. However, they will also receive little to no natural light. Extending under may be a good choice if you want to add a family room or garage, but it may be a depressing choice for a bedroom.
Extending under tends to be more invasive than extending up, depending on the method of extension you choose. Excavating is minimally invasive, although it can be annoying to live in your home while there is digging going on outside. However, you would need to move out temporarily if you are raising your house because your power, water, and drainage supplies will need to be cut.
Extending Out
Extending outward is one of the best choices for house extensions in Melbourne if you have a large property. Something such as a ground floor extension will give you more space while fitting seamlessly with your existing house and landscape. It will also save you the trouble of going up and down the stairs every time you want to reach the new part of your house.
You have a few different options when it comes to extending out. You can build a new living area that connects seamlessly to your existing home. Or, you can create a separate space that either stands on its own or connects to your original home with a small passageway.
Extending outward gives you many options to play with creative design and integrate your home with your property. Unfortunately, this option is only available to those with a large enough property to support it.
Speak to The Professionals
When building home extensions in Melbourne, you have three options: building out, under, or up. Which extension you choose will depend on your family’s needs. You can always talk with an experienced contractor who can offer their expert advice on which option will fit seamlessly with your property before finalising your decision.
Read also: 7 Secrets To Successfully Remodelling Your Home