EXTENSION ESSENTIALS
Creating a new extension that harmonises with an older main house rather than opting for something ‘a bit different’, means sourcing appropriate materials to achieve the required likeness — which can impose constraints on the choice. The bricks and roof tiles you’re keen to replicate may have been out of production for well over a century and will probably also have mellowed, adopting a distinct patina of age.
It may also require trades versed in traditional skills, such as lime rendering. Unless carefully executed, the project may detract from the aesthetics and consequently the value of your property. For instance, halfheartedly replicating intricate Georgian or Tudor workmanship with cheap modern materials diminished by lackadaisical workmanship is a recipe for dismal ‘pastiche’ that ends up looking a bit naff. Planning application drawings for extensions commonly include the words ‘to match existing’ but unless detailed drawings are also produced to provide practical guidance on site, this can potentially trigger problems later on when the builders start trying to interpret it.
