House extension alternative

[Jamies99630]

Hi Guys, I’m looking into modular ‘off the shelf’ type extensions rather than brick built as a cheaper alternative for adding some additional space to my home. Has anyone got any experience of installing them? Anything in particular that I should be weary of? To be more specific, they aren’t conservatories they don’t have glass roofs and have panelled walls. 

[markc]

Could well be a much more expensive alternative unless it’s for a garden shed. Sizing will be a nightmare, tying into existing will be a bigger nightmare and aesthetically likely to be a horror story. If you want cheap, get a conservatory, if you want an extension … build it.

[Jamies99630]

I don’t want a conservatory because of the issues with heat in the Summer. 
 

I’ve found a product that I’m considering which seems to be considerably cheaper than a conservatory. https://dunsterhouse.co.uk/addrooms

It would seem like it’s panels and to connect to the homes exterior you just need flashing. Not too sure about the walls at this stage. 
 

 

[Gone West]

Looking at your link, they certainly seem interesting. The reviews on Trustpilot are quite good. Not suitable for everyone but I can certainly see the advantages and DIYable for a lot of people.

[Russell griffiths]

All depends on what it’s for, looking at the duster house stuff I was immediately going to say no don’t do it it’s shit, but then I thought of what I did 6-7 years ago. 

We had an old bungalow that had no kitchen space, no room for a washing machine nowhere to hang your wet coats, we needed more room but didn’t want to spend any money as I wanted to knock it down and rebuild in a few years. 

So I built something that looks just like the duster house thing. 

Concrete slab, timber stud walls, flat roof, it looks like a Romanian farm shack, but in the 4 years we used it , it was the most useful part of the whole house. 

Washing machine out there, woodburner to dry clothes and boots, dog stuff, it really became a room that allowed the house to function with the dirt and grime of living in the country coming into the clean dry area of the house. 

 

So it depends what this carbuncle on the back of the house is for, it cannot be incorporated into the rest of the house as you will struggle to get it through building regs, but if you keep a door between it and the house I’m sure it could be of some use. 

[Jamies99630]

So, for me in today's economic climate I just want some additional space rather than move. I'm after something well insulated that I can use as an office and these modular extension/ conservatory alternative products seem pretty good. 

Thanks for the point on regs. You're right. I hadn't considered the external doors on the property which it would seem would need to remain as is. 

If I buy it or one similar, I will share my story on here as to how i get on with it. 

[Ferdinand]

You need to check carefully whether you need PP and Bulding Regs Approval, and what will apply in your circs.

 

The requirements for insulation etc just hiked upwards quite seriously in June.

 

I'd ask them "what is it in planning terms?" eg extension not needing Building Regs approval, porch etc. 

 

There are also factors such as closeness to the boundary that they do not seem to mention.

 

Given that they seem strangely backward in coming forward with details of the insulation - eg material, u-value etc - even on the "specification" page, I'd speculate that you might possibly be better off with a second hand 'panel' (rather than 'dwarf-wall') type conservatory.

 

You might still get quite toasted, so I'd suggest an install on the shaded side if you can.

 

Careful research needed, I think. I'd certainly recommend going to see a couple in situ.

 

ATB

 

F