Tag: home-extensions

26 May 2022

4 Cheap House Extension Ideas for Home Extensions

Lauren Home Extensions

Extending your home is a popular way to gain extra living space, but traditional house extensions can be expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive. From planning permission delays to high construction costs, many homeowners are now searching for cost-effective alternatives to house extensions that deliver space without breaking the bank.

Fortunately, there are several affordable home expansion ideas that can increase your living space while keeping costs under control. Below, we explore practical, budget-friendly alternatives to traditional extensions that suit a wide range of homes and lifestyles.

Loft Conversions – Maximise Existing Space

A loft conversion is one of the most popular low-cost house extension alternatives. Instead of building outward, you make use of unused roof space to create a functional room such as a bedroom, home office, or guest suite.

Why Choose a Loft Conversion?

Adds valuable living space without extending your home’s footprint
Often falls under permitted development, reducing planning costs
Can significantly increase property value

Cost & Practical Considerations

Loft conversion costs vary depending on design, structure, and insulation requirements, but they are generally far cheaper than full house extensions. Roof-light lofts are particularly cost-effective and quick to complete.

Porch Additions – Small Change, Big Impact

A porch is a simple yet effective way to enhance your home’s entrance while adding useful space. As a budget house extension idea, porches are ideal for storage, insulation, and improving curb appeal.

Benefits of Adding a Porch

Creates space for coats, shoes, and storage
Improves energy efficiency by reducing heat loss
Enhances the overall look of your home

Porches are usually small enough to avoid complex planning permission, making them a smart and affordable option for homeowners.

Garage Conversions – Turn Unused Space into Living Space

If your garage is rarely used for parking, converting it into a living area can be one of the most cost-effective alternatives to house extensions.

Popular Garage Conversion Ideas

Home office or study
Extra bedroom or guest room
Gym, playroom, or hobby space

Why Garage Conversions Save Money

Since the structure already exists, you avoid major construction costs. With proper insulation and lighting, a garage conversion can seamlessly blend into your home’s interior.

Garden Rooms, Verandas & SunSpaces – Flexible and Affordable Solutions

Garden rooms, veranda, and sunrooms are increasingly popular as modular home extension alternatives. These structures offer fast installation, lower costs, and minimal disruption.

Advantages of Garden Rooms and SunSpaces

Ideal for home offices, lounges, or relaxation areas
Typically quicker to install than traditional extensions
Many designs fall under permitted development rights

A SunSpace or garden room provides a bright, modern space that connects your home with the outdoors—without the high cost of a brick extension.

Conclusion: Smarter Ways to Extend Your Home on a Budget

If you’re looking for affordable alternatives to house extensions, there are plenty of smart solutions available. From loft conversions and garage conversions to garden rooms and SunSpaces, you can add valuable living space without the high cost of a traditional extension.

At SunSpaces, we specialise in stylish, practical, and cost-effective solutions that help homeowners create more space with less hassle. Explore our range of garden rooms, verandas, and sunspaces to find the perfect fit for your home.

FAQs About House Extensions and Veranda Design Ideas

1. What are the most affordable types of house extensions?

The most affordable options for expanding your home include loft conversions, porch additions, and garage expansions. Modular garden rooms and verandas from Sunspaces also offer stylish and practical low cost house extension solutions.

2. Can I get a cheap house extension without planning permission?

Yes! Many cheap house extensions, such as loft conversions within your existing footprint or modular verandas, typically do not require planning permission. Sunspaces offers pre-fabricated garden rooms and verandas that save time, cost, and hassle.

3. How can I incorporate veranda design ideas into my home?

Modern veranda design ideas focus on light, openness, and seamless integration with your home and garden. Glass panels, sliding doors, and modular designs from Sunspaces can create a beautiful, functional outdoor living area quickly and affordably.

4. Are Sunspaces’ house extensions suitable for all seasons?

Absolutely! Sunspaces offers weather-resistant and insulated modular extensions, making them perfect for year-round use. Whether it’s a low cost house extension or a full house extension, you can enjoy comfort and style no matter the season.

5. How much can I save with a Sunspaces modular veranda or garden room?

Compared to traditional brick-and-mortar house extensions, Sunspaces modular rooms can save you thousands in construction, labor, and planning costs. They are a smart option for anyone seeking cheap house extensions without compromising on quality or design.

6. Can I customize my Sunspaces veranda or garden room?

Yes! Sunspaces provides fully customizable options, allowing you to choose the size, style, and features of your veranda or garden room. You can implement modern veranda design ideas while keeping your low cost house extension tailored to your home’s needs.

Shop Garden Rooms > Shop Verandas >

We hope that this gives you some ideas of the alternatives to traditional home extensions that are available. Making the most of your home doesn't have to break the bank. To find out more about our garden rooms and verandas, give us a call on 0800 028 8756.

05 Apr 2022

Can I Add a House Extension Without Planning Permission?

Danielle Home Extensions

It is often said that your home is your castle, and when it comes to castles, bigger is better! It seems that people are always looking for new ways to make more space in their homes, whether it's by redecorating and revamping their current spaces or by creating more space through adding an extension.

Extensions are a very traditional for expanding the floorspace of a property, and you might even think that it is the only possible avenue. Whilst extensions might be the most well-known solution, are they the best?

15 Oct 2021

3 Things to Consider Before Adding a Conservatory to Your Home

joel Home Extensions

Adding a conservatory to your home is a big investment. It costs a lot of money - tens of thousands of pounds - plus the building work will likely mean weeks of noise and disruption for your household.

Of course, you may feel that the results justify these sacrifices, but before you start planning your new conservatory, you may want to consider a streamlined glass sunroom as a possible alternative.

16 Nov 2018

A Very Modern Extension for Your Home

joel Home Extensions

Adding an extension to your home is a very rewarding endeavour, but it can also be extremely challenging. Extensions often require planning permission and extensive (no pun intended!) building work, all of which will add to the already sizeable cost of the materials themselves.

Fortunately, there is another way. We feel that SunSpaces garden structures are the perfect alternative to standard home extensions; if you're looking for an easy, affordable way to expand your living space, our stylish, modern extensions may well be a perfect choice.

Here's why:

SunSpaces rarely require planning permission

In the vast majority of circumstances, our garden rooms can be installed without obtaining permission or consulting the local planning office beforehand. The only exceptions are listed buildings, conservation areas, and garden rooms that would encroach on property borders once built; if one of these applies to you, we recommend contacting the relevant planning authority before proceeding with the project.

You can build our garden rooms yourself - no professional help is necessary!

We specialise in DIY extensions, and even if you've no relevant experience whatsoever, you should find that constructing your garden room or veranda is a walk in the park. Each of our structures is supplied with a clear assembly guide and an instructional DVD to ensure that you know exactly what you're doing from start to finish. And if you'd rather leave the work to a professional, don't worry - we also offer a full, professional installation service!

Our glass extensions are very cost-effective

Not only will you save money on planning permission and professional contractors, but you should also find that your garden room itself costs noticeably less than if you'd bought the materials required for a full home extension. However, in spite of the reduced cost, your modern glass extension will still look fabulously stylish from the outside and feel wonderfully comfortable on the inside!

If you'd like to know more about SunSpaces, the products we offer, and the reasons why they're such a great alternative to normal home extensions, please get in touch today. You can also request a FREE design for your glass extension.

09 May 2018

How to Increase Your Storage Space with a Garden Room

Lauren Home Extensions

Make the most of the space in your garden

Are you running out of space indoors? We think that using a SunSpace Garden Room to create storage space is a genius idea. If you have a reasonably-sized back garden, your property is already equipped with plenty of potential storage space that you're most likely not using, and the best way to make the most of this outdoor space is to invest in stylish garden structure from SunSpaces. Installing one of our garden rooms will give you a safe and secure storage space that's protected from the elements and actually improves the appearance (and resale value!) of your property.

Why should I invest in a SunSpace rather than a shed?

Our SunSpace Garden Rooms can be easily designed to suit any sized space, so you can make use of awkward or small garden spaces.

If you decide you no longer want to use you SunSpace for storage, you can quickly and easily convert it into a hospitable garden retreat! We have a whole range of accessories that can truly transform your SunSpace, including; heat lamps and remote controlled lighting.

Our SunSpaces are modular, so there's always the option to expand if you find you need extra space!

Won't the contents of the Garden Room be visible?

Don't worry about passers-by being able to see all of your valuable possessions stored away in the garden. We offer a range of different side panel options, including:

Clear or Opaque Glass Sliding Doors
Clear or Opaque Fixed Glass Walls
Fully Opaque Aluminium Walls

Our garden rooms are easy to install and almost never require planning permission. Click here to find out more about the storage possibilities afforded by a SunSpaces garden structure, or give us a call on 01727 845 788.

12 Oct 2015

Our Sunrooms Are Ideal for Bungalows!

joel Home Extensions

A lot of people don't like bungalows, and some even use the word 'bungaloid' as a negative adjective for small buildings they find unsightly. However, it is the opinion of the SunSpaces team that lots of bungalows look very lovely indeed; those sweet little one-storey homes are cosy, comfortable, and - in the right hands - capable of looking just as stylish as any other home. Plus, those who live in bungalows don't have to worry about vacuuming the stairs, a perk that could make even the most squalid space seem appealing!

Of course, the main drawback of living in a bungalow is the lack of space. For some, that's a big part of their appeal (after all, why live in a mansion-sized property if it's just you, your partner, and your relatively few possessions?); other bungalow-dwellers, however, find themselves frustratingly limited by their ultra-compact homes.

But help is at hand. If you're looking to add a little extra space to your intimate one-storey abode, our sunrooms are the perfect solution!

SunSpaces' stylish, easy-to-build sunrooms are great for bungalows because...

They generally require no planning permission (unless built on a border)
They can be installed without any professional help (each one comes with an assembly guide and instructional DVD to help you get the job done)
They cost significantly less than conservatories
They look great and can be used in all sorts of ways (if you'd like some suggestions, click here)

Our sunrooms are supplied with sliding walls or fixed panels, depending on your preference. We can also help if you're looking to add a veranda to your bungalow - contact SunSpaces now to find out more!

01 Sep 2015

Garden Rooms: Frequently Asked Questions

joel Garden Rooms

Everything you need to know about our gorgeous Garden Rooms!

We think that our Garden Rooms largely speak for themselves; easy to build and even easier on the eyes, they make a wonderful addition to any property and enable you to spend much more time in your outdoor living space.

However, we appreciate that you may have a few questions to ask before you commit to purchasing a Garden Room of your own, and we'd like to do whatever we can to answer them and put your mind at ease. To that end, here are the answers to some of the questions we're always being asked...

Q: What is a garden room?

A: A garden room is an outdoor structure that can be either built against the outer wall of your property or detached as a standalone feature. Our garden rooms are available with either sliding walls or fixed panels; either way, your garden room will allow you to get a lot more from your outdoor space, keeping you warm, dry and comfortable even when the weather is bad.

Examples of our garden rooms

Q: What's the difference between a garden room and a veranda?

A: Simply put, a garden room has walls/windows while a veranda is open-sided. Click below to learn more about our verandas.

View Our Verandas >

Q: Can I install a SunSpaces Garden Room myself?

A: Yes! Our Garden Rooms come with instructional DVDs and clear assembly guidelines, so you should find it easy to construct your new extension without any professional help. However, we do have an in-house installation team who will be more than happy to do the work for you if that's what you'd prefer.

Q: Do I need planning permission for a garden room?

A: No, except in certain circumstances. As a general rule, planning permission is only required if you live in a conservation area or a listed building, or if your garden room would cross a property border. You may wish to check with your local planning authority before purchasing a garden room, just to make sure.

Q: What sizes are available?

A: Our Garden Rooms come in several 'standard' sizes, but we can provide bespoke solutions if your project goes beyond our usual dimensions. Feel free to contact us below for further details.

Q: What colours do SunSpaces offer?

A: We offer three colours as standard: Graphite Grey, Cream, and White. A wide range of alternative RAL colours is available for a small additional charge.

Q: How much does a Garden Room cost?

A: This depends on the size of your garden room, as well as on several other variables. Email info@sunspaces.co.uk to get a free, no-obligation quotation for your extension.

Do you have any other questions about our Garden Rooms? Click below to get in touch with us or to request a FREE design for your garden room!

Contact Us > Free 3D Design >

Tag: home-extensions

4 Cheap House Extension Ideas for Home Extensions