House extension and enlargement

• Extending your house allows you to personalise your living space even further. Adding an extra bedroom, a study or a kitchen can meet your family's specific needs. And let's not forget that these needs change rapidly throughout a family's life!
• Extending your house also offers significantly improved comfort: additional living space (you can finally breathe!), more modern materials than in your main residence, superior thermal performance, etc.
• What's more, opting for an extension rather than buying an old house or building a new one allows you to maintain your links with your current family and social environment. Your children will be able to stay at the same schools and keep their friendships, while you will be able to preserve your habits and your landmarks in the neighbourhood. This continuity of life is an essential element of well-being, often underestimated when it comes to changing homes. A word to the wise!

Obviously, from a financial point of view, extending your house is also a worthwhile investment! Despite a potentially high initial cost, it is generally more economical than buying a new property with a similar living area. What's more, adding square metres to a home increases its value. In a tight property market, where the buyer is not in such a strong position, this is not insignificant! As you will have realised, it is better to focus on increasing the value of your current home, a wise property strategy offering a significant return on investment in the event of resale.

At AKENA, we offer customised house extensions to meet your specific needs. You can opt for a horizontal extension, ideal for increasing the surface area of your house on the ground floor. This allows you to create new living spaces without disrupting your environment. For those looking to maximise vertical space, a raised floor or a vertical extension can be considered. Each project is unique and carried out with high-quality materials to guarantee durability and thermal performance. With AKENA, transform your home into a harmonious and functional living space.

Composite wood is used for its warm aesthetic and natural appearance. This makes it a popular choice for home extensions. That is why it is one of the constituent materials used in the finishing of our AKENA home extensions.

Aluminium, for example, is an excellent choice for those looking for a modern and resistant material. It offers a wide variety of finishes and requires little maintenance. Composite wood, meanwhile, brings a warm and natural touch to your extension. It is also durable and weather resistant. At AKENA, we help you choose the material that best suits your needs and your lifestyle.

We build in accordance with the 2020 Energy Regulation and pay particular attention to the insulating qualities of our materials. Several models of AKENA house extensions have a quadruple roof system, consisting of two insulating panels, air gaps and glass wool, providing thermal resistance of 8. Our pitched roofs (approximately 3% pitch) are covered with an EPDM rubber membrane, which is ideal for guaranteeing optimal waterproofing at the gutter level. This quality of finish allows us to guarantee our customers the best living comfort!

As you will have realised, an extension to your house allows you to respond perfectly to your changing needs, without the constraints of moving house. Whether it is to accommodate a new family member, create a workspace at home or anticipate future needs, the possibilities offered by an extension are diverse!

Each approach has its own unique characteristics, but only horizontal extension can boast of offering so many advantages! Here are the advantages.

Horizontal house extension: an enlargement that is good for you!

Horizontal house extension is a preferred method of increasing the living space of your home by adding one or more additional rooms on the ground floor. This form of enlargement is particularly suitable when the space on your plot allows it, thus offering the possibility of expansion without significantly sacrificing green space or the garden. It allows you to create new living spaces, such as an extra bedroom, an office, a living room or even an enlarged kitchen, while preserving the integrity and aesthetics of the original structure of your house. The architectural integration of the extension with the existing building is a priority, in order to ensure visual and functional continuity.

• Easy access during and after the work, which is particularly appreciated by people with reduced mobility or families with young children.
• Less impact on the existing structure of the house, thus reducing the risk of complications related to the solidity and/or durability of the building.
• Possibility of easily harmonising the extension with the existing architecture.
• Its flexibility in terms of design is unmatched, especially when opting for light and flexible materials such as aluminium.

• Requires a sufficiently large field.

Here are the essential steps to guarantee its success:

1. Define your needs: Clearly identify the purpose of your extension, whether it is to add a bedroom, an office or a kitchen.
2. Feasibility study: Call in professionals to assess the technical and financial feasibility of your project.
3. Custom design: Work with an architect to design an extension that harmonises with your existing home.
4. Administrative procedures: Obtain the necessary authorisations
5. Choice of materials: Select high-quality materials to guarantee durability and thermal performance.
6. Site preparation: Plan the work in detail, coordinating the various stakeholders.
7. Construction: Monitor the site carefully to ensure compliance and quality of work.
8. Acceptance of work: Carry out a thorough inspection before validating the completion of the work.

With AKENA, each stage is accompanied by advice and personalised solutions to make your extension project a complete success.

Firstly, it is crucial to define your specific needs, whether it is adding a bedroom, an office or a kitchen. Then, a technical and financial feasibility study must be carried out by professionals. The customised design of your extension must harmonise with the existing architecture of your house, while respecting construction standards. Finally, the choice of high-quality materials is essential to guarantee durability and thermal performance. With AKENA, each project is unique and benefits from careful monitoring at every stage.

1. Not clearly determining your objectives

Starting on a house extension project on a whim could cost you dearly later on... The first step is to determine what you want to achieve with your enlargement of living space. Do you simply want to enlarge your living room for more entertainment space? To give your children a new bedroom? As with an entire house, carefully draw up your specifications. Note down all the details! The more precise your wishes, the better you will be able to anticipate the costs and logistical aspects of the project. Rest assured: our AKENA expert technicians will guide you through this stage of the project.

2. Ignoring planning regulations and declarations to be made

Before starting work, you must ensure that your project complies with local planning regulations. Many owners make the mistake of ignoring this crucial step to save time and money, but it is an unnecessary risk that can lead to delays, financial penalties or even the obligation to demolish a non-compliant construction. Consult the town planning department of your municipality to obtain your cadastral reference (plot number) and the regulations defined by the municipality for your land. In general, the rules relate to the size of the construction, the distance between buildings, the height of the new structure, etc. Sometimes, the materials are even subject to regulation!

3. Neglecting natural light

A well-designed extension should blend in harmoniously with the existing house and capture as much natural light as possible. Unfortunately, this aspect is often neglected. Too much natural light can lead to excessive heating in summer, but a dark room in winter can look gloomy and unwelcoming.

4. Choosing the wrong frame material

The choice of materials is often underestimated when designing an extension project. Sometimes it is also neglected in favour of a lower construction cost. This is a shame! Because it can affect not only the appearance of your home, but also its durability and its thermal and/or sound performance.

5. Not anticipating the loss of space on your outdoor grounds

With an extension, you gain space inside, but you lose space outside. It is important to consider the impact of the extension on your exterior: land, garden, terrace, paths, etc. Think about how you could reorganise these spaces so that they best serve your new needs. A new terrace, a rose garden or even a swimming pool can become valuable additions to your new living space.

6. Ignoring architectural coherence

With an extension, you gain space inside, but you lose space outside. It is important to consider the impact of the extension on your outdoor areas: land, garden, terrace, paths, etc. Think about how you could reorganise these spaces so that they best serve your new needs. A new terrace, a rose garden or even a swimming pool can become valuable additions to your new living space.

7. Postpone the details of the layout

An extension is not just a question of adding square metres; it is also an opportunity to rethink the layout of your home. The biggest challenge is to make the new area and the old wing of the house blend together without the difference being glaring. Or perhaps you want to emphasise this difference? The choice is yours.

You could consider transforming this additional space into a playroom for your children, a quiet office for working from home, or even a bright living room. The choice of how to use this new space will depend on your current and future needs, your lifestyle and the configuration of the existing space. Don't forget that the design phase of your project is crucial: it guarantees, in particular, control of the total cost of the project. The surface area of your extension, in particular, will be decisive! It depends on the use you intend to make of it. Below are some recommendations for average surface areas depending on the specifics of your extension!

• LOFT : The LOFT habitable extension is an innovative solution for enlarging your home. This extension complies with building regulations and allows you to reorganise the space to install key rooms such as the kitchen or living room. Its insulating roof offers thermal performance equivalent to traditional constructions and its flat ceiling allows it to blend harmoniously into your home.
• LOFT A+: Innovative with its contemporary, flat roof design, this model is designed to harmonise with modern architecture, particularly houses with flat roofs. It minimises the need for masonry work thanks to its reduced wall dimensions. The AKENA LOFT A+ stands out for its various insulation options offering thermal flexibility, as well as the possibility of integrating a skylight with variable tint glazing technology. With stylish interior finishes, such as IPN-type profiles, it brings a touch of elegance and modernity to any extension.

With AKENA, you can create a living space that blends in perfectly with the natural environment thanks to customised solutions. Consider integrating elements such as glazed doors to maximise natural light, composite wood finishes for a warm atmosphere, and insulated roofs for optimal comfort in all seasons. Let your imagination run free and transform your exterior into a true haven of peace.

Among the L-shaped extensions, the LOFT A+ model stands out for its contemporary design with straight lines and flat roof, giving it a modern and refined style. It is designed to offer optimal thermal and acoustic comfort, thanks to reinforced insulation and high-quality materials.

The LOFT A+ extension is fully customisable to suit your needs and lifestyle. Available options include:

• Interior ceiling with a neat finish, which can incorporate LED spotlights for a cosy atmosphere.
• Skylights for maximum natural light.
• Panoramic openings, such as sliding glazed doors, to maximise the feeling of space and the connection with the outside.

With this solution, you benefit from a high-performance, designer extension, ideal for enlarging your home while giving it a contemporary feel.

For example, for a horizontal extension, the costs are generally between €1,500 and €2,000 per square metre. It will be more expensive for other types of extension. Another good point for horizontal enlargement!

A list of factors influencing the price of your enlargement

1. The size of the extension: The size of the extension is the main factor influencing the cost. The same goes for all constructions! A more spacious extension will require a greater quantity of materials and labour.

2. The materials used: Opting for high-end materials may be more expensive initially, but it can also guarantee durability and superior aesthetics in the long term, which can prove to be a wise investment. Ask for advice from an extension design expert such as AKENA!

3. The complexity of your project: We are used to saying that no two extensions are the same. Projects that require significant structural modifications or have unique architectural features will generally be more expensive due to the specialised labour and specific materials required to complete them.

4. Your geographic location: It is important to note that builders' rates can vary considerably from one region to another. Therefore, the geographic location of the project can have a significant impact on the total construction costs.

5. Labour: Labour costs represent a significant portion of the total construction budget. Hiring a reputable company may result in higher costs, but this is a guarantee of higher quality work and more efficient project execution.

Other factors also determine the final cost of your house enlargement. This is the case for ancillary elements such as the heating system, the electrical installation and other non-structural features that are essential for the comfort and functionality of the house.

*Examples of prices in € including VAT, corresponding to custom-made products. All our prices include French manufacturing, manufacturing in our factories in the Vendée and installation by our teams of professionals. Contact us for any other dimensions.

A stable and even surface, for example, facilitates foundation work and can reduce costs, while a sloping or unstable terrain (such as clay, sandy or marshy soil) may require more extensive excavation, drainage and reinforcement work, thus increasing expenses. The same applies if your land contains mature trees or large rocks or is located in an area subject to strict environmental regulations!

In addition, access to the land also influences the cost: easily accessible land allows for simpler and more economical logistics, while difficult access can logically increase labour and material transport costs.

For all these reasons, it is essential to carry out a thorough assessment of the nature of your land with the help of professionals. This step will help identify potential challenges and plan accordingly, ensuring more accurate budget management and smoother implementation of your expansion project. At AKENA, we support you in this!