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Extending your home opens the door to greater comfort, functionality and significant added value for your property. This enrichment of living space not only meets specific needs, but also offers the opportunity to express your personal style through an aesthetic, made-to-measure extension. AKENA presents a guide specially designed to help you realise your extension project: all the keys to a successful extension that combines harmony, practicality and intelligent investment!

What are the best types of house extension?

Exploring the best solutions for extending your home is essential for any homeowner looking for extra space. Whether the aim is to add a kitchen, a living room or to create a home office, the options for extension are varied and adaptable to different needs and configurations.

House extensions to create a real extension to your home

A house extension provides a seamless transition from your current living space. It stands out for its spaciousness, clean lines and modern look, offering an option that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Its design, which favours solid walls with the option of clapboard and interior panelling, offers a host of layout possibilities: kitchen, study, independent studio, reception room, etc.

With its flat roof, this option blends in perfectly with the existing architecture, without disrupting access or the visual harmony of your home. It is designed to maximise thermal performance, similar to that of the rest of your home. At AKENA, they can even provide the brightness of a conservatory by incorporating single-slope or double-slope skylights in the roof. Extensions do, however, require careful planning to ensure that they fit in with the existing house. That's why construction times can be longer than for a conservatory.

Akena - Extension maison salon toit plat - Versailles

Conservatories to create a light-filled space

The conservatory is a made-to-measure space that blends in perfectly with your home. It is characterised by its large picture windows that maximise the amount of natural light entering, and offer an unobstructed view of the outside. They are often made of aluminium for its modernity and lightness, making it easy to create a space that is aesthetically consistent with the rest of the house.

This flexible solution can be used for a variety of purposes, from adding a room such as a kitchen or living room, to creating a transitional space to your garden.

This project is designed to align with the unique features of your home and plot, as well as your interior design preferences. Even limited spaces can be optimised to provide a new living space, without the usual inconvenience associated with traditional building sites!

Pergolas to make the most of your terrace space

A pergola is a garden structure open at the sides. It consists of vertical posts supporting horizontal crossbeams, creating a semi-covered area. The pergola is designed to provide a shaded area outside, while allowing natural light to pass through. This solution is ideal for extending your home onto a terrace or into a garden in an aesthetically pleasing way!

This structure can be set against the building, forming a gentle transition between your home and the outdoors, or installed in isolation in your green space. As well as its practical functions, it adds aesthetic value to the property by beautifying the outdoor area of your home.

Pergolas are popular not only for their visual appeal, but also for their versatility. They can be used as a place to relax, dine or even host outdoor events. With the addition of canvas or sliding panels, they offer protection from the sun, wind or rain, while retaining their open, airy character.

The pool house or garden room to create a new outdoor room

Located in your garden next to the swimming pool, the pool house offers a multitude of functions. Initially designed as a technical space, it has been transformed into a multi-purpose structure dedicated to relaxation and leisure activities.

First and foremost, this extension can be used as a storage area for swimming equipment or become a real garden shed. But that's not the only function a pool house can have! You can easily convert it into a genuine additional living space thanks to its made-to-measure design. With a variety of models, shapes and materials available, this shelter can be enhanced with a terrace or awning, giving it great versatility. It can be used as a shower cubicle, a cosy bar area, an outdoor kitchen or even a summer lounge. You can even add a sauna or spa for a house extension dedicated to your well-being.

What materials should you choose for a long-lasting, attractive extension?

To extend your home in a lasting and elegant way, certain materials stand out for their specific qualities and advantages.

Aluminium for resistance

Aluminium stands out as a first-rate choice for house extensions, mainly because of its remarkable strength. This modern material is extremely robust, capable of withstanding the elements and the passage of time without showing any signs of deterioration. Aluminium is also appreciated for its ease of maintenance, and its ability to adapt to a variety of architectural designs, giving great creative freedom. What's more, its light weight makes installation quick and easy, while ensuring a solid, durable structure.

Wood for warmth

Wood, with its natural texture and timeless aesthetic, is a great choice for bringing a warm ambience to your home. Incorporating wood into the design of your extension invites nature into the living space, creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. Combining wood with contemporary materials such as aluminium achieves a perfect balance between tradition and modernity. This harmonious combination offers the best of both worlds: the warmth and authenticity of wood, complemented by the solidity and efficiency of aluminium. This choice of materials guarantees an extension that is both attractive, functional and hard-wearing.

Glass for extra light

The use of glass is essential for maximising light in a house extension. These materials can be used to create environments bathed in natural light, enhancing the feeling of well-being and open space. They offer the possibility of designing large glazed surfaces, such as bay windows or glass roofs, which not only increase the amount of natural light, but also add a unique aesthetic dimension to the extension. By choosing high-performance glazing solutions like those offered by AKENA, it is perfectly feasible to benefit from excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, while enjoying the advantages of a radiant, welcoming room.

Akena - Extension maison salon toit plat - Extension

How can you extend your home in an elegant and functional way?

Adding a room to your home opens up a host of design possibilities. It's important to strike the right balance between your home and the practicality of your new living space.

Rooms to be fitted out

When extending a house, various rooms can be considered for conversion, depending on the needs and desires of the owners:

  • a bright kitchen for those who want to prepare meals in a place bathed in natural light;
  • an additional living room to provide extra space for relaxing family evenings or entertaining guests;
  • a dining room to create a dedicated, convivial space for sharing meals with loved ones;
  • a homeoffice to work in an area where you can enjoy peace and quiet and be more productive;
  • a games room, where the space is dedicated to entertaining children and adults;
  • an artist's studio or creative studio for those with a passion for art or DIY;
  • a fitness or meditation room devoted entirely to health and well-being;
  • a library or reading corner for book lovers looking for a quiet, soothing place to relax.

The possibilities are endless, and can be perfectly adapted to the needs of everyone in your home!

Akena - Extension maison cuisine toit plat - Pièce à vivre

See the inspirations

A conservatory bathed in natural light

Extension
Akena Véranda - Agrandissement lieu agréable

A place to relax in your conservatory

Extension
Akena Véranda - Moustiquaire - Salon

Open-plan living room

Extension
Akena Véranda - Coin détente soleil

Colour and light: a conservatory full of life

Extension
Akena Véranda - Salle à manger vue jardin

A conservatory for your family

Extension
Akena Véranda - Extension de maison - Salon séjour ouvert

Enjoy perfect shade with an adjustable sunbreaker

Extension
Akena Véranda - Brise-soleil orientables

Conservatory and kitchen, a bright, open space

Extension
AKENA - Extension de maison - Vue sur le jardin

Let the light in with sliding patio doors

Extension
Akena Véranda - Annexe alu noir

Conservatory cornices: an elegant addition to your home

Extension
Akena Véranda - Extension aluminium noir

The conservatory, a source of natural light

Extension
Akena Véranda - Agrandissement maison - Billiers

Customisation options: finish, roof and equipment

Customisation options for a home extension project are essential to create a space that perfectly meets your desires and needs. At AKENA, for example, we offer :

  • Interior and exterior finishes: from the choice of aluminium colours and textures to lighting systems.
  • Options to maximise energy efficiency: optimised thermal and sound insulation to create a real living space.
  • Equipment to control light and temperature : brise-soleils, blinds, roller shutters and skylights that can be tinted using SageGlass® technology allow you to effectively manage exposure to UV rays. Combined with high-performance glazing, you can maximise light levels while maintaining a pleasantly warm interior.
  • Different styles to create the ambience you want: a modern, minimalist space, or a warm, traditional atmosphere. A wide range of extension models are available, so you can design the environment of your choice!

How much will it cost to extend the existing floor area of your home?

The cost of a house extension can vary significantly depending on the complexity and characteristics of your project:

  • The choice of building materials: each material selected for the structure has its own specific features, and its own price.
  • The size of the extension: as you'd expect, the larger the structure, the higher the price. The surface area has a direct impact on the quantity of materials required, the duration of the work and, potentially, the complexity of the site.
  • Options and equipment: adding extra features such as automatic roller shutters or solar control glazing can improve the comfort of your extension, as well as its initial value.
  • The need to carry out preliminary work: even before you start your extension, some preparatory work may be necessary. These preliminary stages are essential to guarantee the quality and durability of the extension, but they also represent a cost that should not be overlooked.

In all cases, it's advisable to ask for a detailed estimate to get a precise idea of the budget. In the meantime, AKENA has put its simulator at your disposal to help you estimate the cost of your extension or conservatory!

Akena - Extension maison cuisine toit plat - Aluminium

Extending your home: price per m2

Superficie de l'agrandissement Prix min (€ TTC posé)* Prix max (€ TTC posé)*
10 m² 9 000 32 000
20 m² 18000 40 000
30 m² 27 500 50 000
40 m² 37 00 63 000
50 m² 45 000 90 000
60 m² + 50 000 + 100 000

Exemples de prix en € TTC, correspondants à des réalisations sur-mesure. Tous nos prix comprennent la fabrication française, la fabrication dans nos usines en Vendée et la pose par nos équipes de professionnels. Nous contacter pour toute autre dimension.

What are the steps to follow for a home extension project?

1. Defining your needs

The first step is to define your space requirements. How many extra square metres do you need? And for what purpose? Once you've defined your needs, you can start thinking about the various possible solutions.

2. Customise the product

As mentioned above, there are a number of options and types of structure that can be used to extend your home, depending on your objectives:

  • the roof: you can choose whether or not to add a skylight;
  • the frontage: you can choose the number of solid walls or low walls you want, as well as the glazed surface area for your extension;
  • the equipment: you can add roller shutters or a simple adjustable privacy screen;
  • the finishes: interior panelling or exterior wood or composite walls to add charm to your extension.

3. Call on qualified professionals

Professional support is crucial to the success of your project. AKENA's advisers will guide you step by step through every phase of your project. As soon as you put forward your idea, the AKENA team is on hand to make it a reality, from the first meeting to the installation of the structure. This process includes handling formalities such as applying for planning permission, recommendations for masonry work, custom fabrication, and finally delivery and installation.

Akena - Extension maison salon toit plat - Agrandissement

4. Financing the project

There are several ways of financing a home extension project: mortgage, consumer credit, personal contribution, etc. AKENA's advisers are on hand to study your situation and help you make the right choice.

5. Monitor the construction site, take delivery of the work and start fitting out the site

Site supervision and handover are essential to ensure that everything conforms to the plans and quality standards. This marks the official completion of the project, a stage where you confirm that the work has been carried out to your complete satisfaction, ready to welcome the moments of life you had planned!