Your made-to-measure house extension project
Enlarging your living space offers a multitude of advantages, combining comfort, aesthetics and practicality. At AKENA, we understand that this project is much more than just a building project: it's a real opportunity to improve your daily life by adapting your home to your needs. Whether you're dreaming of a spacious kitchen, a light-filled living room, a peaceful study or even an extra bedroom, a house extension is the ideal way to add value to your home without the hassle of moving house. By integrating harmoniously with the existing structure, we ensure aesthetic and functional continuity, while optimising the energy efficiency and comfort of your new home. Discover how AKENA, with its 40 years of experience, can transform your home extension project into a tailor-made reality, combining sustainable products, design and quality of life.
The advantages of an extension to enlarge your home
Enlargement of your living space in harmony with your existing home
One of the main advantages of an extension is that you can increase the living space of your home. It's an ideal solution for families who feel cramped in their current home, or for people who want to create a new space dedicated to a specific activity, such as an office, games room or guest bedroom.
Choosing a horizontal house extension also ensures natural continuity with the existing building. It is essential to ensure that it blends harmoniously with the architecture of your home. This can be achieved by selecting materials and colours that match the style of your home, or by choosing a particular configuration.
Finally, unlike other enlargement options, this solution offers the opportunity to reduce the impact on the existing structure of the house, thereby reducing the risk of problems relating to the stability and durability of the building.
Creating the living space of your choice
Give yourself the space you've always dreamed of with your custom-built home extension project. This solution allows you to create the room of your choice according to your needs and desires, for optimum living comfort. Every aspect of your enlargement can be customised to meet your requirements.
Do you want a spacious, light-filled room? Choose large windows to bring in as much natural light as possible for your daily activities. French windows or sliding bay windows can give you a privileged view of your green spaces, and practical access to your garden or an adjoining terrace.
Need a more intimate, cocooning corner? Use motorised shutters or adjustable sunbreakers to modulate the light and atmosphere as you wish. Use warm materials such as wood to enhance that cocooned feeling. Lighting also plays an important role: choose solutions that create a variety of moods, from subdued lighting for relaxing evenings to brighter lighting for reading or working.
Customised solutions
At AKENA, we know that every home extension project is unique, and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. That's why we offer tailor-made products to meet your specific needs. Our experts' priority is to take into account your wishes, your budget and the technical constraints of your home.
That's why we offer a wide range of equipment and design options, from optimum light management to advanced thermal performance systems.
The aesthetics of your extension are just as important as its functional aspects. Our services therefore include full customisation of the design, allowing your new space to blend perfectly with the architectural style of your existing home. Whether you opt for a sleek, modern look, a timeless, classic charm, or an eclectic touch that blends the eras, we'll work with you to create a structure that's just right for you.
Benefit from high-quality products
Choosing high-quality building and finishing materials plays an essential role in improving your living space to :
- Enjoy optimum comfort: top-quality materials provide effective acoustic and thermal insulation, reducing external noise pollution and maintaining a pleasant indoor temperature all year round. This means that the atmosphere inside your extension will be pleasant, whatever the conditions outside.
- Enjoy energy efficiency: well-chosen materials minimise heating and cooling requirements, thanks to their ability to maintain a stable temperature inside the space.
- Ensuring the longevity of your extension: durability is another advantage of high-quality materials. Resistant to weathering, mould and age-related deterioration, the aluminium we favour at AKENA ensures that your structure will remain in excellent condition for decades to come, requiring less maintenance and costly repairs.
- Adding value to your home: a well-designed enlargement built with first-rate materials significantly increases the market value of your property. Your investment in quality is not only an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective option, it's also a sound investment.
The first step towards a successful home extension project
A successful house extension project starts with careful preparation. Starting with your initial idea, AKENA's advisers will guide you through the design of your structure, and help you answer the essential questions that will enable you to benefit from a made-to-measure solution that meets your needs and desires as closely as possible:
- What is the purpose of the extension? To add a bedroom, enlarge the living room, create a home office or a more spacious kitchen.
- How much floor space do you need? This depends on the room being converted, but also on the restrictions of the plot and local regulations.
- What type of room do you want to create? The function of the enlargement will influence its design. For example, a bedroom will require different consideration in terms of privacy and insulation than an open-plan living space.
- What aesthetic are you aiming for? Should the extension blend harmoniously with the existing style of the house, or do you want to create a deliberate contrast? This will affect the materials, colours and overall design.
- What equipment is needed? Consider the specific features you'll need in the new room, such as lighting solutions for a bright kitchen.
- What's your budget? Consider what you can afford in terms of investment, and what financing options are available to you.
- What are the regulatory constraints? It's vital to find out about local regulations, permit requirements and zoning restrictions. This could have an impact on the feasibility of your project.
- How will the extension affect light and outdoor space? Consider how the structure will change the amount of natural light into your home, and the impact on your garden and outdoor landscaping.
The different design options for an extension
When you consider a home extension project, the design possibilities are vast, offering an opportunity to personalise your enlargement to your specific needs and preferences. Here's an overview of the different rooms you could enjoy in your new living space:
- An art studio or workshop: For those with a passion for creativity, an artist's studio or workshop can provide the space needed to paint, sculpt, or indulge in any other creative hobby in an inspiring environment.
- A private gym : A home gym can motivate you to stay active and healthy, by providing a space dedicated to exercise equipment, yoga, or meditation.
- A guest room: A guest room can comfortably accommodate family and friends for extended stays, without disrupting the organisation of your main living space.
Get inspired
Selecting materials for a durable, resistant structure
Good quality materials ensure the durability and strength of a structure, while meeting the aesthetic and functional requirements of the house extension project. At AKENA, we use aluminium, wood finishes and thermal performance glazing, each of which offers its own advantages.
Aluminium for the structure
Aluminium is widely appreciated for its lightness, strength and durability. It's a wise choice for a house extension project because of its anti-corrosion properties, which ensure a long service life, even in harsh weather conditions. Maintenance is minimal, requiring only occasional cleaning to maintain its appearance. What's more, aluminium allows great flexibility in design.
Wood finishes for aesthetic appeal
AKENA extensions can also be finished in elegant wood. This traditional material is famous for bringing a warm and distinctive atmosphere to any living space. It lends itself perfectly to both interior finishes, such as panelling, and exterior cladding, such as wall cladding.
Glazing for light and thermal comfort
Glazing plays an essential role in the design of an extension, influencing both the natural light and thermal comfort of the space. By choosing the right type of glazing, you can maximise light entry while controlling the temperature inside, creating a pleasant, energy-efficient environment all year round. At AKENA, we even offer SageGlass® technology, designed by Saint Gobain: a simple touch is all it takes to adjust the tint of the glazing, and easily modulate lighting, shading and atmosphere.
Choosing the right type of extension for your needs
For your home extension project, AKENA's TRENDY, COSY, and LOFT A+ models stand out for their unique design and features, responding to a variety of needs and aesthetic preferences.
The TRENDY extension model
The LOFT TRENDY extension combines space and light with its vast picture windows and generous volume. It has no front protection to maximise views and light. Its elegant powder-coated aluminium structure provides optimum insulation, while its flat ceiling offers a modern design and customisable finishing options. This extension is distinguished by its high level of thermal comfort and contemporary aesthetic, providing a seamless transition between the interior and the garden.
The COSY extension model
COSY combines comfort and security with front protection such as roller shutters and sunbreakers, contributing to excellent thermal insulation. Its powder-coated aluminium structure guarantees superior insulation, while its flat ceiling offers a modern aesthetic with a variety of finishing options. This model promises a secure, well-insulated and comfortable space.
The LOFT A+ extension model
AKENA's LOFT A+ extension features a contemporary design with a flat roof for easy integration into modern architecture. It is designed to minimise wall clutter, offer high levels of insulation (R-value from 5 to 8), and the option of incorporating a skylight in the roof with variable-tint glazing. The stylish internal profiles add a unique aesthetic touch, making LOFT A+ an avant-garde option for your home extension project.
The different options for defining the aesthetic appearance of the structure
To define your house extension project from an aesthetic point of view, AKENA allows you to customise your structure with a wide range of details:
- Finishing cornices: traditional, contemporary or design style.
- Customised fronts: baseboards, glazed transoms, small timbers, timber framing, etc.
- Roof decoration: add flames, ridges, forget-me-nots.
- Colours : a wide range of shades for aluminium and interior and exterior wood cladding.
Equipment for maximum comfort in your living space
For ultimate comfort in your extension, the addition of carefully chosen equipment is an essential step.
At AKENA, we suggest opting for integrated LED lighting to create an atmosphere that suits your mood in the evening. During the day, take advantage of the skylights in the roof to bathe your space in pleasant, natural light.
Our various closing solutions, such as electric roller shutters, adjustable sunbreakers or screen blinds, offer precise control over sunlight and indoor temperature, improving energy efficiency, well-being and privacy in your living space.
You can even add mosquito screens to open up your room to the outside world without the nuisance of insects.
Why choose AKENA to build a made-to-measure extension?
AKENA has over 40 years' experience in the design and construction of made-to-measure house extensions. When you choose AKENA, you benefit from unique know-how and recognised expertise to bring your enlargement idea to life.
We believe that every project is different. That's why we can tailor your extension to suit your needs, your wishes and your budget.
AKENA is committed to providing you with top-quality products, made in France from rigorously selected materials. Our structures are designed to last, and to provide you with optimum comfort.
From conception to completion, we're here to support you at every stage of your project. Our team of experts will advise and guide you to ensure that your extension perfectly meets your expectations.
Finally, for total peace of mind, AKENA offers a 10-year guarantee on all its products.
When you choose AKENA, you can be sure of a made-to-measure, high-quality extension that lasts.
Do I need an architect to draw up plans for my home enlargement?
Hiring an architect is often necessary, especially if the total surface area of your house exceeds 150 m² including the extension. In fact, in this case, it's a legal requirement, so we advise you to get an architect to help you submit your building application!
How do you prepare the site and the house before installing the extension?
The land on which you want to build your house extension is an essential element that can have a considerable influence on the final cost of your project. Preparatory work may have to be carried out depending on :
- the quality of the soil ;
- the topography of the land
- natural or artificial constraints
- access to the site.
By analysing the area, you can identify potential challenges, choose the right techniques and materials, anticipate costs and draw up a precise budget. This ensures that the project runs smoothly and safely.
It may also be that masonry work (such as drainage, building reinforcement, etc.) is essential.
Whatever your situation, AKENA will be at your side to ensure that every stage of your home extension project goes as smoothly as possible.
How much will it cost to enlarge your home with an extension?
The price of a house extension project depends on a number of parameters, including size, materials, equipment, aesthetic options and the complexity of the project.
The price per square metre ranges from €900 to €3,200, depending on the characteristics of the structure.
At AKENA, we know that such a project requires a significant investment. That's why our experts are on hand to provide you with a detailed estimate, and advise you on the best financing solutions for your situation and needs.
Ask our experts for a free quote or your personalised house extension project!
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