9 Tips when ‘Going Up’
· KISS Principle: Keep it simple stupid! You will not entertain upstairs especially if it is designated for kids/teenagers/young adults, so this can reflect your build and help reduce costs. Upstairs does not need to match the build flare and WOW factor of downstairs.
· If you can fit it in, a separate toilet (WC) with small hand-basin is advantageous.
· Bathroom design can save you a lot by not having an egg bath but a standard tiled in hob bath, not having a tiled shower recess floor but having poly-marble one, using middle of the range reliable tap-ware, not fully wall tiling floor to ceiling, and selecting a framed glass shower recess…. just to mention a few.
· Window design is important for all rooms, and first floor bedroom windows can only open 125mm if within 1700mm from the floor to prevent toddler injury. Note the elevation of the hot north and western sun, positioning of single beds and then double beds as kids become uni-students and still living at home. What do you see when looking out the window? (ie roof elevations or unsightly neighboring buildings).
· Heating & Cooling: a pitched roof will give you more roof cavity to run duct-work. A flat metal roof will more likely require split systems. Consider ceiling fans. Consider wall hung split systems (but certainly not downstairs).
· External Cladding: Added height makes maintenance work more expensive in the future. I am not big fan of foam render. If weatherboards consider cement sheet. The best is either Weathertex or Colorbond in my opinion. As your builder or painter for an extra coat of paint on the north and west elevations.
· Sound lagging plumbing pipes is highly recommended.
· Acoustic insulation between the ground and first floor should be considered.
· Understand what the extension will look like from the street or within your property and don’t go overboard on aesthetics for elevations that you cannot benefit from, or only your neighbors can see.