Increasing the living space of your house can be needed due to various reasons. Doing it, can however, pose a challenge. Will it distort the structure? What about the facade of the house? Are there any approvals to be taken prior? There are many things to consider before expanding your vertical house space.
Making the extension work
A new floor means an extra weight upon the existing floor or floors. Therefore before embarking on the construction of it, a qualified architect or a constructor must check your existing house. The ground on which the house stands also must be checked as sometimes soil characters are tricky. Furthermore, you have to check the possibility of constructing a staircase to take you to the next floor.
It could be indoor or external timber stairs Brisbane; however it should not be hindering any other part of the house of or be seen as out of the place. Constructing stairs is a different technical aspect altogether.
Designing process
Designing process has to start once the architect and the constructor has cleared your property as suitable to construct a new floor. You have to again sit with your architect and builder to decide on a design which fits with the existing design of the house. Both these professionals should agree on what is possible to be done. There must be agreed views about the height to the ceiling for the new floor, how far the outside space would be extended to, how to get the optimum flow of air and light naturally into the house etc. Leaving only the two professionals to make decisions would not be proper. You have to participate in the discussion, give your ideas and ask their opinion and advice.
Factors to consider
FSI or Floor Space Index is important. There’ll be an allowed FSI for your area. Get to know that; construction should be done according to those limitations. The question of whether to stay in your house or move out for the construction will come up once you have decided to get on with it. It is always best to move out because of several reasons. The roof might have to be replaced and there will be a lot of dust and fumes. Also unless outdoor stairs are planned, inside of the house would have to be broken in order to install the means of getting into the new floor.An extra floor should not look like it is brought from somewhere else and put on what you already have. Therefore take care to have it look similar in design and construction with what you already have.