Victorian Terrace House Extensions London

The majority of houses in London are Victorian Terraced houses. They are full of charm and unmistakably British. The Victorian Terrace is a familiar architectural presence within London. These houses tend to be full of historical details and pleasing facades built from London Stock Brick. There is something about Victorian Terraced streets that highlights an enduring need for community. Perhaps one of the best features of a London Victorian Terrace house is its adaptability to being modified and transformed into a haven for family life in an otherwise hectic city.

Although the charm and history of a Victorian Terrace house can be a draw for families, its layout and small cramped spaces in its original form don’t make for an efficient and comfortable modern living space. However, it is this unassuming and flexible design that has proven very popular for families in London to extend, refurbish and redesign in order to make a modern, aesthetically pleasing home in London.

What are the benefits of extending a Victorian Terrace house?

Victorian terrace houses are particularly suited to being extended and renovated. The renovation allows you to modernise the internal space of the house adding building control compliant heating and electrical systems, allowing to insulate walls and create a warmer space. The long corridor of the entranceway of a Victorian terrace offers a sense of arrival with the house not quite being revealed to you as soon as you enter. Its once you move past the cosiness of the entrance and living room where the back of the house reveals itself with a grand, bright, open plan, modern living space. Whilst the original parts of the house provide plenty of wall space and nooks to place floor lamps and occasional chairs, this contrasts starkly with a modern glazed extension – side return or rear.

Do I need planning permission for an extension on a Victorian Terrace house?

You may have permitted development rights, in which case you would not need planning permission. In order to obtain permitted development rights you must comply with the permitted development regulations and in some cases apply for a legal right of development certificate. The planning requirements should be checked with the local council as regulations vary from Borough to Borough.

What do I need to consider in a Victorian Terrace renovation?

Once you have decided on your renovation and / extension, your budget is the main consideration. However, having a contingency is always a good idea when renovating an old property. There is no doubt that something unforeseen is likely to crop up. It is generally an unknown element where works – repair or renovation may have happened to the property previously. Furthermore, some of the issues that may arise during renovation might include damp – ventilation was still a relatively new or unknown concept to the Victorians, so ventilation issues are common for this style of house. Other issues that may arise are defective masonry, non-compliant or sufficient insulation and electrical issues. A lot of issues can be foreseen from a good preconstruction survey but unfortunately not all.