BI_Extension Bible_2018(1)

BASEMENTS 51

MARK NICHOLSON

Underfloor heating is an ideal option for your extension

Underfloor heating (UFH) can help to make your house a home, deep, and is laid on top of the original surface before being
by allowing you to create a new level of warmth. It transforms the finished with your choice of covering.
floor into a radiant heat emitter, creating a cosy feel underfoot.
UFH products from Polypipe can help to open up wall space, UFH is compatible with all kinds of floor finish, including tiles,
offering homeowners freedom and flexibility in terms of layout – wood, laminate and carpet. The controls can be tailored to suit
perfect for basements and other areas of the house. you, with options from basic dial thermostats through to internet-
enabled smart applications. You can operate the system across
There are several ways to add this type of heat emitter to an the whole house or single rooms. You also have the option to
extension. If you’re installing it in the addition only, you can choose establish individual zones within a large open plan space, giving
a solid system to be laid inside the new floor. The pipework is you unprecedented levels of flexibility – all while saving money on
fitted above the insulation and the screed is poured on top. your energy bills. Polypipe Underfloor Heating can transform your
home and help you achieve true warmth.
Alternatively, you could make the most of the general disruption
caused by the construction work, and take the opportunity to POLYPIPE UNDERFLOOR HEATING
retrofit your entire home with UFH. The simplest way to do this Tel: 01709 772200 Web: www.polypipe.com/build-it
is to build your new floor up to the level of the existing one and
fit Polypipe’s Overlay system throughout. The setup is just 18mm

52 BASEMENTS

Add light with a wow-factor glass floor IQ GLASS
Tel: 01494 722880 Web: www.iqglassuk.com
A basement extension is a great route to a larger home without
the hassle of moving. This type of project can provide a much-
needed extra living space or guest room, while increasing the
overall value of your property. One of the key factors to consider
when you’re designing a scheme like this is how to introduce
natural light to this new underground storey.

If your extended space is beneath street level on all four sides,
then IQ Glass’s structural glass flooring could be a stylish way to
channel sunlight into your basement. Laminated in multiple layers,
it offers an extremely strong and durable surface to accommodate
the weight of foot traffic from the floor above.

In this ultra-modern project, an IQ Glass glazed floor has been
inset into the ground floor patio, filtering light into the mixed-use
space below. Fixed glass units sit at almost 6m high and add
architectural interest across both levels. The sleek, flush finish
creates a seamless transition across the patio, while spacer
bars and inner panes of glass provide good insulation.

IQ Glass design all fixings and supports to suit your project
specifications. Transparent floor pieces can be installed as one
panel. For larger installations, minimal steel sections or frameless
glass beams can be specified to support the glass joints.

BASEMENTS 53

Design a modern staircase to suit
your extension scheme

A key element to consider when planning a new basement storey
is the staircase. The right design will help to connect your lower
ground floor with the upper levels of your home, both physically and
in terms of making it feel like a natural part of the rest of the building.

Supplied by StairBox, this bespoke flight is a simple yet elegant
oak configuration with carpeted MDF treads. Glass balustrades
are a smart design choice for subterranean zones. They create a
smooth transition between floors and allow light to flood down into
the basement from the living spaces above, which could potentially
benefit from more opportunities for glazing than the basement level.

If you’re looking for a staircase to fit a non-standard area or
simply want to have something unique, you can customise your
ideal flight in 3D using the StairBox Online Designer. Simply use
this tool to specify your dimensions, configuration and balustrade
design, along with luxurious structural materials including
Whitewood, Redwood, American White Oak and Sapele.

STAIRBOX
Tel: 01782 832555 Web: www.stairbox.com

Efficient fire safety

Unobtrusive and highly effective, the
Automist Smartscan sprinkler system from
Plumis is a clever fire safety solution for
your basement rooms. This subtle device
is contained within a stainless steel panel
for seamless integration within your decor.

If the product’s in-built heat sensor
is activated, a rotating misting nozzle
emerges from the panel. Infrared sensors
lock onto the source of the fire, targeting
it with a powerful jet of water mist.

Automist’s focused application requires
90% less water than a traditional sprinkler,
limiting incidental damage to your interior. Its low water usage also
means there’s no need for a tank or water mains upgrade.
Suitable for a range of basement extensions, it was the ideal
choice for this airy, open-plan project. Here, the rear garden was
dropped down to meet the lower ground level.

PLUMIS
Tel: 0207 871 3899 Web: www.plumis.co.uk

54

USEFUL CONTACTS

Absolute Lofts 0800 24 30 48 www.absolutelofts.com Loft Leg 01282 861001 www.loftleg.com
Alpine Aluminium 0113 350 6588 www.alpinealuminium.co.uk Mitchell Berry Architects 020 7938 4358
Basement Structures 020 8405 6400 www.hmb-architects.co.uk
www.basementstructures.co.uk MOOi Architecture 01223 364698 www.mooiarchitecture.co.uk
British Gypsum 0115 945 1000 www.britishgypsum.com MW Architects 020 7407 6767 www.mwarchitects.co.uk
Build It 3D Home Designer www.self-build.co.uk/3dsoftware Netatmo www.netatmo.com
Build It Estimating Service www.self-build.co.uk/estimate Neville Johnson 0161 873 8333 www.nevillejohnson.co.uk
Carai 020 3731 9048 www.carai.co.uk New Wave 01732 852500 www.newwaveav.co.uk
Charlick + Nicholson Architects 020 8968 0022 Plumis 020 7871 3899 www.plumis.co.uk
www.charlicknicholson.co.uk Polypipe Underfloor Heating 01709 772200
Chris Dyson 020 7247 1816 www.chrisdyson.co.uk www.polypipe.com/build-it
Cotteswood 01608 641858 www.cotteswood.co.uk Protek 0333 456 8030 www.protekselfbuild.co.uk
Econoloft 0800 269 765 www.econoloft.co.uk Red Squirrel Architects 0208 699 6766
Folding Doors 2 U 01621 834123 www.foldingdoors2u.co.uk www.redsquirrelarchitects.com
Giles & Pike Architects 020 7924 6257 www.gilespike.com Rise Design Studio 020 3290 1003 www.risedesignstudio.co.uk
Granit Architects 020 7924 4555 www.granit.co.uk Robert Dye Architects 020 7267 9388 www.robertdye.com
GreenRooms by Oakwrights 01432 353353 Sarnafil gbr.sarnafil.sika.com
www.greenroomsbyoakwrights.co.uk Scenario Architecture 020 7686 3445
Gregory Phillips Architects 020 7724 3040 www.scenarioarchitecture.com
www.gregoryphillips.com Stairbox 01782 832555 www.stairbox.com
Hackett Holland Architects 020 7467 0450 Studio Octopi 020 7633 0003 www.octopi.co.uk
www.hackettholland.co.uk Sunflex 01603 258649 www.sunflexuk.co.uk
Haus Glass 01925 571557 www.hausglass.co.uk Telebeam 01380 739000 www.telebeam.co.uk
Hogarth Architects 020 7381 3409 www.hogartharchitects.co.uk The Oak Designs Co. 01273 400411 www.oak-designs.co.uk
Hut Architecture 020 7399 8680 www.hutarchitecture.com The Rooflight Company 01993 833108
IDSystems 01603 408804 www.idsystems.co.uk www.rooflightcompany.co.uk
Internorm www.internorm.com Threefold Architects 020 8969 2323
IQ Glass 01494 722880 www.iqglassuk.com www.threefoldarchitects.com
Jo Cowen Architects 020 7371 0357 www.jocowenarchitects.com UV Architects 020 7407 9343 www.uvarchitects.co.uk
Kloeber 01487 740044 www.kloeber.co.uk Vale Garden Houses 01476 564433 www.valegardenhouses.co.uk
Lapd Architects 01865 407722 www.lapdarchitects.co.uk Velux 01592 778225 www.velux.com
Lipton Plant Architects 020 7288 1333 www.lparchitects.co.uk West Architecture 020 7482 6849 www.westarchitecture.co.uk

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Adding an extension to your home is a practical way to
create extra floor area. It will allow you to enhance your
living space by tailoring it to your bespoke requirements,
as well as potentially increasing your property’s value.
New and updated for 2018, Build It magazine’s Extensions
Bible gives essential information on establishing the right
design and materials, sourcing relevant products and
suppliers and working out likely costs and timescales.
Whether you’re looking to extend out to the garden, up
into the loft or down to create a new basement, this book
explains how to complete your dream project on time and
on budget, from planning permission to the final fit out.

£6.99 BuildItBROUGHT TO YOU BY...

Published by Castle Media www.self-build.co.uk