Extension construction - timber frame?

[MyCatIsAFiend]

We are at the early stages of planning an extension and are finalising the design. For info, it's a traditional 1930s semi, built from brick, with render at first floor level. We plan to extend to the tea rand to build a single storey extension to house a new kitchen-diner.

Our architect has recommended that we go for a timber frame extension, rather than building it with bricks. We don't know much about this as a construction method and feel a bit hesitant. Has anyone else done this, especially when extending a brick-built house?

Also, he recommends we go for a flat roof. Our instinct is that we are very much not in favour of this - I understood flat roofs were The Work Of The Devil - but should we be more open-minded?

I suppose my main concerns are that we could end up either damaging the original house or causing a structural issue, and also whether it would look harmonious. I think the architect has a vision which involves putting a modern box on the back of the house, but we are concerned that it might not be very sympathetic to the original building.

Any thoughts?

Hi, must admit I don’t really know anything about timber framed construction, but we have a small extension built in breeze block then rendered, as the bottom half of our house is rendered so BC we’re happy with this, it’s also has a flat roof which I was a bit concerned about, but due to various pipes/pitch etc flat roof was the best solution.
Ours is finished in a rubber substance, which I believe is much more hardwearing than the asphalt type, we also have a large roof lantern so not much of a flat roof, just round the edges iykwim.

Www.homebuilding.co.uk (Homebuilding and Renovation) has an excellent guide to timber frame extensions. They recommend getting a Structural Engineer to design the frame of any such extension. They also recommend a steel frame if you want a lot of glazing. Lots of other useful advice too.

Essentially it’s not a bad idea but you need to think what you want the extension to look like. Do you want it to mirror the style of the house or be a separate box? What is your vision? Have neighbours done anything similar?

Flat roofs are a no no in my view except where there is a roof lantern. If you do have one, get the highest quality finish and make sure it slopes! It must drain the water off so there is no ponding. Otherwise, think about matching your existing roof with possibly having roof lights in the additional height.

Good luck planning!

Thank you! Some really useful tips. We are in a slightly awkward position as there are very few houses on our road in the same style, so our noseying opportunities are more limited than they might be . The adjoining semi has a ground floor extension in a very classic style - brick built, pitched roof.

That's another concern of mine, actually - party wall and whether there will be any issues if we go for a less standard construction style. Does anyone know whether timber is seen as non-standard construction?

Would really welcome hearing from anyone who has this type of extension!

Bumping hopefully for the evening crowd!