Extension materials designs, Building facade feature, Home architecture exteriors wall cladding, Property brick construction
Extension Materials for Home Exteriors
Brick Alternatives – Exterior Design Feature: Architectural Element in Facades
post updated 12 February 2024
Bored of Brick? Extension Materials to Widen Your Imagination
Brick is a wonderful external wall material, but it’s just one way to dress an extension. Check out these more creative options
Article first published on Houzz
November 1, 2016
Materials for Extensions
Hugo Tugman, Houzz Contributor
Brick tends to be the default choice when building an extension, but there are many alternatives to choose from, including glass, wood and copper. These materials have unusual qualities, create different visual effects, and suit a range of budgets, so they’re well worth considering.
Dark metal
The dark metal cladding used to frame the opening on this extension is not only practical and durable, but also plays off wonderfully against the brick of the original building.
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Glass
A very popular material for extensions, glass can look fabulous, but be careful not to create a space that will be overwhelmed in strong sunshine. It can also be difficult to meet Building Regulations standards on energy efficiency if you use a lot of glass, so it needs careful design.
In this project, the materials tell the story about which parts of the building are original and what has been added, creating a visual contrast between the heavy brick and light glass, and between the old and new.
Steel, timber and glass
A predominantly glass extension doesn’t have to look overtly high tech. The steel and timber detailing on these glazed walls creates a delicate, elegant feel.
Timber
This timber extension looks so beautifully made, it might as well be a piece of handmade joinery. The blond wood makes a striking contrast to the heavy brick walls either side.
Timber and zinc
Wood makes a wonderfully warm external material and here it’s been teamed with the soft grey of a weathered zinc roof to create a modern feel that’s not cold or high tech.
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Render
Traditionally, render is sand and cement, but the new crack-resistant acrylic renders can work just as well and be very cost-effective, particularly when used with two skins of blockwork. The result is a smart, solid, clean look, as shown here.
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Render and timber
Combining materials can allow for different compositions of the external facades. Here, a combination of render and timber cladding is used to create a stylish contrast between the heavy and more lightweight areas of the elevation.
Stone and timber
The combination of stone and timber in this build allows for interesting composition and interplay between the solid parts and the void.
Concrete blocks
Fair-faced concrete blocks have an attractive “unfinished” appeal and are also cost-effective and easy to work with.
Copper
For centuries, copper has been used as a cladding material in buildings, and it’s highly durable and luxurious. Here, the copper is clean and shiny and can be treated to remain that way.
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Weathered copper
If untreated, copper that’s allowed to weather naturally builds up a green patina, which can look very beautiful.
Rusted steel
Certain types of steel are designed to rust on the surface and thereafter protect themselves from further weathering. This rusty surface can be used as a wonderful visual device, particularly when used in contrast to something heavier and cleaner, as shown here.
Composite cladding
While more commonly found on larger commercial buildings, composite cladding panels can be used on residential builds, creating an ordered and precise effect.
Comments on this guide to Extension Materials for Home Exteriors are welcome.
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