GB2171427A - Building extension - Google Patents

Abstract

An extension for an existing building which may adapted to be used as a kitchen or bathroom where services are required. The extension comprises a base, and corner posts 2, 3 supporting a roof. The walls may consist of an inner tile panel and an outer wall panel which are fixed to one another in spaced apart relationship. The wall panel may include thermal insulation and a vapour barrier. A part of the tile panel can be replaced by fittings such as a sink. Plumbing and electrical services may be secured in the space between the two panels in such a way that the vapour barrier is not perforated. The extension is free standing. However there is a flexible weatherproof connection with the existing building. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to building extensions The manufacture and sale of house extensions consisting at least partly of components which have been prefabricated in factory workshops is a substantial industry. Hitherto the extensions which have been supplied are mainly for increasing the size of living rooms of an existing building or the addition of a sun-room or conservatory. In general the provision of such extensions does not pose any great problems of design because of the essentially simple functions which are likely to be performed by those using them. However when the extension is to be a service room for example a kitchen or bathroom the problems of design are magnified considerably. This is because of the much greater demands which the user will make of the services with regard to both their extent and variety.Furthermore in order to keep costs down to a level acceptable to prospective customers the size and shape of the extension has to be flexible so as to enable it to accommodate those kitchen and bathroom units which are generally available on the market. A further problem is that the wall of the existing building against which the extension is to be built may already be cluttered by existing services such as drain pipes and abutments. This invention enables service room extensions to be built onto a wall of an existing building with considerable savings in the cost of labour and materials. Furthermore the internal layout can be made very efficient from the point of view of the user and the aesthetic qualities of the extension whether viewed internally or externally can be of a high order.

Accordingly this invention provides an extension for an existing building comprising a base supporting a plurality of corner posts supporting a roof and constituting a layout grid for the extension, a wall panel and a tile panel spaced apart from one another to form a cavity and extending between and secured to the posts, the width of the posts being sufficient to accommodate the combined width of the panels and the cavity and the extension being free standing and in flexible weatherproof connection with the existing building.

This invention is illustrated but not restricted by the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view in vertical section of the invention extension.

Figure 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1 taken in section in direction A.

Figure 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1 taken in section in direction B.

In these figures a roof (1) is supported by four corner posts of which two only are shown (2 and 3). The roof can be made of conventional prefabricated components and the posts which preferably are made of wood, not only provide support but in addition constitute, when positioned, a grid for assisting in the layout of the extension. They are supported by a base (4) which consists of a conventional concrete slab. The posts rest on a base plate (5) which is separated from the base by a damproof course (6). The roof (1) abuts wall (7) of the existing building and the join is made weatherproof by flashing (8).

There is a small gap (9) between the base (4) and the wall (7) and as a consequence the whole of the extension is free standing with respect to the existing building. A prefabricated inner wall panel (10) incorporating insulation and vapour barrier extends between two corner posts of which one only, numeral 3, is depicted adjacent to the wall (7) of the existing building. The panel is fixed to a horizontal strip of plywood (20) situated immediately above plate (21). This method of fixing the wall panel horizontally has the advantage of avoiding the need for vertical fixing methods.

The panel is positioned parallel to wall (7) and is spaced sufficiently from the wall to ensure that the resulting cavity is wide enough to accommodate any drain pipes and abutments etc. An outer wall panel (12) similar in construction to panel (10) extends between two corner posts remote from the existing building of which one only, numeral 2, is shown. Also extending between these posts is a prefabricated tile panel (13) which is spaced apart from the outer wall panel. The resulting cavity (14) is wide enough to accommodate electrical and plumbing services which are secured to the internal surfaces of the wall panels. The tile panels are fixed to soft wood battens (15) secured to the inner surface of the wall panel (12). This method of housing the services and fixing the tile panels avoids disrupting the vapour barrier and the insulation in the wall panel.The tile panels can cover completely the wall panel. However a part or a whole of the tile panel can be replaced by the kind of equipment normally encountered in a kitchen or bathroom e.g. a wall unit (16) and a base unit (17). The top of the wall unit (16) and the ceiling of the extension can if desired be occupied by a ceiling filler (17). The remaining wails of the extension can be constructed in a similar way.

During the construction of the extension the four walls and roof components are assembled to form what is in effect a box. When this has been made waterproof the fitting out of the interior can then be carried out either independently of or during the provision of an outer skin (18) consisting of brick, stone or any other wall making material. The purpose of this skin is two fold namely to help make the extension weather proof and also to make it harmonise with its environment. A cavity (19) between the skin and the outer wall panel (12) serves to provide additional insula tion for the interior of the extension.

The size of extensions made according to the present invention can be made to vary widely. In general the smallest unit will necessitate the use of four cornerposts. If extensions are required which are to be wider or longer then extra posts of similar construction to the corner posts can be employed between the corner posts in which case additional wall and tile panels will be required.

Claims (8)

1. An extension for an existing building comprising a base, a plurality of corner posts resting on the base and supporting a roof and a wall panel and a tile panel spaced apart from the wall panel to form a cavity, the two panels extending between and secured to the posts, the width of the posts being sufficient to accommodate the combined width of the panels and the cavity, and the extension being free standing and in flexible weatherproof connection with the existing building.

2. An extension according to claim 1 wherein the wall panel incorporates thermal insulation and a vapour barrier.

3. An extension according to either of the preceding claims wherein the tile panel is secured by battens fixed to an inner surface of a wall panel.

4. An extension according to claim 3 wherein electrical and/or plumbing services are secured to the inner surface of the wall panel.

5. An extension according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a part of the tile panel is replaced by a fitting.

6. An extension according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wall panel is provided with an outer skin which is spaced apart from the panel.

7. Any building extension as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

8. Any building extension as hereinbefore described with particular reference to the drawings.