ABSTRACT
Traditional building methods and materials impose limits on the construction of houses, that in turn affect their character. Understanding these limitations is a good basis for appreciating why some extensions look dull and unappealing however carefully the materials are matched. A typical two-storey extension with a bedroom over a garage will be affected by the regulations that reduce the risk of a fire spreading from this high-risk area, with petrol present, to the rest of the house. Fire protection board is required on the ceiling, as is a step down from the main house into the garage, to prevent petrol spills flowing into the house. One of the major influences on the extension design may be the regulations that restrict the amount of energy the building uses to be heated, and consequently how much heat the new structure is likely to need to make it comfortable to occupy.
