Exterior wall construction question

No reason why you can't build a timber framed extension (think American house). But the building control officer may still require deeper foundations than you would expect. You could probably build it on a concrete slab to reduce the digging depth. It may not add as much value to the house as a masonry build though. However, if it's rendered afterwards it would not *look* like a timber extension ! Alternatively, you could build a "conservatory" on one one the light foundation methods that are available. A conservatory should have an external door from the house, but may people take these doors off. This has been done on many home makeover TV programmes ! Simon.

The depth of the foundations has little or nothing to do with supportung the weight, and everything to do with finding stable subsoil to start from.My house is timber:I still had to go down over 2m in places due to tree roots.

Thanks - that's good to know. Think I'll try a chat with buildings regs.

I'm a bit averse to building a conservatory because I'm hoping to live in the extension all year round, and would imagine anything substantially glazed would cost a fortune to heat (and we're rather overlooked by other houses).

I have heard of people who have built conservatories, the quietly put "proper" roofs on them, as well as removing the doors to the "main" house. I don't know how get-away-with-able that is, anyone like to comment? You'd also need not to impose a greater load on the atructure than it was able to take.

Regards Richard