Catherine Hayward and her family live in a charming 16th-century Grade II listed thatched cottage in the picturesque village of Hook Norton, North Oxfordshire. Alongside their home, they also own a barn, used as recreational space and a home office.

As the family outgrew their cottage, they looked at ways to make better use of the barn. However, the barn was always bitterly cold and difficult to heat, making it nearly unusable for much of the year.

Despite the challenges of retrofitting an older building, they successfully transformed the barn into a warmer, more comfortable extension of their home, all while preserving its cherished character.

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“If you want to create a space that you can use, has low impact on the environment; but is still in keeping with the age and style of the building, there is nothing stopping you from doing it. And we have ended up with a fantastic building.” Catherine Hayward, Hook Norton

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Watch their retrofit journey and see how they brought the barn back to life, creating a cosy and functional space for their family.

Why your home extension is the perfect time for whole-house energy upgrades

When you’re planning to refurbish an extension, or adding a new one to your existing property, it’s the perfect time to consider making improvements to the rest of your home.

Rather than focusing only on the new space, you have a rare opportunity to boost your home’s energy efficiency and comfort across the board. By taking this step, you can ensure that your home is not only bigger but also warmer, more sustainable, and cheaper to run.

An extension involves significant construction work, like extending roofs or altering walls, which provides the ideal moment to upgrade insulation, windows, and heating systems in the rest of the house. By planning ahead with a Whole House Plan, you can take a coordinated approach to ensure that all improvements work together to enhance your home’s overall performance.

Don’t let this opportunity pass by – talk to us about how an extension can be the start of a complete home transformation, making it more energy-efficient, comfortable, and future-proofed for years to come.