Extension blends 21st century with the olde world

An impressive glass add-on doesn’t look out of place in this Christmassy house.

HAS the country been Bannified? The ticking-over business during the recession — and a lifeline for building trades— was the spread of extensions.

And not the tack-ons of yore with their small windows, cold breeze blocks and darkened inner rooms, oh no. The 21st century version offers good value, lower costs and higher insulation. Box architecture has been around for a while, but during the recession the cedar and glass palaces that have become the stock in trade of Room to Improve’s Dermot Bannon, came into their own.