Woodchurch, Kent -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/06/2013 -- According to experts in the construction industry, one of the most popular trends in the residential construction field today is barn conversions. Says Trevor Weeks of Vernacular Homes, “A barn brings several advantages including the huge vaulted ceilings, the large cart entrances and always popular open plans which provide a tremendous sense of space. This, in turn, creates a contemporary design in a rustic setting."

Weeks continues, saying, "Converting barns and other outbuildings has, perhaps, become something of a tradition in itself across the south east of England. Barn conversion Kent allows decaying and redundant buildings, some with significant historic interest, to be preserved for future generations. Making these buildings habitable provides an opportunity to add a new layer to this history as well as reusing and reinventing these spaces."

With the economy improving, many families are also investing in a self build in Kent, says Weeks, however, the number of younger families and couples who contact them about barn conversions is growing, for good reasons. "Barn conversions typically provide grand open-plan spaces downstairs, usually with a double-height running from the cart entrance to its exit. Any first floor rooms often need to be ingeniously inserted within an existing timber frame to maximize available space. Some clients, however, will want to re-imagine their barn conversion in more radical ways."

Weeks does warn that local municipalities can place restrictions on conversions, resulting in uncommon or disproportionate bedrooms or living rooms. "Flexibility is key when converting a barn into a home. It 's important to work with a builder who has experience in these areas, who pays extreme attention to the architecture of barns and other buildings requiring conversion and can guide the owner through the entire process of converting the structure using an understanding of traditional construction and appropriate design intervention to bring these buildings into the 21st century. Often these projects will need specific areas of expertise, usually revolving around timber surveys, lime mortar and plaster analysis and protected species reports."

About Vernacular Homes LTD
Vernacular Homes Ltd is an established firm of building contractors in Kent offering an extensive range of services, from designing to building. From their own premises on the outskirts of Tenterden, Kent, they undertake a diverse range of projects across Kent and East Sussex. Their projects for private clients and small businesses have included new homes, extensions, conversions of barns and outbuildings, constructions of holiday lets, restorations and conservation projects. With over 20 years experience in the building industry, Vernacular Homes has supported a number of trainees through further education and training in building industry roles, many of whom still work with the company. Vernacular Homes is a registered NHBCbuilder.