There are many ways to flood your home with light, from sliding roofs to grand extensions. Be bold and you’ll reap the benefits. By Naomi Cleaver
Making your existing windows larger or additing additional windows will make a huge difference but, please, avoid uPVC. The initial cost of timber windows may be slightly higher, but, in the long run, they are easier to maintain, look much more attractive and are kinder to the environment. Woodforgood.com lists manufacturers who offer environmentally sustainable timber windows with 30- year guarantees, and up to eight- year guarantees on factory paint finishes.
The September 2007 Issue of Home
Magazine 25 Beautiful Homes showcased a
1920s Arts and Crafts-style detached house
in Surrey which had been extensively
refurbished with Crittall Steel Windows
supplied and installed by Crittall Approved
Distributor - Lightfoot Windows (Kent) Ltd,
based in Croydon Surrey
OPEN THE ROOF
SUNSHINE provides OpenAir roof sliding windows which consist of up to 3 movable sections. These are moved vertically underneath a fixed section by an electric motor.
The rugged construction allows for window sizes of up to 4 x 12 meters. An automatic control closes the sections in the rain.
For a more conventional approach, consider a glazed loft conversion and open your roof to the sky with dormer windows or roof lights. Try Velux or The Rooflight Company.
APROPOS system comprises a unique extrusion suite; cutting edge glass; superior thermal efficiency and an infinite colour range
Picture from Glasspace gallery
SLIDING WALLS
Sliding or folding external glass doors are becoming increasingly popular. Sunfold Systems, Solarlux, and pioneers of metal window frames, Crittall Windows, are all reputable suppliers.
Whole walls can now be replaced with Folding Patio Doors.
Designer Construction Ltd supply and install High Specification Aluminium External Glazed Bi-Fold Doors (picture above) www.livingdaylight.co.uk
Think outside – or inside – the box: if you’re installing glass walls you may as well go the whole hog and construct a glazed extension (which could arguably be better value for money, as you’ll be adding more square footage).
Glasspace has developed a standardised structural system to minimise the costs of such an investment.
Apropos also specialises in glazed structures, from conservatories to atriums.
kitchen extensions
Kitchen is often described as the most important room in the house. It therefore makes sense to extend using glass and aluminum in order to add light, space and style to this work and leisure space.
www.apropos-conservatories.com
Glass walls and roofs blur the boundaries between inside and out, and the transparent nature of a frameless glass extension makes it suitable for almost any style of architecture. Whether you build upwards with a double- height extension, replace existing external walls with safety glass or even box in an unused side return or courtyard to create a glass room, there are myriad ways to see the light.
LIGHT v PRIVACY
One of the drawbacks of extra glazing is the reduction in privacy, so you might like to consider:
Fitting blinds: many fold away by remote control into streamlined boxes that won’t detract from the form of the building. Some, sych as SolarTex by Thomas Sanderson (thomas-sanderson.co.uk), will let in light but block UV rays, which damage furnishings and fade paintings.
