It's mood-lifting, has the ability to open up a space, can transform a dingy room into something really desirable, plus it's totally free. Yes, a little natural light can go a long way, so why not welcome as much as possible into your home with some clever glass solutions?
Wall Shelf Glass
'Improved manufacturing techniques mean modern glass is tougher, more environmentally friendly and far more versatile than ever,' says Hugo Tugman, architectural expert at Architect Your Home. 'And there are lots of cost-effective options you can use to maximize the potential of any home, regardless of its age or character.'
Wall Shelf Glass
So whether you want to expand your horizons with bi-fold or sliding doors, or fit glass roofing to direct some sunshine into dark corners, we've asked the experts for their advice so you can find the ideal solution for your space.
PATIO AND SLIDING DOORS
Before you buy
When choosing doors, you need to consider the style of your home, your budget, security, how weather-tight the doors are, whether you'll need any structural alterations to your home and, of course, planning permission and building regulations. 'If you can, go to a showroom and check out what you are buying,' advises Nick Morris, sales manager at Solarlux. 'Brochures give you an idea of a product, but it's important to touch and handle the doors to get a feel for them.'
Patio Doors
If your budget is tight, patio doors are cost-effective and can still make all the difference. There are plenty of off-the-peg options that won't break the bank. And, if you need a set of doors that aren't a standard size, some manufacturers can construct them to meet your requirements. If you're handy with a set of tools, you could even save pennies by installing them yourself. 'Bear in mind that the best light comes in at the highest angle,' says Hugo Tugman. 'Standard French windows are just over two metres high, so if there's space, you could create a further set of windows above the doors to pull in light at that important level.'
Sliding Doors
At the other end of the scale from patio doors, modern sliding doors make it possible to achieve the feeling of outside inside. Huge panes (up to three meters wide) offer clear views, and several sections can stack up, one behind the other, to create a vast, open space. Sturdy frames, usually made from aluminum, can be powder-coated in any color so they blend in with the building. Bear in mind, though, that unless there's enough wall space to one side of the void to create a recess for the panes, there will always be at least one panel visible in the opening.
Choosing glass
With a huge expanse of glass, heat loss, overheating and glare can all be problems, but there are several modern options that deal with these issues. They can be used in combination to create the perfect glazing for your space.
* Low E Glass is energy-saving and reflects heat back into the room, reducing CO2 emissions.
* Argon-filled glass reduces heat loss and has a low U value (the lower the value, the lower the heat loss).
* Solar-control glass reduces solar glare, and therefore the need for blinds and air conditioning.
All building projects must comply with Part L of Building Regulations, which relates to thermal efficiency. The amount of glass you can use is limited to some extent, but the calculations are complex, so it's worth seeking professional advice from a glass company.
FOLDING DOORS
Before you buy
'Folding doors have become a huge trend over the past five years,' says Jason Messervy, director at Sun Paradise. Made up of a run of glazed panels that concertina to one side, they also feature a traffic door, which allows outside access without having to open up the entire bank. The run of doors can be as long as you wish, folding inwards or out (although outward folding doors are more weather-resistant and won't interfere with internal furnishings). As most modern designs incorporate flush-to-the-floor tracks, there's a seamless transition between inside and out. 'But the disadvantage,' says Jason, 'is that when shut, the uprights between the panels can impair the view.'
Materials and finishes
Doors can be manufactured from a whole host of materials:
* Smart aluminum frames offer the option to choose one powder-coated color for inside, and another for the exterior.
* Anodized aluminum comes in classy finishes, such as bronze or metallic black, and is exceptionally hard-wearing.
* There are all sorts of beautiful timber options, which are built in layers to prevent them warping. Some types offer the option of a painted finish, too.
* Composites (which combine a wood finish inside and an aluminum skin on the outside) are good for harsh environments where wood could become weather-beaten.
* For privacy, some manufacturers can incorporate blinds into the frames, or sandwich them between the double glazing.
GLASS ROOFS
Before you buy
There are many types of skylights, specialist windows and glass roofs that can help to bring sunshine and ventilation into a space. When deciding which is best for your building, consider whether your home is a new build or a traditional property, so you choose one in keeping with the style; whether the roof you are looking to adapt is pitched or flat; and whether you live in a conservation area, and may therefore be restricted. Also remember that many alterations, even apparently minor ones, need planning permission, so always consult an expert.
The options
If you have a flat-roof extension, it's possible to replace the entire roof with glass. 'This is really popular and effective, and isn't usually much more expensive than other glass roofing options,' says Michael Barnes, MD of Apropos. 'The pitch, or rake, of the roof can be as low as 15 degrees, although 30 degrees is more common. This means the roof is still well below the upstairs windows, while adding up to a metre to the original height.' And glass roofs can be used to transform a gloomy side return or lean-to - giving an otherwise dark space added ventilation and light.
* Designs can be clean lined and contemporary, or more traditional, with painted-wood frames.
* Very large areas of glass may have difficulty meeting thermal efficiency building regulations, but there are ways to offset this in the rest of your home, such as improving insulation.
* At night, artificial light will bounce down off a regular ceiling, but in a glass-roofed building, light will simply be absorbed by the void. This means you need to think carefully about how you're going to light the space.
* Instead of a whole roof, consider creating a narrow channel of glass between the original building and your flat-roofed structure. As well as generating light, a smaller area of glass will be more likely to comply with planning regulations.
SKYLIGHTS AND LANTERNS
Skylights
'Skylights are a low-cost option and, if positioned in a row, can create a glass-roof look without the expense of the real thing,' says Hugo Tugman. There are many types, both bespoke and off the peg, but while a small skylight could be as little as £300-£400, a run of bespoke skylights could cost several thousand, so it's important to assess your budget as well as your needs.
'The latest trend is for unobtrusive windows that sit flush with the roof,' says Peter Soddy, commercial director of The Rooflight Company. 'With edge-to-edge glazing, windows appear frameless, so your view is unobstructed, and the unit blends with your interior.'
* The most hi-spec skylights now come with rain, wind and even heat sensors, which automatically open the window if the room gets too hot, or close it if it starts to rain.
* The type of glass you choose will differ according to the space. A bathroom may need frosted glass if it's overlooked, while for an inaccessible area it may be worth considering self-cleaning glass. If the roof is easy to access, meanwhile, opt for stronger glass for extra security.
Lantern Lights
In addition to standard skylights, lantern lights - which come in all sorts of shapes - are a perfect flat-roof solution. 'Lanterns are ideal in urban areas - they bring in lots of natural light, but prevent the neighbors seeing in,' says Alice Barrington-Wells, design manager at Marston & Langinger. 'Team a large lantern light with a set of sliding or bi-fold doors to make a real statement,' suggests Michael Barnes, MD of Apropos. 'This can transform a flat-roof extension and give a real orangery effect.'
Buyer's Guide To Glass Solutions - From Skylights To Bi-Fold Doors
Wall Shelf Glass
Nov 18, 2011 14:52:36
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