Glass Extension Credit: Darren Chung/Mainstream Images

Major Projects Advice On Building Glass Extensions

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Date Published:
28/05/2008

Advice on Building Glass Extensions

Glass Extension

Credit: Darren Chung/Mainstream Images

The traditional conservatory with wicker three-piece may have had its day, but the glass installation certainly hasn't. Here's how to give your home a stunning contemporary edge.

Spoilt for Choice

A few years back, most of us were content to soak up the summer sun in a simple conservatory or modest sunroom. These days there are so many modern alternatives to consider, from a striking pitched glass roof for your kitchen-diner to a streamlined glass-box living room that will link your house and garden seamlessly and have your neighbours clawing the fence with envy. And, although these glass additions look super-slick, we're happy to tell you that they needn't cost the earth and can be simpler to install than you think.

Andrew Winter

Andrew Winter on how to make an extension into a money-spinner

Firstly, like any substantial home improvement, the cost of your glass addition should ideally relate to the overall value of your home. If you own a home worth a million pounds, spending £50,000 makes sense; but if your home is worth, say, around £100,000 you should spend less than £5,000, and so on... However, if you do want a great one and you can afford it, you should go for it. Just bear in mind that if you move in the immediate future you may not get all your investment back.

Secondly, the glass feature must look good in relation to the style of your home. For example, if you have a 1970s terrace, don't prop a Victorian-style conservatory on the back. Ideally, the space should be linked to the house, not shut off with external-style doors, or it will be classed as a garden room and won't add value to your home. Ensure the floor levels and finishes are tied in with the house, that the area is heated, and don't furnish it with cane furniture which makes it look like granny's porch...

Follow these rules of thumb and the money you spend has got a better chance of being repaid in the future.

Need Expert Help?

Find a trusted extension specialist in your area using MyBuilder.

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  1. We live in a 3 storey Victorian terrace with obligatory 2 storey kitchen and bathroom extension on the back (north west facing). What remins of the yards between our house and the neighbours have been rooofed over to create 2 scruffy garages with plastic roofs. Both our kitchens and dining rooms have windows into these roofed areas (these are the only windows for these rooms). We and our neighbours want to replace the current with something nicer, although the husbands still wants to keep bins and bikes in the 'garages' rather than use them as livig space. I want to improve the light quality to the kitchen and dining rooms, and next door are wondering whether a clear roof terrace is possible! Lots to think about and we don't know where to start. Ideas most welcome, thank you
    Posted by Jill on 05/06/2009 17:47:07
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  2. would like to be considered for the home show. live in an original 3 bed semi and have extended but my 40th birthday is just around the corner and we need to get some privacy from our 3 kids. the attic seems ideal but i'm not moving up there with spiders.
    Posted by j dolby on 19/03/2009 22:34:04
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  3. HI KEV. You might find this article useful: http://www.abbuilding.co.uk/article.htm along with our own http://www.channel4.com/4homes/diy-self-build/diy-build-advice/major-projects/guide-to-building-with-glass-08-05-28_p_1.html
    Posted by 4homes on 08/08/2008 16:31:55
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  4. I am thinking of linking my house with an adjacent cow byre by means of a glazed atrium. The ground between the two is at difference levels which complicates the issue. The buildings are listed and so great care must be taken in how the glass structure relates to these adjacent buildings. I have a mind to use large timbers to mount the glass on rather than maintaining seamless effect. Can you offer any advice or examples of atrium application etc.
    Posted by Kev Turpin on 07/08/2008 10:35:24
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  5. An inetresting article, but there seems to be some discrepancies with the extensions photographed, and the building regs which require <25% of floor area to be glazed! I'm currently scratching my head trying to deal with 'area-weighted u-values', which my local council requires to be submitted - is there any advice available on calculating this? Note: I've already referred to Part L and it's associated Guidance.
    Posted by P Smith on 06/08/2008 12:00:01
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