Designing For Comfort
So how do you stay warm inside your new glazed space? It's not just a question of wearing more layers, you know; the Conservation of Fuel and Power building regulations (part L) sets out some stringent rules that you must meet on thermal efficiency, which apply to extensions as well as new buildings.
With this in mind, companies specialising in glass extensions take measures to reduce heat loss. For example, the glass used should be coated with a metal oxide that allows heat and light to pass through, while stopping heat from leaving; and, naturally, the more layers of glazing the better. As always, and especially if you have a large glazed space in your home, you should consider investing in underfloor heating, or trench radiators that lie flush to the floor.
Of course, it's just as important to keep the space cool in summer, otherwise you'll overheat inside your own mini Eden Project. The more greenery you have surrounding the structure, the more shade it will get, but if you go too far, you'll stop the sun from getting through altogether, so be considerate with your landscaping plans. More practical options include fitting blinds.
Glass extension specialist GlasSpace supplies a blind system that fits in between the glazed panels, or you can get a special window film that reflects the sun's heat and UV penetration (go to www.abodewindowfilms.co.uk). Structural solutions include overhanging roofs that will look super-cool and provide a nice bit of shading, and you should consider installing air conditioning, too (go to www.air-conditioning-company.co.uk.
Photo: David Churchill/Arcaid.co.uk
This all-in-one living area at the back of a period house, designed by dMFK Architects, makes the most of the picturesque outlook onto the south-facing garden. They replaced the back wall with folding glazed doors, and a side wall made way for a glazed side return where the kitchen is now situated. Both additions maximise light, plus the project fell under permitted development rights, so no planning permission was needed.
In most cases, a glass extension opens up into the garden, which means you need to go for hard-wearing, low-maintenance (in terms of cleaning) flooring to deal with those soil-sodden shoes tramping in and out... and in... then out again. Hard flooring such as slate, concrete, stone and limestone will all look slick and natural, and particularly if you lay the same (or similar) stone outside on the patio area.
Photo: Ray Main/Mainstream Images
This rear extension to a period property may look slightly more conventional, but it’s the perfect solution for smaller gardens. The aluminium-framed doors fold right back, opening up the living space to the garden and, because it's covered in decking as opposed to grass, it's super-easy to bring the furniture outside. You can buy similar doors from Sunfold Systems (see www.sunfoldsystems.co.uk).
If your extension opens out into the garden, you should consider buying furniture that can be taken outside for those summer days when you fancy lunch on the patio, through to those warm evenings when you want to take your dinner party on to the terrace.
More and more furniture is now weather-proofed to allow for this dual use; Pangea Home does a great selection. In terms of colour schemes, make the most of all that increased natural light by sticking to pale shades - but do double-check how well it will deal with fading before you buy.
Find a trusted extension specialist in your area using MyBuilder.
Your Comments
Post your comment
Please note: In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in to Channel 4:
Sign In Here or Register Here
Comments closed
Comments are closed at the present time
Comments
Thank you for your comment!
Your message will be reviewed and the best ones will be published below.
If you intended to make an official comment to Channel 4 please contact us.
Comments