glazing dilemma

3 years ago

Planning permission has been submitted for a single storey extension to the back of my bungalow. It’s to be used as an open plan kitchen, diner with a snug. I’ve requested a hipped roof with a huge roof lantern in the middle to maximise the light. I also plan to have sliding doors instead of bi folds along the back to enjoy the wonderful view to our SW facing garden. After reading the stories and comments on Houzz, I’m really concerned that this might not be a good idea. All I’m trying to achieve is to maximise as much light as possible that will also project light into the lounge which is further back from the new extension. My concerns are heat control and glare! I’ve read so much on different types of glass and overhangs and awnings. My mind is at bursting point. I can’t afford to make a mistake here. This extension will be used all the time. I would really welcome your thoughts. Thank you.

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Comments (9)

arc3d
3 years ago
Not exactly sure what advice you're looking for?

Heat loss can be reduced by using good quality, thermally efficient glazing and glare is easily fixed with window coverings.

You may just be overthinking it? That can happen when you have a big stressful build ahead of you.

Did you use an architect?
Fiona Brenchley
Original Author
3 years ago
I have used an architect. He confirmed that the lantern and sliding doors will be fine. I’m reluctant to have window coverings because the whole idea is having the light and the view. I’ve read about the tinted glass that controls the amount of light and heat, but that would surely effect the light within and in the winter months it will look dreary.
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One has to question what is going on here, as you appear to feel your house does not make a 'good enough' statement? My first reaction to the exterior was to recoil at the rather 'pushy' cars parked outside, plus the tragic pvc door and weatherboarding! Apart from that the house looks to be quite a sensible, space-efficient design with the reduced heat losses that a terrace brings... Your house is not an individual, but is part of a row of three or even more, meaning that anything you do should take into account the others, be sympathetic and integrate with them. My attitude as a sustainable design consultant would be to only spend money on things that really need upgrading, and only do that with the greatest care so that you do not harm the structure and take into account condensation risk etc. Think carefully about the effect all your changes will make to heat loss and your space heating requirements! Also consider any possible overheating via glazing and be aware that glass has one of the highest carbon footprints while insulation is really low. Remember that every penny you spend earning money comes with an environmental footprint, and when you spend this money you then add a further environmental impact! The obvious areas which could be improved are wall insulation, glazing, doors and air-tightness. Any new glazing should be designed to give really low whole-window U values and should use warm-edge spacers. For me PVC is out of the question as it is rubbish, looks tacky and reduces glazing area. If you are using timber, then look into using Accoya, douglas fir or oak. Velfac certainly make quality windows and doors, but it would be better if all the houses installed them to keep the facade consistent. Thermally broken Nordan, SAS Pure, Aluprof slimline are other windows/doors to check out. If the weatherboarding is to be replaced, then I would advise using Marley Eternit Cedral or Cedral Click (Cembrit also offer a pressed cement board) which will never rot, but again, consider getting your neighbours to join in). You can paint this yourself with Dulux weathershield. Most cedar cladding looks awful once the UV light starts to break it down and the rain gets in. To me, the way we live our lives on the planet is much more important than the way things 'look'. People are exploited by the fashion and interior design companies into spending money on short-term whims and froth which all impact on the resources the planet creates for us. That is not to say that good design is unimportant -take a Harry Bertoia chair for instance - classics that just go on for ever. My motto is KEEP IT SIMPLE & SUSTAINABLE - QUALITY RATHER THAN QUANTITY. Hope this is helpful.
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Hi, Advice wanted! We are having a dilemma regarding the glazing for our planned renovations. We have had plans drawn up (below) where we would have doors off the dining area, an opening door on the side return and doors off the living room. At this stage we are thinking sliding doors for both dining area (three doors to achieve 2/3 opening) and living area (two doors to maximise view, as these would be opened less frequently). Dilemma 1: If we wanted to have an open corner/ moving corner design (ie. remove the 'yellow' column), can this be achieved with sliding doors? It seems that you have to match the track on both sides of the corner (ie. a two-track meeting a two-track) and having such a short side means something like 2 x 800mm doors - not ideal. It also means we would have to have two doors to the rear, only 50% opening. Are there any elegant solutions to this problem? We don't really want to go any further into the garden. Dilemma 2: Obvious solution is to have bifold doors, but would having a combination of bifold doors (dining area) and sliding doors (living room) look weird? We would have 2 wide sliding doors and a minimum of 4 bifold doors, possibly 5, so in my mind this could look mismatched. Has anyone taken this approach? My hesitation to bifold doors is the sheer number of doors means lots more aluminium to look at, and you have to accommodate them in the garden space when they are open. Any input would be gratefully received! Thanks.
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arc3d
3 years ago
But blinds, for example, only cover the window when you want them to?

You can get blinds that are built into the glazing. When open you would never now they were there.
Fiona Brenchley
Original Author
3 years ago
Ahh! I must of seen these. Definitely need to find out more about these. Really appreciate your time replying to me. Thank you
minipie
3 years ago
Hmm SW facing and lots of glass... yes heat could be an issue, only for a few weeks a year but you don’t want your kitchen unusable for those weeks.

Skylights let in a lot more heat than vertical glazing (the doors) so I would definitely consider some kind of built in heat reflecting electric blind across the lantern. If it’s done at the time of building it can be done more cheaply and easily than retrofitting. I would also recommend making part of the lantern electrically opening if budget allows, so you can get ventilation and let out trapped buzzy insects!

We have an electric awning above our sliding doors and it does make a massive difference to the heat coming in, without blocking the view of the garden. Not cheap though (although manual ones are a lot cheaper). For us it was worth the cost as it also provides shade for our outdoor eating area and privacy (we are overlooked).
Gina
3 years ago
We have a lot of glazing in our southwest facing kitchen. Our architect talked us into glass that greatly reduces the solar gain, and to have opening roof lights. Both of those have made a difference, but to be honest I think the opening roof lights makes the biggest difference in cooling the room. It also works when I'm cooking up a storm and both ovens and all rings are going.
Fiona Brenchley
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you for sharing your experience and your advice. It’s such an expensive outlay so I really want to get it right first time. Best regards
Ellie
3 years ago
Where you live can help you decide if you need blinds/windows that open or anything special. We are south facing and in Scotland, have 3.5m sliding doors and 2 velux on slope of roof. No overheat, or too much sun. No need for blinds/ curtains either. Never opened the velux either.
Fiona Brenchley
Original Author
3 years ago
Indeed Ellie. I’m in Kent. That’s why I’m doubting my plan. However, the comments have identified solutions to control the temperature changes. I need to do further research. Thank you Ellie

glazing dilemma

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glazing dilemma

Comments (9)

arc3d

Fiona BrenchleyOriginal Author

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Fiona Brenchley
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