Renovating
Architecture: Inspiring Ideas for Side Return Glazing
Clever, elegant glazing can transform a side return extension, as this roundup of beautiful, bright designs demonstrates
Extending out into the side return makes brilliant use of the dead space that flanks the room at the rear of a house. It can transform a narrow galley into a multi-tasking kitchen-diner or family room, often doubling its footprint.
Key to the success of any side return, though, is the glazing. Since these extensions are typically built right up to the boundary wall of an adjoining property, windows on the side are often not an option. Luckily, though, exciting designs for roof glazing and glass walls overlooking the garden help light to flood in and create a sense of connection with the outside. So if you’re about to build an extension, check out these inspired solutions for beautiful glazing.
Key to the success of any side return, though, is the glazing. Since these extensions are typically built right up to the boundary wall of an adjoining property, windows on the side are often not an option. Luckily, though, exciting designs for roof glazing and glass walls overlooking the garden help light to flood in and create a sense of connection with the outside. So if you’re about to build an extension, check out these inspired solutions for beautiful glazing.
Keep it clean
For a beautifully simple, clean look that also allows lots of light to flood in, choose a single pane that fits elegantly into the roof.
Here, the roof’s pitch allows you to notice and enjoy the glass set into it, while a large, single pane at the end of the dining area draws the eye out into the garden. The mix of wood, exposed brick and white painted walls teamed with all this glazing creates a bright, contemporary space.
For a beautifully simple, clean look that also allows lots of light to flood in, choose a single pane that fits elegantly into the roof.
Here, the roof’s pitch allows you to notice and enjoy the glass set into it, while a large, single pane at the end of the dining area draws the eye out into the garden. The mix of wood, exposed brick and white painted walls teamed with all this glazing creates a bright, contemporary space.
Use black frames
Create graphic lines that add an industrial edge to side return glazing by choosing black-framed glass. This style works beautifully teamed with exposed brickwork.
Discover how to bring out the beauty of bare bricks
Create graphic lines that add an industrial edge to side return glazing by choosing black-framed glass. This style works beautifully teamed with exposed brickwork.
Discover how to bring out the beauty of bare bricks
Mix influences
This airy extension has a mix of glazing styles for a rich, interesting look. Crittall-style doors open onto the garden while a sash window sits above the sink. A large and simple roof light, meanwhile, pulls masses of light into the back of the room.
This airy extension has a mix of glazing styles for a rich, interesting look. Crittall-style doors open onto the garden while a sash window sits above the sink. A large and simple roof light, meanwhile, pulls masses of light into the back of the room.
Extend the view
Fit a huge, single pane of glass at the end of your side return extension to produce a long sightline through to the end of the garden. This helps to boost the feeling of space and blurs the distinction between inside and out. Similar-sized panes fitted in the roof create symmetry.
Fit a huge, single pane of glass at the end of your side return extension to produce a long sightline through to the end of the garden. This helps to boost the feeling of space and blurs the distinction between inside and out. Similar-sized panes fitted in the roof create symmetry.
Slice it in
A slim run of glazing in the roof of this extension connects with a vertical glass panel at the end for a sliced-in effect. Light from the roof illuminates the table below perfectly.
A slim run of glazing in the roof of this extension connects with a vertical glass panel at the end for a sliced-in effect. Light from the roof illuminates the table below perfectly.
Angle it
This side return extension uses a clever mix of frameless panes with a black-framed door. The roof pane is also sloped and linked to the house walls with an angled section of glass above the door.
This side return extension uses a clever mix of frameless panes with a black-framed door. The roof pane is also sloped and linked to the house walls with an angled section of glass above the door.
Rise above
You may be able to get permission to extend your glazing above the boundary wall of your property, creating a glass parapet that grabs extra light and height for your extension.
You may be able to get permission to extend your glazing above the boundary wall of your property, creating a glass parapet that grabs extra light and height for your extension.
Serve it skinny
Although it’s something of a convention to build in lots of glass overhead in a side return extension, you don’t have to! This space shows how generous glazing onto the garden allows plenty of light in, while a discreet, slim section of glazing in the roof artfully illuminates the bench and adds a wash of light down the wall.
Explore the possibility of a green roof for your extension
Although it’s something of a convention to build in lots of glass overhead in a side return extension, you don’t have to! This space shows how generous glazing onto the garden allows plenty of light in, while a discreet, slim section of glazing in the roof artfully illuminates the bench and adds a wash of light down the wall.
Explore the possibility of a green roof for your extension
Steer clear of the edges
If you plan to build your kitchen into the side return extension space, a large roof light will draw plenty of light in. However, as it can be awkward positioning shelves or units directly under roof glazing, design it to sit centrally within the roof space, so you can use the wall area to the full.
TELL US…
Are you planning a side return extension, or do you have one already? Share your plans or tips for glazing in the Comments below.
If you plan to build your kitchen into the side return extension space, a large roof light will draw plenty of light in. However, as it can be awkward positioning shelves or units directly under roof glazing, design it to sit centrally within the roof space, so you can use the wall area to the full.
TELL US…
Are you planning a side return extension, or do you have one already? Share your plans or tips for glazing in the Comments below.
Beautifully clean and simple, large-scale single panes give clear views of the outdoors and the sky and produce a light, floating look. Don’t feel obliged to install sliding or folding doors, either – a single, conventional door provides a more elegant silhouette in this kitchen-diner.
Read expert advice on what to consider when planning a rear extension