The trend to ‘improve, not move’ isn’t going anywhere any time soon, but with floor space at a minimum, and London councils cutting down on basement extensions, homeowners across the country are coining a new phrase:
Move Up not Out
Roof Terraces and loft extensions or conversions are popular home extension techniques and are now the most common type of extension within London. The RICS (Royal Institute of Charter Surveyors) carried out a study revealing that homes all over the country are turning roofs and lofts into extra livings spaces, claiming it is the ‘Rise of the people’s penthouse’.
But how can architects and designers create a useable, inviting living area whilst confirming to Building Regulations restrictions for head heights, fire regulations, and planning constraints?
The Modern Loft Conversion
Loft conversion designs have moved away from the traditional Mansard roof extension and boxy Dorma windows.
Designs can be exciting, contemporary and minimal whilst making the most of the added height and view. Oversized windows can transform a simple Dorma into an architectural feature by either using fixed, frameless structural glass or slim framed sliding glass doors.
Incorporating a frameless glass balustrade can create a small balcony area without restricting views and light, or integrate the balcony into the sliding door frames for a contemporary Juliette Balcony design.
IQ Glass recently assisted on a large house renovation project in London where the loft was converted into a new master bedroom. Here a modern take on the Dorma window was used to maintain the contemporary appearance of the renovations, and ensure the master bedroom was filled with natural light.
Our slim framed sliding glass doors fill the entire window opening, ensuring maximum glass area, leading out onto a small external balcony. Here frameless glass balustrades provide the necessary safety barrier without impeding views or reducing natural light into the loft extension.
The Rise of the Roof Terrace
A recent emerging trend, especially in crowded cities, is the creation of external roof terraces. These, often small, outdoor spaces can create an amazing retreat from inner-city life above the crowds and can add upwards of 10% to property values.
Even the smallest roof area can be converted into a rooftop oasis with interesting and unique design elements ensuring that these outdoor spaces can make the most of even the smallest areas.
Access can sometimes be an issue, especially on narrow London properties. Automated sliding roof lights can be used as minimal roof access hatches, creating easy access to a new roof terrace without reducing too much outdoor space.
Although these rooftop spaces can be suntraps the alternating UK weather can sometimes put homeowners off the creation of rooftop alfresco living areas.
The introduction of some type of roof to a rooftop terrace could ensure that these external spaces can be used throughout more of the year. Considering typical planning restraints these ‘roofs’ are normally required to be temporary structures.
The new IQ Louvre Roof from IQ Glass is the perfect solution for these roof terrace designs; a temporary structure, modern design, automated solar shading. In addition, the automated louvres create a watertight patio roof when fully closed creating a usable roof terrace all year round, throughout the UK’s tumultuous weather changes.
Trend Alert
The inclusion of these contemporary rooftop pergolas on some of London’s latest residential developments, such as Embassy Gardens and Paddington Exchange, gives an insight into their emerging popularity. We expect to see these rooftop Pergolas being used more often throughout the commercial and residential marketing, creating extended and protected external areas.
Contact IQ Glass for further information about any of the products mentioned in this article
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