June 24, 2014

Modern Glazing and Contrast

Written by Rebecca Clayton

"the Grade 1 listed property was commissioned in 1811 by the Prince Regent and designed by royal architect and planner Sir John Nash"

The UK is an old country, its history and legacies stretching back hundreds of years. Architecture and building in this country is the same, with examples of some of the most interesting and beautiful building designs created in the past century.

But as time goes by, living situations change and the way we conduct our day to day lives transform these older homes and buildings sometimes need a modern revamp. How this will be done depends on many factors, the listed nature of the home, the area, what modern amenities need adding the space and the design of the home.

This rear extension in Dalston incorporates a full glass roof, frameless windows, minimally framed aluminium doors and aluminium cladding.

It’s a common trend in London homes which were generally built before 1940 to using modern design methods to add or renovate the older building. Narrow terrace houses that characterise many spaces in London have been using these contemporary rear extension designs to increase living space and create modern open plan living for many years.

At the rear of the house, not overlooked there is mainly a free licence for innovative design, large areas of glass and modern material choices.

On spaces were no side windows are possible, due to overlooking spaces or narrow areas, then opening up the rear of the modern renovation or extension with large sliding glass doors is a great solution to get as much natural light into the space as possible. If the extension is single storey then a frameless rooflight within the roof will also offer maximum daylight at multiple times of day.

In this large extension in Worcestershire, near frameless sliding doors do not interrupt views across the large gardens

On buildings outside of London or inner cities where space is not a problem large areas of glass are generally used to appreciate views, open up internal living spaces and integrate large picturesque gardens with the internal living areas (the indoor-outdoor effect). Minimal framing, flush floor finishes and large opening areas can create this open feel to connect the inside to the outside.

Glass is used a lot in these old meets new renovations and extensions, both in London and beyond. Glass is clear, clean and timeless and therefore creates a distinct line between what is new and old. If you are not going to match the original design of the house exactly then you have to contrast it.

Home Farm Close was renovated using Innovare windows and a glass box extension

IQ Glass have just completely a project in Esher, Home Farm Close, using modern glazing installations to renovate and extend the small residential cottage within a small close. Here a frameless glass extension adds a bright living room to the small house and our flush glazed Innovare windows recreate the flush exterior appearance of the glass box. The bands around the outside of the frameless windows are back painted in grey to hide all fixings and internal framings.

The Innovare window and door system from IQ Glass is a fantastic solution to replacement windows or renovation projects. The flat frameless exterior glass face works fantastically with traditional brick and stone facades.

Contact IQ Glass to find out more about Innovare windows or any other architectural glass solutions

01494 722 800                    hello@iqglassuk.com

Or you could come and visit our new Architectural Glass showroom just outside of London where Innovare and many other window and door systems are on show

The Courtyard Showroom, Sky House, Raans Road, Amersham, HP6 6FT