An extension can add handy space to your home, while also improving visibility into the garden. If you plan to extend, the world is your oyster, and you can create a bespoke design to give you the home you always dreamed of.
Many customers are now asking whether we can put a glass roof on their existing single storey extension, in order to bring a little more light into the existing living space, and give it a more modern look. The quick answer is yes, but us there a trade-off in terms of heat loss?
The properties of glass
If you’ve used a poorly designed conservatory in winter, you’ll be well aware of how the weather affects the space. Because of all the glass, heat leaves the room quickly, often leaving the conservatory unused and unloved.
The reverse happens in summer. Conservatories that lack the right glass, or the right vents, can heat up like giant ovens in the space of an hour or less.
A glass roof extension (or full glass extension) won’t suffer the same extremes, but it’s still important to learn these lessons.
Firstly, glass needs to insulate the room, so you can’t fit a cheap glass roof and expect it to perform as well as a flat roof. Secondly, the modification needs to be designed for your property by an expert, because they have to take its direction and size into account. It’s worth stepping outside on a summer’s day to see just how much shade your roof might get.
Retaining heat in a glass extension
If you have a south facing extension, you must consider special glass that reflects the heat of the sun. This will stop your extension becoming too hot. In exposed positions, or where there is a large amount of glass, we also recommend that you consider adding air conditioning.
If you have a north facing extension, cost up underfloor heating which can give you that important boost on cold days. Again, an air conditioning unit can be used as a warming fan, so that’s worth considering as an alternative.
Adding accessories
Don’t discount accessories when designing your extension. Blinds and rugs can really help to make the room cosier or cooler, depending on the weather outside.
As part of your extension, you could also consider adding a versatile bifold door. You can screen the doors in cold weather by using roller blinds, but in summer, they can offer the ventilation you need to keep your glass room extension at the right temperature.
Professional help
A glass roof can transform an extension, giving you a beautiful space that can be used in all weathers. But constructing a usable space is not straightforward, and mistakes could leave you with a room that nobody wants to use.
Under building regulations, new glass has to be energy efficient, so it doesn’t lose excessive heat in winter. When you plan your extension, you’ll need the expertise of a professional window company, such as Hamiltons of course, to comply with these complex rules.
