What to do with your glazed extension

Here we discuss some of the common uses of an extension and some of the key factors to consider.

Glazed extensions such as garden rooms, orangeries and conservatories have become increasingly popular in recent years as homeowners are searching for additional space that can be used by the entire family all year round.

However, depending on the end purpose of the room there are a variety of design considerations that can help to give your extension the true “wow” factor. Here we discuss some of the common uses of an extension and some of the key factors to consider.

Kitchen
The kitchen is often the hub of the home, and is one of the most popular areas for an extension to be built. A kitchen extension offers homeowners a warm, light and functional place to prepare and cook food as well as a place that the entire family can come together and socialise.

An orangery style extension is ideally suited to the kitchen as these types of extension tend to have less exposed glass than a fully glazed extension such as a conservatory. In addition, the prominent roof lantern can be designed specifically to flood the room with plenty of natural light.

Where possible, depending on the size of the kitchen area it can work well to place one roof lantern above a kitchen island or a centerpoint of the preparation area in the kitchen and an additional lantern over a dining area. Obviously if space is more limited then it tends to be best to create one central roof lantern, but given that these can come in almost any shape and size these can be as detailed or as simple as you like.

As the kitchen can heat up considerably when cooking, it is important to ensure that the extension has adequate ventilation. As a result, many homeowners often find it beneficial to invest in a roof lantern with motorised ventilation windows. These can also be fitted with rain and temperature sensors to automatically open depending on the environment outside and can therefore help to control the overall temperature of the room without making it too cold.

Living space
Often homeowners want an extension that can be used to sit and relax in, as well as for entertaining guests. As a result, there are a few considerations that can help to ensure that your extension is a versatile space that can be used all year round.

Given the sheer quantity of glass i need to buy hydrocodone used within these types of extensions it is important to think about ways to ensure that the extension does not get too warm in summer months or even too cold during winter. Because of this, homeowners are often choosing an extension with a tiled roof such as garden room, or a semi-glazed roof such as a orangery to help protect it from the often harsh weather conditions.

If the extension is to be designed at the rear of the property it can work well to incorporate french doors into the design in order to create a seamless transition between home and garden. This also works well when entertaining guests as they can easily move between the home and garden depending on the weather outside.

If the extension is to be used for entertaining it can be a good idea to think about additional details that can truly give it the “wow” factor such as lead feature lights, stained glass detailing, crystal lighting or even a showcase chandelier to hang from the roof lantern.

Extensions for an older property
Whilst homeowners will no doubt want an extension that stands out, an extension should also still blend with the classic lines of an older property. This means combining some of the traditional features into the extension design, such as sliding sash windows or casement windows with an appropriate glazing bar design such as Edwardian to complement the design of the home.

This also makes the use of authentic materials such as timber key to achieving this look. Other modern alternatives such as uPVC and aluminium will obviously stand apart from the rest of the property and may not blend in.

It is more a case of personal taste when choosing between an orangery, garden room or conservatory as all can be designed to suit an older property. Garden rooms with a tiled roof can often blend completely into the original property and can even include timber frames to be completely in-keeping with the existing style of property.

It therefore goes without saying that as well as aesthetics, it is also important to consider the function of the room when planning an extension. Talking through your plans with a reputable designer can ensure that the room is created to you and your family’s needs.