Glazing: how to add natural light to your home - Grand Designs Magazine

Glazing: how to add natural light to your home

Create a space filled with light by choosing the right mix of windows, doors and fixed glazing.

By Hugh Metcalf |

A lighter, brighter home is the goal of most modern self-builds and renovations. Take stock of the glazing options available for bringing more light into your space.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

house build with aluminium windows - grand designs - self build

Image: Kloeber aluminium windows 

Adding natural light to a room can do wonders for your health, have a positive effect on your mood as well as creating a welcoming space for entertaining guests. So how do you maximise the natural light in your home? The experts at bespoke glazing specialists Kloeber lay out the options.

Large Glazed Doors

Connecting your home’s indoor and outdoor spaces with a bifold or sliding door is one of the single most desired aspects of any self-build or extension project and it goes without saying, they will make the most of the light coming in too. Bifold doors will open up to 90% of the aperture and are perfect for smaller openings whereas sliding doors will open up to 75% of the aperture with one of the panes remaining fixed in place and the others sliding behind. French doors also allow for natural light to flood in and can be installed with fixed glazing panels to offer a similar ‘wall of glass’ effect as bifold and sliding doors. Whether you want to increase the light coming into a north facing room or make the most of the light in a south facing room, glazed doors will make any room feel larger and brighter.

house with alu clad windows - grand designs - self build

Image: Kloeber Alu-clad windows, doors and fixed glazing

Internal glazing – windows and doors

Internal glazing offers a source of light shared from another room. Windows don’t need to be on an external wall! Add light and an interesting feature to your home with a glass panel above an internal door or as a point of interest in a kitchen. Alternatively, try a simple, single glass door to add light to a dark hallway from a dining or living room and why not consider an internal bifold door? They offer an ideal solution with the dual purpose of creating zones within the family living space as well as allowing light to flow through, from room to room.

A lighter, brighter home is the goal of most modern self-builds and renovations. Take stock of the glazing options available for bringing more light into your space.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

house build with aluminium windows - grand designs - self build

Image: Kloeber aluminium windows 

Adding natural light to a room can do wonders for your health, have a positive effect on your mood as well as creating a welcoming space for entertaining guests. So how do you maximise the natural light in your home? The experts at bespoke glazing specialists Kloeber lay out the options.

Large Glazed Doors

Connecting your home’s indoor and outdoor spaces with a bifold or sliding door is one of the single most desired aspects of any self-build or extension project and it goes without saying, they will make the most of the light coming in too. Bifold doors will open up to 90% of the aperture and are perfect for smaller openings whereas sliding doors will open up to 75% of the aperture with one of the panes remaining fixed in place and the others sliding behind. French doors also allow for natural light to flood in and can be installed with fixed glazing panels to offer a similar ‘wall of glass’ effect as bifold and sliding doors. Whether you want to increase the light coming into a north facing room or make the most of the light in a south facing room, glazed doors will make any room feel larger and brighter.

house with alu clad windows - grand designs - self build

Image: Kloeber Alu-clad windows, doors and fixed glazing

Internal glazing – windows and doors

Internal glazing offers a source of light shared from another room. Windows don’t need to be on an external wall! Add light and an interesting feature to your home with a glass panel above an internal door or as a point of interest in a kitchen. Alternatively, try a simple, single glass door to add light to a dark hallway from a dining or living room and why not consider an internal bifold door? They offer an ideal solution with the dual purpose of creating zones within the family living space as well as allowing light to flow through, from room to room.

Image: Kloeber aluminium fixed glazing

Fanlights and Sidelights

If your hallway is dark and unappealing, consider an entrance door with glass panels within the design. There are many traditional and contemporary designs on the market to match the architecture of your home. You could also add a fanlight above the door or sidelights, (glazed panels to one or both sides of the door) that will add impact to the entrance of your home as well as letting in some much-needed light. If privacy is a concern then consider opaque glass, and a stained glass option, will add character to a traditional style door.

Clerestory windows

Bring light in from an upper level with a clerestory window. This high-level glazing, historically used on the upper levels of churches and traditionally used on many Arts and Craft properties, can look amazing on contemporary homes where additional light and levels of privacy are required. Unlike lower windows, a row of clerestory windows will let in an ambient light and can free up wall space to display artwork or accommodate bookshelves.

glazed gable in a modern home - grand designs - self build

Image: Kloeber Alu-clad fixed glazing

Glazed gables

Glazed gables not only make the most of the natural light coming into a room, they create an interesting focal point, externally and internally, working well with both traditional and contemporary homes. Add a wow factor with a vaulted ceiling together with a glazed gable to enhance your property and when used with bifold or sliding doors, you can achieve a glass wall from ground level right up to the roof of your home.

Fixed glazing panels

Adding glazing panels to your contemporary or traditional style home produces a light-filled space and a standout architectural feature. Ceilings, walls and corners offer the potential of benefiting from additional natural light as well as creating a truly unique element to your home. Fixed panels can be used on their own or added to bifold, sliding, French or entrance door configurations.

modern kitchen with fixed glazing and roof lights - grand designs - self build

Image: Kloeber Aluminium bifolds and fixed glazing

Rooflights

Rooflights are another way to add warmth, definition and light to create a brighter living space. Perfect for enhancing the look of an extension or an existing area of your home where side glazing may not be possible. Whether flat or pitched, placed above a dark staircase, a dining table or kitchen island, a rooflight can bring in twice the amount of light of an average window. To make sure you capitalise on the natural light coming into your home, speak to a reputable glazing supplier for more ideas. They will be able to offer you impartial advice to ensure you make the most of your space and help create the light-filled home you desire.

 

Are you in the process of choosing glazing for a self build or renovation? Share your thoughts with us by tweeting us @granddesigns or post a comment on our Facebook page.

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