Glass additions are increasingly seen as a beautiful modern choice to traditional additions like conservatories and orangeries. If the main reason for expanding your home is to create additional space for you and your family, why not design that space to be as bright and open as possible?
Thermally-broken glass structures excel as home extensions because they enhance natural light, make your room look larger, and provide sweeping views of your garden. Plus, they look spectacular!
With the thermal properties of a glass extension allowing it to function just like any other room in your house, you can use it throughout the year for anything you wish. Most glass extensions are bespoke, providing a variety of adaptable design options, so you can customize a space that meets your specific requirements.
What would you use your glass extension for? Keep reading for some exciting suggestions on how to utilize your glass extension.
Possible uses for a glass extension:
As a thermally insulated unit, glass extension may require only an internal door, or none at all, separating it from the rest of your house. This freedom lets you decide its purpose. Whether it’s an impressive dining kitchen, a comfortable family room, a roomy home gym, or a bright and open swimming pool and spa area, the optimal use of your glass extension is entirely up to personal preference.
A glass extension is warm in winter and cool in summer
Choosing a fully glazed structure is smart if you want to use your home extension as extra family space. It allows sunlight to pour in, which can greatly improve everyone’s mood and health. Because it’s thermally insulated, it stays warm in winter and cool in summer, quickly becoming your family’s favorite year-round gathering spot. Open up your glass extension to your garden or patio in the warmer months and watch as the kids enjoy the extra freedom. And on clear nights, gather everyone for some stargazing through your extension’s glass roof.
The light, airy atmosphere of a fully glazed extension is ideal for a home gym. Enjoy views of your garden or the countryside beyond as you exercise, and it’ll feel almost like you’re running outdoors. Using your glass extension as a home gym adds a wellness aspect to your fitness routine, caring for both body and mind.
If you have the space and the scenery, an outdoor swimming pool can be a fantastic addition to your garden. However, the unpredictable British weather often limits the use of outdoor pools. Enclosing your pool with a thermally insulated glass extension allows you to swim and reap the benefits all year round. It also keeps the pool clean from debris, minimizing maintenance and water replacement.
Likewise, if you’re planning a spa area, a fully glazed extension is the ideal way to foster a sense of spaciousness and freedom, enhancing your relaxation and overall wellbeing.
A kitchen and dining space ranks among the top uses for a glass extension
Flooded with natural light, a glass extension provides an ideal environment for a kitchen and dining area, seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces when the doors are opened to a garden or patio. This setup not only enhances social gatherings with family and friends but also injects a wow factor into your home with its breathtaking aesthetics and exceptional engineering, sure to impress visitors and bring a smile to your face each time you enter.
Custom glass extensions can stretch across the full width of your home, resulting in a striking and utterly unique addition. The roof of these structures can extend at a sharp angle—up to 45 degrees—creating a visually appealing and practical link to the upper floors of your house. This innovative design enables the inclusion of additional upper-level space, as seen in some spectacular two-story home extensions.
Post-Covid, the shift towards remote work has led many to spend increased time at home, often in less-than-ideal office setups. A glass extension offers a bright, inspiring alternative for a home office, enhancing motivation and productivity while reducing stress.
Embracing biophilic design, a fully glazed extension can connect you more deeply with the outdoors. Panoramic views through the glass walls and potential star-gazing through the roof foster a tranquil environment that can uplift your mental well-being.
Glass rooms—also known as glass houses or orangeries—are not thermally insulated like true glass extensions. They offer shelter from the elements but lack the insulation needed for year-round comfort, necessitating an external door to your home. Despite these limitations, glass rooms are highly functional for much of the year, especially in warmer months, providing a valuable, enjoyable enhancement to your outdoor living space.
Outdoor kitchen
Given the unpredictable British weather, an outdoor kitchen in a stand-alone glass structure allows for reliable alfresco dining, shielded from wind, sun, and rain.
Swimming pool canopy
For those with an existing outdoor pool or considering a non-insulated alternative for new pool coverage, a glass room can serve as a canopy, protecting the area from rain and sun, with optional side panels for additional wind protection.
Custom-made in Germany, GSL’s glass extensions and rooms offer endless customization for creating a unique, special feature in your home. Each component of these high-quality glazing systems is precision-engineered to integrate flawlessly with the others, ensuring a pristine look and superior functionality and durability.
