© Veronica Rodriguez
Glass kitchen extensions are a sleek, natural-light-inviting renovation option that can totally transform your space. We look into some of the basics to consider before committing to a glass kitchen extension and explore some of the different options so you can choose one that perfectly suits your home.
What is a glass kitchen extension?
A glass kitchen extension can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each creating a unique look and feel for your room. These can consist of structural glass and span entire walls or simply be formed of a number of clear panes. Their biggest advantages are that they are perfect for flooding rooms with ample natural light and removing visual barriers to the outside world, increasing your connection to nature.
Is a glass extension a good idea for your kitchen?
Glass extensions should also be carefully considered and thoroughly researched. This is because, made with the wrong materials or constructed incorrectly, they can be poorly insulated and require more heat to warm up in the winter. On the flip side, using the wrong type of glass with poor craftsmanship in the summer months can make for extremely poor ventilation and unbearably warm temperatures.
Book a free advice call with one of our in-house experts to discuss your glass kitchen extension ideas in more detail.
Do you need planning permission for a glass kitchen extension?
Whether or not you need planning permission for your glass kitchen extension will depend on a range of factors including the size and scale of the build in comparison to the existing property, whether or not you live in a conservation area or an area of outstanding natural beauty.
If you’re unsure what the rules and regulations are in your area or how to proceed onto the next stage, schedule a free consultation with our experienced planning team. They’ll be able to offer tailored advice specific to your project ideas.
How much does a glass kitchen extension cost?
According to figures from Check a Trade, glass extensions tend to cost on average £3,000 per metre squared. Use our Quick Quote Calculator to see how much a glass kitchen extension could set you back.
Different types of glass kitchen extension ideas:
Glass ceiling
A glass ceiling (or glass roof) can be a beautifully striking finish to any renovation or extension project. It consists of a clear pane of glass making up an entire ceiling or section of a ceiling to your extension. It’s an incredibly impactful choice and supercharges the amount of natural light in any room it’s built into. That being said, it comes with its own set of potential drawbacks and complications.
First of all, if your proposed glass roof ceiling designs exceed over 25% of the floor space of the rest of the room you’ll likely need to seek planning permission. Our planning team have years of experience with building rules and regulations for a huge variety of areas so they’re well poised to help with the paperwork. Book a free advice call with them today to discuss any plans in further detail.
Another factor to consider is the maintenance involved in having a glass ceiling, particularly if it’s on a flat roof. This is because rainwater or leaves could pool on top of the outside part of the glass ceiling and cloud the view. Even with a pitched roof and no pooling water or leaves, you’ll need to clean your glass ceiling often to ensure that it remains pristine and lets in the optimum amount of light as possible.
As people are becoming increasingly concerned about energy efficiency and household bills, it’s important to consider the impact of installing features like glass ceilings. If they’re not made of high-quality glass that insulates and ventilates or if they’re fitted incorrectly, glass ceilings are at risk of being inefficient and having the dual impact of making rooms hard to heat in winter and difficult to cool through the summer. That being said, with the right architect, designer and construction team in tow, there’s no reason that these risks wouldn’t be mitigated in the process.
Floor to ceiling glass wall
Installing a floor to ceiling glass wall is another coveted design feature that can transform your space and eliminate the visual barrier between you and the outdoors. Much like glass ceilings, they’re fantastic for boosting the amount of natural light that reaches the space. The considerations that we’d suggest taking are also incredibly similar to that of glass ceilings, namely: insulation and ventilation, maintenance and planning permission (particularly if you live in a conservation area).
Glass box (full glass)
If you’re considering a full glass box style for your kitchen extension, apply the same logic that we have to both glass ceilings and glass floor to ceiling windows, and then double the risks and potential aesthetic gains.
Overall, while expansive glass windows can provide a beautiful unobstructed view and oodles of natural light, there are many factors to consider and it’s vital to get an expert opinion to help you decide. Book a free advice call with one of our experts if a glass kitchen extension is something you’re interested in.
